Full Text Review(s)

"Collard begins each clear and engaging title by introducing one or two scientists working in the field. As he explains their research, he incorporates general information about the topic. Deep Sea focuses on Edith Widder’s experiments with bioluminescence and provides basic facts about marine creatures with that characteristic. In the Wild explores the work of wildlife researchers employed by Zoo Atlanta to help save endangered primates. Each well-designed volume has numerous color photographs and suggestions for further information, but most of the Web sites listed are for adults. Collard’s Lizard Island (2000) and Monteverde (1997, both Watts), for older readers, include sections on the same scientists featured in Coral Reefs and Rain Forest Canopy. Readers wanting more information on bioluminescence will appreciate the large, striking illustrations in Anita Ganeri’s Creatures That Glow (Abrams, 1995; o.p.). Other titles that focus on scientists conducting rain forest experiments include Kathryn Lasky’s The Most Beautiful Roof in the World (Harcourt, 1997) and James L. Castner’s Rainforest Researchers (Benchmark, 2001). Titles in the "Science Adventures" series are solid choices for collections needing additional or updated information."

[On the Coral Reefs]-"Collard has written about the wondrous underwater reef system many times, most recently in the picture book One Night in the Coral Reef (2005). In this entry in the Science Adventures series, he introduces a marine biologist and her research on fish that eat parasites living on other fish. Using lively anecdotes and clearly presented facts, Collard explains how scientists use established research and personal observations to pinpoint and pursue new directions of scientific inquiry. Closing chapters offer more examples of "cleaner-client" fish relationships and substantive information about reef endangerment, global warming, and ways that kids can help reduce greenhouse gasses. Small but spectacular color photos show the jeweled, underwater worlds up close; a glossary and reading lists are appended. Other titles in the series include In the Deep Sea and In the Rain Forest Canopy."