Yosemite National Park: Adventure, Explore, Discover

Children's Literature - Barbara L. Talcroft

Famous for its granite peaks, valleys, giant sequoias, meadows, and waterfalls, Yosemite was visited in 1868 by naturalist John Muir, who was instrumental in getting it declared a national park. This title in the "America's National Parks" series introduces report writers to the geology of Yosemite, its native inhabitants, and its discovery by tourists. Early visitors had always been awed by Yosemite's spectacular scenery and pristine wilderness; with endorsements from prominent figures like Muir and Theodore Roosevelt, who believed Yosemite must be preserved, Congress passed the act, in 1890, that created Yosemite National Park. With the appearance of the automobile, came roads, hotels, and soon thousands of visitors. Readers will learn about the flora and fauna of the park, including the huge variety of conifers, the Sierra bighorn sheep, and the famous black bears. Other chapters discuss the park's environmental problems (fire, invasive species both plant and animal, and overcrowding by visitors) as well as popular recreational activities such as hiking, camping, and rock climbing. Though some dark photos are included, the main focus of this series is to direct students to thirty appropriate Internet sites about Yosemite's history, wildlife, hiking, and conservation. Sites are linked to the publisher's website—not all are helpful for this audience. A good deal of information is included in the reader-friendly text, but writers who have access to a computer will find more spectacular visuals on the official Yosemite National Park website (http://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm). Part of the "MyReportLinks.com Books" series. Reviewer: Barbara L. Talcroft