Biodiversity  •  Dorothy Hinshaw Patent NATURAL HISTORY •  2003 •  PAPER  • 96 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) A photo-essay for kids ages 10-12 on the concept of biodiversity and its meaning and significance, featuring 85 color photographs. (NAT96, $7.95)
The Bug Scientists  •  Donna Jackson NATURAL HISTORY •  2004 •  PAPER  • 48 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) In this entry in the excellent Scientists in the Field series, Jackson profiles three scientists and their work: Valerie Cervenka, a forensic entomologist; Steven Kutcher, who provides bugs for Hollywood; and Ted Schultz, who studies farmer ants in Costa Rica. With color photographs throughout. Geared for grades 3-6. (NAT97, $5.95)
Costa Rica, A True Book  •  Kathleen Deady CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  2005 •  PAPER  • 48 PAGES • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) An overview of the people, nature, history and life of Costa Rica for kids ages 6 to 8. With its color photographs, large-scale maps and focus on kid-friendly topics, this book is an engaging introduction. (CRC44, $6.95)
Costa Rica, Enchantment of the World  •  Marion Morrison CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  2007 •  HARD COVER  • 144 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) Published for the library market, this comprehensive overview of the geography and people of Costa Rica for children ages 9-12 has much to offer the traveler. It's a thoroughly illustrated description of the nature, history, people, religion, culture and economy of Costa Rica with photographs, tables and maps. (CRC18, $37.00)
Fernando's Gift, El Regalo de Fernando  •  Douglas Keister NATURAL HISTORY •  2001 •  PAPER  • 32 PAGES • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) This straightforward tale of a boy whose family must struggle to preserve their home in the Costa Rican rainforest is told in English and Spanish. With excellent full-color photographs. (CRC49, $7.95)
Flute's Journey  •  Lynne Cherry NATURAL HISTORY •  1997 •  HARD COVER  • 40 PAGES • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) The fully illustrated and warmly told story of a wood thrush who starts life in the woods of Maryland, and migrates across the Gulf of Mexico to the Monteverde Rain Forest in Costa Rica. Flute's struggles for survival demonstrate a variety of conservation issues for migrating birds. The handsome watercolor illustrations of birds and habitats in both North and Central America are terrific. Ages 4 to 8. (BST45, $17.00)
The Forest in the Clouds  •  Sneed B. Collard III  •  Michael Rothman NATURAL HISTORY •  2000 •  PAPER  • 32 PAGES • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) Michael Rothman's richly detailed paintings show the flora and fauna of the Monteverde in this slim overview of the cloud forest for readers ages 6-8. With accompanying text on biodiversity, ecology and conservation. (CRC34, $7.95)
In The Rain Forest Canopy  •  Sneed B. Collard III NATURAL HISTORY •  2005 •  HARD COVER  • 48 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) A book in the Science Adventures series for middle schoolers, In the Rain Forest Canopy follows the work and adventures of Nalini Nadkarni in the treetops of Monteverde. Her work, also featured in the National Geographic film Heroes of the High Frontier, is on the ecology of canopy-dwelling plants. (FST11, $29.93)
Into The Volcano, A Volcano Researcher at Work  •  Donna O'Meara NATURAL HISTORY •  2007 •  PAPER • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) In this riveting, illustrated account (pyroclastic flows, lava bombs) volcanologist O'Meara describes her adventures in science at Kilauea in Hawaii, Arenal in Costa Rica, Pacaya in Guatemala, and Stromboli off the coast of Italy. Geared for grades 5 to 8. (GEO39, $9.95)
Into Wild Costa Rica  •  John Woodward NATURAL HISTORY •  2004 •  HARD COVER • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) One in the series of companion books to The Jeff Corwin Experience television series. (CRC48, $24.95)
Journey into the Rainforest  •  Tim Knight NATURAL HISTORY •  2001 •  HARD COVER  • 48 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) A photographic tour of the rain forest in the company of an experienced, adventurous guide. The author, who takes to the forest at night, in a canoe and up in the trees, introduces middle schoolers to the flora, fauna, bugs, ecology and conservation of the tropical forest. Knight, who devotes each double-page spread to a theme, re-creates the experience of being in the rainforest, including its discomforts. He wisely begins the book with what to wear. With a glossary and index, it's a good reference for young travelers to Costa Rica, the Amazon or forests of Southeast Asia. (FST09, $18.95)
Jungle (Eyewitness Books)  •  Theresa Greenaway  •  Geoff Dann NATURAL HISTORY •  2004 •  HARD COVER  • 63 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) Certainly the most eye-popping of the children's books on the rain forest, this book, jammed with color photographs, covers all manner of rain forest life. The concise text augments the pictures. Geared for children ages 9-12. (FST06, $15.99)
The Most Beautiful Roof in the World, Exploring the Rainforest Canopy  •  Kathryn Lasky  •  Christopher Knight NATURAL HISTORY •  1997 •  PAPER  • 48 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) A tour of the rain forest canopy for children, illustrated with color photographs. The book follows a tropical botanist and her sons as she explores a rain forest in Belize, but it is appropriate for a trip to any Central American rain forest. For children ages 9 -12, who will especially like the ropes and other rigging used to climb in the rain forest canopy. (FST04, $9.00)
Nancy Drew, The Scarlet Macaw Scandal  •  Carolyn Keene MYSTERY •  2004 •  PAPER  • 160 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) Nancy Drew travels to Costa Rica. Nancy and her friends head for Corcovado to relax and study monkeys when their stumble upon, naturally, a mystery to be solved. (CRC50, $5.99)
Swimming with Hammerhead Sharks  •  Kenneth Mallory NATURAL HISTORY •  2002 •  PAPER  • 48 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) An excellent illustrated account of marine biologist Pete Klimley and his work with sharks. The author accompanied a team (including IMAX photographers) to Cocos Island off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, famous for its schooling hammerheads. (OCE99, $7.99)
Tortillas y Cancioncitas/ Tortillas and Lullabies  •  Lynn Reiser  •  Corazones Valientes CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  1998 •  HARD COVER  • 40 PAGES • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) A bilingual portrait of life in a Costa Rican family, written for young children ages 4-8. Brightly colored folk paintings by a Costa Rican women artists' collective (Corazones Valientes) illustrate the text. (CRC36, $16.99)
Usborne Flashcard Spanish  •  Jo Litchfield LANGUAGE & PHRASEBOOKS •  2004 •  FLEXI-BOUND  • 50 PAGES • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) A standard playing card-size deck of 50 nicely illustrated flashcards geared for younger children. Each card features a colorful illustration with the Spanish word on the reverse. Vocabulary includes numbers, colors, food, animals, and other basic vocabulary that will appeal to young children. (GEN203, $8.99)