From School Library Journal
Gr 7 Up--This is the first volume of a projected five-volume set on species that are believed to have become extinct since 1570. The sections include birds, plants, fish, and mammals. Within each section, species are grouped geographically, ranging from the islands off Africa eastward through the South Pacific to Hawaii, to mainland United States and the Caribbean. Each of the two-page spreads about the 167 extinct species includes a brief summary capsule and follows a similar format, discussing appearance, behavior, habitat, distribution, and causes of extinction. If an illustration appears among those in the eight-page color insert, it is noted in the capsule. Reduced-size maps with references to enlarged maps have names that are too small to read. A ready-reference index lists 78 species by common name, while an extensive index lists common and scientific names separately. A 33-page glossary is helpful. Some data was adapted from Beacham's International Threatened, Endangered and Extinct Species on CD-ROM (1994). Students will find the encyclopedic nature of this reference useful.
P. A. Dolan, Illinois State University, Normal
Copyright 1997 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
