School Library Journal : K-Gr 2—This book looks at the subtle charms of trees in winter. On a walk through a forest, a boy observes the branches, shapes, and various barks. He and his dog make snow angels, watch animals quietly eating, and tap a maple tree for syrup. The style of this book, both in text and pictures, is as quiet as its subject. In a simple poetic form, seven trees are described: sugar maple, American beech, paper birch, yellow poplar, bur oak, Eastern hemlock, and white spruce. Readers get a sense of what they look like from a distance ("the egg shape of the maple tree/the taller oval of the beech…" and up close ("the peeling bark of paper birch/feeds hungry hares that eat their fill"). Evans's intriguing illustrations mix prints, watercolor, and collage, and are tweaked with digital enhancement. The lines are thick but supple, and the boy's red jacket and golden dog enliven the soft colors of the winter landscape. This title won't jump off the shelves, but it will be appreciated by nature lovers and primary classrooms studying trees and seasonal scenery.—Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL

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School Library Journal : Gr 3–5—As he did in Beaks! (Charlesbridge, 2002), Sneed again presents brief surveys of animal anatomy. The colorful layouts feature a topical paragraph and a bold portrait per page, and each book showcases a variety of species. The first title deals with the types and numbers of teeth that fish, reptiles, and mammals have and how they are used. Saroff's paintings, though true to life, have a shiny quality that gives them an almost surreal appearance. Sneed's comments are a bit jocular in this volume: "The lizard's all-the-same teeth are…sharp and pointy enough to hold onto a moth or beetle until the lizard has a chance to swallow it." The second book looks at wing design and the shapes of birds, insects, and mammals, as well as at prehistoric flyers and birds that no longer fly. Human fascination with flying rounds out the discussion. Brickman's paper collages of winged animals are as impressive in texture and color as they were in Beaks. Varying in vocabulary and liveliness, from quite simple to challenging, the short chunks of information will be more manageable for a somewhat older audience than is suggested by the slim, almost picture-book format. Nevertheless, these books offer interesting facts and comparisons and should attract animal lovers.—Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston

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School Library Journal : Gr 2–5—These books will please report writers, budding entomologists, and anyone who expects children's nonfiction to be as carefully documented as adult nonfiction. Built on an effective formula, each title begins with a page clarifying what an insect is, then moves on to name and describe its exterior and interior body parts, its life cycle, and its behaviors. A comparison with similar insects, a glossary, suggested books and Web sites, and activities round out each volume. The books are notable for the sharp photos placed precisely to enhance understanding. A diagram of internal organs is simple, well labeled, and approved by an expert on the featured insect. The main texts are clear and flow well, while tidbits framed in black hexagons add punch for those drawn to snappy facts. The two activities in each book range from testing your reflexes for comparison with those of a striking praying mantis to making paper like a hornet. Luna Moths and Hornets are the only full texts available at this level on these insects. Termites and Praying Mantises have competition from other publishers but hold their own well. Purchasers should note that Termites is about African mound-building termites, not the common American varieties. There is also one minor error in Termites, an incorrect accent for the word metamorphosis. In all, these books are both professional and appealing.—Ellen Heath, Easton Area Public Library, Easton, PA

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School Library Journal : Starred Review. Gr 3–5— In this companion volume to Nic Bishop Spiders (Scholastic, 2007), the photographer takes a nifty look at frogs. Physical characteristics, diet, reproduction, and the development of egg to tadpole to froglet are included in the clear text and super-duper photos. A nice personal touch is an enthusiastic author's note, wherein Bishop describes his methods and the pleasure of pursuing frogs to photograph. He even discusses "training" a frog to catch his leap for a fat caterpillar on a leaf over the water. Group this with Jim Arnosky's simpler, handsome All About Frogs (Scholastic, 2002) and/or Dorothy Hinshaw Patent's equally colorful Flashy Fantastic Rain Forest Frogs (Walker, 1997) for a neat ranid roundup.—Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

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Library Journal : K-Gr 3—In June 2007, two rangers in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo discovered that a young mountain gorilla and her mother had disappeared. Although human efforts to locate the pair proved unsuccessful, Miza's father, Kabirizi, a huge silverback that heads the family, found her and brought her back home. Miza's mother never returned. The authors provide general information about the gorillas' lives and the numerous threats to their survival. Engaging full-color photos will hold browsers' attention and may stimulate interest in these animals. However, because the details of Miza's disappearance and rescue are unknown, the authors can only speculate about pieces of the story, weakening the overall presentation. Impressive photos plus more information can be found in Seymour Simon's Gorillas (HarperCollins, 2000). For older readers, Pamela S. Turner's Gorilla Doctors (Houghton, 2005) would be a first choice.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

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Publishers Weekly : Adding to their books about animals who respond to dire situations with inspiring behavior, the Hatkoffs (Owen and Mzee) team with the conservation director of Wildlife Direct, Kahumbu, to describe how a 31-member mountain gorilla family mobilizes itself to rescue and then raise Miza, orphaned under mysterious circumstances before she is two. The story is more ambitious than any the Hatkoffs have previously told, and they only partly fulfill their crowded agenda: explaining the dynamics of a gorilla family and the needs of the young; explaining the role of park rangers; and explaining the danger of extinction (the mountain gorillas of Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Miza's family lives, make up 380 of the world's 700 remaining mountain gorillas, and they are threatened by poachers, people who steal coal or lumber from the park, and militias). The photos vary in quality: a few are crisp, but sections of a number of photos look bleached out. Kids will feel the emotional impact, but they will also hear the authors straining: [Miza's story] also reminds us of the adage, 'Seek and ye shall find,' they conclude. And that is the true story of looking for Miza. Ages 7–up. (Oct.)

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School Library Journal : K-Gr 3—In June 2007, two rangers in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo discovered that a young mountain gorilla and her mother had disappeared. Although human efforts to locate the pair proved unsuccessful, Miza's father, Kabirizi, a huge silverback that heads the family, found her and brought her back home. Miza's mother never returned. The authors provide general information about the gorillas' lives and the numerous threats to their survival. Engaging full-color photos will hold browsers' attention and may stimulate interest in these animals. However, because the details of Miza's disappearance and rescue are unknown, the authors can only speculate about pieces of the story, weakening the overall presentation. Impressive photos plus more information can be found in Seymour Simon's Gorillas (HarperCollins, 2000). For older readers, Pamela S. Turner's Gorilla Doctors (Houghton, 2005) would be a first choice.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

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School Library Journal : Starred Review. Gr 1–5—In this new take on animal adaptation, readers are asked to guess how six different animals might hatch an egg, use a leaf, eat a clam, or dig a hole. They can then turn the page to see how the creatures, ranging from the well-known grizzly bear to the unusual white tent bat, pull off the task. Jenkins and Page have done a remarkable job of selecting animals with unique adaptations and organizing them into categories for the gamelike feel of the book. The explanations in the body of the book and in the more detailed end matter are clear and engaging. Jenkins's beguiling slender loris on the cover, with its torn-paper fur and uncannily realistic eyes, draws readers into a menagerie of detailed paper art. This is good science, organized and illustrated for joyful learning.—Ellen Heath, Easton Area Public Library, Easton, PA

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School Library Journal : Gr 2–4—Markle surmises what the days immediately following two bushfires might have been like for a female koala and her joey. The story begins on a spring day when "the air smells of eucalyptus leaves and smoke." With her joey on her back, the mother koala climbs and escapes the fire but afterward finds her home destroyed and no food left for miles. Realistic watercolor illustrations depict the intensity of the fire and the skeletal trees that remain as the koala travels through moonlight for hours, sniffing for food. The trek leads to a swamp mahogany tree, an encounter with a pet dog, and more civilization than wild animals prefer. The language and illustrations throughout feel as gentle and reverent as the representation of the gathering suburban crowd, painted in muted colors that suggest respect for the koala survivors. Suitable for reading aloud or independently, this story of one female's risky journey makes a good choice for animal, survival, or Australian studies.—Julie R. Ranelli, Queen Anne's County Free Library, Stevensville, MD

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School Library Journal : PreS-Gr 2—Stockdale uses simple rhymes and clear, colorful acrylic artwork to introduce the fascinating underwater world of fishes. From small sardines to the huge whale shark, inhabitants of oceans and rivers swim across the pages, including the endpapers. The animals are clearly depicted with clean lines, bright hues, and a variety of details and textures. A spread at the end identifies the creatures portrayed and supplies a few facts, including where the species live. Report writers will need to consult additional books, such as those included in the list of resources, for more information. However, this introduction will pique children's curiosity and should find a home in most libraries. It's a fine read-aloud choice to stimulate conversation about the topic, perhaps in tandem with an aquarium visit.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

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School Library Journal : Gr 1–4—Gibbons introduces young readers to these gentle giants. Each page is filled with illustrations and a succinct but informative text that details the habitats, physical characteristics, diet, offspring development, and behavior of these dwellers of Africa's savannas and forests. The author includes the dangers that elephants face not only from natural predators but also from poachers and encroaching human settlements. A few miscellaneous facts are appended. The text is well organized and simple to understand, enhanced by the pen-and-ink and watercolor artwork. A welcome addition to any library's wildlife section.—Donna Atmur, Los Angeles Public Library

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School Library Journal : Gr 2–5—Eggs of many shapes, sizes, colors, and textures and produced by a variety of animals are introduced in short blocks of text and realistic paintings. Singer opens the discussion with a small poem and then explains how eggs serve as the means of reproduction for those creatures that don't "give birth to live babies." A few pages feature larger pictures of an animal with its eggs or nest, while most include smaller examples in varied arrangements across the page. The book is visually attractive, with full-color gouache paintings on every page, offering a bit more explanation of the same topics that were beautifully presented in Diana Aston's An Egg Is Quiet (Chronicle, 2006). Nests are mentioned, though the inclusion of a page on the hives and nests of wasps and bees is a bit confusing. The topic and presentation are appealing for general readers and the information is useful for life-science units.—Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston

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School Library Journal : Gr 3–6—Haas has culled from his experiences as a wildlife photographer for National Geographic and selected various vignettes about encounters with leopards, elephants, wild dogs, lions, hyenas, hippos, rhinos, and cheetahs. There are moments of drama and tension, awe and sadness in the first-person narratives. The author makes it clear that predators need to eat animals to survive, and he is obviously aware of his young audience. Although a buffalo herd kills a lion cub, the chapter ends with the information that its two siblings have survived and are safely rejoined with their mother. The writing is strong enough to stand on its own, but the photos steal the show. Close-ups allow youngsters to see the shadows in the eyes of a lion, a string of saliva in the mouth of a hyena, and a single purple dragonfly resting over the eye of a crocodile. Whether they are blurred to emphasize an animal's speed or sharp enough to count the whiskers on a mother cheetah, each photo or montage is a narrative on its own. On nearly every spread, a sidebar gives information about the species, and an insert at the beginning of the book describes the photographer's typical workday, hour by hour. Haas refers to the animals as "critters," generally considered a regional or slang term for "creatures," which may be jarring to some readers at first but will quickly be forgotten as the stories unfold. Each of the seven chapters would work as a read-aloud for an individual or group. Together they paint a fascinating picture of the work of a wildlife photographer.—Ellen Heath, Easton Area Public Library, Easton, PA

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Publishers Weekly : Starred Review. Talk about mad genius—from conception to execution, padded red cover with 3-D effect to the up-close-and-personal images inside, this anatomy book is as engrossing as any science fiction. Dr. Frankenstein, shown in a sepia photograph standing in a laboratory, gazing at a skull he holds in one hand, invites readers to join him as he creates a human being (Don't look so startled, he chides the meek). From there it's on to atoms and the skeletal system, tissues and organs, and so on, presented on visually rich spreads. The story line is sustained with brief, pun-happy journal entries (Day 11 [on eyes]: Assistant has seen the light), and the theme reinforced with remarkable design. Gothic fonts and engraved illustrations and vignettes (in red and black and also hand-colored) blend with state-of-the-art images from MEG scans, gamma scans and other advanced technology. Clear explanations broken into easily assimilable captions and text blocks encourage the reader. The only flaw: the subject most likely to interest the target group, the reproductive system, receives such timid mention as to be almost nonsensical (Male and female reproductive systems differ in structure, but both are involved in producing special cells that join up to make babies). Ages 10–up. (Sept.)

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School Library Journal : Gr 5–8—Calling all Igor wannabes for a course in body-building as offered by Dr. Frankenstein. The 30-day program begins on Day 1 with an examination of cells and organelles, and proceeds, in stately fashion, through various body parts and coordinated systems to Day 30, when the completed body is presented for a "system check," including an MRI scan of the head and neck, an angiogram of the hand, a bone scan of feet and ankles, and a CT scan of the lungs. Each page is heavily illustrated, with large, clear diagrams taking center stage, while smaller diagrams, conventional color photos, and SEM microscapes are scattered about. An introductory paragraph and detailed captions constitute the text to support all these visuals. Each section contains a punny note from the good doctor's laboratory notebook, e.g., "After struggling in vain for the answers, assistant has grasped the basics of blood vessels." All this anatomical data is housed in a thick, blood-red cover, with a 3-D heart embedded in its soft embrace. The pages are sturdy boards and their combined weight makes separation from the not-too-sturdy binding all but a given. (Obviously, Dr. Frankenstein was not into physics.) Another cautionary note: as this laboratory genius was not interested in having his creation go forth and multiply, male and female reproductive systems are reduced to two very small, unlabeled diagrams tucked into the section on the urinary tract. All in all, this creation is fun, appealing, and informative, but so fragile it is unlikely to survive intact in its present incarnation.—Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

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School Library Journal : Gr 7–10—This excellent overview is packed with interesting tidbits, such as the fact that most people are paralyzed during sleep. Scott is careful to point out which information is factual and which is theory, an important distinction. Chapters include the history of what we know about sleep, what happens while you sleep, theories about dreams, and sleep disorders. There is a good explanation of brain activity, as well. The fanciful cartoon illustrations add to the book's appeal. This is not an exhaustive resource, but it is interesting, highly engaging, and fun to read. It leaves readers wanting to learn more about how they spend about one third of their time.—Robin Henry, Griffin Middle School, Frisco, TX

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School Library Journal : Gr 2–5—Removal of one predator—the wolf—from Yellowstone National Park caused the decline of many animal species, subsequently changing the very terrain of the area as ponds and trees also disappeared. The rise and fall and interdependence of species are explained simply in this slim survey of some of the park's wildlife. Patent begins with the Congressional designation of Yellowstone as a national park in 1872, stating that in the early years the geologic wonders rather than the animals were the main attraction. The wolf was a popular hunting target, and its demise led to an overpopulation of elk and coyotes and a complex chain of effects. The format sets small chunks of text and two or three small color photographs on a black background at the far right of the spread. A large color photo fills the remaining space, with a framed sentence superimposed on the picture. The two blocks of text become repetitive, but they're apparently intended as a dual-level text, so that children can read either the briefer explanations on the left or the longer ones opposite. Bits of background terrain are seen in the pictures, but they do not capture the dramatic decline and renewal of the ecosystem suggested. There is no map to indicate the large size and location of Yellowstone. The book concludes with a review quiz with small animal photos.—Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston

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Publishers Weekly : Starred Review. Wangari Maathai, the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize winner whose Green Belt Movement has planted 30 million trees in Kenya, is the subject of Winter's (The Librarian of Basra) eloquent picture biography. Much like Claire Nivola's recent Planting the Trees of Kenya, this work, for a slightly younger audience, introduces Wangari as a child, liv[ing] under an umbrella of green trees in the shadow of Mount Kenya. The tightly focused text moves quickly without sacrificing impact. Wangari earns a scholarship to study in the U.S., and when she returns after six years, she's stunned—setting down her luggage in a veritable wasteland, extending her palms as if imploring someone to answer her unspoken questions: What has happened?... Where are the trees?She plants seedlings in her own backyard—a small start that eventually inspires thousands of others (and, perhaps, the reader) to emulate her. Winter's images appear in framed, same-size squares on each page, creating a flat, frieze-like effect that pays off as Wangari's movement grows and the activities within each frame multiply—a powerful demonstration of Wangari's work. Ages 3–7. (Sept.)

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School Library Journal : Starred Review. K-Gr 4—This delightful picture-book biography of the environmentalist has engaging illustrations and accessible, succinct prose. When Wangari Maathai was growing up in Kenya, the land was covered with trees. But on returning to her homeland from America, where she was educated on scholarship, she discovered a hot, dry, barren land, stripped of the trees she loved as a child. Starting in her own backyard, Maathai planted trees and encouraged other women to do the same. More than 30 million trees have since been planted by the members of her Green Belt Movement. Maathai was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2004 in recognition of her work. The acrylic illustrations have a warm folk-art influence. The pictures are both literal and symbolic, and framed in complementary lines of color. An author's note and a quote from Maathai are included. This book would be a superb choice for read-alouds or assignments.—Melissa Christy Buron, Epps Island Elementary, Houston, TX

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Publishers Weekly : Starred Review. Text, pictures, subject and pacing all contribute to the success of Nivola's (Elisabeth) picture book biography of Wangari Maathai, the 2004 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. In the first pages, Wangari watches her mother in the garden; the pale mountains, blue sky and profusion of growing things testify to Kenya's primeval beauty. Educated at a Benedictine college in Kansas, Maathai returns to her native country to find the land stripped for commercial farming. Others sigh; she is galvanized. She stands among women whose colorful skirts belie their poverty, and she teaches them to plant trees. Not even Kenya's soldiers escape her campaign: You hold your guns... but what are you protecting? she demands. You should hold the gun in your right hand and a tree seedling in your left. Thirty million trees later, the soil—and small farms—thrive again. Simultaneously childlike and sophisticated, Nivola's paintings have the detail of tapestry and the dignity of icons. The idea of restoring ruined land to its original beauty will fill readers of all ages with hope. Nivola makes children feel it is possible for anyone to change the course of history if they set their mind to it. An author's note provides additional biographical and political details. Ages 5-8. (Apr.)

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School Library Journal : Starred Review. Gr 2–4—Wangari Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement, was the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. This simple story focuses on her conservation efforts, with little mention of her personal life and political struggles. Maathai studied biology in the United States in the early 1960s. When she returned to the newly independent Kenya five years later, she noticed that her country's natural resources were disappearing rapidly and that the people were growing poorer. She devised a strategy to reverse the desertification of Kenya by teaching women how to collect tree seeds and plant and nurture them. Since 1977, 30 million trees have been planted and her conservation lessons have moved across Africa and the world. The delicately detailed illustrations suit the equally low-key writing style. They effectively show the natural beauty of the landscape and convey the scope of the problems associated with deforestation. The artist is equally adept at portraying Wangari as she moves about the countryside and spreads her message among the people. This tale of civic responsibility, personal initiative, and conservation of natural resources is a timely one although it raises as many questions as it answers. An author's note provides a bit more background on Maathai's efforts. Add this to collections in need of easy materials on Kenya, conservation, or women leaders.—Carol S. Surges, McKinley Elementary School, Wauwatosa, WI

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School Library Journal : Gr 4–7—This is a handsome, carefully engineered compendium. The text begins with the so-called space race between the United States and the Soviet Union in the l950s and '60s and then offers brief descriptions of the 17 flights that made up the Apollo program. Here the emphasis is on the famous landing of the Eagle on the Moon in July 1969. The pop-ups and foldout pages on sturdy, shiny paper demonstrate the mechanical aspects of the spacecraft and offer a bold sense of both the rocketry and the trip. Small photographs and drawings surround the larger views. On a few pages a small booklet of information is tucked into a slotted page. With just one pop-up per spread accompanied by other engineered elements, the pages pack considerable information about the Moon and the human experience in traveling to it in both the visual material and the text. Unfortunately, the book lacks acknowledgments of authority. Some pages would be attractive exhibit views, but children will surely want hands-on reading of the book. It's a first-rate choice.—Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston

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School Library Journal : Starred Review. Gr 5–7—Following the lead of the exemplary "Scientists in the Field" series (Houghton), this is another handsomely packaged, profusely illustrated portrait of a researcher whose "lab" is the great outdoors-in this case, the driest deserts, coldest waters, and other most inhospitable environments on Earth. In order to explore the feasibility of life on other planets, NASA scientist Chris McKay travels in turn to Antarctica's Dry Valleys and ice-covered Lake Hoare, to Chile's Atacama Desert, Siberia, and the Sahara to study the bacteria and other microscopic organisms that call such climatic extremes home. The photographs, which are reproduced with unusual clarity, range from shots of McKay and his colleagues at work in various rugged settings to micrographs of bacteria, from satellite photos to side-by-side pairings of physical features in the Atacama and intriguingly similar formations on Mars. Closing with an author's statement and digestible lists of multimedia resources, this profile is an engagingly written, visually appealing follow-up to more general introductions, such as Bill Doyle's The Space Explorer's Guide to the Universe (Scholastic, 2003).—John Peters, New York Public Library

