The Forest in the Clouds by Sneed B. Collard III

illustrated by Michael Rothman

0-88106-985-X $16.95 h

0-88106-986-8 $6.95 p

In many parts of the world, within a few hundred miles of the equator, there exists a mysterious environment called the rain forest. High up in the mountains of these areas lies an even more mysterious environment - the tropical cloud forest. Forest in the Clouds explores the enchanting world of the Monte Verde cloud forest in Costa Rica.

Discover the splendor and fragile beauty of a precarious ecosystem that receives up to ten feet of rain and mist each year. Readers meet rare creatures unique to the cloud forest, home to over three hundred different types of birds and countless insects. There are more than five hundred species of butterflies alone. Learn about the many plants that thrive in the cloud forest, such as gardens of epiphytes, which are plants that grow on other plants. Forest in the Clouds will amaze and inspire young readers as it plainly teaches children about the importance of this delicate ecosystem to the balance of the earth.

Michael Rothman vividly brings to life the plants and animals of the enchanting and ethereal cloud forest. This place, constantly in mist, is alive with color and light in his lush illustrations.

A glossary of terms is provided in the back of the book along with a guide to further reading, a few helpful web sites, and addresses kids can write to in order to get further information about saving the cloud forests.

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Reviews:

This colorful book introduces Costa Rica's Monteverde Cloud Forest, which Collard discussed for somewhat older readers in Monteverde: Science and Scientists in a Costa Rican Cloud Forest (1997). Stretching across the double-page spreads, Rothman's beautifully textured acrylic paintings offer close-up views of some of the animals and plants living in this rich and complex ecosystem.

(Booklist, June 2000)

The author of Making Animal Babies and other nature titles takes the reader to the rain forest of Costa Rica and describes the plants and animals living there. The text, printed over a solid color panel, is limited to a single column on the edge of each painting. Though long for reading aloud, the descriptions are lively and detailed. For example, "Unlike most other birds, bellbirds and quetzals have big mouths, which allow them to swallow wild avocodos whole." Or, "Squeezing a moss-covered branch is like squeezing a soaked sponge; icy water trickles down your arm." The dark, lush, richly detailed paintings, which comprise most of each layout, capture the mood of the rain forest, though sometimes it is hard to locate the dozens of plants and animals in each panel, some with labels, but often without. The author occasionally provides scientific names and at other times uses common names. Readers may struggle to find Norantea costaricensis or the Tayra in other sources. Creatures are not drawn to scale so a golden toad in the foreground appears larger than a person in the background. Important details are lost in the gutter, when the painting spans the double page. The author concludes with places to write for more information, a list of Web sites, further reading, a map of the region, and a brief glossary. While the author does not provide enough information on the rain forest for school reports, he captures the flavor of this rich and alien environment.

(Kirkus Reviews, July 2000)

Collard introduces young readers to the world of Costa Rica's Monteverde Cloud Forest. He highlights unusual plants and animals and explains the interrlationships amoung the forest's inhabitants. His concern for the area's ecology is apparent in his account of the disappearance of species, notably the golden toad. A list of books, Web sites, and enviromental organizations offers additional sources of information. Rothman's detailed acrylic paintings, dominated by rich greens and browns, cover the better part of each spread. The illustrations, especially of cloud forest birds, help children appreciate the unique features of the areas. Older readers might enjoy Dorothy Hinshaw Patent's Children Save the Rain Forest (Dutton, 1996), which documents efforts to perserve rain forest habitat in the surrounding area of Costa Rica. Although valuable for reports, Collard's book will interest browsers as well.

(School Library Journal, August 2000)