Here Is the Tropical Rain Forest (Web of Life) [Hardcover]

Madeleine Dunphy (Author), Michael Rothman (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Series: Web of Life

Lyrical words and lush, naturalistic paintings introduce children to the tropical rain forest and the animals that live within its wet, green world. From swinging monkeys and upside-down-hanging sloths to graceful caimans and stalking jaguars, Here Is the Tropical Rain Forest envelops young readers in a stunning jungle while teaching them an important lesson about the ecosystem. Madeleine Dunphy’s rhythmical, cumulative text shows how each plant and animal of the rain forest is inextricably linked with the others in a chain of life. Michael Rothman’s deeply hued and shadowed paintings brilliantly evoke this singular environment.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Ages 5-7. Both pictures and language are worthy of note in a text that employs a "this is the house that Jack built" format to link plants, animals, and climate. The frog, for example, who bathes in the rain, is protected by the bromeliad, which is held by the tree, and so on. The words read aloud with a distinct rhythm, and Rothman's artwork, in a palette of subdued greens and browns, shows readers the connectedness of the plants and animals, rather than showing flashy animal species in a Hollywood spotlight. Although killing is not shown, the animals are presented as predators. Mary Harris Veeder --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Web of Life Children's Books (March 13, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0977379515
• ISBN-13: 978-0977379514
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 10.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #422,500 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Madeleine Dunphy is an educational consultant who specializes in writing and teaching about endangered animals and environments. Madeleine has written eight books for children, including The Peregrine's Journey: A Story of Migration, illustrated by Kristin Kest and Here Is the Coral Reef, illustrated by Tom Leonard. Madeleine lives in Oakland, California with her husband, Chris, and their daughter, Gwendolyn. For more information about Madeleine and her books, visit her website at www.mdunphy.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A first ecology lesson that is lovely, poetic, and fun!, January 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Here is the Tropical Rainforest (Paperback)

I highly recommend this book for its beautiful illustrations, and its elegant approach to teaching kids ecology: A cumulative verse format, which kids love to repeat and memorize.

5.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful for teaching children about the importance of this ecosystem, October 10, 2010

By 

Timothy B. Riley (San Antonio, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Here is the Tropical Rainforest (Paperback)

Rain forests once covered 14% of the earth's land surface; now they cover a mere 6%. The world's rain forests are currently disappearing at a rate of 6000 acres every hour. As an avid birdwatcher I have been fortunate enough to have spent some time in parts of the Amazonian rain forest and have marveled at it's beauty as well as it's diversity of wildlife. It is extremely important that children understand the importance of this essential ecosystem since they will be the ones effected by it's absence or it's survival. "This Is the Tropical Rain Forest" is one of the Web of Life series of children's books and it's goal is to do exactly that.

In this book we are introduced to the ecosystem (the rain forests of Central and South America as used as examples) and it's inhabitants one species at a time as well as learning about how they interact. The repetition of the prose will help with the children's retention while reinforcing the interdependence of the plants and animals that inhabit this environment.

I have several of the books in this series and the artwork in "Here Is the Tropical Rain Forest", by Michael Rothman, is my favorite. The detail in the reproductions of his original watercolors are better than some field guidebooks that I have owned. The animals are portrayed in realistic poses and settings.

At the end of the book is several pages that give more detail about the ecosystem and it's plight. I have given my copy of this book to a local elementary school and they were thrilled to have it and will be using it while they introduce the children to the world's different ecosystems, including the all important rain forests.

DISCLAIMER: Although I was not paid for this review, I did receive the book for free from the author in the hope that I would review it. Thank you.

4.0 out of 5 stars Here is the Tropical Rain Forest, July 12, 2009

By 

Thomas Sandusky "Author, Gracie the glass tre... (Spring Hill, Florida) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Here Is the Tropical Rain Forest (Hardcover)

Here is the Tropical Rain Forest is a delightful book to introduce the American Tropics to children. The story by Madeleine Dunphy follows a food web from figs to harpy eagles and jaguars. The illustrations by Michael Rothman are outstanding.