The Sea, the Storm, and the Mangrove Tangle

By Lynne Cherry

Book Overview

A look into a unique ecosystem, one that is endangered in many places A seed is jostled from a branch of a mangrove tree and floats to a lagoon in the Caribbean Sea. It takes root, sprouts leaves, and slowly begins to grow. Over many years, the mangrove will provide a home and nourishment for numerous creatures of land and sea. Among its roots come to live fiddler crabs and shrimp; in its branches dwell lizards and hummingbirds. Soon the tree is dropping seeds of its own, and other mangroves are growing, creating a tangle whose benefits extend even to large mammals like dolphins and manatees. There are endpaper maps that indicate where mangroves are located and the names of common animals and plants found in them. Ever threatened by hurricanes and even more by human destruction, the mangroves of our planet are endangered, but in Lynne Cherry's richly illustrated story one such habitat survives, giving readers hope and inspiration for preservation of these ecosystems in the real world.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0374364826
• ISBN13: 9780374364823
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
• Length: 40 Pages
• Weight: 0.91 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 10.3" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 6 to 10 years
• Grade Range: Grades 1 to 5

Customer Reviews

Kasey and Leah's Book Review

The Sea, the Storm, and the Mangrove Tangle By: Kasey Lorentzen and Leah Benjamin The Sea, the Storm, and the Mangrove Tangle tells about a Mangrove Tree. The tree saves many animals and plants' lives. When a hurricane comes, all of these things rely on the tree to help them survive. This book talks about how different animals survive. For example, crabs eat the Mangrove tree leaves and snails eat the algae. This colorful book shows about sea life. In the pictures they show many different species among the Mangrove Tangle. The story tells about new life. Winds carry seeds from the original Mangrove tree to a new location. Everyone will enjoy this book about survival. It shows how a lot of different things can rely on 1 thing. You should read and buy this book.

Educational and Entertaining

A fantastic book! I highly recommend this books if you are looking for a book that accurately describes mangrove ecology yet is very readable for young children. My 3 yr old daughter enjoys the book from beginning to end and has fun finding the different animals that live within the mangrove tangle.

AN IMPORTANT LESSON FOR YOUNG READERS

Lynne Cherry, a passionate protector of all living things, presents an account of the interdependence of flora and fauna in this fictionalized story of one mangrove tree. As the author is quick to note all of the creatures featured in this book are not found in one particular area of mangroves. That fact does not at all detract from the message she brings. As our story opens, a flock of pelicans fly around a mangrove island. The branches of these mangroves hold sprouting seeds or propagules. When a pelican lands, he bends a branch causing a propagule to fall into the sea where it is carried to a far away lagoon. Once there it takes root and grows. Mangroves are particularly noted for their root structure, and by the time it has grown for 50 years the tree has a root base that allows it to outlast storms. In years to come crabs, anemone and sea coral make their homes among these sturdy roots. They are joined by other sea creatures. Along the way this mangrove has dropped seeds of its own, which causes other mangroves to grow and the tangle of mangroves continues to enlarge. It will eventually become a home for larger sea creatures such as dolphins. Ms. Cherry's splendidly vivid full page illustrations bring to life the world beneath the sea. She concludes her story by urging readers to visit several Web sites in order to learn how to help save the endangered mangroves. - Gail Cooke