(2) K-3 Illustrated by Jenni Desmond. Today in the wild expanses of Yellowstone National Park, wolves roam freely. This was not the case for most of the twentieth century, as wolves there were hunted out of existence by 1926. In 1995, through the efforts of scientists (opposed by some ranchers and hunters), fourteen wolves were reintroduced, and they survived to produce today's flourishing population. Barr splits her informative tale into two parts: first, the conservation story of how the wolves were brought from Canada, including details about wolf life cycles throughout the seasons. As the wolf population increased, the packs gradually spread out through the park and established hunting grounds in their territories. Desmond's graceful watercolors of the animals in summer and winter landscapes give a sense of the breadth and diversity of nature in the protected spaces of the American West. In the second half, Barr illustrates the effects of the wolves return on the entire ecosystem (a graphic in the endpapers compactly diagrams this concept of trophic cascade). Barr includes not just the main food chains but the full range of ecological impacts: insects, grasses, trees, even the water levels and paths of rivers change in response. The final pages include profiles of the fourteen original wolves and examples of other human interventions to reintroduce species affected by human activity.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2022

(3) K-3 First Facts: U.S. National Parks Field Guides series. These image-heavy volumes introduce young readers to major features of each national park, functioning as accessible travel guides. Engaging photographs accompany brief information about landmarks including geysers, canyons, and suspension bridges, along with brief overviews of wildlife and weather. Maps included. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these First Facts: U.S. National Parks Field Guides titles: Grand Canyon National Park and Yellowstone National Park.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) K-3 National Parks series. Each series volume provides basic facts on weather, natural landmarks, animals, and ecosystems along with some superficial history of the focal park. On each spread, a few simple, large-type sentences aimed at beginning readers appear beside an impressive, gutter-spanning nature photograph. Information is minimal but age-appropriate. A list of four "fun activities" to do in each locale is appended. Glos., ind. Review covers these National Parks titles: Everglades National Park, Glacier National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Yosemite National Park.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(2) YA Living with her family in Yellowstone, Darcy finds a wounded grizzly. Recovering from an illness herself, Darcy feels a connection with the bear and tries to help her, not realizing her intervention reduces the bear's chances of survival. Thebo treads delicately between realism and fantasy; her imaginative play with realistic wilderness experience and Darcy's peculiar, lightheaded condition make this an unusual and surprising read.

Reviewer: Deirdre F. Baker | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2017

(4) K-3 National Park Explorers series. Two-page chapters highlight the most basic facts about national parks in this simplistic, succinctly written series for beginning readers. Many high-quality photographs enhance the superficial content ("Sunset at the Grand Canyon is a special time. Watch the sun sink below the beautiful rocks!"). While adequate as introductions, young nature lovers will want more information. An activity is appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following National Park Explorers titles: Death Valley, Everglades, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone, and Yosemite.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) 4-6 National Parks series. Each volume in this series provides an in-depth look at the cultural, geological, and biological history of a national park. In refreshingly thoughtful detail, this series avoids the usual series cookie-cutting by examining the topics relevant to each place, including wildlife, Native American populations, and conservation plans. Participatory sidebars and thought-provoking questions are included throughout. Park map appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these National Parks titles: Yellowstone National Park, Everglades National Park, Glacier National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Grand Canyon National Park.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) K-3 "Wildfires are neither good nor bad." Simon lays out the evidence for the important role fires play in forest ecosystems. Featuring the 1988 Yellowstone fire, he explains its progress, the impact on plants and animals (many of which have evolved interdependence on fire events), and the use of controlled fires. In this updated edition, per usual, excellent photographs are well linked to the text. Websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 1996

(3) 4-6 Lively magpie Maggie attaches herself to a Yellowstone wolf pack, giving readers a bird's-eye view of the adventures of alpha-male Blue Boy and family--particularly firstborn son Lamar, who, to his father's dismay, falls in love with a coyote. In vigorous prose, Seidler writes of power struggles, births and deaths, and threats from humans in an unsentimental tale touching on issues of loyalty, honor, and love.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Alan Marks. In lyrical, understated text, Markle describes the life of a female wolf introduced into Yellowstone National Park, her encounters with a male wolf, and their pups: the first naturally formed wolf pack in Yellowstone National Park. Watercolor, pen, and pencil illustrations reflect the compelling creatures and dramatic scenery. An appended author's note tells more about the real Leopold pack. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(2) YA For KJ, life in West End, Montana, gets more interesting when Virgil, the newcomer with the "solar smile" arrives. The two become friends (and more), and together they launch a controversial school newspaper column about the wolves in nearby Yellowstone National Park. Chandler's feisty protagonist is fun to follow, as she not-so-carefully navigates the wolf lover/hater maelstrom and her relationship with Virgil.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2010

(3) 4-6 Children of the Lamp series. With bad luck outweighing good in the world, djinn twins John and Philippa search for the cause. They uncover an evil djinn plot to wrest a secret of the universe from the fakir who possesses it. Meanwhile, John's attempt to see into the future leads to great peril for the butler Groanin. This sixth magical action-adventure is another solid series entry.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 4-6 Animal Tales series. Illustrated by Guy Francis. In these first entries in the series, two small critters have big aspirations. In Wolf, Lobo, a tiny Chihuahua, dreams of living up to his lupine name on a trip to Yellowstone. In House, a mouse stumbles into an operatic life when he startles a soprano. Kid-friendly illustrations and upbeat, unselfconscious text combine to make droll stories. Review covers these Animals Tales titles: The Pup Who Cried Wolf and Angus MacMouse Brings Down the House.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(3) 4-6 Paintings and sketches by landscape artist Tom Moran helped convince President Grant to protect Yellowstone, signing a bill in 1872 to make it America's first national park. Judge's watercolor illustrations, which mimic the style of Moran's work, showcase the majesty of the wilderness that inspired him. A reproduction of the artist's most well-known painting and further information are appended. Bib.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann

(4) YA America's National Parks series. Older readers (and adults) will find this series useful for its coverage of six national parks' history, ecology, animal life, current challenges, and tourist attractions. Report writers, especially, may find the publisher's enhanced website a welcome shortcut to doing their own Internet research. Contemporary and archival photographs and web screenshots accompany the information. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these America's National Parks titles: Yellowstone National Park, Acadia National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Everglades National Park, Olympic National Park, and Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) K-3 Ready-to-Read: Wonders of America series. Illustrated by John Wallace. This easy-reader introduction to the world's first national park offers an overview of the animals and special natural features found there. With slight in-context definitions, it will be most useful when shared with an adult who can explain such terms as geyser, petrified, and fumarole. Child-friendly art helps illustrate the information. A page of "interesting facts" is appended.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Wendell Minor. George presents the results of the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone's ecosystem through the eyes of a wolf pup as he encounters the park's diverse flora and fauna. Minor's illustrations capture the joy of springtime promise, putting readers at eye level with our wolf pup as he traverses the lushly green environment and interacts with other park life. Websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2008

(2) K-3 Photographs by Dan Hartman & Cassie Hartman. This book about the revitalization of Yellowstone takes readers through the park's backstory, revealing the complex challenges of environmental preservation. Patent begins with the park's establishment then goes on to explain the ill-fated plan to kill all the wolves and the ultimate decision to bring them back. Outstanding historical and present-day photographs of Yellowstone display its rugged natural beauty. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2008

(3) 4-6 National Parks series. In this informative series, each book is set up a little differently to highlight what is most significant about a particular park, but all contain excellent photos and a section on future challenges to the preservation of each park. Written for upper-elementary students, these books will be useful for reports. Glos., ind. Review covers these National Parks titles: Everglades National Park, Glacier National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Yosemite National Park.

Reviewer: Jim St. Claire

(2) 4-6 Photographs by Jim Brandenburg. Brandenburg's unparalleled wildlife photographs illustrate this cogently organized and skillfully designed account of the reintroduction of gray wolves to Yellowstone National Park. "The number-one goal of the Yellowstone Wolf Project is to remove the gray wolf from the endangered species list," and while the book is in full agreement with this intent, the approach is bracingly journalistic, not sentimental. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 1999