Mount Rainier

Gr 4 Up—While the factual content (flora and fauna, history) is hard to fault, the dry delivery is unlikely to appeal to younger students, and secondary students may well be able to come up with equally valid information online with less of a newsreel feel. The portion on Mount Rainier makes good use of historical pictures and film as well as current video of the park buildings, flora, and footage reminiscent of a 1950s travel film. One might have wished for less time with a guest playing the piano in the Paradise Lodge. The segment on Mount St. Helens is more problematic. The majority of what is shown consists of a personable and knowledgeable park ranger standing in front of the mountain's crater in the background as he explains what caused the volcanic eruption and how it changed the local geography and the process of land regeneration in the area. The content is fascinating and well delivered, but there is a lack of visuals, and viewers will feel as though they're attending a lecture. This is a shame, as a judicious use of photos of the eruption would provide students with memorable images. Although certainly informative and at least in the first segment pictorially lovely, this program is unlikely to keep young viewers riveted.—Ann Welton, Helen B. Stafford Elementary, Tacoma, WA