(4) 4-6 Adapted by Robert Burleigh. Photographs by Yann Arthus-Bertrand. The large aerial photographs in this coffee-table book illustrate some worldwide environmental problems. The accompanying text mentions overpopulation, pollution, erosion, soil depletion, and overfishing, among other issues, and stresses sustainable development. The arrangement of topics may be viewed in several ways, but a clear path through problems to solutions is not carefully presented. Best for browsing.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) 4-6 Adapted by Robert Burleigh. Illustrated by Emmanuel Cerisier. Photographs by Philip Plisson. This well-designed book functions primarily as an album showcasing Plisson's exquisite photos of surfers, anglers, sailors, boats, ports, stormy seas, lighthouses, and coastlines. Spreads feature images as diverse as a shipwreck, a scuba diver, a boat race, and a young child playing on the beach. The coherent explanatory text incorporates science, geography, and history into the mix.

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen

(4) 4-6 Adapted by Robert Burleigh. Illustrated by David Giraudon. Photographs by Philippe Bourseiller. Over thirty stunning photos depict features of volcanoes, from pink flamingos on the banks of volcanic Lake Bogoria in Kenya to red-hot lava flows at Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii. An informative paragraph of text accompanies each photo, as does a locator map (regrettably sometimes difficult to read). Four pages sketchily explain volcanoes and describe Bourseiller's technique.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian