Review by Booklist Review
Gr. 3^-6. Beginning with a map of North America that shows the extent and location of the shortgrass, mixed-grass, and tallgrass prairie environments, this well-balanced book explores the region from several points of view. Patent discusses the ecology driven by wind and fire, the distinctive plants, the interdependent animals, the history of prairie destruction, and the current efforts to restore small areas of prairie within this vast region. Munoz's colorful and sometimes dramatic photos illustrate this handsome book. Whether focused on a single coneflower or a bank of storm clouds, his prairie images bring the landscape to life. A fine book by a reliable author/photographer team. --Carolyn Phelan
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-6Patent focuses on an area of the U.S. that was called the "Great American Desert" when settlers moved through this vast sea of grass during Westward expansion. The author corrects this misnomer and points out the importance of grasslands as a food source throughout the world. Thorough explanations of the similarities and differences in prairie lands from tall grass to short grass and the interrelatedness of both plants and animals give readers a better understanding of the area. This is an up-to-date perspective that discusses how overgrazing and plowing destroyed the original prairies and the efforts currently being made to return some areas to their natural state. Large, clear, full-color photos on almost every page vividly capture the prairies and their natural wildlife. A map of North America shows the location of three different types of prairies. While David Dvorak's A Sea of Grass (S & S, 1994) has more striking photographs, Prairies provides a well-balanced amount of information that will give children a clear understanding of grassland regions.Diane Nunn, Richard E. Byrd Elementary School, Glen Rock, NJ (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Patent provides a thorough description of the grasses and animals of the North American prairies, as well as discussing prairie destruction through farming and current preservation efforts. Handsome color photography underscores the mythological vastness of the American West, evoking the emptiness of the plains. Ind. From HORN BOOK 1996, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
This information book is the epitome of clarity, and the beauty of its subject is captured in superb photographs. Before the unfolding of logical chapters, an overview explains how prairies are formed and what plants and conditions make up this ecosystem. A chapter on the two types of plants--grasses (wheat, corn, rice) and forbs (leafy plants, such as those in the pea and daisy families)--opens the door to understanding the interdependency of plants and animals, covered in the next chapter. Patent (Biodiversity, p. 1473, etc.) describes the destruction of the historic North American prairie, and the efforts to preserve and restore what remains. The topic is a complex one, but in her explications, Patent smoothly demonstrates aspects of biology, zoology, history, and other studies, making the book a springboard to rational scientific thought. The full-color photographs are remarkable; fully keyed to the text, they often cross the line from illustration to fine art. (map, glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 7-12)
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
