RAIN FORESTS

Aimed at fledgling readers, this introduction to rain forests worldwide pairs labeled gatherings of exotic, accurately depicted flora and fauna with concise descriptions of the ecosystems’ distinctive characteristics. The level of detail is carefully gauged to nourish a budding interest in the subject without overstuffing it with facts. Hearn’s bright paintings are full but not crowded, while Levinson doesn’t shy away from terms like “epiphyte,” but also keeps her text free of lists or barrages of statistics. Closing with a note on the destruction of rain forests, along with a spread of contrasting facts to reinforce the differences between rain forests tropical and temperate, this quick tour will serve equally well to inform and to entertain. (map) (Easy reader/nonfiction. 6-8)