Carroll R. Norden

The Raintree Read About series consists of ≥ 29 books that introduce children to aspects of science. The Jungle, written by a zoology professor at University of Wisconsin focuses on the diversity of animals and plants the inhabit jungles of the world. It is nicely illustrated with labeled color drawings, and the text is large simple enough for a student of middle school or junior high school age.

Following an introduction to characteristics of jungles (hot, damp, with constant show more temperature), the book considers the type of plants they contain (e.g., giant trees; epiphytes; and the Rafflesia, with its giant 3-ft flower). The great diversity of jungles is explored. Among them are jungles of Africa (with such animals as elephants, gorillas, monkeys, pangolin, giraffe, and bush babies), Asia (with orangutans, flying lizards, elephants, and lemurs), and South America (with tapirs, capybaras, monkeys, jaguars, sloths, and macaws). Indigenous humans are mentioned, as are the uses to which jungle plants are put (rubber trees, cacao trees, palm oil trees, and trees lumbered for teak, mahogany, and ebony). Published in 1978, the book is dated in one respect: it does not mention the rapid disappearance of jungles and the animals that inhabit them through anthropogenic activities. An index is included, as is a glossary of terms and an introduction to the metric system. show less

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