Life in the Boreal Forest Book

Spread out over vast tracts of land in North America and Eurasia, the boreal forest - also known as the taiga - is home to an incredibly diverse array of plant and animal species, and plays a vital role in maintaining the global climate. With hundreds of bird species using it for nesting, and an annual drop in planetary carbon dioxide levels that coincides with its maximum growing season, this northern ecosystem should be a top priority, when it comes to ecological education for young children.

Unfortunately, although I can think of quite a few well-written, beautifully-illustrated picture-books about the rain forest, there seems to be a dearth of titles addressing the northern forest. Until now, that is. Brenda Z. Guiberson's narrative follows the residents of the forest through the four seasons, working observations about their dietary needs and hunting habits into the text. Gennady Spirin, better known for his fairy-tale illustrations, matches Guiberson's text with paintings of breathtaking detail. A beautiful and informative book, Life in the Boreal Forest should entertain and educate young readers. Highly recommended!