Hudson: The Story of a River
Grade 2-5–In the first title, luminescent paintings reminiscent of the Hudson River School illustrate this majestic river. Hoping that youngsters will grow up to become proactive in the unending battle to preserve what is beautiful and natural, Baron and Locker have combined a text that is too subtle with illustrations that are too static. Using language that is often too simplistic for the complicated ideas presented, the author guides readers through the natural history of the Hudson and its surrounding areas. From the era of Native American inhabitation through the effects of uncontrolled industry and pollution, Baron describes life along this important waterway. "We are all part of nature and nature is part of us" is the theme that runs throughout the earnest but spotty text. InRachel Carson, Locker's lush and serene paintings illustrate a very cursory biography of a complex woman. A page of meaningful quotations by Carson is appended; many of them may not be understood by the intended audience. Although unfailingly lovely, these titles are marginal purchases.–Eva Elisabeth VonAncken, Trinity-Pawling School, Pawling, NYCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.