Forestry A-Z. Kathleen Cook Waldron & Ann Walsh. Photos by Bob Warick. Victoria, BC: Orca, 2008. 32 pp., hardcover, $19.95. ISBN 978-1-55143-504-6. Subject Heading: Forests and forestry-Juvenile literature. Grades 3-5 / Ages 8-10. Review by Ellen Heaney. *** /4 Reviewed from f&g's.

It is an interesting partnership that has produced this late primary/early intermediate book about Canada's forest industry. Both of the authors are from northern British Columbia, the heart of logging country. Where Waldron's output has been in picture books (Roundup at the Palace), Walsh has written a good deal of fiction for older children based on the history of the Cariboo Gold Rush (By the Skin of his Teeth: A Barkerville Mystery), as well as being the editor of several anthologies. Photography here is by professional photographer Bob Warick, who is also a BC resident.

     In Forestry A-Z, each page is dedicated to one letter of the alphabet. A heading which explains what subject is to be discussed is accompanied by a single long paragraph of text and a colour photograph, often with insets which show detail or elaborate on the main picture. The book is very much about the logging industry of today, although there are one or two historical photos. As an example of the content, here is the entry for the letter "O." The heading "Old growth offers homes for owls, ospreys and others" is followed by the text

In mild climates, some old-growth trees are enormous. In drier climates, trees are much smaller even if they are hundreds of years old. Some plants and animals are best suited to live in the shade of old forests. Others, like deer and moose, prefer to make their homes in younger, sunnier forests.

     The last double-spread gives a quick summary of the book's contents in the same alphabetical order.

      Topics range from logjams to millwrights to replanting to X (for 2 X 4, of course!). The alphabetical listing does not follow what might be the logical progression from tree planting to growing to harvesting to manufacturing, but there is much information here. This book would be a useful if not outstanding addition to school and public libraries.

Recommended.

Ellen Heaney is Head of Children's Services at the New Westminster Public Library, New Westminster, BC.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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