California's Redwood Forest

April 1, 2018

Gr 4-7-The descriptions of these natural wonders include statistics about their size, annual number of visitors, and number of native species. Dangers to the environment from tourists and other influences along with conservation efforts to preserve the area are also covered. Throughout the books, the narratives are factual but also figurative in their descriptions ("Solid waterfalls spill like thick, white icing"). Visuals include photos of the entire area, close-ups of particulars, and even archival images of famous explorers. There are maps of each location and infographics that explain finer details, such as the layers of the Amazon rain forest or the various habitats within the Grand Canyon. These titles cover four sites within the United States and four in other countries, which may leave some wishing that more international places had been included. VERDICT Consider for report writers or for those who enjoy world records.

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2018
Grades 3-6 Each title in the Natural Wonders of the World series introduces a notable location with scene-setting language before diving into facts about each place. The authors cover geographical location; climate; geologic and cultural histories; plants, animals, and people calling that place home; and, in most cases, current threats to the feature's preservation. California's Redwood Forest covers similar ground, and facts about the age of the area's old-growth trees are particularly astounding. Though the text can occasionally be dry and more photos would have been helpful, the information presented in each title covers a lot of bases and will serve as a multifaceted introduction to these important, one-of-a-kind places on our planet. Inset boxes, diagrams, and helpful back matter round out the volumes.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)