Tundras. (Biomes). Erinn Banting. New York, NY: Weigl (Distributed in Canada by Saunders Book Company), 2006. 32 pp., pbk. & cl., $11.95 (pbk.), $23.95 (cl.). ISBN 1-59036-353-1 (pbk.), ISBN 1-59036-347-7 (cl.). Subject Heading: Tundra ecology-Juvenile literature. Grades 3-6 / Ages 8-11. Review by Gail Hamilton. **** /4

Wetlands. (Biomes). Galadriel Watson. New York, NY: Weigl (Distributed in Canada by Saunders Book Company), 2006. 32 pp., pbk. & cl., $11.95 (pbk.), $23.95 (cl.). ISBN 1-59036-355-8 (pbk.), ISBN 1-59036-349-3 (cl.). Subject Heading: Wetland ecology-Juvenile literature. Grades 3-6 / Ages 8-11. Review by Gail Hamilton. **** /4

Oceans. (Biomes). Heather C. Hudak. New York, NY: Weigl (Distributed in Canada by Saunders Book Company), 2006. 32 pp., pbk. & cl., $11.95 (pbk.), $23.95 (cl.). ISBN 1-59036-354-X (pbk.), ISBN 1-59036-348-5 (cl.). Subject Heading: Marine ecology-Juvenile literature. Grades 3-6 / Ages 8-11. Review by Gail Hamilton. **** /4

Grasslands. (Biomes). Lily Erlic. New York, NY: Weigl (Distributed in Canada by Saunders Book Company), 2006. 32 pp., pbk. & cl., $11.95 (pbk.), $23.95 (cl.). ISBN 1-59036-352-3 (pbk.), ISBN 1-59036-346-9 (cl.). Subject Heading: Grasslands ecology-Juvenile literature. Grades 3-6 / Ages 8-11. Review by Gail Hamilton. **** /4

Deserts. (Biomes). Erinn Banting. New York, NY: Weigl (Distributed in Canada by Saunders Book Company), 2006. 32 pp., pbk. & cl., $11.95 (pbk.), $23.95 (cl.). ISBN 1-59036-350-7 (pbk.), ISBN 1-59036-344-2 (cl.). Subject Heading: Desert ecology-Juvenile literature. Grades 3-6 / Ages 8-11. Review by Gail Hamilton. **** /4

Boreal Forests. (Biomes). Patricia Miller-Schroeder. New York, NY: Weigl (Distributed in Canada by Saunders Book Company), 2006. 32 pp., pbk. & cl., $11.95 (pbk.), $23.95 (cl.). ISBN 1-59036-351-5 (pbk.), ISBN 1-59036-345-0 (cl.). Subject Heading: Taiga ecology-Juvenile literature. Grades 3-6 / Ages 8-11. Review by Gail Hamilton. **** /4

excerpt:

Within the harsh climate of the boreal forests, there are many microclimates. These are small areas that are warmer or colder, wetter or drier, more or less shaded, or less windy than the norm. In many places, the forest floor is covered with fallen pine needles, twigs, and leaves that slowly decompose, creating new habitats for many insects and spiders. Loose bark and crevices on trees and fallen logs also provide shelter for insects, birds, and small mammals. Overhanging evergreen branches reduce the cold wind and provide pockets of warm shelter. Snow insulates many small mammals and insects throughout the harsh winter. Beneath deep snowdrifts, voles, mice, shrews, and a variety of insects and spiders live in warm tunnels and burrows. Some small plants can grow under the snow in winter. (From Boreal Forests.)

