(3) 4-6 Our Wild World: Ecosystems series. Six chapters describe the Sonoran Desert ecosystem, including flora, fauna, and geography. Lynch's narrative, including entertaining first-person reminiscences about visiting the desert, is accessible and enthusiastic. Vivid photographs showcase both the beauty and the danger of this little-settled and still mysterious tract. Website. Ind.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(3) 4-6 Our Wild World Ecosystem series. With accessible first-person writing, Lynch describes the Arctic ecosystem, discussing both the high and low Arctic. The usual suspects--polar bear, snowy owl--are all here, but this book goes a bit further, showing the reader lesser-known inhabitants such as orange jewel lichen, purple saxifrage, dovekies, and gyrfalcons. Stunning photographs include close-ups and more expansive views. Sidebars provide "ECO-Facts." Websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) 4-6 Our Wild World: Ecosystems series. Lynch's accessible, enthusiastic first-person narrative invites readers to share in his "amazing adventure" in the Florida Everglades. From its geography and climate to the abundant flora and fauna, the engaging text provides a thorough introduction to this unique ecosystem. Many impressive photographs of wildlife and landscapes in addition to sidebars and "ECO-Facts" add interest. Websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(3) 4-6 Our Wild World Ecosystem series. Six chapters cover the history, geography, climate, ecology, terrain, flora, and fauna of the grasslands and the mountains. Stunning close-up photographs highlight both the changing scenery and the lives of resident animals in these two dramatically different ecosystems. The books' clear, thoughtful design makes the information easy to follow, and sidebars provide "ECO-Fact" tidbits. Websites. Ind. Review covers these Our Wild World Ecosystem titles: Prairie Grasslands and Rocky Mountains.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(3) 4-6 Our Wild World Ecosystem series. Six chapters cover the history, geography, climate, ecology, terrain, flora, and fauna of the grasslands and the mountains. Stunning close-up photographs highlight both the changing scenery and the lives of resident animals in these two dramatically different ecosystems. The books' clear, thoughtful design makes the information easy to follow, and sidebars provide "ECO-Fact" tidbits. Websites. Ind. Review covers these Our Wild World Ecosystem titles: Prairie Grasslands and Rocky Mountains.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(4) K-3 Our Wild World series. Illustrated by Sherry Neidigh. Photographs by Wayne Lynch. Lynch presents an extensive and well-researched portrayal of three types of birds of prey. Those interested in the creatures will find the series informative and helpful with report writing. Clear, attractive photos add interest to the text, occasional drawings do not. Sidebars provide additional information. Vocabulary words are explained within the text. Websites. Ind. Review covers these Our Wild World titles: Falcons, Owls, and Vultures.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 Our Wild World series. Illustrated by Sherry Neidigh. Photographs by Wayne Lynch. Lynch presents an extensive and well-researched portrayal of three types of birds of prey. Those interested in the creatures will find the series informative and helpful with report writing. Clear, attractive photos add interest to the text, occasional drawings do not. Sidebars provide additional information. Vocabulary words are explained within the text. Websites. Ind. Review covers these Our Wild World titles: Falcons, Owls, and Vultures.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 Our Wild World series. Illustrated by Sherry Neidigh. Photographs by Wayne Lynch. Lynch presents an extensive and well-researched portrayal of three types of birds of prey. Those interested in the creatures will find the series informative and helpful with report writing. Clear, attractive photos add interest to the text, occasional drawings do not. Sidebars provide additional information. Vocabulary words are explained within the text. Websites. Ind. Review covers these Our Wild World titles: Falcons, Owls, and Vultures.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 Our Wild World series. Illustrated by Fred Smith. Carefully written and well organized, this informative book will prove useful to report writers or readers curious about hawks. Sidebars provide additional facts, vocabulary words are explained in context, and pronunciation is provided. Clear photographs, illustrations, and charts add much to the text. Websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) K-3 Name That Animal! series. A page of text faces a photograph of an animal body part, baby, or dwelling. Both text and photo provide clues as to the animal's identity, and the boxed question "Who am I?" prompts readers to guess. The next double-page spread provides the answer, more information, and a photo. Inclusion of less-familiar creatures (caimans, cassowaries, viscachas) undermines the books' interactive intent. Reading list. Ind. [Review covers these Name That Animal! titles: Whose Baby Is This?, Whose Bottom Is This?, Whose Feet Are These?, Whose House Is This?, Whose Nose Is This?, and Whose Teeth Are These?.]

