Deep in the Desert

Gr 1—3—This title presents a variety of desert habitats around the globe and their flora and fauna—some identified, some not—in colorful illustrations accompanied by rhyming texts to match existing songs. Think "Down in the Valley" as you read "Deep in the desert, down in a mine/bats are all sleeping, 'til it is time" or "I'm a javelina, short and stout" to the tune of "I'm a Little Teapot." Some of the animals and plants are identified either in the "lyrics" or in the appended "For Creative Minds" section, but many, like scorpions, roadrunners, and coatimundis, are not. A global distribution map with some of the featured creatures, a matching game, and other activities useful in classroom or home-schooling settings are included. The book might have some appeal for kids who know such songs as "Kookaburra" and "Do Your Ears Hang Low?"—Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY