picture book Archives - Page 650 of 768

Been There, Done That: Reading Animal Signs
by Jen Funk Weber (Author) and Andrea Gabriel (Illustrator)

Booktalk: Spotting wildlife is a thrill, but it’s not easy. When Cole comes to visit his friend Helena, he can’t wait to see all the wildlife the forest has to offer and is disappointed when all he sees are a few birds. Together the kids set out on a hike and encounter plenty of animal signs along the way. Through observation and her knowledge of animal behavior, Helena helps Cole learn what each of the signs means: something had been there; something had done that.

Snippet: Helena and Cole hiked to a silty green river.

“Ew!” Cole wrinkled his nose. “Dead fish.”

Helena picked up a long black feather. She traced the wingtips outlined in the sand. Something had been there. Something had done that. “Eagles catch salmon here.”

Cole didn’t see any eagles.

The Wolves Return
by Celia Godkin (Author / Illustrator)

Booktalk: In 1995-96 twenty-three grey wolves were released in Yellowstone National Park where, due to over-hunting, there had been no wolves at all for almost seventy years. This reintroduction project was an overwhelming success. Over twenty years later we can still see the changes the grey wolves brought to Yellowstone National Park. Now that the elk graze higher ground, seedlings are growing tall, rivers are getting deeper as beavers return, and a lively pond ecosystem is developing. This true story offers an important lesson about the difference one creature can make in creating a healthy, thriving world.

Snippet:

It’s STEM Friday! (STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)