Product Description
Imaginations will soar from the forest floor, up through the canopy and back down again, following the circle of life in this clever adaptation of the song, The Green Grass Grew All Around. The jungle comes alive as children learn about a wide variety of the animals (jaguars, emerald tree boas, leafcutter ants, sloths, poison dart frogs, toucans, and bats) and plants (kapok trees, liana vines, and bromeliads) living in the lush Amazon rainforest. Delve even deeper into the jungle using sidebars and the three-page For Creative Minds educational section. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

love this book!!
This book is wonderful.It also has ideas for other educational topics for children related to the rainforest.Great book!!

The Rainforest Grew All Around
This is an excellent book for learning about the rainforest. I used this book in a special education summer school program during our rainforest unit. The book piggy-backs the song "The green grass grew all around"- and is easy to sing along with. There is information in the back of the book that increases understanding of animals and plants for older learners.Additionally, there is a rainforest cookie recipe at the back of the book that is delicious!

bought it for the artwork!
I saw the artist Connie McLennan's work online and heard about this book from her website. It is a beautiful book! The writing is perfect for a beginning reader as well. It's a nice story.

I bought it for my granddaughter who is a budding artist- I thought she would love the pictures as much as I do!

Enchanting!
Susan K Mitchel has written a wonderful book about the rain forest that is suitable for many different age groups. Younger children will love the familiarity of the text, more advanced readers will enjoy reading the sidebars full of interesting facts about the rain forest. Everyone young and old will enjoy the beautiful illustrations. A very appealing read! A great choice for the elementary classroom.

As fun as it is informative
Beautifully written by Susan K. Mitchell and superbly illustrated by Connie McLennan, "The Rainforest Grew All Around" is an ideal introduction to rainforest ecology and eco-systems for elementary school and middle school students. Young readers will learn amazing facts about a variety of animals and plants native to rainforest habitats. Kids will enjoy looking for rainforest bugs and butterflies nicely embedded in the detailed and complex illustrations. The text is enriched by the inclusion of 'Animal Sidebar Fun Facts' and 'Plant Sidebar Fun Facts'. Kids will learn abut rainforest animal adaptations, plant adaptations, seed dispersal, as well as what can be obtained from rain forests. There is even a rainforest cookie recipe! A special note for parents and teachers is the Sylvan Dell Publishing website's learning links and teaching activities associated with utilizing "The Rainforest Grew All Around" as an educational resource. As fun as it is informative, "The Rainforest Grew All Around" is a welcome and strongly recommended addition to family, school, and community library Nature Studies and picturebook collections. ... Read more

Product Description
Ages 4 to 8 years. Children are introduced to the huge trees, colourful flowers, and other plants in South American tropical rain forests, as well as the insects, amphibians, mammals, and other animals that live there. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A Rainforst Habitat
This is a really understandable book for 2nd and 3rd gradeI cannot wait to cover the material!

Wonderful science reader for little ones
This is a wonderful first or second grade science book reader with great pictures and easy to read words. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (38)

On the spirit world and reality
This story present questions that the reader is confronted to answer, like, "Is there a spirit world? If so what does it look like? How do (or might) spirits interact with people? Is there a hierarchy of spiritual power? If not, how does one explain the experiences of the people in this book?" etc. A brutal book, but recommended, and real.

Blatant exploitation of the Yanamamo for religious propaganda
The book is a cheat. It appears to be a true story until the middle of the book where the Christian claptrap becomes obvious. The author simply uses the Yanomamo as a shill to promote his own religious beliefs with a story that is clearly fictional.

A seminal book that will shake your worldview
This is one of the books I can never forget.
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Spirit of the Rainforest: A Yanomamo Shaman's Story
This seminal book may turn your worldview upside down!

The Spirit of the Rainforest is the controversial life story of Jungleman, a Yanamamö shaman whose tribe's ancient way of life deep in the Amazon jungle of Venezuela is dramatically altered by increased contact with the `nabas,' the white Westerners, adventurers, doctors, anthropologists and missionaries, whose spirits they encounter. According to Mark Andrew Ritchie, a commodities trader from Illinois and author of God in the Pits (Macmillan, 1989), it is not a work of fiction. Ritchie personally gathered the stories during six visits over a period of thirteen years before Jungleman's death in 1994 and painstakingly sought witnesses to assure their veracity in the details. The result is an extraordinary document that unfolds the psyche of the Yanamamö ("Tree People") through the vivid first-person account of one Yanamamö shaman's self-understanding and of their spirit world. The tone is frank, the pictures are graphic. It neither discounts the deceitful or brutal aspects of human nature, nor does it fail to inject moments of Yanamamö humor. The language is primarily that of spiritual powers and warfare between different worldviews in conflict. On one hand, it corroborates the reality of the spirit world. On the other, it enables us to identify with persons from both sides of the cultural divide experimenting with the spiritual categories of the other. Most notably, it invites us, as Western readers, to observe ourselves through the eyes of the very ones we come to observe, and the result is stunning, or at the very least, challenging.

In the first part of the book "Split truth," Jungleman describes the generational cycle of violence engendered by the ancient beliefs of shamans as dictated by the vengeful spirits of the rainforest. The spirits who make them powerful and protect them from the enemy also lead their villages into murderous internecine warfare. By snorting a mind-bending powder called ebene, the cause for each death in a village is traced to the work of spirits in a different `responsible' village. The relatives grind the dead person's bones and the cycle of raids and counter-raids begins, developing into full-scale war. The toll is great suffering, poverty and death, with wholesale slaughter, rape and torture of women and children. But the Yanamamö do not see the source of their pain as their spirits' fault. In the middle of the book, the Yanamamö hunger for the more powerful weapons and spirits of the nabas (foreign missionaries) drives the shamans and their flock closer to the nabas' Unfriendly Spirit. But their own familiar spirits shudder with fear, claiming this Great Spirit is the Creator of spirits who will demand the shaman "throw them away," causing the shaman's death. However, a striking paradox emerges. Not all nabas are the same. Those who encourage them to give up warfare care for their suffering, while those who encourage warfare, do nothing to alleviate it, adding rather more misery. Some even caution them against the Unfriendly Spirit but are themselves more depraved than the Yanamamö. The shaman's response at this point is to compromise and still have both ways. But in the final part entitled "Nobody's that Stupid," the double lie is revealed as several shamans realize their spirits deceived them and decide, one by one, to "throw them away." By embracing the Creator of Spirits, they find they do not die and the Spirit of the caring nabas - the missionaries that are not hypocrites - is not unfriendly after all, but teaches the way of reconciliation. Their villages become havens of peace, health and prosperity as they learn the new ways of forgiveness. At the same time the shamans become increasingly resentful of the secular anthropologists who try to return them to their old vengeful ways, and whose corrupt agendas glamorize their savage way of life as a utopia of `crime unimpeded by conscience' to the outside world (Chagnon, Napoleon. The Last Days of Eden, 1992). "They must hate us. They think we're animals," says Shoefoot, a fellow redeemed shaman. Ritchie asks us to consider that even aboriginal murderers may seek a better way.

This indigenous self-portrayal of a primitive tribe confronts not just the motives, but also the spiritual agendas behind the way some anthropologists, and even missionaries approach their fieldwork and conduct themselves. We, who come to judge their spirits, what spirit are we of? The message of Jungleman pierces us with conviction, and confronts our hypocrisy. It has already created a stir, causing us to rethink the way we do anthropology or missions, by compelling us to wonder about the link between our fallen human nature and the spirits that bind us, regardless of how "civilized" or "uncivilized" we may be. As readers come to recognize the universal nature of the lies of the spirits of darkness, so also, they will not be surprised by the discernment of the shamans once they switch their allegiance to the Creator of spirits. Jungleman, as a redeemed shaman, chronicles the victory over darkness as a gradual truth encounter that brings the light of salvation to his people, not as a showdown of spiritual powers in a cataclysmic battle. His astounding clarity of vision of the spirit world reveals our Western civilization's search for libidinal freedom among "primitive" lifestyles to be a pact with greater evil, an evil that may rival even that of the fierce Yanamamö.

Good but violent.
From the anthropological perspective, this is an interesting look into the culture and values and spirituality of the Yanomamo people in South America. From the Christian perspective, it is a book that shows the power of Christ to save His own in a very unique way--that is, it is uniquely written and salvation is shown in a very un-Western (but not un-Bibical) format.
The only issue I had with this book is the violence. The Yanomamo people are very violent, very cruel, and very merciless to their own and other tribes. This is shown clearly and graphically throughout the book. I think in many ways the violence is necessary if the readers really want to know how this people group lives, but at the same time: read with care. This book is not easy on your heart or the eyes of your mind.

Not for the Faint of Heart - But Life Changing!

Spirit of the Rainforest is not told from Ritchie's(the author) point of view. Rather, he has told the majority of the story through the eyes of Jungleman, a Yanomamö shaman, and a great leader of their people. Ritchie researched this project over thirteen years and six visits to the Amazonas. As often as possible, he conducted multiple interviews in order to corroborate the information he was receiving from Jungleman.

The narrative of this account is told largely as a flashback from the perspective of a shaman who has many spirits living within him. The detail given of how the Shaman of the various villages communicate with, acquire and struggle with their spirits is quite vivid and descriptive. We see a tribal people caught up in a spirit ruled shamanistic society with a moral compass that is beyond our understanding.

There are many graphic accounts of battles between villages, the murdering of infants, raping of women and spiritual warfare that redefines our perceptions of that realm. The battles waged with clubs and arrows are only a small part of the warfare between these villages. The shaman of one village will send out murdering spirits to kill children in neighboring villages. This supernatural assassination will often serve as the impetuous for the other village to physically attack the other.

After this framework has been set, we are introduced, along with the Yanomamö to the Naba - white people - who enter in their villages. Some are missionaries, others are cultural anthropologists, and others are simply looking for cheap labor or a new experience. Through this introduction of the Naba, the Yanomamö are exposed for the first time to the realities of sexual disease, profiteering, homosexuality, and Christianity.

Ritchie tells the story of one particular tribe, Honey, that embraces peace and the message of these Christian missionaries. When a shaman surrendered himself to the Great Spirit, all of the spirits that had been living within him would depart. This was visible and troubling to the other visiting shaman. In time, many of the Yanomamö come to faith in Christ, including Jungleman, the greatest of the Yanomamö shaman.

This book is graphic in nature. The author very capably delivers the horrors of this spirit-driven people through his retelling of battles, both spiritual and physical. In fact, Spirit of the Rainforest may be too much for some of a more sensitive nature to bear. It may also be difficult for those who have experienced a reality similar to what is being told in the book.

That said, this graphic portrayal of reality serves the author well in drawing in the reader to a context outside of their experience. We are given the opportunity to see a fierce people without any distorting lens. We are also given the unique perspective to see what the introduction of the Naba do to their society, both good and bad.

The Yanomamö are a society that is attenuated to the intense reality of spiritual warfare. A shaman who has been given the gift of relationship with many spirits leads them. A good shaman, like Jungleman or Shoefoot will possess several of the strong spirits, and have discernment to recognize a spirit of power (like the jaguar) versus a spirit of weakness (like the deer). These shaman will intercede on behalf of their people through the power of these spirits, and conduct great battles with other villages and individuals nearly entirely in the spiritual realm.

In Western Christianity, we often pay lip-service to the concept of spiritual warfare. We have allowed ourselves to live in an intellectual and rational bubble where the events described in this book are fanciful and impossible.But the stark reality is that there is a very real spiritual warfare going on around us, both seen and unseen.
Scripture shows us example after example of men and women under the influence of demons. Some of these demons cause illness, as in Matthew 4:24 and 8:16. Some of these demons cause insanity and grant supernatural abilities as in the spirits named Legion in Mark 5. Others grant the ability to see things that no one else can see as in the slave girl in Acts 16. We know this warfare is a reality. We just often choose to look the other way.

Although the Yanomamö have an intense familiarity with the spiritual realm, they also have an innocence and purity due to their being isolated from the mainstream of society. They are unfamiliar with many of the perversions and vices that is just taken for granted in mainstream America. Also as a result of their immediate acceptance of the spiritual, they are very receptive to conversations concerning the supernatural and the spiritual. In the worldview of many in America, there is an intellectual and experiential hurdle that must be overcome before the conversation can turn seriously to issues of eternal and spiritual significance.

On one hand, it appears as though the intensity of spiritual activity in the United States is nothing like what we read in Spirit of the Rainforest. The idea of a shaman sending out a spirit to kill a child doesn't fit into our grid. It would appear as though Satan would rather use an intellectual and rational attack on the people in this country. On the other hand, there has been a growing fascination with the occult. All we need to do is read popular fiction, turn on the TV or attend a movie to see a terrifying spiritual reality.

Although most would say that "civilized" society has much to offer a tribal people like the Yanomamö, I would argue that they have much to offer us. With their help, the scales may fall from our eyes, and we would be able to see the very real threat being waged against us each day by the powers and principalities of this world!

In the book Spirit of the Rainforest, it is interesting to see how the Yanomamö viewed the different Christian missionaries with which they came in to contact. It is clear that in order to effectively communicate the truth of the gospel to the people in this tribal context we are going to have to stretch ourselves, and change our way of thinking.
One realization was the hurt that was felt by the Yanomamö when Granny Troxel and Padre Coco left their village to return home. They felt betrayed and confused. There is great value in short term missions for both the individual on the missions trip, and those to whom the individual is ministering. However, there needs to be a strong missions base where they are serving. Relationship and familial loyalty is a large part of the Yanomamö culture. Intermittent missions may have some value, but there is far greater value in establishing long-term relationship.

Another aspect that would be key in relationship and witness with the Yanomamö culture would be to truly live among them. If a missionary comes down with a desire to hang on to his modern conveniences and culture, he will separate himself from the people and make it difficult, if not impossible to engage with them in a significant way. Many mission organizations have overcome this challenge by only sending trained indigenous missionaries into the field. That way they are able to understand those to whom they are ministering, and they wouldn't possess a desire for a lifestyle that would separate them from those they are trying to reach for Christ.

As was discussed earlier, the Yanomamö are very comfortable with the reality of spirits all around them. As a result, it is easier to talk to them about Yai Pada as the creator of us all, even the other spirits. By sharing with them the truth of the love of God, they will learn that their picture of Yai Wana Naba Laywa is incorrect. The key would be to speak to them of Yai Pada not simply as another spirit - a spirit of love, but to speak to them of the Creator Spirit.

If he is simply a god of love, they would place him in their minds along side of all the other spirits they know and acknowledge. But if Yai Pada is the great creator spirit, He must be greater than all the other spirits! Once they understand that, we can then show them that he is not the enemy spirit who hates, but he is the Creator God who loves. That truth is what brought Shoefoot, and eventually Jungleman to a saving knowledge of Christ!

One of the most impressive things about Ritchie's Spirit of the Rainforest is that he painted a picture of a violent, brutal and demonized people - yet he endeared them to us. All mankind is created in the Image of God. All people of every tribe, tongue and nation are precious to Him. It is easy for us to be disgusted with an individual for what they have they have done, or repulsed by a people group because their "societal norm" is so drastically different from ours. But we need to remember that the Imago Dei resides within all of us, and we have been called to share the message of Christ with the world. Not just those parts of the world where we are comfortable, but to every corner of this earth.

I am thankful for the missionaries that have made an eternal difference in the lives of the Yanomamö people, and to Mark Ritchie for taking us on a journey of understanding and hope. The message of the cross shines brightest where the darkness is the most deep.
Soli Deo Gloria ... Read more

Product Description
A tiny rufous-tailed hummingbird hovers before the bright inflorescence of a heliconia. Undetected by the foraging bird a golden eyelash viper is curled motionless around the plant. An instant later, this subtle configuration of flora and fauna is shattered by the snake's sudden strike.

Portraits of the Rainforest explores the precarious contingencies that determine the nature of tropical life, and award-winning Adrian Forsyth approaches his subject with a "mixture of hope and trepidation." A biologist who has spent 20 years working in the rainforest, Forsyth has observed firsthand the ravaging effects of agricultural, economic and environmental policies on an ecosystem under siege.

Yet in this collection of essays, he has chosen to celebrate the rainforest rather than to lament its loss. The rainforest plays a variety of roles -- as a genetic reservoir, a pharmacy of natural products and a carbon dioxide exchange system -- but for Forsyth, its true value rests with something less functional. The rainforest, he argues, represents the pinnacle of biological diversity and evolutionary sophistication on this planet.

Forsyth draws on his own extensive experience in the rainforest to make this fascinating habitat tangible for his readers. The result is a creative, anecdotal text that in each chapter follows a thread of adaptive Darwinian logic through some part of the rainforest. The exquisite photography of Michael and Patricia Fogden helps to make Portraits of the Rainforest an unforgettable journey. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Beautiful and Informative
I was very fortunate to find a used copy from the library. The pictures are not only remarkable but the information included make it very valuable. The truth hurts and there is plenty of facts in here about how we as a people are destroying our Earth. If this book moves one person to care about the effects of their actions.. then maybe it's served its purpose.

Awesome book, great for kids, perfect for schools!
This is an awesome pictorial with great editorial book that is awesome to read or simply thumb through to view some of the most beautiful rainforest's the world has to offer. Perfect for schools, to show kids who may have never been to or seen a rainforest what they are & why we need to protect them.

Very young children will understand when explained the importance all rainforest's have for human survival, not to mention the survival of unique flora & fauna.

This book would be helpful to science classes of all ages and teachers should have no problem creating study guides and exercisesfrom it.

Do not get me wrong, this book is perfect for adults too, makes a fantastic coffee table book for your guests to flip through. And would look striking on the coffee table of any home!

I do not think anyone who purchases this would be disappointed. It is such a lovely book and simply gorgeous to view!

Monteverde residents bring rain forest to life
The author and photographers are part time residents of the Monteverde area of Costa Rica. Many of the photos in this book also are displayed at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, near Santa Elena, in Central CostaRica. Anyone who has been to a Central or South American rain forest orcloud forest will enjoy the ecological explanations -- similar to brieferexplanations by guia naturalistas (guides) in the reserves -- and willespecially enjoy the dramatic photos. Those who haven't visited the forestin person may be motivated to do so. ... Read more

Product Description
Follow the story and live the experience of one man's photographic journey through the rainforests of the world. 16+ years in the making, packed with spectacular photographs from Thomas Marent, a self-taught photographer who has dedicated half his life to capturing images of rainforest life, and including captions that present the stories behind the photographs, Rainforest is an extraordinary photographic biography of our planet's most beautiful yet fragile environment. Now in paperback!Amazon.com Review
Over the past 16 years Swiss photographer Thomas Marent has traveled all over the world photographing rainforests, from Peru and Ecuador to New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Usually traveling alone, Marent has been known to spend extraordinary lengths of time to get the perfect shot--sometimes 12 days. You can see the results in his first book, Rainforest. The book is his testament--an intimate collection of more than 500 breathtaking animal and plant portraits, and the fascinating stories behind them.

Questions for Thomas Marent

Amazon.com: What inspired you to start taking pictures?

Marent: I used to be a birdwatcher in Switzerland--and soon I was also interested in amphibians, insects, and plants. After a while I thought it would be nice to have pictures of all these beautiful animals.

Amazon.com: Waiting for the perfect shot takes patience and time. How do you decide what images are worth waiting for?

Marent: I mostly focus on the colorful and spectacularly shaped creatures. Sometimes it is a matter of luck to find them, but sometimes I have to know where and when to look for them.

Amazon.com: What photo in Rainforest is your favorite?

Marent: I don't have one favorite--there are many favorites! I especially like the photos of frogs, butterflies, fungi, birds and weird insects.

Amazon.com: What would people find most surprising about the world's rainforests?

Marent: When people think of the rainforest, it's the monkeys, birds, and wild cats that first come to mind. But there are so many small and beautiful creatures. We need to see and appreciate them too--they're just a little harder to find! Many of these smaller creatures have never been seen by most people.

Amazon.com: Do you consider yourself a rainforest activist?

Marent: With the book I want to show to the people the endless beauty of the rainforests. I do hope that it might open the eyes of some people, so that they'll agree that it's worth protecting this fantastic environment.

Amazon.com: Some of the photos in the book, especially some of the insect photos, are really strange and otherworldly. What's your favorite exotic rainforest animal?

Marent: Some of my favorites always were frogs and butterflies, but birds and monkeys as well. And of course the weird-looking insects.

Amazon.com: What's your favorite rainforest?

Marent: In Asia it is Borneo. In Africa it is Madagascar. In Latin America it is Costa Rica and Peru/Colombia. But I also like the Australian and New Zealand rainforests.

Amazon.com: Do you have any advice for amateur nature photographers?

Marent: A tripod is an absolutely must. Try to move to the animals slowly and quietly--it takes some patience. Whenever possible try taking your pictures at the animal's eye level. And it's always important to think about the background when you compose the picture.

Customer Reviews (39)

Needed pics for rainforest mural
I needed some reference material for a mural that I am doing for my sons nursery.I came across this book on Amazon and figured I'd give it a shot, after reading the reviews.The pics are wonderful and simply beautiful.It's amazing to get to see some of the animals, plants and insects that we would otherwise never get the opportunity to see.
My only complaint, if you want to call it that, was that my book did not come w/ a cd that the other reviews talk about.I don't know if it's because I bought the soft cover?? but none the less, I was dissapointed about that.I was looking forward to listening to it, while painting and then playing it for my son once he's in his room.I guess I can't complain too much, since it wasn't in the official description on the site.

Amazing book!
It is true that you cannot convert the experience of being in a rain forest to a book, and this is a wonderful book. If you already visited some rain forests, this book will remind you some beautiful moments. There is a CD attached to this book with sounds recorded in rain forests, mostly insects and birds.

nature photography,wow.i'm inspired.
have you ever been to a tropical rainforest.if you haven't thomas marent will guide you to the damp,evergreen hot houses of the world with stunning photography & fascinating stories.you just have to spend extremely small amount of money to get wowed & be amazed.this wonderous tome help me immensely to relax my mind & soul.amazon.com selling this book for a bargain price.(their delivery is quick & safe).highly recommended.

A book of art
This is a book of fabulous pictures.We bought it to inspire paintings and other artwork for my brother.He absolutely loved it.You will look at it over and over.It's big, heavy, so colorful, and great for all ages.A good book to leave sitting out to inspire conversation, fill time, or appreciate the world around you.

Breathtaking
Even people who aren't as avid about nature as I am have found this book to be simply spectacular. It was given to me as a Christmas present and promptly got passed around the room. People who only take a glance have bought their own copy! The large, professionally printed photographs will take your breath away, and the captions and stories are just as entertaining. This book is organized neatly into chapters, and its layout is stylish and modern. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

Useful Resource
This is a good and useful resource, however I found that that cross referencing between sections could only be done through the index. there should be a direct page link to common referenced in other sections. not withstanding this it is quite comprehensive.

overrated
if your buying this book for clinical information on treating a disease or ailment, don't. i am an pharmacist and study quit a few resources on alternative medicines. this only gives you the basic information on what herbs may treat a disease. it also gives you a multitude of herbs possible for each disease entity. good luck guessing which one of the several choices you should use. this book is more useful for the green weenies environemental justifications.

Rainforest Herbs
I have built up quite a number of books,herbal and alternative medicine .and this is definitely my favourite Leslie Taylor does a Braveheart job in describing all the plants uses.for each and avery ailment , how to put them to best use ie tea capsule external internal etc My friends family and I use the plants regularly ,in fact there are two I certainly could not do without.Ireally can't say enough about this book it is so well documented and put together My only regret is I never came across it earlier when my mum and dad were alivePlus it laeds you onto probably one of the best websites of its kind on the net Once again well done Leslie superb book
Wild Highlander Jimfrom Scotland

A lot of information to absorb
Dr. Taylor cured herself of cancer after traditional medicine had written her off.

She goes over a lot of information about Amazon herbs, how and when to use them. Take your time and study the book. It is information dense.

Because of this book I purchased the herb Cat's Claw when I got sick. I do think it helped me clear the illness. It is almost tasteless and taken with a small amount of water it is easy to use.

It can be hard with so many overlapping symptoms to pick the right herb so move slowly and carefully before deciding what course you want to pursue.

excellent reference book
This is an excellent reference book for rainforest herbs. In some respects it is technical but understandable and interesting. You can access information by malady or by the herb itself. Portions are very activist in nature giving suggestions as to individual action toward preserving the natural bounty of medicines yet discovered or near extinction. Highly recomended. ... Read more

Product Description
The work of Rosita Arvigo and Michael Balick to bring the knowledge of the Mayan healers to the Western reader deserves due credit.This revised and enlargedsecond edition includes much additional information about the major herbs in the Mayan pharmacopeia.Their work proves that the rainforest has more value tomankind alive than cut down! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A useful field book.
Not the best field-guide ever, but a very competent, useful, well-compiled book overall.Drawings are useful, though could use more detail or photos in some cases.Descriptions are useful in identification.

The shining point of this book is in the details after the plant information.Uses, both local and western are given with information that would point you in the direction of further inquiries.Common and binomial names are given, making it even more useful for cross-referencing these plants.

An excellent ethnobotanic book.

user friendly accurate guide
Being a student of rainforest medicinal plants myself, I found this book one of the best, published or unpublished, to-date. The drawings are excellent, making field identification easy. The presentation of both thecommon and scientific names of plants is invaluable. I found it interestingthat the Carribean people of Belize and the Carribean people of Costa Rica(where I am) use the same names and uses for many of the medicinal plants.This book is a wealth ofinformation for such a small price, not tomention, motivation for further inquiry. Thank You! ... Read more

Product Description
Easy-to-follow, step-by-step lessons show how to draw animals and their environment. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Very Cool Drawing Instructions For Kids! Recommended!
My son received a set of DRAW books as a gift when he was 8 and still uses them several times a month (he is now 12). We are fairly impressed with the results he is able to produce.

The book takes the most simplistic approach to drawing, braking the process down to three steps (basic shapes, detailing, "cleaning up"). Each image includes 4 - 10 illustrations and the corresponding instructions presented in an easy to understand format.

The "Tips" section is worth reading as well.

Highly recommended! You might also be interested in Draw Really Cool Stuff, which contains this book and 5 others.

ANIMALS OF THE RAIN FOREST
This is a good reference book for any artist wanting to draw jungle animals as well as a good book for children.

great book!
Simple, step by step instructions anyone could use to learn to draw animals. One in a series of books. My 8 year old loves to draw using this book's instructions, and is very pleased with the results of his pictures!
I highly recommend it!

Draw Rainforest Animals
My students love this book.The step by step instructions on how to draw rainforest animals help with projects and report illustrations.It is a great gift for any child who loves to draw. ... Read more

Product Description
"A Walk in the Rainforest" provides a colorful, stimulating way to learn about the exotic animals and plants of the rainforest. Presented in alphabet style format, each page consists of an original, full-color illustration, together with a paragraph of intriguing facts about the lifestyle and habitat of the plant or animal. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Extraordinary!
Remarkable book beautifully done, for both children and adults. I'm going to purchase several more.What a find!

Good for all ages!!
A wonderful little book for the youngest to the oldest to enjoy -- beautiful information about the rainforest!

Nice book about Rainforest creatures
This is a colorful look at different Rainforest creatures, written by a teenager.It follows a frog introducing animals you might meet in the Rainforest.It is not quite as good as her other book Under the Sea.I would recommend it for 4-8 year olds, it can be wordy.

Great rainforest and ABC book.
I found this book in my quest for interesting books for a course I was teaching on the rainforest. At the ripe old age of 15, Kristin Joy Pratt (now Pratt-Serafini) developed this lovely book. Her illustrations take you on the journey through the rainforest with XYZ the ant. As the reader explores the ABC's, s/he also learns about the life within and the biodiversity. Words, facts and colorful illustrations will encourage discussion about this habitat and make learning the ABC's and exciting journey.

Wonderful classroom addition
A Walk in the Rain Forest is a wonderful introduction to the tropical rain forest- its plants, animals, and people.The book tells the story of XYZ- a small ant- and his journey through the rainforest.The beautiful pictures and simple text appeals to children of all ages.Additional factual information appeals to older children.This is a great book to use in the classroom to help introduce children to the wonders of the rain forest ... Read more

Product Description
Neotropical Rainforest Mammals, the first color-illustrated field guide to these highly diverse and elusive creatures, has enjoyed tremendous success since its initial publication in 1990. In this completely revised and updated second edition a total of 315 species and genera are covered in individual accounts (includes 24 accounts new to this edition); all species accounts retained from the first edition have been updated; all 195 maps present current information on the distribution and geographic range of each species; and twenty-nine beautiful color plates illustrate more than 220 species (including significant color variants between males and females or adults and young). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Great - only the artwork is below expectations
A thorough guide, my only qualm being that the depictions of the rainforest mammals (in black and white) are nowhere near the level one comes to expect from bird guides.

A Good, Bad, and Ugly Field Guide
The Good:
This is the most comprehensive guide to rainforest mammals that I have found. The text covers just about everything you could ask for, even giving dentation patterns for the various families in case you stumble onto a skull in your wanderings.
The Bad:
Unfortunately, probably to save money, this guide uses the technique of placing all the pictures together, separated from the text. I much prefer the more expensive technique of putting the text on a page facing the pictures. Here, though, the guide falls down by failing to put cross-references on the page facing the pictures, necessitating a flip back to the index in most cases to locate the text.
The Ugly:
Whoever was responsible for quality control for this book should find another job. I was ready to return the book as defective when I noticed an "errata sheet" that explained that the page with the text corresponding to plate 1 was actually located following page 193. This is much too serious an error to occur in a published guide.
The bottom Line:
The best thing to say about this field guide is that it is disappointing. If you are planning a trip to the rainforest in the near future, and you are interested in mammals, then buy the guide despite its shortcomings. Otherwise, wait for a revision.

You can't go without it.
This book, referred to by many other authors, is THE guide for this group of Mammals. I found it indispensible for use in the rainforest, even if most mammals are very hard to see. The perfect illustrations, combined with the thorough descriptions and clear distribution maps, make it easy to determine what kind of animal you've seen. Very helpful to understand the local guides are the translations of the names in many tongues.

It's a very practical and well illustrated fieldguide
It's the most usefull book I own related with the mammalfauna proyects ( inventories, education, management ) we are doing in Central and Western Colombia. Every aspect of the text and illustrations has proven to be veryusefull and practical. The taxonomical descriptions are generaly goodenough to clasify the bigger species in the field, and the habit andhabitat descriptions coincide mostly with our own experiences. Thedistributionmaps included in the text are also very usefull. Theillustrations are sometime a little small, but have proven to be easilyrecognized by the local habitants, what is extremely usefull during quickinventaries. The relation price-quality is outstanding

wonderful
Adorei este livro, à muito tempo não vejo um livro sobre mamíferosneotropicais com este. A primeira vez que o li foi na universidade onde euestudo. Sou aluno de veterinária e pretendo trabalhar com animaissilvestres, por isso gostaria de ter este livro. Gostaria de saber maissobre trabalhos ou livros publicados por estes autores. Um abraço, AdrianoCarneiro (Pernambuco- Brasil). ... Read more

Product Description
The Remarkable Rainforest is more remarkable than ever! Completely updated and enlarged, this new edition is so full of activities and information that kids can't help learning about the ecology of rainforests, why they are important, how they are threatened, and how we can help save them. (Teachers love this book!)

The Remarkable Rainforest includes:

A new two-page photo journal that takes kids on a rainforest adventure

A new page of exciting rainforest activities, such as attracting a rainforest bird to your backyard, making rainforest potpourri, and visiting a Rainforest Cafe

A new page with directions for making an indoor rainforest

The author's "Rainforest Journal" about her adventures in the Costa Rican rainforests, which makes the forest "come alive" to children

Learning resources, including a glossary, a bibliography for kids, lists of rainforest exhibits and environmental organizations, and favorite rainforest web sites

Dozens and dozens of activities that are challenging and fun ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great teaching tool!
I used this with my third graders in teaching a thematic unit on the rainforest.It is full of maps, activities, information, experiments, a board game, etc.It was an excellent resource that covered all parts of the rainforest. Following some of the articles is a little quiz on the reading---that was an added bonus because there was a ready-made quiz for my kids that I didn't even have to make!This book provided some great information for myself and my students.I would highly recommend it not only as a resource for a classroom teacher, but for any child who is interested in the rainforest.Outstanding! ... Read more

Product Description
Along the coast between Vancouver Island and Alaska lies 250 miles of forested island and inlets. Ian and Karen McAllister spent seven years photographing and mapping this forgotten wild ecosystem. Their informative text and remarkable photographs (including some of the most extraordinary images of wild bears ever published) present a complete picture of this unique area. 150 color photos. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Unique book and the Great Bear continues to be threatened
This is fantastic book. The threats to the Great Bear Rainforest areincreasing in 2007 and support is vitally needed. To see what is happening, go to the Raincoast Conservation Society web page and see what major threats to the Great Bear are coming in 2007.

Wow. An amazing book about an amazing place.
For years, I had always heard snippets here and there about the Great Bear Rainforest of Northwestern British Columbia, supposedly even more beautiful, wild, untamed, and much larger than other gorgeous temperate rainforest locales like Olympic National Park in Washington. But I didn't really know much about it. Where exactly was it? What does it look like? Is any of it protected in province or federal park land? And many more questions.

Then, years later, I stumbled upon this book. WOW. That about sums it up. This is an amazing book about a place of transcendent, almost ethereal beauty. This book is an enchanting mix of imminently readable and interesting text and absolutely stunning photographs. It almost makes you feel like you are there, immersed in this incredible rain drenched emerald cathedral of trees.

The Great Bear Rainforest is located on the British Columbia coast. It starts a few miles north of Lund and extends all the way north in Canada to the BC's northernmost limit, around Port Rupert, and extends only a few miles inland. It is home to the largest remaining contiguous temperate rain forest anywhere in the world. You probably already know this, but a temperate rain forest is much different than a tropical rain forest because of climate. Temperate rain forests are cool and moist, whereas tropical ones are hot and moist. Anyway, enough of the obvious.

What I really like about this book is that it isn't a condescending piece of fluff, and it gave me *exactly* what I wanted from it. Even though it's no easily readable, it is no fluff piece that waxes prettily poetic but doesn't really tell you anything. It takes you on an incredibly detailed tour of nearly every major rain forest valley in the Great Bear Rainforest. And it doesn't just name-drop valleys that have no meaning to you, it provides you with maps that show exactly where it is that they are talking about. I think this is the greatest feature of the book, I've read too many books about geographical places that tell you the names of certain interesting areas, but you don't quite know where they are. Not so with this book.

Not only that, the book covers a wide range of topics concerning The Great Bear Rainforest. Ecology, economic pressures, animal and plant life, geography, even a lot of interesting history and contemporary issues concerning the First Nation (who we in the U.S. refer to as Native American) tribes who traditionally lived (and still live) in and around the Great Bear Rainforest. I found the parts about the Haida tribe to be particularly edifying. All of these facts and themes are woven into the narrative of the authors' journey through the Great Bear Rainforest (which spans many years) incredibly seamlessly - you might think it's difficult to talk about the flora and fauna of the area while giving a history lesson on the Tlinglit people, but like I said, this point interweaves all points flawlessly. It also does social justice by presenting an unflinching look at the environmental horrors that await the Great Bear Rainforest through resource extraction and recreation at the hands of an apathetic public if current trends remain unchecked.

And then there are the photos. Gorgeous. Vast stands of huge, majestic trees, so much green it's almost blinding; a spirit bear chowing down on salmon in an unbelievable action shot; stunning shots of a coastline where fjord and mountain come together; and of course, the grand British Columbia ocean itself.

This book is a real gem. It's crime more people haven't had a chance to go through it. Read it. Take your time, don't just skim through it and goggle over the pictures. Trust me, the time will be worth it, you'll be glad you did. A must-have for anyone who considers themselves an environmentalist, a nature lover, and especially for people who have stood in awe in a temperate rain forest and said "I need to know more."

A Unique Journey AND A Desperate Plea
This book is written as a journal of a sailing voyage. Although the authors had previously visited the remarkable areas they photograph and describe six times before, the seventh visit is chronicled in these pages. Thus there is a great depth of knowledge and experience inherent to this work which transforms a simple if elegant journal into a powerful, somewhat doleful, environmental monograph.

This is a beautifully done book with many fascinating photographs of rainforest topography and the diverse life forms which abide therein. The accompanying text is well-written and consistently informative and interesting. But the overarching theme here is that pristine environments which are critical to the survival of untold species of flora and fauna are in jeopardy. Grave jeopardy. Moreover, the McAllisters take great pains to point out that the small islands of preserved and protected ecosystem created in compromise between commercial interests and environmentalists are insufficent to protect wildlife (bears, for example) that depend upon an interlinked vastness of unspoiled terrain in which to flourish.

So this book is as much an alarm and a plea for action as it is a wondrous presentation of its picturesque subject matter. As such, it is urgent reading for those of us concerned about the ravages unleashed when a society values short-term economic advantage (as when untouched river valleys are clear-cut by logging companies) over the work nature takes eons to complete.

A must of bear lovers, intersting facts, great photos
This is a wonderful book for both nature and bear lovers alike. It is packed with beautiful color photos. Many interesting facts about the wildlife & plants of the area are detailed in the captions.

The landscape photos feature vibrant wildflowers, ancient forests, &mountains.There are also many remarkable pictures of several bear types.I loved the close-up shot of a bear eating a fish & another of a spritbear on a log.

Stunning photos of some other animals include a puffinclose-up, a bald eagle mother with baby, & an elephant seal gathering.If you can tear yourself away from the pictures, the text is equallyimpressive.

The authors tell of their experiences while exploring therainforest. They also discusses the environmental concerns of the area.Journal entries from the trip are scatted throughout the book.

Keep sacred places secret while we can
A powerful book on this special place. But, now she's discovered ... Read more

Product Description

The captivating story of how a band of scientists has redrawn the genetic and behavioral lines that separate humans from our nearest cousins

In the fall of 2005, a band of researchers cracked the code of the chimpanzee genome and provided a startling new window into the differences between humans and our closest primate cousins. For the past several years, acclaimed Science reporter Jon Cohen has been following the DNA hunt, as well as eye-opening new studies in ape communication, human evolution, disease, diet, and more.

In Almost Chimpanzee, Cohen invites us on a captivating scientific journey, taking us behind the scenes in cutting-edge genetics labs, rain forests in Uganda, sanctuaries in Iowa, experimental enclaves in Japan, even the Detroit Zoo. Along the way, he ferries fresh chimp sperm for a time-sensitive analysis, gets greeted by pant-hoots and chimp feces, and investigates an audacious attempt to breed a humanzee. Cohen offers a fresh and often frankly humorous insider's tour of the latest research, which promises to lead to everything from insights about the unique ways our bodies work to shedding light on stubborn human-only problems, ranging from infertility and asthma to speech disorders.

And in the end, Cohen explains why it's time to move on from Jane Goodall's plea that we focus on how the two species are alike and turns to examining why our differences matter in vital ways—for understanding humans and for increasing the chances to save the endangered chimpanzee.

Customer Reviews (4)

Almost...a decent book.
Cohen gives a lot of information here.From genetics to language studies he really covers a lot of ground.What's unfortunate is that he retreads many topics that have already been done extensively and he doesn't do it particularly well.However, for people new to primatology or just looking for a quick bit of info, this is a good starting point.It is far from the best overview of primatology, though that's to be expected since Cohen has only passing familiarity with the subject.Cohen's experience with apes is limited to a few interviews and several well-planned vacations over the course of a couple years.Everything that he did to research this book, you could do too given the resources.

The problem with this book is not so much the information included, as the tone with which it is presented.Taking a cue from Fox News, Cohen repeatedly tells the reader how fair and balanced he is.Cohen notes in his introduction that while other books about chimpanzees are motivated by some overriding goal, he "has no agenda".This would be impressive if it were true, but Cohen most certainly does have an agenda and it imposes itself on the way he presents what he sees to be the facts.When he agrees with a position, he presents it as rational and normal.However, when he disagrees, the pages seethe with derision.This method does little to present the facts and more to flavor the reader's impressions.For this reason alone, it's hard to recommend this book as it is certainly an opinionated look at the subject.

Another problematic aspect of Cohen's overall tone is his need to repeatedly note that he is bringing topics down to a level that any reader could understand.This is a strange tactic as Cohen has no more experience or training in primatology than your average zoo visitor.Also, Cohen addresses primatologists as if they did not understand the entirety of their own discipline (he notes that if one studies wild populations, they don't know about lab research, which is a ridiculous and unsupportable contention).This attitude does little to further a reader's understanding of the topic as much as it promotes Jon Cohen and his 'superior' intellect.In many ways, this book reads as a bit of long winded self-promotion for Cohen himself.

Lastly, this book has no conclusion and no recommendation for fixes to what Cohen seems to see as a broken situation.He talks about apes in biomedical research but yet stops just short of endorsing it while deriding animal rights activists.He notes the need to look for the differences between humans and apes in contradiction to Jane Goodall's call for a look to our similarities, yet does not say how this should be accomplished.He talks about the difficulties of conservation and the bleak outlook for wild ape populations, yet still he does not offer more than an ambivalent shrug in response.

It is easy for Cohen to critique a discipline that he has no real connection to.Yet, instead of taking the opportunity to offer an outsider's view of how to find progress, he makes no calls for any action or further thinking.Cohen's conclusion is nonexistent.Rather than try to put forward something positive (read:constructive), he seems more intent on negatively portraying the viewpoints he doesn't agree with.

If you're looking for a quick reference that is slightly more focused than a wikipedia article, this may work.However, don't take it too seriously and only use it as a first step towards some real scholarship on primatology.There's much more information out there that is presented with much less editorializing.

Support scientists, not science writers.

Profound.
Almost Chimpanzee:Search for What Makes Us Human, In Rainforests, Labs, Sanctuaries, and Zoos by Jon Cohen is perhaps, the most significant book I've read so far in 2010.Almost everyone has heard of Jane Goodall and the work she has done for more than 40 years in the Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania.It is largely through Goodall's work that the world has learned of the many similarities between chimp behavior and that of humans.Jon Cohen's Almost Chimpanzee is a fresh examination of some of the differences between humans and chimps rather than the similarities.

The genetic differences between human and chimp DNA is estimated to be about 1%.But even that minute difference has meant a huge separation between the fates of the two species.Correctly pointed out, man will determine the fate of the chimp and not the other way around.

Cohen has used research from virtually every field of primate research.He has included work done in laboratories and in field studies, and included efforts to teach apes and chimpanzees language.He also includes work that looks at the differences in the human body and that of the chimp.Why are we bipedal, the only primate to be so, and why do male chimps have larger testicles than their human counterparts?

Almost Chimpanzee doesn't attack the topic by comparing chimps to humans but instead approaches the subject from the other point of view....what makes us Almost Chimpanzees.

Profoundly interesting!I highly recommend.

Peace always.

Almost Chimpanzee Great Read!
This is a great book really for everyone. People who want to keep learning throuout life should read this.
My husband and I both read it and loved it thanks

Chimps, darwin and us
This wonderful book is a synthesis of humans, animals, science and history.
Beautifully written, it makes clear the things that make us like the chimpanzees but also the differences that make us humans.Based on extensive research, Cohen has taken Jane Goodall's study of chimps and added another dimension. ... Read more

Product Description
Rainforest Healing from Your Home and Garden

• Find alternatives to chemical anti-depressants and painkillers in your spice rack.
• Learn about natural anti-itch salves for insect bites.
• Soothe and relieve envy, grief, sadness, and fear the Maya way.
• Rid your house of negative energy with a Maya cleansing ritual.
• Try the easy-to-make bronchitis remedy.

Customer Reviews (10)

Easy read and good cultural insight
This was an easy to read book that relayed some practical and useful information about natural remedies.I enjoyed the historical and cultural lessons in this book and use it as a reference for healing remedies.

Thank you Rosita!
This book offers very practical uses for the healing of the whole family. Dr. Rosita Arvigo is a beautiful woman, healer and teacher and has handed down these sacred teachings to countless students. I am blessed to be one of them. This book is invaluable for the physical, emotional and spiritual healing broken down in a very practical way. Thank you!

FInally a book that respects the medicine of my people
When I first bought this book I thought that it was going to be just like other New-agey books that have flooded the market recently and have made fanciful distortions of the peoples of Meso-America.
This book was a great book in may respects because when I looked at the remedies and read the explanations given about the spiritual illnesses I saw that they wereaccurate. I grew up being treatedwiththe wonderful indigenous medical system that was devised thousands of years ago in Mexico and Central America and was glad that this book contained information that would serve as a great primer to those who are wanting to know what the medicine of the MesoAmerican people really is like. Rosita Arvigo did a wonderful Job!

I am of Pipil descent and I believe that this book is one of the best books out there on the subject which it covers and you cant go wrong with the price either.

Great Book.
A very good list of home remedies for many ailments. Just have to wait and see if they work.

truly amazing
truly amazing book like having rosita in your room talking to you herself
invaluable information for those who live in the tropics especialy and anyone with womb or prostate worries -don't have surgery before you read it!
she makes spiritual disease recognizable
an all round truly useful book to pass round to your friends

... Read more

Product Description
"The words 'tropical rainforest' may conjure up vistas populated by jaguars, brilliant macaws, and flowers amid the grandeur of towering buttressed trees. But the eager, expectant visitor is not regaled with the sight of charismatic vertebrates, gaudy birds, and luminous orchids. In the rainforest, close encounters with life that moves are usually rare but brilliant episodes; one is bedazzled for an instant and then left alone in the quiet greenery. Under such conditions, one must see the episode as part of a process; tracing the connections between organisms is the essence of rainforest appreciation."-Nature of the Rainforest

Nature of the Rainforest is a breathtaking tour of an environment that is the pinnacle of biodiversity and evolutionary sophistication by anaward-winning author and two photographers who love the rainforest, understand its intricacies, and have spent considerable time there documenting its wildlife and complexity. Adrian Forsyth draws on four decades of personal encounters with the animals of the rainforest-including poison-dart frogs, three-toed sloths, bushmasters, and umbrellabirds-as a starting point to communicate key ecological topics such as biodiversity, coevolution, rarity, chemical defense, nutrient cycling, and camouflage.

The luminous photographs capture stunning and rare creatures in action, including the now- extinct golden toad mating, a jaguar on the prowl, and the hermit hummingbird feeding. The behaviors and characteristics of the rainforest inhabitants featured here not only illustrate the text but also advance the scientific narrative and exemplify the critical importance of conservation. Thematic chapters are interspersed with four chapters devoted to specific habitats and regions of Costa Rica and Peru, areas with some of the most diverse arrays of plant and animal species in the world. The result is an exuberant celebration of the rainforest in text and images. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Excellent introduction for the tourist as well as the armchair traveler.
If you are going to travel to the tropical rainforests in Mexico, Central America,or Amazonia-you will benefit from reading the text.Forsyth has fashioned a great blend of scientific fact and personal anecdote.The photographs are also stunning.This is not a book you will pack along on your trek-too large.But it will prepare you for looking, understanding, and crying for what the world is losing in the depredations being made to these neotropical rainforests.

Excellent book for those going to Costa Rica
I have been to Costa Rica twice in the last couple years to see the rain forest and have found this book to be an invaluable resource. The author has written detailed chapters that really give wonderful details ...easy to read and enough info to learn quite a lot, no matter how much you think you already know. And the pictures on glossy paper are just a treat to see ... When you first see the book, you'll likely just flip through the pages and wonder at the majesty of rain forest life ...This is highly recommended for anybody going to Costa Rica!

Outstanding Gift!
I purchased this book as a gift for a friend who had recently been to Costa Rica on an 'eco-tourism' trip. The feedback ( from my friend) about the book was absolutely glowing! She raved about it! If you're looking for a good gift for someone who has been to Costa Rica, give this book serious consideration.

Wonderful book
The book contains a lot of excellent pictures. Each chapter explores different topic. My favorite chapters:

"Frogs." Describes a great diversity of rain forest frogs and their strategies for surviving.
"The essence of snake." Why the snakes are the way they are.
"Fruit of reason." Purpose, variety and importance of tropical fruits.
"The hidden." Camouflage of tropical animals. The chapter contains probably the most impressive photographs of the whole book. It is unbelievable how evolution molded animals in their environment.
"The virtues of sloth." Who has not heard about a sloth? It turns out I knew very little about this animal.
"Beetlejuice." Chemical defenses used by tropical animals. The most innocently-looking animals can be armed to teeth (even if they have don't have any :-) ).

Through the whole book one feels the author's pain for rain forest destruction, disappearance of tropical species, many of which are not even discovered yet. The book made me want to visit tropical forests of Costa Rica.

Fantastic Photo book
I did not expect this book this book to be great and it isn't. It is Wonderful. Beyond my expectations. It is a beautifully made photo book on high gloss paper with detailed writing about the rainforest. ... Read more

Product Description
FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Sing, clap, and count your way among enchanting rainforest animals to the rhythm of the whimsical favorite, ""Over in the Meadow. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Wonderful story, catchy tune
I bought this book for my son's birthday after he fell in love with her other book, Over in the Ocean.It has beautiful illustrations and you can sing the story with the melody of "over in the meadow".We also purchased the CD from the author's website where she reads the story and sings the song afterwards.Lovely gift idea too!!

So much fun while learning
We absolutely love this book. My daughter is 2 1/2 and she has had us read it to her over 100 times... so much so that she now "reads" its to us:)We love the art work and the story is fantastic.

Stories for Children Magazine 5 Star Review
REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine



Did you ever think that you would like to take a trip to a tropical rainforest to see all the exotic animals and strange plants there? Like its predecessor, Over in the Ocean: In a Coral Reef, this book follows the rhyming pattern of the popular nineteenth century song "Over in the Meadow" by Olive A. Wadsworth to depict various jungle animal parents and their babies, and describe the things they do. One marmoset swings. Two morpho butterflies flit. Three parrots squawk. Four leaf cutter ants scurry. Five honey bears scramble. Six boas squeeze. Seven poison dart frogs hop. Eight ocelots pounce. Nine sloths creep. And ten howler monkeys hoot. Again, as author Marianne Berkes notes, "All the rainforest animals behave as they have been portrayed. That's a fact!"



This is another "Sharing Nature With Children Book" from Dawn Publications, which is dedicated to inspiring children with a deeper understanding and appreciation for all life on Earth. The author has spent much of her life with young children as a teacher, children's theater director, and children's librarian and knows that children enjoy brilliantly illustrated books with predictable text. Therefore, the book not only contains factual scientific information but weaves that material into a poetic text that is fun to read and that reinforces counting, too. At the back of the book, there is a section of curriculum components about the rainforest habitat and animal families. Illustrator Jeanette Canyon once more provides striking relief sculptures with polymer clay. Over in the Jungle: A Rainforest Rhyme has deservedly won several awards, including the iParenting Media Award. It was a joy for me to read and review.

love this book!!
this is a great book for younger kids and the illustrations are amazing.
Love it!!!

Rhyming in the Rainforest
Over in the Jungle:A Rainforest Rhyne is a delightful picture book.With rhymes children are taught the numbers from one through ten.The illustrations are vibrant and depict ten animals from the American tropical forests.I am impressed with the learning activities at the back of the book which includes:finding the creatures in the rhyme; a song about the creatures; and information on the rainforest structure and community.I give Over in the Jungle my highest recommendation. ... Read more

Product Description
Arthur Demarest brings the lost civilization of Maya to life by applying a holistic view to the most recently discovered archaeological evidence. His theoretical interpretation simultaneously emphasizes the brilliant rain forest adaptations of the ancient Maya and the Native American spirituality that permeated all aspects of their daily life. Drawing on data from the latest significant archaeological research in Central America, this new study appeals to those interested in the ecological bases of civilization, the function of the state and the causes of the collapse of civilizations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

De-mystifying the Maya
Reading a carefully researched, painstakingly compiled academic book is always a pleasure for me.As a former academic myself, I know what it takes---the hours, the millions of details, the checking and cross-checking of facts, the gathering of bibliography and weighing the arguments of all the authors, the mental absorption of months and years.You can never get free until it's done.So, when I find a fine book like ANCIENT MAYA, I'm always glad, but I hold a respectful admiration as well.OK, so Demarest's work may not read like some best seller or pop history.If you don't like references scattered thickly on every page, you won't like his book.You've got to get the sequence of Maya culture's stages [archaic, early preclassic, middle preclassic, late preclassic, classic, postclassic, colonial, modern] firmly in mind in order to follow a lot of the text, and if you don't want to be consulting the maps (good ones) every five minutes, it would be good to have some idea of the geography of the region too.It's not bedtime reading, but if you are interested in a wonderful overview of Maya civilization, you've come to the right place.

The first five chapters don't really discuss the Maya, but "how we know what we know" and "theories about the practice of archaeology" if I may put it like that.The reader gets a crash course in the history of Maya archaeology, various weird theories that have been propagated over the years, modern archaeological techniques, and the beginnings of Maya civilization as dimly perceived through archaeology.The description of Classic Maya society begins with chapter six, on agriculture and ecology.Many of the "old chestnut" theories about the Maya are put to rest here.Drought and erosion were not major causes of the "collapse" of Maya classic culture.The Maya secret was to know how to build an advanced civilization in a rain forest environment.In short, they used techniques that mimicked the diversity and dispersion of species in a rain forest.They used many styles of agriculture, no one predominating.The subsequent chapters deal with the overall economy, ideology and power, the political units and history, and the idea of "collapse".There wasn't a real collapse....it was more a transition to other types of society after a period of intensive wars and overpopulation.He calls this period a "rapid decline in complexity".Actually in some parts of the Maya world, new, vibrant political units sprang up after the end of Classic Maya times.

You can learn in great detail about Maya agriculture, trade, statecraft, religion and ritual, mathematics and astronomy, and the glyphs from which we have learned so much about them.You will encounter interesting sketches, photos, and charts.In short, ANCIENT MAYA is a compendium of modern knowledge about that fascinating ancient civilization.I will not tell you it's easy reading, but it's probably the best book on the subject these days.

Mayan Royal Rock Stars
This is a must read for anyone interested in the ancient Maya and why their advanced civilization that had achieved so much under such harsh conditions suddenly collapsed and disappeared for parts unknown. Demarest argues that the collapse was political rather than the most widely accepted paradigm that it was ecological.He concludes that the collapse was due to a proliferation of royal elites competing for power, similar to the present situation in Saudi Arabia.Warfare between these competing elites caused a collapse during a 100 year period that resulted in a depopulation of major cities and a drastic reduction of palace and temple construction. The book is worth reading if only for Demarest's description of the Wizard of Oz type power structure where Mayan royal elites held power through fantastic ritualistic displays that captivated the masses.He describes the Mayan royal elites as a combination of rock stars, evangelical preachers, and circus performers that dressed in elaborate costumes with feathered head dresses, lit fires with pyrite mirrors, and engaged in public displays of blood letting.Demarest even relates the Mayan architecture totheater with temples high above plazas where the masses could observe rituals. The book is easy to read for layman. ... Read more

Product Description
Written specifically for students, this ethnography provides an engaging, real-life account of the transition from a traditional to a modern culture. It uses vibrant personal stories and ethnographic examples to connect developments among the Gebusi of Papua New Guinea to key topics in cultural anthropology, including comparative features of subsistence, kinship, politics, religion, gender, ethnicity, nationalism, and modern development.In the early 1980s, the Gebusi conducted ritual dances and spirit seances, practiced alternative sexual customs, and endured high rate of violence.By 1998, most Gebusi had converted to Christianity and were actively engaged in market activity, disco music, sports leagues, and school.In 2008, however, public services and the cash economy had deteriorated, and people relied increasingly on their traditional customs and practices.

This second edition of The Gebusi vividly portrays both the traditions and the modern challenges of Gebusi society and culture with updated content throughout and surprising new conclusions based on the author's return to the Gebusi in 2008. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Book review
This product came in truly excellent condition for a used book. Not even one highlighting or lines or any form of writing. The book came in approx. 2 weeks though. The book itself was a delight to read.

Read it for class, captivated by the culture.
Of the three books assigned for my anthropology course, The Gebusi was the only one that actually spoke to me. Knauft's writing style is exceptionally captivating as he tells the life story of such a wonderful culture. Knauft's descriptive writing allows an exceptional view of their daily lives, it almost seems as the reader grows to know the Gebusi themselves. I highly recommend The Gebusi for anyone studying anthropology, or anyone who loves reading about other culture's changes over time.

The Gebusi
"Anthropology is little if not the discovery of the human unexpected" (4). The Gebusi: Lives Transformed in a Rainforest World, is a very interesting ethnography which depicts this very statement. It vividly captures the story of Bruce Knauft, a young anthropologist who set out to the island of Papua New Guinea to observe the lives of the Gebusi. When he first arrived, this native group was known primarily for its sexual freedom, "traditional" religious practices, and violent nature. Throughout his time spent in this village, however, Knauft made several startling conclusions about the Gebusi that only partially supported these conceptions.
Knauft's experience living with the Gebusi is broken down into three major time periods. The first time period examines the lives of the Gebusi between the years 1980 and 1982. From 1980 to 1982, the Gebusi culture was best described with the word "kogwayay." To put it simply, "Kogwayay refers to the customs that make the Gebusi different from others" (17). According to Knauft, "it refers especially to their distinctive traditions of singing, dancing, and bodily decoration" (17). The Gebusi culture was so unique that many found it difficult to even describe in words.
The second stage that Knauft discusses is the life of the Gebusi during the year of 1998. By this time, much ofthe population has converted to Christianity. In addition, external forces such as steel tools and colonial pacification "were not just present, but increasingly central" (94). By 1998, the age of mortality has risen dramatically. In addition, the Gebusi were much more involved in organizations and activities, which ultimately led to their being "more punctual and disciplined than previously" (98).
The third and final category that Knauft discusses takes place during the year 2008. By this time, the lives of the Gebusi had transformed even more dramatically. Knauft noticed that the inhabitants "possessions were indeed fewer, their clothes more torn, their ports more battered, and their knives and axes more worn than they had been before" (164). In addition, the Gebusi were not growing as much food as in previous years, and that traditional initiation customs had been "resuscitated and maintained" (167).
Overall, I enjoyed this ethnography, although not nearly as much as the others. I thought that the fact that there is so little social theory in this book made it difficult to come up with any direction to write this paper. I enjoyed reading about the lives or the Gebusi because they seem like an entertaining, unique group, but out of all of the ethnoraphies we had to read for this class, Weapons of the Weak: Everyday Forms of Peasant Resistance was by far my favorite.

pretty good book. easy to read.
The introduction to the ethnography begins with how Bruce Knauft came to Gebusi.It also provides an overview of Gebusi culture including some history about what life was like before he arrived.He explains that he has visited the Gebusi multiple times and their lives have changed drastically each time he comes back.He explains how much their traditions have changed since he visited for the first time in 1980 to his last visit in 2008.
Chapter one begins the detailed explanation of what life in Gebusi was like in the 1980's.He talks about how the people reacted when he and his wife first arrived in the village.This chapter explained the history of their violence and tension with a neighboring group, the Bedamini, and how the Australian officials assisted the Gebusi with this problem.He explains how he interacted with different people in Yibihilu.
Chapter two discusses how the Gebusi are able to survive in the rainforest climate.There is an explanation of the longhouse and how is the center of the village life.The main food of the Gebusi is plantains meaning they consume a lot of starch.They have only semi-domesticated pigs because they don't want to waste their energy raising pigs just so they can have a frequent source of protein.Meat is often only eaten on special occasions.Knauft also describes how he was swept away by Gebusi culture.
Chapter three describes how the lives of the Gebusi are overrun with death.Few infants live past 5 years old.Most Gebusi don't live past 40.This chapter explains what happened during the case of a man who killed himself.It also explains how they believe all deaths are caused by sorcery and they feel the need to attack and kill the person responsible for the sorcery.Women are the ones who do the most grieving.Chapter four discusses family life in Gebusi and marriages have to be reciprocated by the woman.A woman cannot be forced to marry.It also discusses how women are more likely to be killed for sorcery accusations than men.Chapter five goes more in depth about the spirit séances and chapter six discusses the process of initiating new men into adulthood and the very spiritual process that is involved.These chapters are all about how the Gebusi celebrate and they are very indicative of what their religion means to them.
Chapter seven begins with Knauft's return to Gebusi in 1998.It describes how it was almost like he was coming to the village for the first time because so much had changed since he had left.He noticed how he was still able to stay friends with the people he had met on his first visit, the ones that were still alive at least.The people had moved closer to Nomad Station, the government settlement not far from their old village.They had vastly different lives than they had in 1980.Chapter eight goes into how the Gebusi had mostly given up their old spirit religion in favor of various branches of Christianity.Knauft noticed that their lives were far less violent now because they no longer practiced killing people who were accused of sorcery.
Chapter nine discusses the new economic situation of the Gebusi.They now go to the Nomad market and sell goods for money.They don't usually sell very much.This chapter makes it very clear how different our market economy is to the economy of the Gebusi and how they view the exchange of money very different from us.This chapter also discusses the practice of sports among Gebusi men.
Chapter ten explains how Gebusi sexual practices changed from 1980 to 1998.They no longer practice the sexual initiation of males.Courtship is also very different; there is a conflict between sister-exchange and bride-wealth to be used for determining marriages.This chapter provides two examples of the differences.Much of the tradition is gone in Gebusi.Chapter eleven explains this even further.The people no longer do the traditional dances because they feel they go against their new religions.This chapter also goes into how the celebration of their independence day has changed over the years.
Chapter twelve covers Knauft's last visit in 2008 and it discusses how the Gebusi changed even further in the elapsed time.He found that government officials had essentially abandoned them and they now did not have many of the modern amenities they had in 1998.He wondered if this was some sort of step backwards.Knauft was pleased to find that they had not returned to their violence of 1980.The conclusion wraps up and brings together all the changes that happened to the Gebusi that happened over the years.

School Book
I had to read this book for an Anthro class at my University, it was an easy read....very very easy read. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

A delightful, educational habitat book that will appeal to children age 4 and up
Deftly written by Tony Mitton, "Rainforest Romp" is the latest children's book in the Amazing Animals Series. Filled with delightful rainbow illustrations by Ant Parker of appropriately costumed animal jungle explorers Rabbit, Mouse and Bird, "Rainforest Romp" delivers the punch of a megabite of information about South American Rainforest creatures and their habitat, all deliciously presented in simple rhyming couplets, memorable in themselves. children are encouraged to be extra observant by the last page, which shows and lists 9 extra rain forest animals and birds that were "hidden" in the jungle illustrations of the featured animals and birds. some of these include the emerald tree boa, the silky anteater, the golden cock-of-the-rock, the golden lion tamarin, and the hoatzin. These are in addition to the featured animals which include the jaguar, tapir, giant armadillo, toucans (they like to be in pairs), the sloth, an anaconda, howler monkeys and poisonous tree frogs. "Rainforest Romp" is a delightful, educational habitat book that will appeal to children age 4 and up. ... Read more

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The tropical rainforest is the home of millions of little known, exotic plants and animals. Unfortunately, many of them are threatened by extinction. Every year, an area of the rainforest the size of Britain is destroyed. Journey into the Rainforest is an adventurous but also educational foray into the heart of the wildest, least explored place on earth.
Tim Knight, a naturalist with a long experience in rainforest conservation, takes young readers on a tour of "the wonderful surprises and hidden secrets" of the rainforest. Paddling upstream in a canoe, taking a bumpy ride in the back of a truck, walking at night to avoid the heat, and flying above the tree-tops in a small plane, we explore the rainforest from its floor up to the canopy and beyond. Our entertaining and knowledgeable guide takes us into the depths of the rainforest, where we encounter egrets and iridescent butterflies, flash floods and mangrove swamps, a blue-banded kingfisher and a "six o'clock" cicada, as well as geckos, barking deer, luminous fungi, moths as big as dinner plates, pit vipers and scorpions, the nibung palm, orchids, termites, and more. We discover that tree canopies form an impenetrable umbrella and that a stick insect can become practically invisible. We learn how to find our way in the forest, how to tap liana stems for water, how animals and plants survive in the forest canopy, and a myriad more things we never imagined before.
The flora and fauna of the rainforest are captured in stunning wildlife photography, while lively, experienced authorial voice guides us on this tour of the "lungs of the planet". A glossary and index conclude the book. A real-life adventure and a hands-on educational tool, Journey into the Rainforest is a feast for the eye and the mind. ... Read more

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not so interesting
I bought it to give itto my son's class, but there is very little info about the animals they were studying.

Good generic overview of the rainforest
This is a beautifully done book. Readers are incorporated into a journey into the rainforest where they learn about preparations for the trip, human activities and life in the area, rainfall, life in the different areas of the rainforest, terms, adaptations of plants and animals and more.

This book is a good introduction for younger readers and is a refreshing change from some of the other works that outline specific areas of the rainforest (like the layers) and rant and rave about loss of biodiversity.

Although the book touches on the important points it provides a good introductory overview and introduces words, concepts, plants and animals for further research.

The ending leaves room for futher adventures in a sequel -- or for the teacher to explore with the class. I found this book when looking for texts for a more advanced workshop that I teach. I would recommend it as part of a rainforest curriculum package. ... Read more