Evergreenland
Inspiration Book:
Life in the boreal forest by Guiberson, Brenda Z - Henry Holt, p2009, c2009--578.73--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 4.2. Text and watercolor paintings describe the plants, animals, and climate of the boreal forest and discuss threats to the ecosystem. The boreal ecosystem, covering one-third of Earth’s total forest area, is revealed in this sumptuous book. Fir trees send warnings to one another, triggering protection against budworms, and billions of birds converge to raise young. Websites, Author’s Note.
Rationale: Biomes are frequently part of science curricula in elementary grades and again in middle school life science. Some schools emphasize a different biome in each elementary grade, others place a major emphasis on biomes in just one grade as is the case in third grade in my school.
The third grade taiga study is cross-curricular including the novel Stone Fox by Gardiner in language arts, following the Iditarod race in social studies, and the plants and animals of the taiga in science. It’s a unit the students love and the Inspiration Book fits right in the entire study.
In this Books Alive entry, the emphasis will be on the taiga and its plants and animals. Grades K-3 will take a closer look at the Inspiration Book and the animals in the book in a basic story hour while students in grades 3-6 will learn more about the taiga and grades 6-8 will do basic research about the fauna of the taiga. Working together, students in Grades 3-8 complete a mural in the style of the Inspiration Book’s illustrator Gennadii Spirin. Students in Grades 3-6 work on the background based on their study while students in Grades 5-8 study their animal and place it in its habitat that the younger students drew..You may also consider using ideas from Under the Snow (SIV). The mural project is similar to the one for Fabulous Fishes (SIV).
Grades K-3--Land of the Evergreen Forests
Background: This is an appropriate story hour for the Christmas season because it is festive and informative using a seasonal symbols without the religious message. At the private school, I use this lesson, but add a religious message.
Preparation: Collect sprigs of evergreen boughs from yards or the local florist. Pine cones would also be useful.
World map.
9 x 12 construction paper for each student, crayons, glue. Place at work places.
Introduction: These are evergreen boughs. They are from trees called conifers which means their seeds are in cones like these which we call pine cones. They are called evergreen trees because their leaves or needles stay on the trees year around. The scientific name is conifer meaning cone bearing and evergreen. Some kinds of evergreens can be found in many parts of the world, but more grow naturally in the northern United States and Canada. (Show on map.)
I showed you the forests of Canada where there are many evergreen forests. Let’s learn a little more about Canada before we learn more about the evergreen forests and trees.
Read aloud: Canada in colours by Gurth, Per-Henrik - Kids Can Press, p2008, c2008--535.6--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 1.5. Explores some of the colorful attractions of Canada, including green spruce trees, orange monarch butterflies, and multicolored Northern Lights.
If I were an animal living in an evergreen forest, I could make my home in a tree.
Read aloud:Where would I be in an evergreen tree? (by Blomgren, Jennifer - Sasquatch Books, p2004, c2004--577.3--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 3.8. Presents the story a new evergreen tree, planted from the seed of a cone, in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, and as it grows, many creatures and plants make their homes in, under, and around its large branches, including flying squirrels, pine martens, silver-haired bats, and mosses and wildflowers.
Another name for the evergreen forest is the boreal forest or taiga. The Inspiration Book uses the words ”boreal forest.” Study the pictures in the book and look for some of the plants and animals mentioned in the last book.
Read aloud:
Life in the boreal forest by Guiberson, Brenda Z - Henry Holt, p2009, c2009--578.73--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 4.2. Text and watercolor paintings describe the plants, animals, and climate of the boreal forest and discuss threats to the ecosystem. The boreal ecosystem, covering one-third of Earth’s total forest area, is revealed in this sumptuous book. Fir trees send warnings to one another, triggering protection against budworms, and billions of birds converge to raise young. Websites, Author’s Note.
What was one of the biggest animals in the boreal forest? Who mentioned moose? Our last story is about the world of the moose. This time look for the evergreen trees.
Read aloud:
A moose's world by Arnold, Caroline - Picture Window Books, p2010, c2010--599.65--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 2.0. An introduction to moose, in simple text with color illustrations, that describes their habitat, physical characteristics, and behavior.
I made a display of other books about animals of the boreal forest. When it’s check-out time, you may want to choose one of them to continue learning about life in the boreal forest.
Project: I’m going to give each of you an evergreen bough. The bough could stand upright and be a tree or lie flat and be underbrush. What would live in that tree or brush? Use the crayons to draw one of the animals of the evergreen or boreal forest.There is glue at your work place. Glue the bough to the paper with your animal peeking out or standing near.
Other Books for Display and/or Check-out:
Let's look at brown bears by Berman, Ruth - Lerner Publications, p2010, c2010--599.784--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 1.9.Simple text and photographs introduce bears, discussing their young, eating habits, physical characteristics, and behaviors.
Canada lynx by Shores, Erika L., 1976- - Capstone Press, p2011, c2011--599.75--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 2.3. Simple text and full-color photos explain the habitat, life cycle, range, and behavior of Canada lynx.
Fox by Johnson, Jinny - Smart Apple Media, p2010, c2010--599.775--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 2.4. Text, photographs, and illustrations explain the life cycle of a fox.
Counting in the taiga (Counting In The Biomes) by McKissack, Fredrick — Enslow Publishers, 2009. Dewey: 578.73; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.1. Introduces readers to the numbers one to ten while providing information about different animals found in the taiga.
The wolves are back by George, Jean Craighead, 1919- - Dutton Childrens Books, p2008, c2008--599.773--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 3.3. Describes the ecological benefits brought about by the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park.
Seasons of the boreal forest biome (Biomes) by Duke, Shirley Smith — Rourke Educational Media, 2014. Dewey: 577.3; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.3. xplores the boreal forest ecosystem through the seasons.
Arctic lights, Arctic nights by Miller, Debbie S - Walker, p2007, c2003--591.4--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 5.0. Describes the unique light phenomena of the Alaskan Arctic and the ways animals such as snowshoe hares, moose, and sandhill cranes adapt to the temperature and daylight changes each month of the year.
Grades 3-6--Taiga Flora Puzzle
Background: Team teach this My Books Alive entry with the art teacher who can support the creation of the mural during art class. Do the basic research in the library. The activity can be part of an art unit about murals or a science unit about mammals and other flora and fauna of the taiga regions of the world. Combine the work with the older students’ study of the animals of the taiga.
Preparation: Cut large puzzle pieces of white craft paper for each student’s section of the mural--number each piece to correspond with grid numbers on the planning page.
The Art teacher determines the media: paint, marker, crayons and gathers supplies including brushes if needed.
Large paper 24 x 36 for planning the mural as a group locating places for background. Mark into squares and number each square--one per each student.
Gather books about plants pictured in the book.
World map.
Computer with Internet access and projection capability.
Write the following questions on a chart or white/chalkboard:
1. Where are boreal forests located?
2 Why is the boreal forest important?
3 What’s green and growing in the boreal forest?
4 How does the boreal forest affect people?
5 How do people affect the boreal forest?
Introduction: A biome is an area on the Earth’s surface that has a certain set of characteristics. As a group we’re going to study one of the biomes, then we will help out the older classes by making a background for animals they have been studying. When we do our research together, look for answers to the following questions:
1. Show the location of the boreal forest.
2 Why is the boreal forest important?
3 What’s green and growing in the boreal forest?
4 How does the boreal forest affect people?
5 How do people affect the boreal forest?
Since our part of the project is the background, pay particular attention to the plants, ground, and sky. As a group we’re going to use an excellent site about biomes from the Missouri Botanical Gardens http://www.mbgnet.net/sets/taiga/ While we use the Botanical Gardens site as our research material, think about answering the questions on the chart/board. (Read and explore the site, answering questions as you go along.)
Now that we have an idea of what a boreal forest or taiga is like, it’s time to read the Inspiration Book. Pay special attention to the backgrounds Genady Spirin drew for the book because we’ll be making a similar very large background.
Read aloud: Life in the boreal forest by Guiberson, Brenda Z - Henry Holt, p2009, c2009--578.73--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 4.2. Text and watercolor paintings describe the plants, animals, and climate of the boreal forest and discuss threats to the ecosystem. The boreal ecosystem, covering one-third of Earth’s total forest area, is revealed in this sumptuous book. Fir trees send warnings to one another, triggering protection against budworms, and billions of birds converge to raise young. Websites, Author’s Note.
Let’s brainstorm some plants and natural features that could be put in a background. (List on chart, chalk/whiteboard.) Let’s mark the items that would be in the distance in a drawing with a D; mark the things that would be in the front of a picture (often the smallest things) with an F; mark the middle items with an M. I have a large grid which will become our planning sheet. You tell me what I should sketch where. (Allow time for student ideas, and planning while you make rough sketch.)
I’ve just made a rough sketch. It will be your job to enlarge and add details. Each of you will have a piece of the puzzle mural to design. I’ve placed the puzzles at the tables in order. Work with your neighbor as you design allowing for overlap of trees, logs, rivers, mountains, etc. Use the books on display to help you with details and colors. We’re going to use crayons. You will need to fill the whole square-for some the square may be mostly part of a tree. How could you add details: Needles, branches, markings on the trunk?
Complete your book research and planning today and discussions with your neighbor. Tomorrow, we’ll use the entire time to create your part of the mural and then put the mural together. (Allow planning and research time.)
(Complete the mural. Allow time, but set a time to be finished otherwise students tend to dawdle.)
Teacher Resources:
Missouri Botanical Gardens http://www.mbgnet.net/sets/taiga/
Boreal Forest (Taiga) https://php.radford.edu/~swoodwar/biomes/?page_id=92
Biomes of the World (Taiga) http://www.thewildclassroom.com/biomes/taiga.html
Boreal Teaching Kit Volume 7: The Boreal Forest TEACHING KITwww.canadianforestry.com/kits/english/vol7_e.pdf/vol7_e.pdf File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - Quick View The Boreal Forest – A Global Legacy explores the unique natural wealth of .....This site contains forest-related lesson plans, publication and film resource ...
Other Titles for Display, Research, and/or Check-out:
Canada in colours by Gurth, Per-Henrik - Kids Can Press, p2008, c2008--535.6--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 1.5. Explores some of the colorful attractions of Canada, including green spruce trees, orange monarch butterflies, and multicolored Northern Lights.
Seasons of the boreal forest biome (Biomes) by Duke, Shirley Smith — Rourke Educational Media, 2014. Dewey: 577.3; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.3. xplores the boreal forest ecosystem through the seasons.
Where would I be in an evergreen tree? (by Blomgren, Jennifer - Sasquatch Books, p2004, c2004--577.3--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 3.8. Presents the story a new evergreen tree, planted from the seed of a cone, in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, and as it grows, many creatures and plants make their homes in, under, and around its large branches, including flying squirrels, pine martens, silver-haired bats, and mosses and wildflowers.
A walk in the boreal forest by Johnson, Rebecca L - Lerner, p2001, c2001--577.3--Int Lvl: 3-6--Rd Lvl: 4.5. Describes the climate, seasons, plants, animals, and soil of the boreal forest, a biome or land zone, which stretches across the northern parts of North America, Europe, and Asia.
Arctic lights, Arctic nights by Miller, Debbie S - Walker, p2007, c2003--591.4--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 5.0. Describes the unique light phenomena of the Alaskan Arctic and the ways animals such as snowshoe hares, moose, and sandhill cranes adapt to the temperature and daylight changes each month of the year.
Canadian taiga (Getting To Know Our Planet) by Franchino, Vicky — Cherry Lake Publishing, 2016. Dewey: 577.3; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.3. Explore the taiga of Canada and learn all about what it's like to live in this biome, from what kinds of plants and animals are found there to what kinds of weather it receives
Cool woods : a trip around the world's boreal forest by Drake, Jane — Tundra Books, 2003. Dewey: 577.3; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.7, A journey around the top of the globe, from North Americanwetlands and mountains, through the Siberian Taiga where tigers and sika deer live, to the Old World Forests of Europe that seem straight out of fairytales. .
