People and the Environment Book

An engaging look at the ways that people interact with plants and animals.

Children's Literature

AGERANGE: Ages 3 to 7.

This attractive and colorful nonfiction text is one of three titles in a series of "First Step" Lerner books about ecology. This particular text describes and presents photographs about people in their environments. Some of the interesting examples of people in their environments include workers picking crops from a lush field and a mother and child applying sunscreen as they sit at the beach on a bright sunny day. The appealing, full-color photographs, simple patterned text, and bold captions all help support early readers in gaining an understanding of different people adapting to their unique settings. This book introduces young readers to important vocabulary words such as adapt, environment, and resources. Important words are highlighted in boldface type and included in a glossary at the back of the book. Also at the back of this small text are an index and several pages of additional facts about people helping and hurting the environment. For example, some people recycle and some plant trees to stop soil erosion, but others cut down too many trees or leave trash on the ground and in the water. Very young children will enjoy reading and learning from this attractive nonfiction text, with or without adult assistance. Teachers in primary grade classrooms will welcome this engaging child-friendly book that compares and contrasts the environments in which different people live because it will appeal to their young students while supporting national curriculum standards related to the natural sciences and ecology. Reviewer: Susan Borges