Rain Forest - Hardcover

Kindergarten-Grade 2 An affecting plea for the rain forests in South America, which are increasingly being destroyed. A striking, almost stylized cover and endpapers which clearly evoke the green and watery spirit of the rain forest entice children into the fragile ecosystem. Machines, "cutting and spoiling," are ravaging the landscape, frightening the animal inhabitants who retreat to higher ground to escape the destruction. When the floods come, there are no trees left to hold the soil in place so the river bursts its banks, washing away the bulldozer, and, presumably, its large-bellied operator. The animals are temporarily safe. Surprisingly, the anthropomorphic animals, who worry and hear stories of the coming machines "with deep foreboding," do not detract from the power of this brief cautionary tale which, in the hands of a concerned adult who can provide the needed follow-up, is an effective introduction to a timely subject. Pair this with Jeannie Baker's Where the Forest Meets the Sea (Greenwillow, 1988) for a treatment of a similar ecological theme in Australia. Ellen Fader, Westport Public Library, Conn.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

In strikingly vivid and arresting full-color paintings, Cowcher movingly presents a vision of impending ecological disaster. In the lush green rain forest, sloths, tapirs, anteaters, butterflies, toucans, macaws and monkeys live together. "There is plenty of food and water for all the creatures, whether they make their home in the trees or on the ground." Then one day human beings and their machines begin to fell trees and destroy the animals' homes. With no trees to hold the soil, the rains come and wash it away. The simple tale ends on a note of chilling reality: the animals wonder "how long the tall trees would be there to guard them." The spare text is never didactic, and although the ending is a bit abrupt, this is a well-designed introduction to the fragile balance of nature. Ages 3-up.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.