The conifer division by Stefoff, Rebecca, 1951- - Marshall Cavendish Benchmark, p2009, c2009--585--Int Lvl: 5-8--Rd Lvl: 7.4. Explores the origins, physical characteristics, and environmental importance of various species of conifers around the world including the giant redwoods of the North American Pacific coast.
Grades 5-8--Fauna of the Taiga
Background: Team teach this Books Alive entry with the art teacher who can support the creation of the mural during art class. Do the basic research in the library. The activity can be part of an art unit about murals or a science unit about mammals and other flora and fauna of the taiga regions of the world. Combine the work with the younger students’ study of the biome of the taiga. The mural created by the younger students should be completed first and serves as the background.
Preparation: Make arrangements to team teach with the art and science teachers.
Gather books about animals described in the Inspiration Book: whooping crane, beavers, snowshoe hare, moose, bear, lynx, wolves, foxes, Tennessee warbler, budworm, loon, minnow, leech, white pelican, crossbill, vole, raven, horned owl, ermine, ptarmigan, caribou, mosquito, fly, ant, grasshopper, frog. Write names of the animals on 5 x 8 cards.
(Many books in bibliography are easier, but more visual.) For a number of animals students will need to use general bird or mammal books or the Internet.
World map.
12 x 18 sheets of construction paper which students divide to make a proportional representation of the animals.
Introduction: The Inspiration Book is a simple presentation about the boreal forest. What is a boreal forest? Let’s try to define it after we read the Inspiration Book and the background extra material found in the book. The outstanding feature of the book is its beautiful illustrations featuring the forest and its animals. Let’s take a look.
Read aloud: Life in the boreal forest by Guiberson, Brenda Z - Henry Holt, p2009, c2009--578.73--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 4.2. Text and watercolor paintings describe the plants, animals, and climate of the boreal forest and discuss threats to the ecosystem. The boreal ecosystem, covering one-third of Earth’s total forest area, is revealed in this sumptuous book. Fir trees send warnings to one another, triggering protection against budworms, and billions of birds converge to raise young.
What is a boreal forest? Where is it located? Show me on the map?
We’re going to use the book as a spin-off to learn more about the animals within the book. We’re interested in the physical characteristics of the adult of the species, its specific habitat within the taiga and food.
Use the books on display as your first source of information about the appearance, size, food, basic habitat, scientific name. Many of the books I’ve chosen are easier titles that give you a good idea of your animal’s habitat from the pictures and are easy for you to skim for the specific information.
Use your information to make a representation (drawing) of your animal. If you have a tiny animal, you may need to make more than one of the animal. You may use paper collage style or paint your animal. On a 5 x 8 note card, neatly print the name of the animal and its scientific name plus size, food, and habitat. Give both the animal and card to the teacher who will help you mount it in an appropriate location on the mural which the students in Grades 3-6 are making. The season the mural makers create will determine where your animal will be on the mural. If it’s winter they may be hibernating or in a deep sleep underground or in a nest.
You may need to add details to the mural for the habitat. Does your animal look for food near a stream? Does it live in a tree hollow? The largest animal will be the caribou. Make yours proportional.
BEARS
Eat like a bear by Sayre, April Pulley — Henry Holt and Company, 2013. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 1.9. Follows a bear from the time she emerges from her den in April after four months without food, through months of eating fish, ants, and huckleberries, to midwinter when the arrival of two cubs interrupts her long winter's rest.
Let's look at brown bears by Berman, Ruth - Lerner Publications, p2010, c2010--599.784--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 1.9. Simple text and photographs introduce bears, discussing their young, eating habits, physical characteristics, and behaviors.
Bears by Schwabacher, Martin - Marshall Cavendish Benchmark, p2010, c2010--599.78--Int Lvl: 5-8--Rd Lvl: 2.8 Describes the eight different kinds of bears that live around the world, including their physical characteristics, their food and how they find it, their reproductive behavior, and the threats from human beings to their survival.
Brown bear : the biggest meat-eater on land (More SuperSized!)by Goldish, Meish — Bearport Pub., 2010. Dewey: 599.784; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.3. Offers an overview of the behavior, physical characteristics, hunting methods, and habitat of brown bears.
A bear's life by McAllister, Ian — Orca Book Publishers, 2017. Dewey: 599.78; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.4. Text and photographs look at the bears of the Great Bear Rainforest in British Columbia.
Grizzly bears : saving the silvertip by Greene, Jacqueline Dembar - Bearport Pub., p2008, c2008--599.784--Int Lvl: 3-6--Rd Lvl: 3.8. Explains the reasons why grizzly bears came close to extinction, follows the work of biologists John and Frank Craighead to learn about the bears and what they need to survive, looks at the government's move to protect grizzlies, and discusses efforts by wildlife scientists to save bears from getting shot or caught and destroyed by people.
Face to face with grizzlies by Sartore, Joel - National Geographic, p2009, c2007--599.784--Int Lvl: 3-6--Rd Lvl: 5.2. Joel Sartore describes his experiences with bears while on assignment for "National Geographic" magazine, and provides basic information about bears' bodies, habitats, and behavior, as well as environmental and human factors that endanger bears. Includes animal conservation ideas.
Grizzly bears by Markle, Sandra - Lerner Publications, p2010, c2010--599.784--Int Lvl: 3-6--Rd Lvl: 5.4. Discusses grizzly bears as predators, featuring photographs and information about their massive size, surprising speed, keen senses, and hunting abilities, and looking at the lives of bear cubs.
Black bear : North America's bear by Swinburne, Stephen R — Boyds Mills Press, c2003 p2010. Dewey: 599.78; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.7. An examination of black bears, their behavior and habitat.
Searching for grizzlies by Hirschi, Ron - Boyds Mill Press, p2005, c2005--599.784--Int Lvl: 3-6--Rd Lvl: 5.9. The author provides a number of full-color illustrated photographs and drawings describing his encounters with the American grizzly bear.
Bear rescue : changing the future for endangered wildlife by Thomas, Keltie, 1966- - Firefly Books, p2006, c2006--599.78--Int Lvl: 5-8--Rd Lvl: 7.3. Provides details and facts about bears from around the world, their endangerment and a range of conservation programs to save them, including profiles of individual conservationists and bear species.
RAVENS
Ravens by Webster, Christine - Weigl, p2010, c2010--598.8--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 4.1. Photographs and illustrations introduce young readers to the physical characteristics, natural habitats, and history of ravens.
WHOOPING CRANE
Saving the whooping crane (On My Own: Science) by Goodman, Susan E — Millbrook Press, 2008. Dewey: 598.3; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.8. Describes efforts by scientists to re-establish a whooping crane flock that would spend summers in Wisconsin and winters in Florida.
Threat to the whooping crane by Harkins, Susan Sales - Mitchell Lane Pub., p2009, c2009--598.3--Int Lvl: 3-6--Rd Lvl: 4.9. Describes the life and habitat of the whooping crane, and focuses on the environmental efforts being taken in order to protect and preserve this endangered animal.
FROGS
Fun facts about frogs! (I Like Reptiles And Amphibians) by Bredeson, Carmen — Enslow Elementary, 2008. Dewey: 597.8; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.4. Describes frogs' habitats, diets, predators, movements, and life cycle and explains how they differ from toads.
Fabulous frogs (Read And Wonder) by Jenkins, Martin — Candlewick Press, 2016. Dewey: 597.8; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.1. Looks at all kinds of frogs, from exotic species to the common greenish-brown specimens found in backyards, discussing their characteristics, life cycles, and habitats.
Over and under the pond by Messner, Kate — Chronicle Books, 2017. Dewey: 577.63; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.8. Celebrates the forms of life that live above and under a pond, including turtles, red-winged blackbirds, blue herons, minnows, frogs, and catfish
Nic Bishop frogs. (Nic Bishop . . .) by Bishop, Nic — Scholastic, 2008. Dewey: 597.8; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.7. Full-color, illustrated photographs describing the characteristics and behaviors of a variety of frogs around the world.
Frog heaven : ecology of a vernal pool by Wechsler, Doug — Boyds Mills Press, 2006. Dewey: 577.63; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.4. Full-color illustrated photographs describe the frogs, salamanders, and other animals that live in a vernal pool.
Survival at 40 below by Miller, Debbie S - Walker, p2010, c2010--591.75--Int Lvl: 3-6--Rd Lvl: 5.9. Describes how animals survive winter on the Arctic tundra, discussing ground squirrels, wood frogs, woolly bear caterpillars, and other species. OP
MOSQUITO
Mosquito bite by Siy, Alexandra - Charlesbridge, p2005, c2005--595.77--Int Lvl: 3-6--Rd Lvl: 4.9. Presents an overview of the process of a mosquito bite, describing the different parts of a mosquito, and includes a combination of black-and-white photographs of children playing hide-and-seek and up-close, microscopic photos of actual mosquitos.
Mosquitoes by Webster, Christine -Follett eBook Weigl Publishers, p2010, c2010--595.77--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 4.1. Meet the mosquito -- All about mosquitoes -- Mosquito history -- Mosquito shelter -- Mosquito features -- What do mosquitoes eat? -- Mosquito life cycle -- Encountering mosquitoes -- Myths and legends -- Frequently asked questions -- Puzzler/find out more. Text and photographs provide an introduction to mosquitoes, discussing their physical characteristics, habitat, feeding habits, life cycle, and more.
FLIES
The fly (Disgusting Critters) by Gravel, Elise — Tundra Books, 2014. Dewey: 595.77; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.7. Introduces the reader to flies, including several of the different species, how they live and reproduce, and their important role in the Earth's ecosystems.
I, fly : the buzz about flies and how awesome they are by Heos, Bridget — Henry Holt and Company, 2015. Dewey: 595.77; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.6. After all, flies go through metamorphosis too--and they are so much cooler! They flap their wings 200 times a second, compared to a butterfly's measly five to twelve times. Their babies--maggots--are much cuter than caterpillars. And when they eat solid food, they even throw up on it to turn it into a liquid... provides a new perspective on his species.
Focus on flies by Dixon, Norma — Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2008. Dewey: 595.77; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 6.5. Contains illustrations, descriptive text, and instructions for science projects and activities that teach about flies, covering their habitat, physical characteristics, anatomy, life cycle, and behaviors.
Ultimate bugopedia by Murawski, Darlyne — National Geographic, 2013. Dewey: 595.7; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 6.9. Texts and photographs look at over four hundred insects.
Flies by Lockwood, Sophie - Child's World, p2008, c2008--595.77--Int Lvl: 5-8--Rd Lvl: 7.2. Describes the fly's life cycle, different kinds of flies, their relationship with humans, and the roles they have played in various cultures around the world.
Insects A to Z by Marshall, S. A. (Steven A.) - Firefly Books, p2009, c2009--595.7--Int Lvl: 5-8--Rd Lvl: 8.0. Provides information about twenty-six species of insects, discussing diet, physical characteristics, and behaviors, and including photographs.
ANTS
Ants by Trueit, Trudi Strain - Marshall Cavendish Benchmark, p2010, c2010--595.79--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 1.2. Easy-to-read text with rebuses explores the strength of the ant.
Bug safari by Barner, Bob — Holiday House, 2004. Dewey: 595.7; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.6. Tells how the author, as a young boy, followed a trail of ants and came across various other insects and small creatures, then briefly provides facts about each creature encountered.
The life and times of the ant by Micucci, Charles — Houghton Mifflin, 2003. Dewey: 595.79; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.2. Describes the evolution, physical characteristics, behavior, and social nature of ants.
Insect detective by Voake, Steve - Candlewick Press, p2012, c2009--595.7--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 4.7. Tells where to look for different insects, including wasps, ants, bees, beetles, and others, and provides illustrations and facts about each six-legged creature.
Ants by Lockwood, Sophie - Child's World, p2008, c2008--595.79--Int Lvl: 5-8--Rd Lvl: 6.8. Describes the ant's life cycle, different kinds of ants, their relationship with humans, and the roles they have played in various cultures around the world.
