'EXTINCTION' MAKES SCARY POINT.Byline: Jane Kurtz Knight-Ridder Tribune News Wire Extinction is scary stuff. In fact, "Extinction Is Forever!" as a new science and nature book by Donald Silver, illustrated by Patricia J. Wynne, reminds us (Julian Messner, 1995; $14.95, $7.95 in paperback). Two wild-eyed dinosaurs on the cover stare up at the hurtling meteor that signals their doom. Silver explains how scientists have come up with theories about the disappearance of dinosaurs, explores the larger puzzle of what caused other living things Living Things may refer to:
DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid One of two types of nucleic acid (the other is RNA); a complex organic compound found in all living cells and many viruses. It is the chemical substance of genes. and calls for human beings to "stop wanting so much, wasting so much and polluting so much." The book is dominated by the dinosaur question - fitting, given that it's geared for 7-year-olds and up. Recently, I recommended "Thunder Cave" as an action-packed novel set in the midst Adv. 1. in the midst - the middle or central part or point; "in the midst of the forest"; "could he walk out in the midst of his piece?" midmost of the battle between those who want to kill elephants for their tusks and those who want to preserve the remaining herds. "A Most Dangerous Journey: The Life of an African Elephant" (Dial, 1995; $15.99) offers another powerful perspective on the "desperately endangered" lives of elephants. Author Roger A. Caras, an authority on animal behavior, used his knowledge and impressions (gathered in 25 trips to Africa) to create an elephant named Ndovu. The book traces Ndovu's life, in fascinating detail, from birth to adulthood. His journey involves many encounters with poachers, many elephant deaths. It's easy to feel helpless and overwhelmed after reading such a gripping account of how intense the battle between species has become. "All the King's Animals: The Return of Endangered Wildlife to Swaziland" by Cristina Kessler is a good antidote to despair. Well-designed with stunning photographs, the book tells the true story of the animal conservation efforts of His Majesty
"Raptor Rescue: An Eagle Flies Free" by Sylvia Johnson with photographs by Ron Winch (Dutton, 1995; $15.99) tracks another story of hope. A bald eagle bald eagle Species of sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) that occurs inland along rivers and large lakes. Strikingly handsome, it is the only eagle native solely to North America, and it has been the U.S. national bird since 1782. The adult, about 40 in. , known as Patient S-137 at the Gabbert Raptor Center in St. Paul, Minn., is operated on to remove shotgun pellets and repair a broken wing. After six weeks in a recovery cage, it needs to practice flying. Finally, in a festive celebration, the eagle and seven other raptors are released. The only picture book in this week's roundup is "Washing the Willow Tree Loon loon, common name for migratory aquatic birds found in fresh- and saltwater in the colder parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Its strange, laughing call carries for great distances. Like the grebes, loons float low in the water and their legs are placed far back. " by Jacqueline Briggs Martin, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter (Simon & Schuster Simon & Schuster U.S. publishing company. It was founded in 1924 by Richard L. Simon (1899–1960) and M. Lincoln Schuster (1897–1970), whose initial project, the original crossword-puzzle book, was a best-seller. , 1995; $16). An oil-covered loon encounters one person after another. Some rush off because they have work to do - but for some people, the work they have to do includes washing birds and setting them free. "The world is full of birds," Martin writes. "And we have work to do." |
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