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) K-3 Name That Animal! series. A page of text faces a photograph of an animal body part, baby, or dwelling. Both text and photo provide clues as to the animal's identity, and the boxed question "Who am I?" prompts readers to guess. The next double-page spread provides the answer, more information, and a photo. Inclusion of less-familiar creatures (caimans, cassowaries, viscachas) undermines the books' interactive intent. Reading list. Ind. [Review covers these Name That Animal! titles: Whose Baby Is This?, Whose Bottom Is This?, Whose Feet Are These?, Whose House Is This?, Whose Nose Is This?, and Whose Teeth Are These?.]

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) K-3 Name That Animal! series. A page of text faces a photograph of an animal body part, baby, or dwelling. Both text and photo provide clues as to the animal's identity, and the boxed question "Who am I?" prompts readers to guess. The next double-page spread provides the answer, more information, and a photo. Inclusion of less-familiar creatures (caimans, cassowaries, viscachas) undermines the books' interactive intent. Reading list. Ind. [Review covers these Name That Animal! titles: Whose Baby Is This?, Whose Bottom Is This?, Whose Feet Are These?, Whose House Is This?, Whose Nose Is This?, and Whose Teeth Are These?.]

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) K-3 Name That Animal! series. A page of text faces a photograph of an animal body part, baby, or dwelling. Both text and photo provide clues as to the animal's identity, and the boxed question "Who am I?" prompts readers to guess. The next double-page spread provides the answer, more information, and a photo. Inclusion of less-familiar creatures (caimans, cassowaries, viscachas) undermines the books' interactive intent. Reading list. Ind. [Review covers these Name That Animal! titles: Whose Baby Is This?, Whose Bottom Is This?, Whose Feet Are These?, Whose House Is This?, Whose Nose Is This?, and Whose Teeth Are These?.]

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) K-3 Name That Animal! series. A page of text faces a photograph of an animal body part, baby, or dwelling. Both text and photo provide clues as to the animal's identity, and the boxed question "Who am I?" prompts readers to guess. The next double-page spread provides the answer, more information, and a photo. Inclusion of less-familiar creatures (caimans, cassowaries, viscachas) undermines the books' interactive intent. Reading list. Ind. [Review covers these Name That Animal! titles: Whose Baby Is This?, Whose Bottom Is This?, Whose Feet Are These?, Whose House Is This?, Whose Nose Is This?, and Whose Teeth Are These?.]

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) K-3 Name That Animal! series. A page of text faces a photograph of an animal body part, baby, or dwelling. Both text and photo provide clues as to the animal's identity, and the boxed question "Who am I?" prompts readers to guess. The next double-page spread provides the answer, more information, and a photo. Inclusion of less-familiar creatures (caimans, cassowaries, viscachas) undermines the books' interactive intent. Reading list. Ind. [Review covers these Name That Animal! titles: Whose Baby Is This?, Whose Bottom Is This?, Whose Feet Are These?, Whose House Is This?, Whose Nose Is This?, and Whose Teeth Are These?.]

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) 4-6 In a lively first-person narrative, peppered with journal excerpts, personal observations, and anecdotes, Lynch discusses penguins' evolution, varied habitats, physical and behavioral adaptations, diet, predators, mating and nesting habits, and chick development. Accompanying the densely packed text, seventy-five color photos aptly illustrate the discussion. A labeled map depicts where the seventeen varieties of penguin live. Ind.

Reviewer: Emma Loy-Santelli

(3) 4-6 Using the alphabet strictly as an organizing principle, Lynch describes twenty-six animals, plants, and natural phenomena of the Arctic--from aurora borealis to lousewort to zooplankton--using vivid analogies and anecdotes. Clear color photographs accompany each half-page-long profile. Balancing the familiar with the unusual, this book offers a broad look at the surprisingly diverse ecology of the Arctic.

Reviewer: Emma Loy-Santelli