Insects A to Z by Marshall, S. A. (Steven A.) - Firefly Books, p2009, c2009--595.7--Int Lvl: 5-8--Rd Lvl: 8.0. Provides information about twenty-six species of insects, discussing diet, physical characteristics, and behaviors, and including photographs.
BEAVERS
Over and under the pond by Messner, Kate — Chronicle Books, 2017. Dewey: 577.63; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.8. Celebrates the forms of life that live above and under a pond, including turtles, red-winged blackbirds, blue herons, minnows, frogs, and catfish.
Beavers by Gibbons, Gail — Holiday House, c2013 p2012. Dewey: 599.37; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.7. Explores the lives of beavers, including where they live, what they eat, how they raise their young, and more.
The beaver's lodge : building with leftovers by Reingold, Adam - Bearport Pub., p2010, c2010--599.37--Int Lvl: 3-6--Rd Lvl: 4.9. Young readers learn how beaver families build dams in order to make a pond, and then build a lodge with trees and leftovers in which they stay safe and warm.
The life cycle of a beaver by Kalman, Bobbie - Crabtree Pub., p2007, c2007--599.37--Int Lvl: 3-6--Rd Lvl: 5.3. Provides an introduction to beavers and where they live, explains what a life cycle is, follows the birth, growth, and adulthood of a beaver, and discusses interactions between people and the animals.
Frozen wild : how animals survive in the coldest places on Earthby Arnosky, Jim — Sterling Children's Books, 2015. Dewey: 591.75; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 6.1. Text and illustrations explore how some animals can survive in frigid temperatures.
ARCTIC HARE (SNOWSHOE)
Mammals by Phillips, Dee, 1967- - Two-Can, p2006, c2006--599--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 2.9. Meet the mammals -- The wide worlkd of animals -- Anteater -- Antelope -- Arctic hare -- Baboon -- Beaver -- Blue whale --Buffalo -- Camel -- Cheetah -- Chimpanzee -- Dolphin -- Duck-billed platypus -- Elephant -- Fruit bat -- Giant panda-- Giraffe -- Gorilla -- Grizzly bear -- Hippopotamus -- Kangaroo -- Koala -- Lemur -- Leopard -- Lion -- Mandrill --Meerkat -- Moose -- Orangutan -- Orca -- Otter -- Polar bear-- Porcupine -- Raccoon -- Reindeer -- Rhinoceros -- Seal -- Snow monkey -- Tamarin -- Tiger -- Walrus -- Warthog -- Wolf-- Zebra. Introduces mammals from around the world, including information about where they live, what they eat, and how they grow and survive. OP
Polar bear, arctic hare : poems of the frozen North by Spinelli, Eileen - Wordsong, p2007, c2007--811--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 3.0. A collection of illustrated poems that reflect the environment and habitat of the Arctic regions.
MOOSE
Elusive moose by Gannij, Joan — Barefoot Books, c2006 p2011. Dewey: 590; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 1.7. Young readers are challenged to find the moose hiding in illustrations of brown bears, eagles, flying squirrels, and other animals of the North.
A moose's world by Arnold, Caroline - Picture Window Books, p2010, c2010--599.65--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 2.0. An introduction to moose, in simple text with color illustrations, that describes their habitat, physical characteristics, and behavior.
Arctic lights, Arctic nights by Miller, Debbie S — Walker, c2003 p2007. Dewey: 591.4; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 5.0. Describes the unique light phenomena of the Alaskan Arctic and the ways animals such as snowshoe hares, moose, and sandhill cranes adapt to the temperature and daylight changes each month of the year.
Moose by Gish, Melissa - Creative Paperbacks, p2011, c2011--599.65--Int Lvl: 5-8--Rd Lvl: 8.6. Photographs and text offer an overview of the habitats, physical characteristics, behavior, relationships with humans, and status in the world of moose.
