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256 pp.
| Knopf
| May, 2023
|
TradeISBN 9781524764203$19.99
|
EbookISBN 9781524764227$10.99
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
Shawn Harris.
Canine narrator Johannes lives wild in a park and serves as the Eyes, appointed by the penned-up Bison to report what he sees. The arrival of "rectangles full of nonsense" sets off a chain of events leading to collective animal scheming and to several worldview-expanding revelations for Johannes about his own origins and what's out there beyond the park. This introspective adventure holds the appeal of a new perspective on the familiar world as readers piece together the bigger picture of what Johannes observes. His narration, though confident on some matters, allows them to pick up on hints that he might not know as much as they do (have the Bison really ruled the park for "millions of years or more?") and then to watch him grow as he learns. Interspersed full-bleed spreads insert Johannes into existing landscape paintings, underscoring the idea that art changes his view of how he fits into the world.
(3)
K-3
Penguin Young Readers: Smithsonian series.
A comprehensive overview of the bison's life cycle and habits is organized into chapters and short paragraphs. A leveled text geared toward "fluent readers" smoothly introduces vocabulary and touches on the importance of the animal to Native Americans, the near extinction of the species, and conservationists' efforts to bring them back. Quality photos (some captioned) appear throughout. Young readers will come away well informed. Glos.
(3)
K-3
Seedlings series.
These attractive books provide basic facts about their subjects, including habitats, physical appearances, family relationships, diets, and behaviors. Spare texts in large type and bright, eye-catching photos make the information accessible to new nonfiction readers. A concluding spread features an anatomically labeled photo of the animal and a couple of close-ups of specific features. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Seedlings titles: Bison, Jaguars, Rhinoceroses, and Kangaroos.
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Chris Chatterton.
A group of animal friends jumps too hard on a bed, causing it to break. After initially blaming one another, the friends cooperate to fix the bed so their fun can continue. The story has some unexpected twists (a sleeping bear under the covers) and a mostly successful rhyme scheme. The jovial illustrations are big and bright, with thick, black text emphasizing the action.
(3)
K-3
Animals of North America series.
These books aimed at new readers introduce iconic North American mammals in straightforward texts with a level-appropriate amount of information. Large, impressive color photos of the wild animals, which span across the gutter of the wide-horizontal-trim books, command attention. Each book's three appended facts expand on a part of the main text. Glos., ind. Review covers these Animals of North America titles: American Bison, Coyotes, and Gray Wolves.
(3)
4-6
Back from Near Extinction series.
Each volume follows the featured animal's journey to the brink of extinction and back. Four chapters cover the species' decline over time; its physical characteristics, diet, behavior, and reproduction; specific threats to its survival; and various conservation efforts. Layouts with large stock photos, maps, charts, and text boxes enhance the informative, workmanlike texts. Comprehension exercises and writing prompts appear throughout. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Back from Near Extinction titles: Giant Galápagos Tortoise, Gray Wolf, Grizzly Bear, California Condor, American Alligator, Humpback Whale, American Bison, and Bald Eagle.
(4)
K-3
Magic Readers series.
Illustrated by
Candice Keimig.
These books are formulaic but offer some interesting facts. Rather than providing the same information on dolphins and buffaloes in varying levels of complexity, the volumes in each pair introduce different concepts. The repetitive illustrations consist of photographs of the animals against watercolor backgrounds for a bizarre look. Level 1 volumes (Dolphins; Buffaloes) include some labels on the illustrations to highlight vocabulary words. Review covers these Magic Readers titles: Dolphins, Dolphins in the Ocean, Buffaloes, and Buffaloes Eat and Grow.
(4)
K-3
Magic Readers series.
Illustrated by
Candice Keimig.
These books are formulaic but offer some interesting facts. Rather than providing the same information on dolphins and buffaloes in varying levels of complexity, the volumes in each pair introduce different concepts. The repetitive illustrations consist of photographs of the animals against watercolor backgrounds for a bizarre look. Level 1 volumes (Dolphins; Buffaloes) include some labels on the illustrations to highlight vocabulary words. Review covers these Magic Readers titles: Dolphins, Dolphins in the Ocean, Buffaloes, and Buffaloes Eat and Grow.
32 pp.
| ABDO
| January, 2013
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-61783-569-8$18.95
(4)
4-6
Checkerboard Animal Library: Animal Icons series.
Color photographs combine with easy-to-read but choppy texts to introduce these animals. Each book traces the animal's rise to "iconic" status by providing historical context and cultural significance along with information about physical characteristics, habitat, behavior, and protection efforts. Sidebars and maps impart additional information (including a much-needed definition of icon). Glos., ind. Review covers these Animal Icons titles: Armadillos, Buffaloes, and Coyotes.
32 pp.
| Bearport
| August, 2007
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-59716-504-4$25.27
(3)
K-3
America's Animal Comebacks series.
Using glossy close-up photographs and accessible text, these books offer readers a clear chronicle of the animals' struggles and successes. Authors clearly outline the threats and what humans have done to help (after, in many cases, causing the problem). Readers studying conservation will gain valuable information. Statistics and facts about other endangered animals are appended. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these America's Animal Comebacks titles: Black-Footed Ferrets, American Bison, Florida Panthers, Florida Manatees, Gray Wolves, Grizzly Bears, and Southern Sea Otters.
128 pp.
| Scholastic
| October, 2006
|
TradeISBN 0-439-71854-6$18.99
(3)
4-6
This book traces the history of the American bison (buffalo) from the time when millions roamed North America, through their being hunted, to their near extinction, to today's conservation efforts. The readable text also highlights the historical and spiritual connection many Native Americans have with the creatures. Numerous archival and contemporary photographs and paintings add visual interest to this well-designed volume. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.
85 pp.
| Clarion
| June, 2006
|
TradeISBN 0-618-48570-8$18.00
(4)
4-6
Photographs by
William Muñoz.
Covering an astounding scope of natural and human history, this book aims to articulate the deep, continuing connections between American Indians and American bison. Unfortunately, the breadth of information is so vast, the main points get lost in the details. A native legend introduces each section, and well-captioned photographs capture the imposing presence of the animals. Websites. Ind.
24 pp.
| Little
| April, 2001
|
TradeISBN 0-316-64712-8$$12.95
(3)
K-3
Here is a picture book with a little something for everybody--an independent cowgirl, a sheriff, a bandit, and cute baby animals. Rosie solves the case of her missing baby bison and earns a bison stroller as a reward for catching the crook. This is a silly but still satisfying story with appealing illustrations set in a gentle, nonthreatening Wild West.
32 pp.
| Atheneum
| February, 2001
|
TradeISBN 0-689-83025-4$$16.00
(4)
K-3
With well-documented, varied illustrations ranging from a primitive drawing to photos to engravings, this book encapsulates the history of the American buffalo, or bison, including its migration from Asia, its peak of fifty million in 1875, its near-destruction, and its contemporary rebound. The conversational text reads easily, but its anti-European agenda is at times quite heavy-handed.
32 pp.
| Soundprints
| September, 1998
|
TradeISBN 1-56899-595-4$$14.95
(4)
1-3
Illustrated by
Krista Brauckmann-Towns.
Illustrated with expansive, realistic paintings in greens, golds, and blues, a well-written text follows Young Bison from spring to winter. A tornado and a prairie fire provide some drama, but the story is mainly a vehicle for conveying nature information. A double-page foldout at the back identifies plants and animals, and an afterword explains The Nature Conservancy's work on Oklahoma's Tallgrass Prairie Preserve.