Book Reviews

WATER WORLD

"We need to stop looking at water as a commodity and start looking at it as a community: an ecological community full of life... Let's not watch it vanish as so much has vanished before."

The World of Fresh Water is an informative, readable guide to the river and lake systems of British Columbia. It includes information about the habits and habitats of the plants and animals that make their home in the water ways. Stunning photographs and informative diagrams accompany descriptions of White-faced Meadowhawks (dragonflies, not birds!), Spotted Lake west of Osoyoos (yes it really does have spots on it) and Tiger Salamanders who are the kings of the pond (as long as there are no fish in it!).

In a province surrounded by salt water, the importance of fresh water is easily overlooked, yet creeks, rivers, lakes, ponds, marshes and bogs are vital to the marine ecosystem. The World of Fresh Water offers an intimate look at an intriguing and important part of BC's natural history, including stories to tell how insects cope with the current in tumbling mountain streams and how water shrews can run on water.

by Sydney, Richard & Robert Cannings 118pp, $19.95 ISBN 1-55054-635-X Greystone Books 1615 Venables St. Vancouver BC VSL 2H1

NOVICE GUIDE

Lynda A. Colbeck realized that most available field guides were either too technical for the average layperson, or too superficial to satisfy the needs of the curious, intelligent kayaker and seashore explorer. This first volume of a three part series identifies the most common and conspicuous plants and animals found along the eastern coastline of Vancouver Island, from Victoria to Campbell River.

Vancouver Island Shores is unique in its approach, emphasizing natural history first and species identification second. It provides detailed explanations to the complexities and wonders of intertidal life in an easy-to-read, well-organized, visually appealing format.

This book includes plants and animals to look for on rocky, gravel, muddy or sandy beaches; the natural history of seashore creatures; introduction to local seaweeds; detailed drawings for easy identification; direction maps to provincial and regional parks from Victoria to Campbell River, including the Gulf Islands.

Vancouver Island Shores, Seashore exploring for the novice, by Lynda A. Colbeck, 200pp, $18.95, ISBN 0-9682002-0-6, Protected Shores of Vancouver Island, #266, 9-B 1150 N. Terminal Avenue, Nanaimo, BC V9S 5T8

Vancouver Island Shores: Seashore Exploring For The Novice   can be bought at Chapters.ca (Canadian site and Canadian dollars)