Attractive color photos combine with a random list of 101 facts to present a disappointing introduction to the ecology of each featured region. The dry, grocery-list format lacks organization, fails to engage young readers, and patronizes in its plea for preservation. Habitat map, reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Gr 2-5-Packaging information about a topic as an accumulation of facts relieves an author of the need for transitions and reduces the necessity of logical organization. Although this approach might work for coverage of narrow topics, trying to introduce subjects as complex as oceans, rivers, or tropical rain forests leads to random comments on a number of related areas. Each book provides some information about the location and structure of its subject. Barnes also includes some tidbits about animals that live in or near these environments, but not all of the statements indicate in what part of the world these creatures are found. A two-page map at the front of each title identifies the global extent of the habitat under discussion. Among the 101 "facts" are many statistics, as might be expected. Elsewhere, the texts are little more than hodgepodges of numbered statements. Small photographs are not striking enough to hold the attention of browsers, and the volumes offer too little substance to be useful to report writers.-Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.