From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8-From Mexico to Malaysia, concerned scientists and natural refuge workers are trying to save birds whose habitats have been altered by farming, logging, oil spills, hunting, or the use of pesticides. This title details the work and efforts of six teams to save as many species. In the case of the quetzal in Mexico and the black-necked crane in China, appeals were made to the native populations about the role of the birds in their history and the need to protect them. After a shipping oil spill killed a colony of common murres at Devil's Slide Rock in California, the settlement money awarded was used to establish a decoy colony to attract breeding murres. Glorious, color photos illustrate the often-difficult-to-reach habitats of some of the birds, such as the black robins of New Zealand; the cooperation of Palestinian and Israeli youth as together they built nesting boxes for the lesser kestrels; and the use of turkey feathers for ceremonial dances on Sarawak. Address and Web-site information is provided for each of the projects described. This slim book packs in lots of information and presents it in a conversational style. It's sure to increase awareness of environmental and human factors that affect all creatures.
Pam Spencer Holley, Young Adult Literature Specialist, Virginia Beach, VA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Gr. 4-7. Under the auspices of the Audubon Society, the authors of Project Puffin (1997) offer further examples of efforts to bring avian species back from the brink of extinction. They recount efforts to aid common murres, the Mexican quetzal, Israeli kestrels, black cranes, Malaysian hornbills, and black robins. For each species they discuss how the bird became endangered and the methods employed to help the creatures survive, ranging from removing eggs from murres and kestrels for incubation elsewhere and convincing humans not to kill hornbills to protecting the habitats of cranes and quetzals. Striking, full-color photographs accompany each section, depicting the birds in their natural habitats and the humans intervening on their behalf. Appended contact information for each project will be welcomed by children concerned about the future of world wildlife. Kay Weisman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Review
"Outstanding Children's Science Trade Book"
About the Author
Pete Salmonsohn and Steve Kress are the authors of Project Puffin and its teachers guide, Giving Back to the Earth, which may also be used with this book (see opposite page). Pete Salmansohn is an educator for Audubon, was named Maines Environmental Educator of the Year in 1998, and in 2001 received a Visionary Award from the Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment. Steve Kress is Audubons vice president for bird conservation and director of Audubons Seabird Restoration Program.
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