The Boreal Forest: A Year in the World's Largest Land Biome

Gr 3-6--Stretching from Alaska through Russia, and described as "forming a scarf around the neck of the world," the boreal forest is an intriguing topic. Starting in winter, the book chronicles a year in the biome. Different countries are given their own spreads. Flora and fauna are explained. Most of the year, bears are vegetarians. Boreal trees provide a food source for insects, most of which are harmless. Indigenous people are mentioned, such as the Saami who live in Norway, Sweden, Finland, and western Russia. Climate change and its impact on the biome are frequently mentioned throughout the book. Engaging text is set over full-page illustrations. Mixed-media art is softly colored and inviting. While this has a perfect picture book layout and feel, it contains substantial information for young report writers. A full glossary, resources list, and a complete index are appended. Use this with Branching Out: How Trees Are Part of Our World by Joan Marie Galat and One Well: The Story of Water on Earth by Rochelle Strauss, both worthy and complementary titles. VERDICT A fascinating introduction to the world's largest biome. Recommended.--Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WI

"The boreal forest is our planet's largest land-based biome... forming a scarf around the neck of the world." The term biome is key to understanding this book's scope, which uses a piecemeal approach to describe the globe-spanning boreal forest. In sections organized by season, Carmichael hops from country to country describing plants, animals, and conditions. Evocative text sets the scene ("Snowdrifts glisten in a moonlit clearing. From its perch on a Scots pine, a boreal owl listens") while text boxes corral associated information ("Winter Meals," "Protecting the Herds"), making for an overall effect that is fragmentary rather than comprehensive. Bisaillon's collage-style illustrations use stylized details to capture the shifting textures of a seasonal landscape. Includes explanations of the water cycle, carbon cycle, and climate change, as well as a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Ages 8-12. (Apr.)