Biomes, often referred to as “life zones,” are environmental areas that meet the survival needs of different types of organisms. Within each biome, there can be several ecosystems. These books, part of the 12-volume “Biomes” series, pack a lot of information into their pages. Averaging 15 chapters each, the books describe the characteristics of the featured biome and cover such topics as location in the world, climate, plant and animal life, threats to the environment and scientific careers specifically related to that biome. Each book has a map indicating the areas in which the biome can be found, “Fascinating Facts” boxes, providing interesting trivia, an experiment to try at home using easily obtained materials, and a quiz. A table of contents, a glossary, an index and a list of books and web sites for further research are included. The small-sized text is easy to comprehend and is enhanced by an abundance of excellent colour photographs and charts. Across the top of each page is a band with a soft-focus photograph in keeping with the book's theme- ferns in the boreal forest and tall grasses in the grasslands, for example- to unify the text.

     The tundra, covering 20% of earth's surface, is a land of extremes where winter lasts 7-9 months. Tundras describes the two types, Arctic and Alpine, and explains the various components- polygons, wetlands and pingos. There is a focus on some of the tundra's unique plant life, such as lichens, Arctic cotton, Arctic lupine and shrubs called bearberries, and animal life, lemmings, whales and insects, to name a few. Careers in anthropology, biology, paleontology and ecology are highlighted along with the work of scientists who study the effects of global warming on the tundra.

     Wetlands examines the differences between the four types of wetlands- bogs, fens, marshes and swamps. These areas comprise one of the most productive biomes in the world, perhaps the most famous being Florida's Everglades. Readers will learn about carnivorous plants, mangrove swamps and the fragile nature of this type of biome. It is frightening to note that it can take more than 10,000 years for a bog or fen to form, yet a mere few days for humans to destroy it. The work of environmental engineers, wetland ecologists and marine biologists is featured along with a description of how scientists, after observing how natural wetlands clean pollutants from water, build wetlands to improve water quality in polluted areas. Instructions for making an underwater viewer out of found materials are provided.

     Covering more than 70% of the earth's surface and supplying 97% of its water, oceans are tremendously important. Oceans explains the causes of waves, currents and tides, the inventions used to study the ocean and its inhabitants (e.g. sonar, core drilling, submersibles, shark cages, SCUBA and Aquarius, an underwater lab for ocean research) and introduces readers to plankton, nekton (of which sharks, eels and octopuses are members) and benthos (the group to which oysters, star fish, lobsters and sea anemones belong). There is a cross-section showing the various parts of coastlines and the five main zones or depth levels of the ocean, which are based upon the amount of sunlight present. The ocean's variable climate is explained by its location, surface temperature and thermoincline, the point between 100 and 400 meters below the surface where the water temperature drops sharply.

     Grasslands contains information about the two main types, savanna and temperate, as well as the subgroups which are named for the conditions under which they are formed- poor soil, amount of rainfall, or cultivated or clear cut areas. This volume compares the wildlife in grasslands in different parts of the globe. Interesting to note is the fact that scientists are trying to discover why herbaceous plants are changing into woody plants all over the world. One reason might be the increase in carbon dioxide emissions.

     Deserts describes the four types of deserts- hot, rain shadow, coastal and polar- and the effects of erosion and the unusual landforms that result. Extreme temperatures, ranging from blistering heat to sub-zero, are common. In fact, some deserts can be covered by ice and snow that never melt. As a result, animals and plants have developed adaptations to help them survive in such harsh environments. The book lists plenty of examples, one of them being the fennec fox whose huge ears allow heat to escape from its body and keep it cool. Instructions are provided for building a solar still to gather water.

     Two main types of boreal forests- closed forest, where the trees grow close together, and lichen woodland, where the trees grow further apart- are featured in Boreal Forests. Topics covered include the forest's six distinct seasons identified by the Woodland Cree, the contributions of the Cree to survival in this biome (snowshoes, sleighs and quin-zhees), and how scientists use technology such as satellites to observe fires and tree growth and radio telemetry to track an animal's movements. Readers will have fun making plaster casts of animal tracks they find in their backyards.
     
     With so much information, coupled with wonderful photographs, these books definitely have a place in any school or public library.

Highly Recommended.

Gail Hamilton is a teacher-librarian in Winnipeg, MB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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