What Eats What in a Forest Food Chain

November 1, 2012

Gr 2-4-Following a nearly identical format, each volume shows the food chain as the movement of energy between the living beings and those that eat them. The traits of carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores are defined as well as those of producers and consumers in each habitat. Simple language makes the information accessible to primary-grade students. At the conclusion of each volume, an illustration shows a food web made of several food chains specific to that domain. But without explanatory text, these webs may be difficult for youngsters to understand. The somewhat murky, full-color, full-page illustrations offer graphic examples of a variety of animals being eaten or dying in the never-ending cycle of life in natural surroundings. The text makes clear that these cycles are normal and necessary. However, the patterns shown are rather repetitive in both text and illustration with snakes, birds, and bugs being part of all but the ocean scenarios. Younger children will have many questions regarding life and death following a reading of these books.-Eva Elisabeth VonAncken, formerly at Trinity-Pawling School, Pawling, NY

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2013
Beginning with an oak tree and ending with the sprouting of an acorn, simple sentences explain steps in one forest food chain. Terms such as producer, carnivore, and scavenger are clearly matched to lush illustrations that are adept at displaying actions (e.g., decomposers breaking down a dead bobcat) without being sensationally gory. An illustrated food web is included. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

(Copyright 2013 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)