Prairie Dogs (Our Wild World) - Hardcover

Lorbiecki, Marybeth

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1559718838 ISBN 13: 9781559718837

Publisher: Northword (T&N), 2004

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.

About this title

About the Author

Marybeth Lorbiecki has been writing and editing books about nature for 15 years. With an MA in English, teaching experience, and a love for science, Lorbiecki has created more than a dozen award-winning books for children and adults. She lives in Hudson, Wisconsin, with her husband and three children.

Reviews

Reviewed with Julie Vogel's Wild Horses.

Gr. 2-4. 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. Sidebars, chirpily labeled "Funfacts," nicely break up the text, and glossy pages set off crisp photographs that will elicit exclamations of delight from browsers. Neither book has a bibliography, but both have a list of Web sites. For more titles, see the Series Roundup in this issue. Jennifer Mattson
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Edition details

• Publisher: Northword (T&N)
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1559718838
• ISBN 13: 9781559718837
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 48