Intricate illustrations with lively renderings of flora and fauna accompany rhyming couplets that celebrate the Amazon rain forest as a trio of children follows its wonders from sunrise to sunset. Reminiscent of the meter of "Over in the Meadow, " the verses have a singsongy quality. "Fly,' squawk the parrots, from branches and twigs. / We'll swoop down to breakfast on ripe, juicy figs.'" Dolphins and butterflies and snakes help introduce such colorful verbs as nuzzle, murmur, and skitter. Wordy back matter follows the poetry with information about the value of the rain forest as well as facts about its people and animals. The dark background does not provide sufficient contrast to the text, making it a bit hard to read. The charm and appeal of the book lie in its refreshing, whimsical art: Wilson's vibrant palette reflects the richness and diversity of the Amazon, teeming with life.

Three children exploring the Amazon River forest between dawn and dusk encounter a wide variety of animals that describe their customary activities in rhyming couplets, each beginning with an appropriate verb. " Snooze,' yawn the sloths, all ready to doze. / We'll nap in the trees as we cling by our toes.' " The text is set in a quirky but legible type against Wilson's lively background illustrations, created with printed papers, printing ink and acrylic paints. Appropriately, the children (black, brown and white) are dwarfed by the scenery. These busy, colorful pictures emphasize the lush plant life, and the animals are easily identifiable. Following the poem, nine pages of endnotes include a roughly accurate map and description of the Amazon rainforest, three examples of indigenous peoples—the Matis, the Yanomami and the Riberenos (more properly a mixture of peoples)—conservation issues and short descriptions of the 14 animals mentioned. Brenda Z. Guiberson's Rain, Rain, Rain Forest , illustrated by Steve Jenkins (2004), provides a more informative introduction, but this cheerful addition to Krebs's travel series will be welcomed in storytimes. (Informational picture book. 4-7)

PreS-Gr 3 From sunrise to sunset, three children travel through the Amazon rainforest. They watch monkeys and parrots in trees overhead, glide down the river with pink dolphins, observe leaf-cutter ants on the forest floor, and note other creatures large and small. Krebs's simple verses introduce the animals featured on the spreads, but Wilson's bright acrylic illustrations steal the show. Exciting colors and patterns capture the pulsing life of the region. Listeners will enjoy hunting for the three children, who are sometimes partially obscured by foliage. Following the rhymed text, Krebs provides additional explanatory material about the Amazon rainforest, conservation efforts, and indigenous peoples. A map of South America as well as a few facts about the animals featured in the story are included. These additions expand the book's value for children with a wide range of interest and reading levels. Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato