Looking Closely through the Forest

April 1, 2008
K-Gr 3-These attractive titles will pique the interest of children and encourage them to seek out more information on the plants, animals, and habitats featured in the photographs. They are set up like a guessing game, allowing for interaction whether shared one-on-one or with groups. Each entry opens with a white page with large black type that asks viewers to "Look very closely. What do you see?" The facing page is black with what seems like a hole to peep through to the next spread (though it is really just a section of the photograph that follows). Readers are given a couple of possibilities to start them guessing on what image might be depicted, and, when the page is turned, an enlarged close-up is in full view, along with a few interesting facts about the plant or animal. The books can be used in a storytime or to introduce a study of the sea or the forest. The photographs depict some plants and animals that may not be familiar to children, depending on where they live."Susan Oliver, Tampa-Hillsborough Public Library System, FL"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2008
Readers are asked to "look very closely" at a small portion of a photograph to try to guess what the entire image could be. A page turn reveals the full picture showing a plant or animal from the profiled environment. Each dynamic photograph is accompanied by a short paragraph outlining some basic facts about the organism's features.

(Copyright 2008 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)