From School Library Journal
Grade 2-4-- Written and illustrated by a high school student, this environmental ABC presents ecological information for young audiences. Each letter features an animal or plant found in the rain forest with an explanatory paragraph. Interposing her factual material with warnings about endangered species, deforestation, and the harm coming to native peoples, Pratt presents her viewpoint without didacticism. The full-color illustrations done in watercolors, felt markers, and colored pencil show talent and concern. Children may be as interested in the student/author/illustrator concept as in the material presented. --Eva Elisabeth Von Ancken, Trinity Pawling School, NY:Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Parent's Magazine
A Walk in the Rainforest is an alphabet book written and stunningly illustrated by a 15 year old Kristin Joy Pratt. . . "


The Parent Newsmagazine
. . . an exceptional book on several counts . . . The book doesn't read like it was written by a child. . . the wording is simple and readable, yet sophisticated.


The Reading Teacher
Alliterative phrases combined with interesting information accompany each illustration. This book was a big hit with children of all ages.


About the Author
Lauded as a young ``Eco Star" by the Cousteau Society, and inducted into the Kid Heroes Hall of Fame by E: The Environmental Magazine, Kristin Joy Pratt demonstrates not only an infectious love of nature that promotes environmental awareness among children, but also a ``can do" positive attitude toward life that has helped make her so popular. Kristin's best-selling first book, A Walk in the Rainforest, written in 1991 at age 14, began as an English homework assignment. More than 100,000 copies have been sold. At age 16, inspired by a marine biology class and her concern about contamination of the world's oceans, Kristin wrote and illustrated A Swim through the Sea. It was selected as an outstanding book by the National Science Teachers Association and the Children's Book Council, and already almost 90,000 copies of this book have been sold. In 1995, at age 18, Kristin turned the spotlight on the fragile ``invisible ocean" of air around us, and wrote and illustrated A Fly in the Sky. By now Kristin had become something of a children's heroine as a popular speaker at schools, museums and aquariums all over the U.S., and an inspiration for what even a young person can do given talent and the right attitude. Kristin was a complete unknown when she sent her first manuscript to Dawn Publications. But what she said caught the publisher's eye. ``Environmental awareness, at a very early age, is the key to preserving our world," she wrote. ``When young children gain a knowledge and respect for nature they in turn love and protect it. If this book takes one small step towards that end it will have served its purpose."

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A Walk in the Rainforest provides a colorful, stimulating way of learning about the exotic animals and plants of the rainforest. Presented in an alphabet style format, each page consists of an illustration of a different rainforest species, together with a paragraph of intriguing facts about the lifestyle and habitat of the plant or animal. Kristin wrote and illustrated her first book, A Walk in the Rainforest, at age 15, A Swim Through the Sea, at age 17, and A Fly in the Sky at age 19. She enjoys bringing her message of environmental concern to schools and conferences.

Author Biography: Lauded as a young ``Eco Star" by the Cousteau Society, and inducted into the Kid Heroes Hall of Fame by E: The Environmental Magazine, Kristin Joy Pratt demonstrates not only an infectious love of nature that promotes environmental awareness among children, but also a ``can do" positive attitude toward life that has helped make her so popular.

Kristin's best-selling first book, A Walk in the Rainforest, written in 1991 at age 14, began as an English homework assignment. More than 100,000 copies have been sold.

At age 16, inspired by a marine biology class and her concern about contamination of the world's oceans, Kristin wrote and illustrated A Swim through the Sea. It was selected as an outstanding book by the National Science Teachers Association and the Children's Book Council, and already almost 90,000 copies of this book have been sold.

In 1995, at age 18, Kristin turned the spotlight on the fragile ``invisible ocean" of air around us, and wrote and illustrated A Fly in the Sky. By now Kristin had become something of a children's heroine as a popular speaker at schools, museums and aquariums all over the U.S., and an inspiration for what even a young person can do given talent and the right attitude.

Kristin was a complete unknown when she sent her first manuscript to Dawn Publications. But what she said caught the publisher's eye. ``Environmental awareness, at a very early age, is the key to preserving our world," she wrote. ``When young children gain a knowledge and respect for nature they in turn love and protect it. If this book takes one small step towards that end it will have served its purpose."

FROM THE CRITICS

Parent Newsmagazine

A Walk in the Rainforest is an alphabet book written and stunningly illustrated by a 15 year old Kristin Joy Pratt. From ``amazing anteaters" to ``kingly Kapok trees" to ``vibrant Vanilla Orchids," XYZ the ant meets many exotic and endangered plants and animals. Young children will be entranced by the spectacular drawings, and for older children and adults, Pratt includes fascinating facts about the lifestyle and habitat of each species illustrated.

Parent's Magazine

A Walk in the Rainforest is an alphabet book written and stunningly illustrated by a 15 year old Kristin Joy Pratt. . . Pratt includes fascinating facts about the lifestyle and habitat of each species illustrated.

Reading Teacher

A Walk in the Rainforest is an exceptional book on several counts, not the least of which is that the author and illustrator, Kristin Joy Pratt, was only 14 when she completed most of the work on it. The book doesn't read like it was written by a child. The wording is simple and readable, yet sophisticated. Pratt's illustrations are colorful and competent, yet they maintain the primitive charm of children's art.

Children's Literature - Debra Briatico

This remarkable alphabet book provides a colorful, stimulating way to explore the exotic plants and animals that live in tropical rainforests. Each page contains a full-color illustration accompanied by a paragraph of intriguing facts about a rainforest animal or plant's characteristics and habitat.

School Library Journal