America's Wetlands: Guide to Plants and Animals (America's Ecosystems) [Paperback]

Marianne D. Wallace (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 14, 2004 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: America's Ecosystems

A fun exploration of one of the most interesting eco-systems in the North America. With delightful full-color illustrations and lively descriptions to help in identifying wetland types (swamp, marsh, or pond), plants, and animals, America’s Wetlands becomes an enjoyable family learning experience.

*Learn to distinguish animal tracks and sign
*Provides a list of common and scientific names, detailed species information, maps, resource list, and a glossary
*Also includes information on wetland areas open to the public

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Marianne D. Wallace is a natural science illustrator and writer whose work has appeared in over 30 books and publications. She has also been an elementary school science teacher, a botanic garden tour guide, and a writer for the US Forest Service. She lives in the foothills of Southern California.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Fulcrum Publishing (October 14, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555914845
• ISBN-13: 978-1555914844
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #957,832 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm a nature writer and illustrator although I've also been an elementary school science teacher, a writer for the US Forest Service, a veterinarian's assistant, and a tour guide at a botanic garden. In our backyard at the base of mountains near Los Angeles, we've had a bear asleep in our oak tree, deer eating our fallen apples, a hawk using the birdbath and squirrels fighting over who gets the most acorns. No wonder I write about nature.

Did I mention I used to have a pet tarantula named Tilly?

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Very Disappointed, May 24, 2007

By 

Occasional Reviewer (United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: America's Wetlands: Guide to Plants and Animals (America's Ecosystems) (Paperback)

If you are looking for a book that will be truly informative on wetlands, this is not it. To start with the positive, we have purchased books by this author/illustrator in the past, and have been happy with them - America's Prairies and Grasslands, for example. However, these books seem to be laid out in the same way - by geographic area. That is not necessarily a bad idea; with grasslands, the different types are largely dispersed geographically. But not so much with wetlands. There are marshes all over the U.S.! This kind of book would be much more usable if arranged by type of wetland.

Furthermore, some types of major wetlands are omitted entirely - salt marshes, for example. If you want to know what grows/lives there, you won't find it in this book.

Lastly, a big problem I have with this book is that areas that are not wetlands at all, such as pond or lakes, are heavily included. The author states that she has included them because "many wetland species live alongside or nearby these areas," but they were simply out of place and could be confusing to a child learning about wetlands.

Better choices are Wetlands by Darlene Stille, unfortunately textbookish, but does have some good general information, and Leapfrogging Through Wetlands by Nancy Field (Our daughter really liked this one; I thought it was okay, and it did have an interesting format).

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lively, fun, interesting, April 28, 2005

By 

Anne (ARLINGTON, MA, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: America's Wetlands: Guide to Plants and Animals (America's Ecosystems) (Paperback)

For a youngster this is the perfect introduction to an ecosystem found almost everywhere in the country. (Actually, I'm no youngster and I found the level was just right for me too.)

The illustrations are a delight--and accurate; the text quirky with sound science and bits of fun entertaining trivia.

If you're one of the few who doesn't have a wetland nearby, then you'll find some other books in this series that might cover your area (Prairies, Mountains, Deserts too)

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for kids., July 16, 2007

By 

Father of four (Colorado United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: America's Wetlands: Guide to Plants and Animals (America's Ecosystems) (Paperback)

An important subject in an easy to read book that combines art and learning. Good book. Who said learning can't be fun?