6360 Forsyth, Adrian. How Monkeys Make Chocolate: Unlocking the Mysteries of the Rainforest. Toronto: Maple Tree Press. 48p. photos. index. $21.95. $12.95pa. ISBN 1-897066-77-5. ISBN 1-897066-78-3pa. CCIP. DDC j577.34. (Ages 8+)

Peccaries are wild pigs that travel through the jungle in huge herds several hundred strong. Stinkbugs can make a nutritious snack. Some birds weave antibiotic grasses into their nests to protect their hatchlings from disease. These are just a few of the things in this book that will undoubtedly fascinate young readers. Biologist Adrian Forsyth has spent most of his career studying tropical rainforests around the world.
        In the title chapter, for example, Forsyth explores the amazing relationship between wild monkeys and cocoa trees. Nature has ingeniously designed the cocoa nut so that it is irresistible to monkeys; they love the sweet taste of the cocoa pod’s sap but spit out the bitter seeds on the forest floor, which helps spread the cocoa species to new parts of the rainforest. Other chapters include “Rainforest Mysteries,” “Why Cherries Are Red,” “Bark That Bites,” and “A Hard Nut to Crack.” Dozens of eye-catching photographs help illustrate the storylines. Environmental concerns and respect for the culture of indigenous rainforest peoples are strong themes in this book.
        Although many children’s books have been written about the rainforest, this one presents many fresh new facts that readers of all ages will enjoy learning about. Highly recommended.