North & South : A tale of two hemispheres by Sandra Morris

In Australia we are fortunate to have some wonderful non-fiction texts being published and North & South: A Tale of Two Hemispheres is one such book. Beautifully illustrated by the author Sandra Morris, the book tells the story of twenty four chosen animals, month by month, and their adaptation to the changing seasons. The Contents page lists each month, the two animals researched and the heading the information will focus on. For example, the month of June focuses on Armoured Animals: the Stage Beetle and Leatherback Turtle. November's heading, Save it for Later mentions the Hazel Dormouse and the Honeypot Ant.

The introductory pages give the reader a brief explanation of the hemispheres, the four traditional seasons and a discussion of wet and dry seasons. There is also a chart giving a key to the conservation status of each the animals examined in the book. Each month's double page is divided into north and south with a comparison of the two animals and a small map showing where their habitats are. There is also a brief indication of the conservation threat to each animal. The detailed end papers have a clearly labelled world map showing the hemispheres, continents, countries, oceans and the animals mentioned in the book. The book finishes with a very comprehensive glossary, index, further reading suggestions plus information on how to help our wildlife and combat climate change.

An exceptional book for home, school or public library.

Themes: Hemispheres, Animals, Seasons, Conservation.

Kathryn Beilby