Children - Nature, Children - Animals

Can We Save Them? Endangered Species

Name: Can We Save Them? Endangered Species
Author: David Dobson
ISBN: 9780881068221

by David Dobson, James M. Needham

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Overview

With a captivating text and breathtaking illustrations, Can We Save Them? introduces readers to twelve species of endangered animals and plants in North America and suggests way to restore each one's natural environment. Full color.

Discusses the physical characteristics, habits, natural habitat, and protection of many endangered species in North America, including Florida panthers, Puerto-Rican parrots, and a variety of wildflowers.

Synopsis

School Library Journal

Gr 1-3This introduction to endangered species spotlights a dozen North American animals and wildflowers that are bordering on extinction. The well-organized text keeps readers focused on individual species by repeatedly asking the question, "Can we save the...?" The full-color, double-spread format works well: the text on the verso gives facts about an animal, its habitat, and reasons it is disappearing, while the recto describes ways in which people are working to protect the species and what youngsters can do to help them. A wide cross section of climates and habitats is presented, as is a variety in species including insects, reptiles, birds, and mammals. One double-page spread is devoted to wildflowers. The colorful illustrations reflect natural habitats and enhance the presentation without overpowering it. Dobson's writing is generally clear and factual although he occasionally digresses with statements such as "Homo sapiens are kind of funny looking" and that wildflowers "all share one thingthey have silly-sounding names." An additional choice for youngsters looking to expand their understanding of the interrelatedness of all living things.Diane Nunn, Richard E. Byrd Elementary School, Glen Rock, NJ

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Editorials

School Library Journal

Kirkus Reviews

In his first book, Dobson introduces nearly a dozen endangered species, mostly animals from North America, and says: "Let's see what we can do to help these species survive." Every spread uses the verso to introduce a creature (or, in one case, wildflowers) and the recto to discuss possible or ongoing actions intended to save it. Included are the Florida panther, Oahu tree snail, gray bat, American burying beetle, peregrine falcon, eastern indigo snake, cui-cu (a fish), Peary caribou, eastern timber wolf, Kirtland's warbler, and Puerto Rican parrot. Worthwhile information is marred by a didactic tone and misleading solutions. The conversational use of "we" and "you" will leave youngsters with the impression that they are to go find caves for gray bats, set out dead chickens for American burying beetles, allow "controlled forest fires to refresh" the habitat of the eastern indigo snake, and restore Florida marshes and forests for Florida panthers. Dobson offers more plausible solutions as well, reminding readers not to buy products that involve endangered species or to keep them as pets, to help raise money or volunteer, and not to pollute. Attractive gouache paintings include a map of North America indicating locations of the species covered. Unfortunately, the fact box on wildflowers declares that quinine is a wildflower product, when it is obtained from the bark of the cinchona tree, and also states that quinine is a "cure" for malaria, instead of a treatment for its symptoms.