Атлас на застрашените видове

by Radek Malý, Радек Мали, Анна Орешкова (Translator)

Светът, в който живеем, се променя с невероятна скорост. Само за един век населението на планетата е скочило почти четири пъти, а постиженията на човешката цивилизация са навсякъде около нас.

Животът ни никога не е бил толкова сигурен, удобен и бърз, но цената на прогреса не се плаща само от хората, а и от природата.

Чешкият писател и популяризатор на науката Радек Мали си е поставил за цел да ни припомни за това, създавайки „Атлас на застрашените видове“.

Пътешествайки из страниците на „Атлас на застрашените видове“ ще се запознаете с 41 животински вида, чиято дива популация е толкова намаляла, че има опасност да изчезнат в следващите години. Някои от тях живеят на Земята от времето на динозаврите и са преживели множество катаклизми и климатични промени. Сега оцеляването им зависи изцяло от хората.

Историята им е разказана достъпно и интересно, а илюстрациите на Павел и Павла Дворски ще пленят сърцата на малки и големи.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals

88 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book lists information about particular species that are currently endangered. I really like the design of this book; on one side there is a full-page illustration of the animal, and on the other side a page of text detailing in what type of habitat the animal lives, its main characteristics, and what it eats, and why it is endangered. There is even a little map, showing where the animal lives.

I am absolutely in awe of the gorgeous illustrations in this book! The art is colorful and each animal is depicted in the setting of their natural habitat. You really get a sense of the majesty of these beautiful animals. Every little detail of feather and fur is so clear that you could almost imagine the creatures are about to jump off the page!

As always, I take issue with a scientific book that presents a scientific theory as if it were a fact. This book talks about origin theories as if they were supported by empirical fact, which they are not. It's such a disappointment and it is not honest. I wish there were better integrity in the writing.

This book would be a great resource for anyone writing a paper about endangered animals, or just for anyone who is curious about the world and who loves to learn!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

[Theediscerning · Rating 5 out of 5]

This superb book is coming to the British-language market a month after its twin, which concerns Extinct Animals. In following the original order of production, as far as I can find out from a publishing house that is very quiet on crediting translators and other vital people, you might initially think the Extinct book should be the sequel – after all, little can get to the extinct stage without being endangered first. But as the introduction here says, this is the right way round to do things. The two books are a 'before' and 'after' - with everybody sane hoping this is coming after the sea-change that might actually prevent critters jumping volumes in future editions. We have to have fingers crossed that things will stop being allowed to become extinct soon, and that that change in approach to our planet was taken yesterday.

Would that we could really be that optimistic. Sure, we now have a $1000 charge to go to the islands home to the Komodo dragon, and a kakapo is on facebook, but nothing happened yesterday and probably little will happen tomorrow. The Chinese are of course still polluting, damming and building the shit out of anything and everything, and yet pretty much everything in my year's extended reading list that has mentioned the Yangtze has come in consecutive books, on consecutive evenings.

They are both wonderful books, although a change in portrait artist is regrettable, even if the results are still wondrous here. Said portraits are the left-hand pages, with the right-hand getting the scientific illustrations, and a short essay filling the rest of the page about the creatures' ways, distinctive features, and where we're going wrong in letting them die away. Vivid blue New Zealander rails, butterflies, and yes anything that the Chinese think can be called medicine or food are all here. The survey does not stick to the meet-cute charity efforts, where the charge can be laid that it's only the photogenic that gets the effort put its way, and all in all it's a relief to say that there is just about enough optimism to stop the spirit sapping too much. Would that we never had either of these nigh-on perfect books to read, mind.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This informative book about the ravages that humans (mostly) have wrought on the natural world and its inhabitants is best read alongside its companion book, Atlas of Extinct Animals. It's a 3.5 for me. I'd probably read this one first as it offers some hope that humans can act now to save various species and perhaps counteract of atone for the wrongs they've done to Mother Nature and her creatures. Starting with the Anthozoa and concluding with the Sumatran Orangutan with stops along the way to highlight the Chinese Pangolin, the Axototl, and the Siberian Tiger, the book offers profiles of 40 different species whose ranks have been sorely diminished in their natural habitats. In fact, some of these creatures can only be found in captivity or owe their existence to desperate efforts to save them. All of them--yes, ALL of them--are extraordinary and unique, and ours would be a sadder place with their demise. In passionate language that seems to call out for raising awareness and taking action, the text provides an overview of these living things, their terrain and range, and then describes threats to their survival as well as efforts to save them. A small map shows where the creatures can be found, and there are sketches at the top of the right-hand page sometimes showing predators, the skull or shell of the species, the animal at different stages or similar species. On the left-hand, facing page, readers are treated to a full-color, full-sized page presenting the animals in their natural habitat. It's hard to read this unflinching account of what's happening to these endangered animals without feeling a sense of personal responsibility and wondering about how long they have to live. This lovely book might be a bit text-heavy, but it would be an important addition to any science classroom library and will intrigue anyone who cares about the environment and its amazingly diverse animal population.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

ATLAS OF ENDANGERED ANIMALS features about forty animals that are getting closer and closer to extinction. There are facts about where the animals are located, about how many are left, and some tidbits. One animal I’m surprised to see on the list is the Komodo Dragon. I don't know why but I didn't realize it was close to extinction. Another fascinating animal is the Takahe because it almost looks like it belongs in the Jurassic age, and it was actually considered extinct for fifty years. Also, most birds in New Zealand have lost their ability to fly over the years. It’s something crazy to ponder over.

To be honest, there's a lot of information on each animal that fascinated me and my amazed my daughter. The illustrations are so breath-taking that words don't do them justice. The animals are drawn in a stunning realistic style that it makes the reader feel even sadder for the impending loss of these species. With some of the animals, there are examples of more prominent species that are related to the endangered one so the reader can see the difference between them. I love how some show how they look at different ages, like a newborn compared to adolescent. ATLAS OF ENDANGERED ANIMALS is a wake up call and brings awareness to how environmental issues are impacting the animals on this planet. One of the saddest ones is the white rhino because there are only two left and they're both females. So, they're trying artificial insemination that I hope sticks because the white rhino is so beautiful. We don't need to add another species to the extinct list.


Final Verdict: I would recommend this to fans of animals and those who are interested in environmental issues. The illustrations bring these animals to life and if we don't do something for them, who will? The author does an amazing job of addressing these issues without seeming like a lecture which feels like it’ll be more appealing to children.

[Deviant Quill Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://www.deviantquill.com/post/atl...

I read another book from this series at the end of last year (review here) which impressed me to the core. I think that would be the best way to read them. We first must understand what we lost to appreciate what we still have. This encyclopedia contains information and illustrations for about 40 species of endangered animals. It's professionally researched and explained beautifully. As with the previous volume, the left pages display one detailed illustration, and the right page is dedicated to information and several technical illustrations depicting age progression, anatomy, or comparisons. The book teaches us why these animals are going extinct in an attempt to slow it down, even stop it. Every one of us is responsible for the well-being of wildlife and we all have the power to make a change. Despite it being aimed towards middle-grade, I think it's a great book for every age.

Review copy provided by Ingram Publisher Services @ Edelweiss+

[Kim Wilch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This oversized book is FULL of endangered animals. I wish it wasn’t so thick so there was no such thing as endangered species. Our world needs awareness and here it is.

Each animal has a 2-page spread; one is a full-size illustration of the animal (think 9x13 inches), and the other showcases the common name, scientific name, illustrations of the animal, and the region it calls home. Read on for comprehensive and intriguing information about that animal.

My grandson is obsessed with axolotls so this page grabbed my attention. And the Siberian Tiger and Sloth and Giant Panda and Mountain Gorilla and…. many lesser known but equally beautiful animals!

What an amazing addition to a library - be it your child’s, the school, or your city!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book. It is a bit mature for K, but I will be able to edit while reading. The book is unflinching in its look at the reality of what people have done to the earth. Recommended.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.