Simple, descriptive (if information-light) writing accompanies seventeen finely detailed full-page illustrations of mountain habitats on five continents. The text emphasizes similarities and variation among the locations and touches on the animals that live in each. Appended thumbnails are accompanied by paragraphs that provide more detailed information. Websites. Bib., glos.

In this introduction to the mountain habitat, Cathryn Sill relates facts about mountains and the living things that make their homes on them. The text is composed of simple sentences, one to two on each left-hand page, set against a white background. On each right-hand page appears John Sill's realistic watercolor illustration of a particular mountain or mountain range. One page informs readers, for instance, that "plants and animals living on steep, rocky mountainsides have special ways of surviving." The watercolor opposite depicts, according to its label, the Alps, with parsley fern and wallcreeper in situ . To truly understand the connection between picture and text, readers must visit the afterword, which consists of thumbnails of each illustration, along with additional information. Here, they learn details about how the parsley fern and the wallcreeper survive in a steep, rocky environment. A solid introduction sure to help readers develop an appreciation for the scope and unique beauty of the mountains and mountain ranges that grace our planet. (glossary, bibliography) (Informational picture book. 5-10)

K-Gr 4 The majesty of mountains comes through in the almost poetic language and quiet illustrations in this picture book. On each spread, a sentence or two faces a full-page illustration. "Many kinds of plants and animals are able to live in warmer mountain forests" shows a view of Mount Mitchell in the Blue Ridge Mountains inhabited by a black bear, a broad-winged hawk, an Eastern chipmunk, a black-throated green warbler, a woodchuck, flame azalea, and mountain laurel. Readers can take the time to drink in every detail of the fine drawing and have fun finding the flora and fauna. Most of the mountains are in the U.S., but Asia, South America, and Europe are also represented. "Mountains are important places that need to be protected," describes the Virunga Mountains in east-central Africa, habitat of the mountain gorillas. An afterword offers a paragraph with more details about each two-page entry. A beautiful and informative selection. Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA