Zonia's Rain Forest by Juana Martinez-Neal
Published by Candlewick Press on March 30, 2021
ISBN: 9781536208450
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

Zonia, a young Indigenous girl who lives in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest begins her days by greeting all her animal friends. (The text doesn’t label the different animals but there is “Zonia’s Friends in order of appearance ” at the end of the book.) On her way home, Zonia stumbles upon a patch of deforestation and decides she must protect her home. More extensive information for about the Ashaninka people and the threats to the Amazon are also at the back of the book. This is a good introduction to the Amazon rainforest and environmental awareness for preschoolers. The impish girl and cutesy animals will delight readers and the youngest will enjoy finding the electric Blue Morpho butterfly in each two-page spread.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library