From School Library Journal
Grade 1-4Although many childrens books explore the wonders of tropical rain forests, few of them even mention their temperate counterparts. Wright-Frierson deftly weaves personal observations with scientific information in this fine introduction to the rain forest of Washingtons Olympic Peninsula. Her combination sketchbook, nature journal, and postcard to readers documents her exploration of the ecosystem dominated by huge trees that are hundreds of years old. Through words and pictures, she explains how snags and nurse logs shelter plant and animal life and foster the growth of new trees. She introduces readers to a variety of unique plants and animals, including a banana slug as long as her foot. While the author clearly supports efforts to preserve the temperate rain forest, her tone is not polemical. The contrasting paintings of clear-cut hillsides and the mysterious green caverns of old growth forest speak eloquently. Salmon heading upriver, elk grazing in the forest, and the sun setting over the ocean provide other glimpses of the areas majesty. Used alone or with books about tropical rain forests, this one should stimulate further explorations about and appreciation of a type of rain forest with which few people are familiar.Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Wright-Frierson's
A Desert Scrapbook (1996) had a wide format that was just right for illustrating the horizontal lines of the desert landscape. Her new book has a vertical format also in keeping with its subject: the North American rain forest. Writing in first person, the writer-illustrator takes readers along on a trip to the rain forest on Washington's Olympic Peninsula. Attractive watercolor paintings show views of the forest, close-ups of natural features, and pictures of people enjoying a hike with a National Park Visitor Center naturalist. Sidebars and hand-lettered notes fill in the informational blanks for readers as they experience the look of the forest and observe the plants and animals found there. One double-page spread shows a logging site and notes what can be done to help preserve the forests, from picking up litter to recycling paper. A visually appealing "scrapbook" of information, reflections, and attractive illustrations of the temperate rain forest.
Carolyn Phelan
