Protecting the Rain Forest

Children's Literature

Without locating the world's rainforests, this book plunges right in to a discussion of the destruction of over half. The consequences of this are categorized into endangered animals, weather problems and tree loss. Chico Mendes, who lost his life defending the Brazilian rainforest, gets a mention. This is followed by a discussion of one solution, forest reserves and other problems such as mining and farming. The book ends with a discussion of ways to help preserve and protect the rainforests. The uneven organization of the book, the general rather than specific information by country, and a carelessly edited pronunciation glossary (kul-TEE-vate; new-TREE-ents) make this one to pass up. Part of the "Checkerboard Rain Forest" series. 1999, ABDO Publishing, $19.92. Ages 8 to 11. Reviewer: Susan Hepler

School Library Journal

Gr 2-4-Of these three series entries, Insects has the most information not duplicated elsewhere. Although other books about rain forests include insects, Woods provides an overview of the various orders that live in tropical rain forests. The close-up color photographs are sure to stimulate the interest of beginning entomologists. In fact, the photos in all three books are well chosen. Each title lists the same four recommended Internet sites. In all three books, every topic receives a double-page spread with one page of text facing an accompanying photograph. People discusses how natives live, build homes, hunt, farm, as well as what they eat. American Indians, Africans, and Pacific Islanders living in the rain forest are all highlighted. Anna Lewington and Edward Parker's People of the Rain Forests (RSVP, 1998), although for slightly older readers, offers more detail about the subject. The most eclectic of the entries, Protecting the Rain Forest touches lightly on destructive logging, mining, cattle ranching, and farming practices and efforts to improve them. Of note is an apparent contradiction between destructive agricultural practices identified in this volume and the neutral presentation of such techniques as a viable method of farming in People. Since these are not first-priority titles and there is no need to buy the entire set, librarians should evaluate their collections' existing resources to decide which of these books might be needed.-Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.