Early Book Review: The Wolves and Moose of Isle Royale: Restoring an Island Ecosystem by Nancy Castaldo

The Wolves and Moose of Isle Royale: Restoring an Island Ecosystem by Nancy Castaldo is currently scheduled for release on August 6 2022. Journey to the isolated islands of Isle Royale National Park where the longest predator/prey study in the world is being conducted along with a controversial genetic rescue to save not only the wolves and moose, but the entire island ecosystem. For over sixty years, in what has been known as the longest study of predator and prey in the world, scientists have studied the wolves and moose of Isle Royale and the island’s ecology to observe and investigate wildlife populations. But due to illness and underlying factors, the population of wolves on the island has dropped while the number of moose has increased, putting the Isle Royale ecosystem in jeopardy. Now, for the first time ever, scientists are intervening. If they can successfully relocate twenty to thirty wolves from the mainland to Isle Royale, scientists can potentially restore the balance among wolves, moose, and trees of the island's ecosystem. Now the living laboratory experiment begins.

The Wolves and Moose of Isle Royale is a nonfiction book that can be understood and enjoyed by middle grade readers and older., including those of us that have been out of school for longer than we might want to disclose. I thought the text was well written and accessible, and the combination of photographs, sketches, and info boxes help keep the readers focused and interested without overwhelming them. I thought the research was fascinating and I thought the information on the researchers and the next steps were interesting. This isn't a project that is over, it is a work in progress, and effort in motion, and something interested readers can follow in the years to come to see what worked, what did not, and how the ecosystem in fairing, This makes me more excited and invested in the read,  more so that when I read about completed research studies in far off places with vague commentary about what might come next. I love that the endpages include not only the expected glossary and index, but also a bibliography and sources for further information. This always makes me a happy reader, more so when it comes to nonfiction for children. 

Book Review: Wings Over Water: The Vital Magic of North America’s Prairie Wetlands by Wetlands LLC

Wings Over Water: The Vital Magic of North America’s Prairie Wetlands by Wetlands LLC is a companion book to the internationally distributed IMAX film of the same name. Wings Over Water celebrates the prairie wetlands of North America and the birds that live and breed in this critical habitat. Covering 300,000 square miles stretching from Canada through Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa, the prairie wetlands are one of Earth’s most important, yet little-known, ecosystems. More than half of all North American migratory waterfowl and 96 species of songbirds breed and nest there, and more than 60 percent of the continent’s ducks are hatched there. Wings Over Water immerses readers in this awe-inspiring, essential region, using more than 300 breathtaking photos and inspiring essays from some of North America’s foremost conservationists to shine a spotlight on these critical breeding grounds and the need to protect them.

Wings Over Water is a lovely collection of personal reflections, information, and photographs about the American wetlands and the birds that stop there in their yearly migrations. This would be a great coffee table book for those interested in the topic to flip through and enjoy, or to read before or after seeing the movie. I did enjoy the images, and think there is some valuable information and engaging thoughts shared here. I did like the information on the importance of the environment and conservation, but felt that hunting was a little to glorified here. Yes, hunting can help conservation efforts in specific circumstances, and can be beneficial to people and the environment alike when handled with respect and thoughtfulness, but I think this was a little to focused on the topic than I would have hoped for in a book full of stunning bird focused photography. 

Early Book Review: The Snowy Owl Scientist by Mark Wilson

The Snowy Owl Scientist by Mark Wilson is currently scheduled for release on April 19 2022. Are the snowy owls in trouble? Venture into the Alaskan arctic and the summer realm of these predator birds to find out. Discover the diverse species necessary to owl survival, how climate change is affecting the landscape of their nesting site of past millennia, and what it takes to do field research in this action-packed addition to the award-winning Scientists in the Field series.

It's July on Alaska's North Slope, and scientist Denver Holt is in Utqiagvik surveying nests. Denver has been coming here since 1992, and the snowy owls he studies have been coming here much longer: thousands of years. With its mix of coastal, low-elevation tundra and a rich presence of lemmings, the North Slope is the only area in Alaska where snowy owls regularly nest. How do snowy owls decide where they will nest? How do they manage to arrive at locations where food will be abundant? What drives the success of these delicate tundra ecosystems? These are the mysteries Denver is trying to solve to help ensure a bright future for these elegant hunters.

The Snowy Owl Scientist is a visually stunning book that is clearly a passion project from the author and the research team. The information, charts and graphs, and images are very well done and organized. The information is very detailed, and might be beyond younger readers, although the pictures might well keep them turning pages if their interest in the text wanes. I think this book would be better suited to middle grade and older readers, or high interest readers, rather than the slightly younger readers the initial formatting suggested to me. The book is well written, well organized, and I liked that resources, an index, and a glossary were included in the endpages. I thought the information was valuable, and it would make for a great book for use in a research project or for readers that want a first hand account of what researching animals can really be like. 

Early Book Review: How to Hold Animals by Toshimitsu Matsuhashi

 How to Hold Animals by Toshimitsu Matsuhashi is a non fiction book for children and adults alike that want to learn from the experts (a pet shop owner, a veterinarian, a wildlife photographer, and a reptile handler) about how to pick up and hold dozens of species of animals. From great to small, furry, scaly, and feathery, including snails, chipmunks, chickens, chinchillas, stag beetles, lizards, hamsters, owls, grasshoppers, mice, and more. Chock full of fascinating facts, interviews with experts, and full-color photos on every page. It is currently scheduled for release on November 3 2020. 

How to Hold Animals is a wonderful resource for animal lovers that want to get hands on with their favorite creatures in a safe and respectful way. I really enjoyed the combination of great photographs, practical information, and additional interesting information about each creature. I think readers can use this book in several ways, as pointed out in the book's introduction. Readers could simply enjoy the photographs, which are well worth the time. Readers can also look at the information about the creatures they have the most interaction or interest in, or those that they are likely to see in the wild around them. They can also be like me, and read the text from cover to cover in an attempt to retain as much of the information as possible. I highly recommend adding this book to the collection of animal enthusists of all ages, although I think those going into animal care or inspiring to will get the most from this book. In fact, I think my daughter just might be getting a copy for Christmas since this is her favorite field of study.  

Early Book Review: Eye by Eye: Comparing How Animals See by Sara Levine, T.S. Spookytooth

Eye by Eye: Comparing How Animals See is a nonfiction picturebook written by Sara Levine and illustrated by T.S. Spooktooth. It is currently scheduled for release on September 1 2020. 

What kind of animal would you be if you had eight eyes? Or if your pupils were the shape of the letter W? Keep an eye out for weird and surprising facts in this playful picture book, which brings together comparative anatomy with a guessing game format. See how your animal eyes are like—and unlike—those of starfish, spiders, goats, cuttlefish, owls, and slugs. 

Eye by Eye: Comparing How Animals See is a wonderful look at the ingenuity of nature. The text was clear and engaging- making the information understandable and interesting to read. The art work pairs pretty much perfectly with the text- adding details in interest to each page.  Some of the information was brand new to me, like the shape of a cuddlefish's pupil. Even the information I knew was presented in a way that made it fun and interesting to read. Every page was fun to look at, and engaging to read. I also enjoyed the bits of extra information and resources included in the endpages. That always makes me happy. I think this book would be a great addition to libraries, schools, classroom, and personal school collections. 

Early Book Review: Put on Your Owl Eyes: Open Your Senses & Discover Nature's Secrets; Mapping, Tracking & Journaling Activities by Devin Franklin

Put on Your Owl Eyes: Open Your Senses & Discover Nature's Secrets; Mapping, Tracking & Journaling Activities by Devin Franklin is currently scheduled for release on May 14 2019. This book is intended to help readers see the natural world around them with brand new eyes. It will teach them to follow its signs, hear its language, and understand its secrets. The book is written by expert environmental educator Devin Franklin, for kids aged 8 to 13 to read and build their own relationship with nature. From the Six Arts of Tracking (Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How) and making a habitat map to walking in smooth silence like a fox and learning the basics of bird language, exploration exercises lead young readers on a fascinating journey of discovery as they watch, listen, map, interpret, and write about the sounds, sights, scents, and patterns they encounter.  There are journaling prompts, map-making activities, and observational tracking pages throughout.

Put On Your Owl Eyes is a book that offers personal accounts from the author, inspiration for readers to slow down and notice the wonders of nature, and activities and challenges that can help keep them engaged and interested. I really liked the balance between the personal stories, activities, and information. I think some readers with be skimming over some of the terminology that is explained, as if they are already interested in nature and the environment they will already know the vocabulary, however I am glad that the explanations are there because newcomers to the terms might feel left out or discouraged with out those explanations. It will encourage engaged readers to do further research and explorations- which is the point of the book. The photographs and  text are well balanced, keeping the interest and focus of the reader moving. The journal entry spaces and writing prompts might be small for some readers, depending on their writing ability and style, but that is hard to judge since I was reading a digital copy rather than a paper edition which might be larger than I picture. As a whole I think this would be a fantastic read for middle graders that love the outdoors and want to learn more about nature, or have a reason to spend time outside exploring. I like that the activities can be revisited continuously and some are designed to become part of a routine. I also like that at the end of the book there is a message of accomplishment and encouragement to continue for readers, and a list of organizations in a few states that could be good resources for readers.

Put On Your Owl Eyes is an interactive guidebook for middle grade readers. It is not a book to sit and read through; it is a book to explore, fill with experiences, and return to as desired.

Book Review: Who Are You Calling Weird: A Celebration of Weird & Wonderful Animals by Marilyn Singer

Who Are You Calling Weird: A Celebration of Weird & Wonderful Animals by Marilyn Singer is a wonderful children's book that celebrates the weird but wonderful creatures that are hidden away in Earth’s forests, caves, and oceans. These animals might look or behave in peculiar ways but, every oddity serves a purpose. From the green fur of a three-toed sloth, to the pink and wiggly appendage of the star-nosed mole, there’s something new to marvel at on every page. As well as finding out about each animal’s behavior, diet, and habitat, readers will also discover the folk beliefs about the creature. 

Who Are You Calling Weird is a delightful book, both visually and intellectually. My favorite bits of history and science have always centered on the weird and wonderful, and this book covered most of my favorite delightfully add creatures, and some that I had somehow missed. I think the combination of narrative fact sharing and lovely images come together in a way that will capture the interest and imagination of most readers, as it certainly captured mine. I love that fairly well know odd animals were covered, such as the aye-aye and three toed sloth. However, my favorite (the pangolin) and some less know creatures were given their due as well. I was extremely glad to see some sea creatures I had never known about before explored, and information that was new to me on some creatures that I thought I knew well.

Who Are You Calling Weird is an engaging book that can capture the reader's imagination. It inspired me to look a bit closer at some animals I thought I knew, and hopefully it will inspire young readers to explore the natural world a bit closer, and with a bit of wonder and urge to research more.

Book Review: The Great Rhino Rescue: Saving the Southern White Rhinos by Sandra Markle

The Great Rhino Rescue: Saving the Southern White Rhinos by Sandra Markle is a children's non fiction book. Southern white rhinos need to be rescued, again. In the late 1800s, these rhinos were believed to be extinct. Fortunately, a few were discovered and African governments stepped in to protect them. But now these rhinos are in danger from something else: the demand for their horns. In 2008 a rumor began spreading that rhino horn can cure cancer, and poachers began targeting these incredible animals for their horns. This book explores how African governments, local communities, and volunteer organizations are working together to save the Southern white rhinos once again.

The Great Rhino Rescue: Saving the Southern White Rhinos is an important book, not just because it shows the dangers white rhinos have, and are currently facing- and how people are trying to help. It also shows how delicate the balance of nature is, and how quickly a change in people's beliefs and behavior can impact the world. THe story of the White Rhino is sad, with moments of hope dashed by the greed and beliefs of humans. However, the number of people working to counteract the damage people are causing, and the danger they pose, leaves me hopeful. Like with so much of the world landscape now, it is in the efforts of people trying to do the right thing and make things better that just might save us all. As always, Markle offers readers hope for the future and some valuable information in the end pages, including sources for further reading and research.

The Great Rhino Rescue: Saving the Southern White Rhinos is another well researched and written book about endangered animals, and how people are trying to help. I highly recommend exploring Markle's animal non fiction and adding this book to the collection. 

Early Book Review: A Whale's World by Ian McAllister, Nicholas Read

A Whale's World by Ian McAllister and Nicholas Read is an informational picturebook that is currently scheduled for release on August 28 2018. The story follows a pod of spy-hopping orcas as they explore the ecosystems of the Great Bear Sea while hunting for their next meal. Past rocky shores and through kelp forests, they observe foraging wolves, hungry grizzly bears, curious black bears, graceful fin whales, splashing porpoises, slippery seals and other members of the Pacific coastal food web.

A Whale's World is a visually and informationally interesting book about orcas and the world around them. Other animals that the orcas see in their travels; such as bears, wolves, types of fish, and more are included in the photographs and information. The photographs are well done and lovely to see. The text offers a selection of information about orcas, the world they live in, and the other living creatures that they see and interact with. I thought the book was well done, but not amazing. I think it will entertain and engage young readers, even those that do not take the time to read all of the text. It is a fun introduction to the ways that marine and land animals interact with the environment and with each other.

Book Review: Stop Feedin' da Boids! by James Sage, Pierre Pratt

Stop Feedin' da Boids! is a picture book written by James Sage and illustrated by Pierre Pratt. When Swanda first moves to Brooklyn from the country, she misses the wildlife she left behind. But not for long. Swanda notices all the pigeons outside her apartment and decides that they need a bird feeder of their own. It is fun to watch the pigeons flock to the feeder, at first. But then more arrive, and then more, and more. Before she knows it, there are way too many pigeons! Swanda seeks some help from a few experts; a pest control officer, the keeper of birds at the city zoo, and an exotic bird fancier from Peru but that gets her nowhere. So her neighbors step in with their own solution. 

Stop Feedin' da Boids! is a fun picturebook that tells what could happen when a nature-loving girl meets city birds. The artwork is bright and adds detail and an additional layer of humor to the story. Readers get to see Swanda's good intentions, and the unintentional chaos that her actions cause. I loved that the story shows both the good heart and desire to help, as well as the need to think about the bigger picture and that doing a little research before try to help might be a good thing. 

 

Stop Feedin' da Boids! is a funny book for sharing one on one or in a group read aloud setting. While it is great fun and humorous, it would also work as an introduction to social studies lessons on the differences of communities and dialects or a discussion about how animals adapt to live in cities.