Tundra

School Library Journal

Gr 3 UpBreathtaking panoramas of the polar regions' unique land and captivating closeups of their plants and animal inhabitants fill full- and double-page spreads, creating a visually powerful resource sure to whet one's appetite for information about Antarctica and the Arctic tundra. The spare text, encased in rectangular boxes superimposed over the photographs, is descriptive and informative. Basic, yet interesting facts about the location, physical features, climate, plants, wildlife, and human activity will encourage even reluctant readers to learn about the areas. Despite the sometimes distracting blocks of text that are often hard to read and confusing and the unexplained use of italics for some words and the captions, the enticing photographic images successfully bring the isolation, starkness, and harshness of these lands to life. Neither book has a map. Although Downs Matthews's Arctic Summer (S.&S., 1993) provides more information in a similar format with less emphasis on the photographs, both of George's titles are worthwhile purchases. Books with more information include Bruce Hiscock's Tundra (Atheneum, 1986), Suzanne Winckler and Mary Rodgers's Antarctica (Lerner, 1991), and Laurence Pringle's Antarctica (S.&S., 1992).Roz Goodman, Bering Strait School District Media Center, Unalakleet, AK