Review by Booklist Review
An extensive wilderness area that's vital to life on Earth, the boreal forest forms "a scarf around the neck of the world," extending through a dozen northern countries, most notably Russia, Canada, and the U.S. (Alaska). This appealing book guides readers through the seasons from winter to fall, with double-page illustrations labeled to identify each country depicted. The text discusses the animals and plants shown, as well as related topics such as Indigenous peoples, wetlands, and fires within the biome. Carmichael warns that although the boreal forest seems stable, it is changing. As Earth's climate warms, ever-deeper layers of permafrost are thawing and certain plants are dying. In the back matter, attractive graphics and paragraph-long explanations clarify the various stages of the water cycle and the carbon cycle. A concluding discussion explains scientists' concerns that shifts within this biome may exacerbate climate change. The book's large format creates a showcase for Bisaillon's handsome, mixed-media collages of cut paper enhanced with drawn and painted elements. An informative introduction to the boreal forest.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
"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.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
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
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Carmichael offers explanations and illuminations about the planet's largest land biome while Bisaillon supplies collage-style art in muted tones.Poetic language in large print, set against the backdrop of a snowy woodland scene, begins a book with thoughtful text, art, and layout: "Glaciers melt, soil breathes, seeds fly on a warming breeze. Trees creep ever, ever north." Every double-page spread reveals germane science and geography or presents an appealing landscape showing an aspect of seasonal changes in the boreal forest. A winter-scarf motif acts as a unifying design element, serving as background to the names of countries whose flora and fauna are highlighted on various pages. Fascinating facts emerge from two sources: the lyrical language that describes a day for animals in a particular place and season and sidebars with pure scientific facts. The chosen facts are current, and the text carefully notes when scientists are still testing hypotheses about such ideas as how birds seem to use an organ called the Vitali to sense pressure changes before storms. Gentle humor is interspersed throughout. Climate change is frequently mentioned, both in terms of its effect on the boreal forest and on the ways in which this biome slows down global warming, and Indigenous peoples' roles as participants in the boreal forest's ecosystems are not ignored. The accessible text proves its point that the boreal forest is both vast and vital.Excellent for the natural history and science shelves. (glossary, resources, index) (Informational picture book. 8-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
