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Overview
Animals facing threats from human encroachment are featured in these offerings from the Our Wild World series. Prairie Dogs looks at critters considered a keystone species by scientists, linked to the survival of about 40 other species. Horse-lovers will gravitate to the doe-eyed bays on the cover of Wild Horses, which introduces readers to the scattered herds of mustangs still roaming the U.S. Both books spend a great deal of time on these animals' fascinating social systems, from the bands of mares led by a single stallion to prairie dog towns subdivided into coteries. The prose is consistently clear and lively, although Lorbiecki's breathless marveling at prairie dogs' language of chirks, yips, and other vocalizations may lead children to anthropomorphize more than is warranted.
Discusses the physical characteristics, behavior, habitat, and life cycle of prairie dogs.
Synopsis
Animals facing threats from human encroachment are featured in these offerings from the Our Wild World series. Prairie Dogs looks at critters considered a keystone species by scientists, linked to the survival of about 40 other species. Horse-lovers will gravitate to the doe-eyed bays on the cover of Wild Horses, which introduces readers to the scattered herds of mustangs still roaming the U.S. Both books spend a great deal of time on these animals' fascinating social systems, from the bands of mares led by a single stallion to prairie dog towns subdivided into coteries. The prose is consistently clear and lively, although Lorbiecki's breathless marveling at prairie dogs' language of chirks, yips, and other vocalizations may lead children to anthropomorphize more than is warranted.
Mindy Hardwick - Children's Literature
Did you know prairie dogs help prairies grow by eating weedy plants? Or that the prairie dog keeps prairie grasses and flowers from being choked out? Prairie dogs also add fertilizer with their leavings and churn up the soil when they tunnel. And prairie dogs don't need to drink water! They wash their food down with their own salvia. This nonfiction book, part of the "Our Wild World" series, will teach children about prairie dogs. Green boxes with highlighted fun facts give the young reader a chance to learn about prairie dogs from a quick browse through the book. A handy listing of internet websites listed at the back of the book will be helpful for students writing reports on prairie dogs. Beautiful illustrations of prairie dogs eating sunflowers, playing with each other, and running with treasured food in their mouths establish this text as a must have for school library shelves. The book is perfect for any fourth or fifth grade science curriculum or report on prairie dogs. 2004, NorthWord Press, Ages 8 to 12.
Editorials
Children's Literature
Did you know prairie dogs help prairies grow by eating weedy plants? Or that the prairie dog keeps prairie grasses and flowers from being choked out? Prairie dogs also add fertilizer with their leavings and churn up the soil when they tunnel. And prairie dogs don't need to drink water! They wash their food down with their own salvia. This nonfiction book, part of the "Our Wild World" series, will teach children about prairie dogs. Green boxes with highlighted fun facts give the young reader a chance to learn about prairie dogs from a quick browse through the book. A handy listing of internet websites listed at the back of the book will be helpful for students writing reports on prairie dogs. Beautiful illustrations of prairie dogs eating sunflowers, playing with each other, and running with treasured food in their mouths establish this text as a must have for school library shelves. The book is perfect for any fourth or fifth grade science curriculum or report on prairie dogs. 2004, NorthWord Press, Ages 8 to 12.—Mindy Hardwick