Today is Endangered Species Day 2012 and my book selection pays homage to this. You can find out much more about events/reading/films and other resources fot this day at www.stop.extinction.org, for example they have a list of ten easy things you can do at home to protect endangered species.
Gone Wild – An Endangered Animal Alphabet
By David McLimans
Published by Walker Books, 2006
Ages: 3 up
Themes: Endangered Animals, the alphabet, pictograph
Award: Caldecott Honor Book
Opening/Synopsis:
“Chinese Alligator; Class: Reptilia; Habititat: Swamps, rivers, lakes, ponds; Range: China; Threats: Habitat loss from farming; Status: Critically endangered.”
There is an introduction where children can read that more than 5000 animals face extinction in the 21st century. McLimans defines the three categories: critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable. The actual alphabet letters are a return to the origins of picture writing or pictograms, and symbolic, simple, bold and in black. The capital and small letter are in red as is a small box of facts for each animal. Each animals then has a paragraph and illustration at the back of the book also in red and black.
Why I like this Book:
It is a book that will appeal to very young children and to adults. It is a mix of simple, A is for alligator, but then you can read the latin name too, as well as what animal family the creature falls into. Although there are more mammals represented proportionally, all the animal families are included. Children will recognize some (zebra, black rhinoceros..) and will be intrigued by others (spotted tail-quoll, swan goose). The illustrations are graphic, symbolic and fun. I think this is a striking way to bring this important issue to even our youngest children in a playful way.
Resources/Activities:
American Museum of Natural History: www.amnh.org/nationalcenter/Endangered/
Wildaid: www.wildaid.org
Endangered Species Coalition: www.stopextinction.org
Earthtrust: www.earthtrust.org
Defenders of Wildlife: www.kidsplanet.org (great educational resources here)
I would get younger children to reproduce a letter each from the book and older ones I would get to research their own animal and design an animal-letter with fact box. If this is with a class, you could make a class book!
To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books. Or click on the Perfect Picture Book Fridays badge in the right sidebar.
This is also part of Gathering Books’ Award Winning Books 2012 Challenge.
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories.
I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
This books sounds perfect for endangered species day Joanna! Thanks for all the wonderful resources 🙂
I didn’t realize that today was Endangered Species Day — thank you for raising our consciousness on the whole subject of endangered species, Joanna.
This book sounds excellent — what a great way to learn a little or a lot. And the activities you suggest and sites you link to are spot on (of course.)
Yes, I’ve read this one recently. So elegant you have to look at the pictures numerous times!
This looks great, Joanna. Is it non-fiction? It look like it might be… I love the pictograph style – very striking. And I love that it can appeal to such a wide range of ages. As you know, I always love animal books 🙂 Thanks for adding this one!
P.S. Love the activities!
I love books that get children to be aware of and care for wildlife. I hadn’t heard of this one, but it looks stunning. I also did not know that today is Endangered Species Day, so I’ll be sure to take the opportunity to read some of our own wildlife books to my kids today.
Thanks for letting me know it is Endangered Species Day. This sounds like a great book. My experience has taught me that kids really understand the idea of “endangered”. Most can even tell you why an animal is in that condition. Education and books like this have played an important role in helping these kids comprehend the situation many animals are in. This can only be a good thing for the future of our animals.
What an interesting book. It might help me with some research I’m working on. Thanks for the recommendation.
A great selection Joanna. Sounds unque in the manner in which the story of endangered animals are shared. Want to check this out.
Thanks, Joanna, for the heads-up about Endangered Species Day. Perhaps we need to make it Endangered Species Year. 🙂
What a great review and list of resources…the art work alone will appeal to kids…and I’d love it for the informational value…my I-want-this-book list is growing quite ungainly. 🙂
My heart always aches on this topic, but am intrigued by the information and the illustrations. And, curious to know where zebras fall into this list of animals.
Ohhhh yes! I love animal books. You have me hooked. Very striking colours to. Love the idea of getting the class to make a book drawing animals and writing a fact box……excellent! Thanks for sharing Joanna.
I love these activities and websites, Joanna! This book sounds like one I need to find for Arthur, he loves books with lists and order to them. Thank you!
I missed endangered species day. *rats* I love all animals and I am trying to teach our kids to take care of the endangered species by doing all they can to teach folks about them. What a great choice, Joanna! I love that all the animal families are included. Awesome resources you awesome resource gal! *waves*
What a nice addition the the PPBF list. This seems like a unique alphabet book. I will check it out for sure.