Bats  •  Sue Ruff  •  Don E. Wilson NATURAL HISTORY •  2000 •  HARD COVER  • 48 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) An illustrated, surprisingly endearing survey of bats, their ecology, distribution and diversity for ages 9-12. A volume in the series "Animal Ways" intended for the library market (hence the sturdy binding and high price tag). (BST63, $34.21)
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)
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)
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)
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)