Conejito / Bunny, A Folktale from Panama  •  Margaret Read MacDonald LITERATURE •  2006 •  HARD COVER  • 28 PAGES • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) A lively Panamanian folktale that teaches children Spanish words. The bright acrylic illustrations and repeated song (whose melody is included) will encourage participation. (PNM39, $16.95)
Jungle (Eyewitness Books)  •  Theresa Greenaway  •  Geoff Dann NATURAL HISTORY •  2004 •  HARD COVER  • 63 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) Certainly the most eye-popping of the children's books on the rain forest, this book, jammed with color photographs, covers all manner of rain forest life. The concise text augments the pictures. Geared for children ages 9-12. (FST06, $15.99)
Marisol and Magdalena  •  Veronica Chambers LITERATURE •  2001 •  PAPER  • 160 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) Best friends Marisol and Magdalena are looking forward to eighth grade in Brooklyn -- that is, until Marisol's mother decides that her daughter should spend the year with her abuela in Panama. Fortunately eighth graders in Panama turn out to be every bit as friendly as their New York counterparts, and with their help -- and the help of her generous grandmother -- Marisol learns much about her mother's homeland and her own Panamanian heritage. Ages 9-12. (PNM14, $5.99)
Mola: Cuna Life, Stories, and Art  •  Maricel Presilla CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  1996 •  HARD COVER  • 32 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) In this short book, geared for middle schoolers, Presilla shows the culture and history of the San Blas Islands through the folk art of the Cuna. Includes excellent color pictures of the intricate appliqued designs. (PNM22, $19.95)
The Most Beautiful Roof in the World, Exploring the Rainforest Canopy  •  Kathryn Lasky  •  Christopher Knight NATURAL HISTORY •  1997 •  PAPER  • 48 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) A tour of the rain forest canopy for children, illustrated with color photographs. The book follows a tropical botanist and her sons as she explores a rain forest in Belize, but it is appropriate for a trip to any Central American rain forest. For children ages 9 -12, who will especially like the ropes and other rigging used to climb in the rain forest canopy. (FST04, $9.00)
The Panama Canal  •  Elizabeth Mann CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  2006 •  PAPER • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) An illustrated overview of the engineering, construction, and social history of the building of the Panama Canal. One in a growing series of Wonders of the World, geared for ages 9-12. (PNM29, $9.95)