Up a Rainforest Tree

School Library Journal

Gr 3-5Telford and Theodorou organize their material in the form of a journey. The trek through a huge African termite mound offers fascinating glimpses into an enclosed world of an insect society. A combination of drawings and full-color photographs helps explain how the colony raises food, tends the queen, and defends its home. Small inset maps help orient readers to the section of the mound where the activities being described occur. The authors use a similar "you are there" approach to explore the layers of the Amazon rainforest. While their explanation of the forest structure is clear, the small photos can't compare to those in other recent works such as Jonathan Grupper's Destination: Rainforest (National Geographic, 1997). Librarians should evaluate their current rainforest holdings to decide if more material for reports is needed by students who have little or no knowledge of the subject. Through a Termite City holds more general appeal.Kathy Piehl, Mankato State University, MN