(4) 4-6 Translated by Gita Daneshjoo. Illustrated by David Giraudon. Text by Isabelle Delannoy. Arthus-Bertrand's striking aerial photographs of the world's people and landscapes convincingly prove the importance of environmental preservation; less useful are bold-type facts that read like environmental disaster headlines. Familiar sustainable solutions are proposed to re-balance nature in the face of increasing world population and its consequent ecological imbalances. The book's busy scrapbook-style layout is hard to follow, and sources aren't included. Websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(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

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by David Giraudon. Photographs by Yann Arthus-Bertrand. Selected from the adult book, these breathtaking aerial photos are of landscapes, villages, animals, and people from around the world. Each double-page spread includes a map showing the location of each image, a brief text (informative but at times distracting with its gee-whiz tone), and a superfluous watercolor of a child, usually in traditional dress of the featured country. Browsers will be rewarded.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt