An Environmental Guide from A to Z

School Library Journal

Gr 3-6

This eco-alphabet covers a wide variety of topics related to natural history and conservation. Each entry ranges from two to five paragraphs and includes a question related to the topic to encourage critical thinking or further discussion and a "Did You Know?" feature that spotlights interesting facts. The topics are quite diverse, ranging from entries about the Amazon rainforest, Jacques Cousteau, and Paolo Lugari to greenhouse gases, plankton, and earthworms. The content doesn't require a lot of background knowledge, and the language is appropriate for elementary audiences. The simple watercolor illustrations are bright and colorful, filling each page. This book could be used to introduce a unit on ecology or the environment. Overall, an appealing and diverse look at environmental issues.-Lindsay Cesari, Baldwinsville School District, NY