Book Review

This marvelous book taught me a lot on a subject I didn't know much about - the red mangrove trees of Florida. Mangrove Wilderness: Nature's Nursery by Bianca Lavies describes one of the only trees that can live in salt water, which makes this tree so extraordinary. But this book also explains that the red mangrove has a more important job - to support the food chain and wildlife around it. That's why this book encouraged me to learn more about one of nature's treasures.

In a year the red mangrove can produce up to 300 seeds. These seeds are made from yellow flowers which eventually drop off, leaving a plum-sized fruit. Soon after, the root and stem emerge from the small fruit. Still attached to the mangrove, the seedlings produce an immunity to salt water. Later, these seedlings drop into the water and sprout, or float to a different area and sprout there. Many years later, when a tree is mature, it produces tannin, a red dye from its bark. This is where the tree gets its name. When the leaves drop into the water, bacteria from the air makes them full of protein. Then, small microscopic creatures break them up, so small fish can eat them. Larger fish eat the smaller fish, followed by birds which eat these. This continues, and explains how the red mangrove supports the food chain.

Bianca Lavies not only tells about the red mangrove, but also interesting facts about each animal that gets its support from this tree. The writing style of this book is flamboyant, yet still clear. It also offers the information in an organized way. The writing is expressed through gorgeous photographs, which make you feel as if you are there. In the back of the book it explains that the author spent two months in a cabin with putrid water and a small sailboat taking photographs. She also took some under water.

This book does not have a glossary, but is relatively easy reading. I suggest this book for grades 4-6. I absolutely adore this book and wish to own it. I would surely grant it a 5 out of 5 star rating.

~ Alesa Y., Coffin School student, Brunswick
"Read, Write & Win" 2005, 1st place / 5th grade
Check out the Coffin School Book Review Website

Mangrove Wilderness by Bianca Lavies is a well-written book, with excellent photographs, about the most unusual red mangrove tree and the many ways it is important to the ecology of the southern coastal regions.

~ Lee Grodzins, Ph.D., Physicist, Professor Emeritus, MIT