Tropical Climates

April 1, 2017
Gr 5-8-Rather than devoting volumes to single climate zones, Senker considers several together. For example, Polar Climates includes tundra as well as Arctic and Antarctic. A world map indicates overall locations, and informative captions on most photos identify specific areas to minimize confusion. Covering warm and cool maritime and continental examples, Temperate Climates requires the most reader concentration. Interspersed in overviews of plants, animals, indigenous peoples, and natural resources are features on a variety of topics, such as Kenyan ecotourism in Tropical and solar power generation in Desert. While addressing impacts of climate change, habitation destruction, and exploitation of natural resources, Senker offers suggestions to slow or minimize damage. The author also raises questions that could spark discussion, such as the benefits and drawbacks of tourism. VERDICT Stimulating selections, a first choice for most collections.

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July 1, 2017
Each book takes a broad section of Earth--the two poles, the equatorial regions--and provides a cursory overview of that area's weather, plants, animals, and people. Factual information and anecdotes describe the conditions, while sections on controversies due to climate change and resource extraction raise questions. Numerous diagrams and photographs illustrate the text. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

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