LYNX
Canada lynx by Shores, Erika L., 1976- - Capstone Press, p2011, c2011--599.75--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 2.3. Simple text and full-color photos explain the habitat, life cycle, range, and behavior of Canada lynx.
LOONS
Loon baby by Griffin, Molly Beth - Follett eBook- Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, p2011, c2011--E--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 1.8. A baby loon, afraid that his mother will not return, sets out on his own to find his way across a stormy lake to their home in the great north woods.
Loon by Vande Griek, Susan — Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press, 2011. Dewey: 598.4; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.0. An illustrated prose poem that follows two loon chicks through the first four years of life as they are born, learn to swim, fly, and find food, avoid predators, and make their own migration to the coast. FREE Teaching Resources available for download from Follett.
WOLVES
The wolves are back by George, Jean Craighead, 1919- - Dutton Childrens Books, p2008, c2008--599.773--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 3.3. Describes the ecological benefits brought about by the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park.
Gray wolves : return to Yellowstone (America's Animal Comebacks) by Goldish, Meish — Bearport Pub. Co., 2008. Dewey: 599.773; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 4.9
Wolves by Markle, Sandra - Carolrhoda Books, p2004, c2004--599.773--Int Lvl: 3-6--Rd Lvl: 5.8. An introduction to the lives of wolves that focuses on how they hunt and how they raise their cubs.
Exploring the world of wolves by Read, Tracy C - Firefly Books, p2010, c2010--599.773--Int Lvl: 3-6--Rd Lvl: 6.1. An introduction to wolves, examining their anatomy, talents, hunting abilities, mating and family life, communication, diet, and distribution.
Face to face with wolves by Brandenburg, Jim - National Geographic, p2010, c2008--599.773--Int Lvl: 3-6--Rd Lvl: 6.5. Presents an illustrated discussion of wolves, answering questions about their howls, pack structure, feeding, and hunting habits, and their changing territory and population size as people's view of the animal changes from fear to fascination.
FOXES
Fox by Johnson, Jinny - Smart Apple Media, p2010, c2010--599.775--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 2.4. Text, photographs, and illustrations explain the life cycle of a fox.
The secret life of the red fox by Pringle, Laurence — Boyds Mills Press, 2017. Dewey: 599.775; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.6. A narrative nonfiction picture book that chronicles the day-to-day activities of a red fox named Vixen. Facts and definitions are woven into the narrative.
Fox's den (Science Slam! Hole Truth-Underground Animal Life) by Phillips, Dee — Bearport Pub., 2012. Dewey: 599.775; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.3. In this book, young readers will learn about the fox's habitat and home"--Provided by publisher.
Ferdinand Fox's first summer (Arbordale Collection) by Holland, Mary — Sylvan Dell Pub., 2013. Dewey: 599.775; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.1. An introduction to foxes.. FREE Teaching Resources available for download from Follett.
Arctic fox : very cool! by Person, Stephen - Bearport Pub., p2009, c2009--599.776--Int Lvl: 3-6--Rd Lvl: 5.1. Describes biologist Maarten Loonen's work studying Arctic wildlife, and shares some of what he has learned about the life and survival skills of the Arctic fox.
Foxes by Nobleman, Marc Tyler - Marshall Cavendish Benchmark, p2007, c2007--599.775--Int Lvl: 3-6--Rd Lvl: 5.7. An introduction to foxes, discussing their physical characteristics, behaviors, habitats, and endangered status.
CARIBOU
Caribou (Focus Readers-Animals Of North America-Beacon Level)by Gagne, Tammy — Focus Readers, 2017. Dewey: 599.65; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 4.0. An introduction to caribou, where they live, what they look like, and their migration patterns. FREE Teaching Resources available for download from Follett.
Being caribou : five months on foot with a caribou herd by Heuer, Karsten - Walker ,Distributed to the trade by Holtzbrinck Publishers, p2007, c2007--599.65--Int Lvl: 3-6--Rd Lvl: 5.7. Wildlife biologist Karsten Heuer and his wife, Leanne, follow the five-month migration of 123,000 caribou over mountain ranges and icy rivers to their calving grounds in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, becoming the first humans to ever join a herd on the trek.
