Title: Mother Earth’s Lullaby – A Song for Endangered Animals
Written by: Terry Pierce
Illustrated by: Carol Heyer
Publisher: Tilbury House Publishers, September 2018
Ages: 4-8
Themes: endangered species, lullaby, baby animals
Opening:
When Mother Earth bids goodnight,
she casts her shafts of silver light.
She says, “Goodnight, my precious ones.”
Nature’s song has just begun.
Synopsis:
Mother Earth’s Lullaby is a gentle bedtime call to some of the world’s most endangered animals. Rhythm, rhyme, and repetition create a quiet moment for children burrowing down in their own beds for the night, imparting a sense that even the most endangered animals feel safe at this peaceful time of day. In successive spreads, a baby giant panda, yellow-footed rock wallaby, California condor, Ariel toucan, American red wolf, Sumatran tiger, polar bear, Javan rhinoceros, Vaquita dolphin, Northern spotted owl, Hawaiian goose, and Key deer are snuggled to sleep by attentive parents in their dens and nests under the moon and stars. (Publisher)
Why I like this book:
Catchy rhyming pairs introduce each animal baby as it is getting ready for bed with simply lyrical language and activity that all young children will relate to. Some animals will be familiar and some won’t – a great balance, and back matter can be delved into for more information.
Tiger kits rumble-purr,
tucked against their mother’s fur.
Despite their endangered status, all these animals are presented feeling safe with their parents close by, which will be reassuring to young readers as you explore the implications of “endangered” with them.
The illustrations cover the full double-spread and are in deep, rich tones evoking night approaching.
Resources/Activities:
Brief descriptions of each animal appear in the back of the book with a thumbnail illustration.
For the most updated information about endangered species visit- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
First School has a terrific list of pre-school endangered animals activities and crafts.
Each week a group of bloggers reviews picture books we feel would make great educational reads. To help teachers, caregivers and parents, we have included resources and/or activities with each of our reviews. A complete list of the thousands of books we have reviewed can be found sorted alphabetically and by topics, here on Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.
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.
I love that little pup on the cover! Such a different feel from an adult red wolf howling at the moon. Gentle, huggable, and informative. Perfect. Thanks for featuring this book, Joanne!
Yes, great choice to use young animals!
What a beautiful way to introduce children to nature, sleep patterns, and family. The poetic it perfect for this treasure. Nice book to cuddle with.
Lots of layers to this one and multiple use in a classroom.
What a lovely new picture book! I love that the author focuses on a current problem, but gently wraps the information in a mother’s lullaby.
I am always looking for picture books about endangered animals with a different slant. This was a very effective literary technqiue choice for the subject