Secrets of the Rainforest; Coral Trail

Against the Northern Australian background of loggers versus 'Greenies', Kevin, a logger's son, is introduced to the flora and fauna of the forest (where his father works) by the greeny Rainbow kids. And he realises for the first time what he's been missing as he contrasts the natural opulence of the untouched forest with the desolation left by the loggers to whom the extinction of 2000-year-old trees is a way of life. Presented as a story, this is really a fine display of Dailan Pugh's wildlife paintings and, of course, a strong conservation message. Students of the BfK Green Guide will remember Dunkle's excellent Conservation; her text here is just as spare and just as telling.

Also presented in story form Coral Trail takes self-preservation as its theme. Octopus warns her fellow reef-dwellers that 'something's coming' and they all show how well they can hide (like clown fish) or defend themselves (like puffer fish). When the fearsome Moray eel arrives only octopus is left to face it, which she does with a sepia-squirting disappearance.

Two gentle books, each visually very pleasing and each with a memorable message upon which later, fuller understanding of things could be built.