Oceans: Underwater Worlds

School Library Journal

Gr 4–7—These volumes provide basic information on topics such as climate, physical features, and plant and animal life. Deserts discusses where the biome occurs in various World Wildlife Fund ecozones, but does not include a map. Coniferous Forests includes a chapter on "The Nonliving Environment" caused by the dense canopy of trees that blocks sunlight, and Deciduous Forests outlines the advantages to trees of losing their leaves. Oceans considers factors such as currents and light zones, while Tundra compares and contrasts Alpine and Arctic environments. Small photos in each book are adequate but unexceptional. The authors discuss factors such as climate change, pollution, logging, and irrigation that alter a biome and threaten plant and animal life, and changes that might reduce the harm. The further-reading lists include links to conservation-advocacy groups, government agencies, and commercial sites. The number and quality of Web sites identified vary by title—the site for Deserts boasts 16 links, whereas those for the other books list between 2 and 8 resources each. Supplementary choices where demand for report material is great.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato