WILD WILD WEST

Eleven habitats—the Arctic tundra, the rain forest that harbors the spotted owl, a beaver pond, the Sonoran Desert, a Hawaiian coral reef, a city, etc.—each illustrated with a double-spread collage that effectively evokes the milieu in a simple graphic style; though the wildlife isn't rendered literally, Perenyi skillfully captures its essence. The text offers just a taste of information—a brief statement on what makes each habitat unique, two or three additional salient facts, a list of the few species shown (mostly clear, though the birds on Washington's tidal mud flats aren't easy to sort out). A handsome, provocative introduction that should stimulate interest in and appreciation for nature. (Nonfiction/Picture book. 5-10)