Pika Country: Climate Change at the Top of the World

Pikas, tiny rabbit relatives living high in the mountains, serve as an entry point toward understanding the consequences of climate change.

Pikas can’t live in temperatures higher than 77 degrees F. As the Earth’s temperature rises, pikas must keep moving higher and higher up the mountains to find a cooler climate in which to live. Everything is connected in the natural world. As the pikas livable habitat decreases, the lives of hawks, falcons, pine martins, foxes and the many other creatures that prey upon pikas are affected.

If you are looking for an easily understandable introduction to the consequences of climate change, this is the book for you. Glorious photographs and a well-organized text reveal the key role pikas play in the alpine ecosystem. Helpful diagrams demonstrate the food web that includes this tiny mammal and other plants and animals, also threatened by the changing climate. A glossary, map and list of actions kids can take to help decrease climate change are also included. Free, downloadable activities can be found on the publisher's website.

Ph.D. zoologist Dorothy Hinshaw Patent uses her scientific training to write books about the natural world for young readers. Dorothy is the author of more than 100 books for children, her most recent being AT HOME WITH THE BEAVER: THE STORY OF A KEYSTONE SPECIES. Dorothy lives in Missoula, Montana. To find out more about Dorothy, visit her website at www.DorothyHinshawPatent.com.

Marlo Garnsworthy is an Australian American author, illustrator, editor, and polar science and Climate Change communicator. Her published works include fiction and nonfiction―with her illustrations being featured most recently in THE TURTLE DOVE'S JOURNEY: A STORY OF MIGRATION by Madeleine Dunphy. Marlo lives in Wakefield, Rhode Island. To find out more about Marlo and her books, visit www.wordybirdstudio.com.

Dan Hartman has lived on the border of Yellowstone National Park for 38 years. Over that time he has seen what loss of habitat can do to a single species. Through his photographs and writings he has worked to bring awareness to the plight of wildlife. Dan lives in Silvergate, Montana. To find out more and Dan and his photographs, visit www.wildlifealongtherockies.homestead.com.