Our Natural Homes: Exploring Terrestrial Biomes of North and South America (Our Perfect Planet) - Softcover

Collard, Sneed B.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0881069280 ISBN 13: 9780881069280

Publisher: Charlesbridge Pub Inc, 1996

Synopsis

Defines the Earth's land ecosystems through the characteristic plants and animals found in each

About this title

About the Author

Sneed B. Collard III Author The main focus of Sneed's work has always been nature, science, and the environment. His writing has drawn from both his formal education, as well as from extensive travels to the Middle East, Asia, Australia, Central America, and other parts of the world. His articles have appeared in The Humanist, Environmental Action, Florida Wildlife, Islands, Cricket, Highlights for Children, and many other publications.

Sneed is also the author of several children's books, including Creepy Creatures, Our Wet World, Our Natural Homes, Sea Snakes (Boyds Mills Press), Smart Survivors (NorthWord Press), Animal Dads (Houghton Mifflin) and Monteverde (Franklin Watts). These books have won a number of awards and honors from organizations such as the American Library Association, New York Public Library, National Council of Teachers of English, and Reading Rainbow.

Currently, Sneed resides in Montana where he continues to write books, articles, and stories for young people.

Illustrator: James Needham

James has illustrated many nature-themed books for children, including Our Wet World,written by Sneed B. Collard III (Charlesbridge, 1998); One On A Web,written by Ginger Wadsworth (Charlesbridge, 1997); Can We Save Them?,written by David Dobson (Charlesbridge, 1996); Exotic Birds,written by Marilyn Singer (Doubleday, 1990); Black Beauty,written by Anna Sewell (Hugh Lauter Levin, 1992); and Do Fishes Get Thirsty?,written by the New England Aquarium (Franklin Watts, 1991). One Tiger Growls(Charlesbridge, 1999) is his second collaboration with Ginger Wadsworth and will be available in the spring.

James often visits schools to talk to children about natural history, animals, plants, insects, and art. He has gone scuba diving in the Caribbean and enjoys exploring nature. He currently lives in Colorado.

Reviews

Grade 3-6?An introduction to the terrestrial biomes of North and South America. Clear, direct writing communicates basic facts about the areas' unique features and explains how their flora and fauna have adapted to their particular climates. Tundra, boreal forest, mountains, temperate deciduous forests, temperate evergreen rain forests, grasslands, deserts, chaparral, and tropical forests are each covered in a double-page spread. Inviting gouache paintings reflect and extend the text. However, the times of year discussed may create some confusion. For instance, the section on the tundra opens with a description of winter conditions, while the scene shown is clearly a summertime view. The illustration of the temperate deciduous forest shows the trees in blazing autumnal colors, which, while accurate, only last for a very short period. Most children's books focus on one biome, such as the tropical rain forest, without mentioning others. Our Natural Homes is a serviceable addition for school assignments and general reading.?Anne Parker, Milton Public Library, MA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Charlesbridge Pub Inc
• Publication date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0881069280
• ISBN 13: 9780881069280
• Binding: Paperback
• Illustrator: Needham James M.
• Number of pages: 32