Tigers in Terai: Adventures of Riley #1    by Amanda Lumry, Laura Hurwitz & Sarah McIntyre Order:  USA  Can Eaglemont, 2003 (2003) Hardcover      Reviewed by Hilary Williamson Tigers in Terai is the first of a series (aimed at children aged four to eight and developed with help from scientists of the Smithsonian, World Wildlife Fund and Wildlife Conservation Society), that will take nine-year-old Riley, camera in hand, to different parts of the world. We find him on a small plane reading the letter from Uncle Max that invited him on an expedition to help endangered tigers in Terai, Nepal. He lands in Kathmandu, surrounded by 'mountains taller than the clouds', where he is met by his uncle, aunt and cousin Alice. After a boat trip, they stay at a jungle camp in Terai. There they ride a swaying elephant named Kanchi and hear the shriek of a colorful peafowl. As they explore, they spot a one-horned rhino, Indian Flying Foxes, Chital Deer, Hanuman Langur Monkeys, a Clouded Leopard, a Great Indian Hornbill, a King Cobra, a Sloth Bear ... and eventually they even see a tiger, a little too close for comfort. Uncle Max explains the use of camera traps in research, and why it's important to collect samples of tiger dung and hair. Riley finds a money pouch, but when he learns that Mishra has lost one, and that his family needs the help that he gives them, Riley hands it over. He's rewarded with the gift of a painted wooden tiger, just what he wanted. Riley returns home, full to the brim with stories, wildlife information and excitement - and soon there is another letter from Uncle Max. The book ends with an invitation to continue the adventure online at www.adventuresofriley.com. Having trekked in Nepal, I looked forward to reading this book and was not disappointed. It's informative for adults as well as for kids, so would be fun to read together. The images are beautiful wildlife photographs, overlaid with illustrations of Riley and friends taking photos and journal notes. There are fact boxes for each creature spotted, which tell us for example that rhinos 'hold the world's record for the single largest poop' and that 'Tigers are the largest member of the cat family'. This is an exciting new series for families interested in learning together about wildlife and conservation issues around the world; an engaging combination of photos, fact and fiction. I wonder where Riley will head next. Note: Eaglemont Press contributes a portion of the proceeds from Adventures of Riley to help support conservation. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews