KIRKUS REVIEW
A brief, no-nonsense overview of the many wetland types. Matthews discusses how they vary and their distinct niches in the ecosystem, then shifts scale to concentrate on a selection of their flora and fauna. Endangered species, habitat protection, ecological balance, and life cycles all get modest airtime while Guravich's crackerjack color photos add a pungency that the text often lacks. The author omits any human denizens of swamp and bog--a look at an Arab marsh community or Cajun backwater outpost could have helped demystify the wetlands. Also, more panoramic photos might have developed a better sense of place; fascinating as they are, the details here overwhelm any feeling for the landscape as a whole. Still, these vitally important habitats need all the friends they can get, and the book is sure to provoke interest. (Nonfiction. 7-10)
