"Wildlife and Plants, an updated edition of the 1999 Wildlife and Plants of the World (see ARBA 2000, entry 1325), is a 20-volume set covering over 400 plants, animals, microorganisms, and biomes, aimed toward an audience of upper-elementary school and middle school students. Entries are presented in A to Z order, with a comprehensive index in volume 20. Each volume begins with a table of contents, followed by a three-page overview of the animal kingdom (with clear narrative and charts). A typical entry of Wildlife and Plants covers two pages, with narrative text and several color photographs. A thumbnail map indicates the part of the world where the organism can be found. Individual entries have color-coded pages indicating type of organism. Most entries have a "Key Facts" sidebar, providing information such as common and scientific name, habitat, appearance, life cycle, and endangerment status. See also references are also given. Additional features new to this addition are illustrations and information on U.S. state flowers and Canadian provincial flowers on appropriate flower subject entries.

In addition to the main entries, there are 50 "Guidepost" articles, with colored backgrounds corresponding to the color-coded organism pages found on main entry pages. "Guidepost" articles cover large groups of animals (e.g., primates, amphibians, rodents) as well as specific habitats and biomes (e.g., oceans, deserts, beaches and coasts). Most articles are also two pages in length and offer connections to specific entries in other volumes. Volume 20 includes a glossary, resources for further study, selected Internet site of interest, and several indexes (by classification, behavior, habitat, geographical location, scientific name, and a final comprehensive index). Index entries guide users to the appropriate volume and entry page; mentions of concepts within article captions are also indexed.

Volume 1 is the only volume that lists the contents of all subsequent volumes, and the index volume is the only volume to offer a comprehensive index. These minor criticisms should not detract from the usefulness of this set for school reports or curious naturalists or animal lovers. This set is most appropriate for school libraries and public libraries."

"A wide array of information can be found on plants, wildlife, microorganisms, and biomes in this new edition that has been updated from the previous 1999 edition and maintains its student friendly format. Each entry includes a description of the plant, animal, or other key topic, at least two color photographs, a key fact text box, a natural habitat distribution map, and a 'see also' highlight. Information on vertebrate as well as invertebrate animals is included in each volume. Students working on a research project as well as individual investigations will find this reference set an excellent first source to find basic information on their topic. However, since the information is general, students will not be able to find a lot of specific information on certain species. Specific animals such as white-tail deer are discussed in the general information on deer. Each volume has a chart with the major plant kingdom divisions, classes, and examples as well as a chart with the major phyla, classes, and orders of the animal kingdom with examples. Volume 20 contains the index for the complete set. Table of contents. Recommended. —Susan Black, Librarian, Arlee (Montana) Elementary School"

"This third edition of Wildlife and Plants of the World has been updated, expanded, and improved. There are now more than 500 entries covering animals, plants, microorganisms, fungi, habitats, biomes, and overviews. More than 75 new articles have been added, including Bandicoot, Dogwood, and Syringa. A few important topics, such as banana and cacao, are still absent. This edition also boasts 160 new full-color photographs as well as 80 new and 40 updated maps.

Volumes 1-19 are arranged alphabetically by entry, and volume 20 constitutes the index. Each volume begins with a table of contents (no longer annotated) for each specific volume. Following this is a three-page article describing the kingdoms of life. A color key is also provided, corresponding to the color coding (identical to the previous edition) used throughout the book. This scheme is enhanced by the clearly labeled headings for each entry ("a flowering plant," "a wading bird," etc.). Volume 1 also contains information about taxonomy. The complete table of contents for the entire set has also been moved to volume 1.

Entries provide a concise introduction followed by more detailed information including behavior, reproduction, characteristics, and survival tactics. Stereotypes, such as those associated with crocodiles and dingoes, are nicely addressed. Two or more full-color, captioned photographs bring each entry to life. Maps denote the range for most entries, some of which provide one or two very specific examples. A "Key Facts" box contains basic information such as habitat and status. See also references are also provided.

The index offers nice improvements. New to this edition is an index on behaviors such as hibernation and parental care. Although there is no index for endangered species, an index on conservation and environmental issues has been added, including deforestation and insecticides. All of the resources have been updated, and there are now two pages of briefly annotated Internet resources as well as sections on places to go and organizations (which also provide Web sites).

With its captivating information and photographs, students are sure to come to this easy-to-use set again and again. Described by the publisher as a "perfect introduction to the life sciences," this set is highly recommended for upper-elementary, middle-school, and public libraries. —Heather Heyduk"

"Arranged alphabetically by species, this set contains 76 new articles, including 50 "guideposts," which cover large groups of animals, habitats, and biomes such as bats, deserts, caves, butterflies, and urban settings, and articles on species not previously covered. A table of contents for the entire work appears in volume one. Curiously, an introductory piece on the classification of living things is repeated in each book. A colorful bar at the top of each spread identifies what is covered in the article: amphibians and reptiles; bacteria, protists, and fungi; biomes, habitats, and overview articles; birds; fish; invertebrates; mammals; or plants. Entries feature a range map, and a "Key Facts" box lists the subject's scientific and common names, range and habitat, appearance, food, breeding, and status (from "least concern" to "extinct"). Lengthy articles are broken up by subheadings. Each volume includes its own index, and there is also a comprehensive index (with common names) in the final volume, along with six other indexes, such as one on animal behavior. Most notable are the close-up full-color photographs. There is ample material for reports here. —Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools."

"Wildlife and Plants, and updated edition of the 1999 Wildlife and Plants of the World (see ARBA 2000, entry 1325), is a 20-volume set covering over 400 plants, animals, microorganisms, and biomes, aimed toward an audience of upper-elementary school and middle school students. Entries are presented in A to Z order, with a comprehensive index in volume 20. Each volume begins with a table of contents, followed by a three page overview of the animal kingdom (with clear narrative and charts). A typical entry of Wildlife and Plants covers two pages, with narrative text and several color photographs. A thumbnail map indicates the part of the world where the organism can be found. Individual entries have color-coded pages indicating type of organism. Most entries have a "Key Facts" sidebar, providing information such as common and scientific name, habitat, appearance, life cycle, and endangerment status. See Also references are also given. Additional features new to this edition are illustrations and information on U.S. state flowers and Canadian provincial flowers on appropriate flower subject entries.

In addition to the main entries, there are 50 "Guidepost" articles, with colored background corresponding to the color-coded organism pages found on main entry pages. "Guidepost" articles cover large groups of animals (e.g., primates, amphibians, rodents) as well as specific habitats and biomes (e.g., oceans, deserts, beaches, and coasts). Most articles are also two pages in length and offer connections to specific entries in other volumes. Volume 20 includes a glossary, resources for further study, selected Internet site of interest, and several indexes (by classification, behavior, habitat, geographical location, scientific name, and a final comprehensive index). Index entries guide users to the appropriate volume and entry page; mentions of concepts within article captions are also indexed.

Volume 1 is the only volume that lists the contents of all subsequent volumes, and the index volume is the only volume to offer a comprehensive index. These minor criticisms should not detract from the usefulness of this set for school reports or curious naturalists or animal lovers. This set is most appropriate for school libraries and public libraries. —Caroline G. Gilson"