The Earth’s Incredible Places series continues with an introduction to the Amazon River. Like the other books in the series, this title gives in-depth knowledge on a specific geographical region and it makes as much use of illustration as of text in imparting information.
The book is divided into four main sections: From Source To Sea, Wildlife Of The Riverbank, People Of The Rainforest, and Life On The River. The first section focuses on water. The layout and geography of the river and tributaries, different water types found in the Amazon, the water cycle and the role the Amazon basin plays in the levels of water in the Earth’s atmosphere are covered among other topics. Wildlife Of The River explores plant and animal species, food webs, and the difference between wildlife higher up the mountains to that on lower ground. People Of The Rainforest introduces civilizations past and present. Life On the River expires the realities of settling by the river, from power sources, to boat types, to food sources, and the threat from deforestation. This rich and varied selection of topics gives a wonderful overview of this part of the world.
The river is introduced as a place of biodiversity and the interconnectedness of all living things is referred to in different contexts. The book’s ending goes beyond suggesting that the river is part of the most biodiverse environments on earth to calling it a ‘river of the world’. This is designed to get young readers thinking about how their actions have an effect on the climate and therefore on places far from their homes and the image of every little raindrop falling into a mighty river is used to encourage them to join with others and protect the planet.
The book goes in-depth into its topic whist remaining at a suitable reading level for its intended 7-11 readership. The double page spreads are richly illustrated and mostly contain several short chunks of text, each with their own subheading which helps readers to find the information that they need. This also enables discussion about the features of a non-fiction text.
The art is of the quality that it is tempting to flick through at times just to take in the images. Multiple shades of green and yellow, for example, make up a single leaf. There is a slightly geometrical quality with different shapes making up a landscape, boat, leaf or animal. Other parts of the same picture, such as the sky, may be a flat colour. The images show the place alive and in action and this enables the reader to learn from the images as much as from the text.
After reading this title I would be quick to recommend it and others in the series. The combination of strong writing with high-quality art makes for an engrossing read and encourages the reading of non-fiction for both learning and pleasure.
- Earth’s Incredible Places: Amazon River by Sagma Francis and Rômolo D’Hipólito is available now from Flying Eye Books. RRP. £10.99 (Provided for review)
