Kangaroo

ea. vol: photogs. by Richard Hewett. 48p. index. CIP. Morrow. 1987. PSm $11.75; PLB $11.88. Grade 3-6 Fine color photographs lend great appeal to these well structured photo-essays on two of Australia's best known marsupials. Each account provides standard information on physical characteristics, behavior, care of the young, related species, and efforts at conservation. There is additionally a good sense of immediacy and realism in each book, for the author and photographer developed the information on-site in Australian preserves and have included interesting material on human interaction with the kangaroos and koalas. Kangaroo follows in part the story of an orphaned joey raised by a family until old enough to be placed in a gray kangaroo mob on protected land. Interwoven into Koalas is the rearing of one youngster until in early maturity she is selected, along with three other young females, for shipment to the San Francisco Zoo. The plentiful pictures of each species have been selected with a keen eye for composition and winning detail, and the text is deftly narrated and informative. Little is currently available on these interesting animals, making these excellent introductions particularly welcome. Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.