Along the Luangwa: A Story of an African Floodplain ANNOTATION
Explores life in Zambia's Luangwa River Valley as seen through the eyes of a mother crocodile and her newly hatched babies.
FROM THE CRITICS
Children's Literature
This beautifully illustrated picture book introduces young readers to the Luangwa River Valley in Zambia, Africa—a thriving floodplain that is home to a variety of wildlife, including crocodiles, turtles, storks, fish, elephants, eagles, zebras, antelopes, hippos, rhinos and much more. This story follows a mother Nile crocodile and her fifty young hatchlings as they struggle to survive in this active habitat. When the baby crocodiles are born, the mother transports the brood to a nursery pool, a place where they can learn how to survive. Unfortunately, a drought hits the area and the crocodile family is forced to move to the shores of the Luangwa River. After they arrive at their new destination, the mother works hard to protect her young from the surrounding hungry predators. Each double-page spread contains an informative text box surrounded by colorful, detailed paintings. In addition to an interesting story, this wonderful book also provides a map, a short description about African floodplains, and a pictorial glossary that opens up into an eye-catching panoramic foldout of the habitat. 1999, Soundprints, $15.95 and $5.95. Ages 6 to 9. Reviewer: Debra Briatico
School Library Journal
Gr 1-4-This survival story of a mother crocodile and her newly hatched babies describes some of the dangers of life in Zambia's Luangwa River Valley, one of the few places where Nile crocodiles still thrive in the wild. As the baby crocs make their journey from shore to nursery pool, a variety of hungry predators (e.g. marabou storks, monitor lizards, and fish eagles) threaten their safety. When drought strikes the valley, the race for survival is on. Teams of crocodiles lurk beneath the water, waiting to seize thirsty animals as they approach the river's edge. Alan Male's illustrations provide an attractive background for the text, featuring underwater views of crocodiles as well as other animals above the water's surface. An accompanying glossary identifies Luangwa flora and fauna and folds out into a panoramic view of animals along the river. A map and brief description of the Luangwa River Valley wildlife sanctuary is included. Factual material regarding the longevity of crocodiles as a species may not be sufficient for reports but will spark interest for further reading. The accompanying tape is evenly paced and smoothly narrated by Randye Kaye. The story springs to life against a background of animal and jungle sound effects. A single musical tone indicates when readers should turn the page. School librarians and teachers looking to add material to their collections on ecology, environment, or wildlife will find this well-presented package an intriguing introduction for beginning readers. Pair it with Seymour Simon's Crocodiles & Alligators (HarperCollins, 1999) for an in-depth look at crocodile behavior or use with Fred Marcellino's I, Crocodile (HarperCollins, 1999) for a science unit with a lighter touch.-Celeste Steward, Contra Costa County Library, Danville, CA Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|
AudioFile
[Editor's Note: The following is a combined review with MOUNTAIN MISTS.]—In association with the Nature Conservancy, Soundprints (publisher of children's nature materials, not to be confused with Soundprint, the radio documentary organization) has produced these two titles as part of a series of interactive storybook sets. The short programs are repeated on both sides of the cassette, once with page-turning signals and once without. Randye Kaye's gentle voice guides the listener through these two stories: one about a mother crocodile raising her hatchlings on the Luangwa River in the Zambian floodplain; the other about a young female mountain gorilla's search for a mate in the Virunga Mountains. Beautifully produced, with sound effects taken from the environments in which the stories are set, these two interactive storybooks are available as a print book or an audiobook, as well as in gift sets containing both, along with a plush stuffed animal. S.E.S. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine
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