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Publishers Weekly : Thomas (Joshua the Giant Frog) and Johnson (Remembering Grandpa) depict George Washington as a forward-thinking farmer dedicated to making Mount Vernon a self-sufficient, profitable plantation. Emphasizing Washington's innovative thinking and experimentation, the narrative explains how he invented a plow to streamline the planting of crops, rotated his crops and tested different fertilizers, bred donkeys and horses to create strong mules and designed a treading barn with 16 sides. Quotes from Washington's diaries and letters, presented in script outside the main text, demonstrate his devotion to improving his farm and lend credence to the author's assertion that "George's thoughts were never far from home," even during the Revolution and his presidency. Thomas's history is extremely detailed, full of facts that bring the 18th-century farm to life. She also addresses the obvious paradox: she concludes her work by praising Washington for "plant[ing] the seed of freedom on the battlefield," then explores his role as the owner of slaves in an endnote. Johnson's representational paintings, all of them flattering, incorporate symbols like bald eagles but also illuminate the workings of the plantation; a cutaway view of the 16-sided barn is especially helpful. A useful look at a lesser-known aspect of Washington's achievements. Ages 8-up. (Feb.)

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School Library Journal : Starred Review. Gr 3–6—This picture-book biography focuses on George Washington's life as a farmer, inventor, and scientist; however, the author also draws many parallels between his role as farmer and as leader. Washington's goal to make his estate self-sufficient carries over to his goal to make the new country independent. Thomas's enthusiasm for her subject is evident in her storytelling-style text. She not only used primary sources in her research, but also included several quotes from Washington's diaries and letters. These quotes are written in large script and inserted appropriately within the text. Johnson's oil paintings support the text while adding a feel of the 18th century. The balanced placement allows both the art and narrative to shine. The author includes useful back matter on visiting Mt. Vernon and an especially enlightening note on "George's Thoughts on Slavery." Endpapers show a map of Mt. Vernon taken from a drawing transmitted by General Washington. Students will find this title useful for reports, but will also find it a great nonfiction read.—Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH

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School Library Journal : Gr 7–10—A recounting of the fatal Antarctic exploration led by Englishman Robert Falcon Scott. The story is told from the point of view of journeyman Apsley Cherry-Garrard and is based on his experiences as recorded in The Worst Journey in the World. The author incorporates numerous primary sources, including diaries, letters, and black-and-white reproductions and archival photographs that aid in capturing Garrard's mindset and that of the other members of the expedition. The goal of the trip was to find the South Pole, with an offshoot expedition to collect samples of the fabled Emperor penguin's eggs. Though dialogue was obviously re-created, and some assumptions are made regarding the thoughts and feelings of crew members, Farr's writing is engrossing and his accounts of the hardships and near-death experiences the explorers faced are harrowing. The accompanying maps, photographs, and drawings complement the text, though some of them break it up at odd intervals. This title will appeal to readers looking for an adventure story and to history buffs.—Kelly McGorray, Glenbard South High School Library, Glen Ellyn, IL

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School Library Journal : Gr 4–8—This inspiring biography chronicles the conservationist's studies of wildlife around the world. Schaller has spent his life counting, observing, and photographing wild animals, from mountain gorillas in Central Africa to snow leopards in Tibet, and providing data to encourage governments to protect their habitats. The book is arranged chronologically in chapters that intertwine vignettes of his contacts with individual animals with information about his research techniques. The writing is both clear and lively. The book ends with brief reports on progress in each of the areas where he worked. Schaller's own sharp color photos show readers the specific animals mentioned in the text. Helpful features include maps at the beginning of each chapter, suggestions for how to get involved, a list of Internet and multimedia resources, and an extensive bibliography. Fans of Jane Goodall and Diane Fossey will enjoy getting to know Schaller, who preceded these women in establishing observation as a way to study animals in the wild.—Ellen Heath, Easton Area Public Library, Easton, PA

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