By Laura Vida, Feature Writer, Nursery and School Guide Book Reviewer
Rainforest (4+) by Cath Ard, Illus. Juliana Motzko, Townhouse Publishing Ltd., 10pp; £12.99 Well, I certainly learnt a lot from this book. (But then, I’ve had over 30 years to forget my animal facts!) Could you spot a yellow-rumped cacique? How about a kinkajou? How well do you really know your monkeys?! If your child is a fan of I Spy, or I Hear, they’ll enjoy the ‘Look for…’ and ‘Can you hear?’ sections on each 2-page spread. Not to mention the upliftingly bright jungle illustrations by Brazilian illustrator Juliana Motzko. Interactivity Score: 10/10 (20 real wildlife/nature recordings & 5 LED lights) Educational value: 9/10 Originality: 5/10 (I enjoyed listening to the rain falling!)
Publisher's Synopsis
Magical non-fiction journeys through the rainforest and ocean. Find out what makes these habitats and the creatures that live there so special. With gorgeously detailed illustrations and 20 sounds to find, plus LED lights on every spread, these books will delight and absorb any child or grown-up interested in nature.
Catherine Ard has worked as a book editor for more than 20 years, writing and editing imaginative and engaging fiction and non-fiction for babies through to pre-teens. She has worked for a wide range of children's publishers and organizations on everything from novelty, craft, activity and reference books, as well as classroom resources. Juliana Motzko is a Brazilian illustrator who has loved drawing and painting ever since she was a little girl. After graduating in Arts and Pedagogy, she worked as an Art Teacher and Pedagogical Coordinator for almost 10 years before becoming a freelance illustrator.
