Tag Archives: Biomes

Elem. – The Buzz on Wild Bees: The Little-Known Pollinators That Keep Our Planet Humming

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Vermond, Kira. The Buzz on Wild Bees: The Little-Known Pollinators That Keep Our Planet Humming. Illustrated by June Steube. Owlkids Books, 2025. 978-1-771-47617-1 35. p. $22.95. Grades 3-5.

While honeybees are among the most familiar pollinators, there are approximately 20,000 known species of wild bees worldwide. In fact, wild bees make up more than 90% of the bee species on earth. Evolution is to thank for why our planet has so many different types of bees. Flowering plants have changed over time to attract pollinators; bees also have changed, so they can gather food more easily from the plants that grow near their habitats. Alkali bees are known to nest near one another, whereas other species are solitary; in contrast, the cuckoo bee leads a parasitic lifestyle. The female cuckoo bees lay their eggs in the nest of a different bee while they are away searching for food. All bees, no matter their species, play a vital role in pollinating plants. Unfortunately, climate change, habitat loss, pesticide use, and disease pose a serious threat to bee habitats and survival. That’s why it’s important for humans to plant patches of native wildflowers, construct bee hotels, and avoid pesticides. It is especially important to save wild bees because their plant pollination is responsible for about one in three mouthfuls of food we eat. Consequently, protecting the diversity of wild bees through habitat conservation and sustainable practices is vital for maintaining the food supply we depend on.

THOUGHTS: This accessible and engaging nonfiction title introduces readers to the remarkable diversity of wild bees by using rich, reader-friendly descriptions to explain key concepts. Vibrant, detailed illustrations portray bees in their natural environments. Bee-themed jokes and puns add humor alongside abundant fact and practical guidance. Back matter includes a glossary and a selected bibliography for further inquiry. This would be a great purchase for an upper-elementary library.

500s Science/Zoology

Elem. – Down on the Bayou

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Armand, Glenda. Down on the Bayou. Illustrated by Alleanna Harris. Crown Books for Young Readers, 2025. 978-0-593-70788-3. $18.99. Unpaged. Grades K-3.

Troy, a young African American boy, is visiting his grandparents in Vacherie, Louisiana. While there, his grandpa and his grandpa’s friend take him on a canoe ride down the bayou (a shallow, muddy river). During this boat ride, Troy learns all about the wildlife, history, and legends surrounding this fascinating ecosystem. Factual asides and excerpts from a poem Grandpa is writing are interspersed throughout, breaking up the story. Digital illustrations in soft, warm colors give off a cozy, welcoming vibe. End matter includes an author’s note, a list of sources for further reading, and Grandpa’s poem in its entirety.

THOUGHTS: I love the versatility that this book provides across the curriculum. Readers will be introduced to various plants and animals, such as cypress trees, great blue herons, wild boars, and alligators. They will read about the Indigenous people of the bayou, plantations, and slavery. They will be exposed to poetry through Grandpa’s written verses. Readers will even pick up some Creole vocabulary (such as pirogue, the name for the canoe carved from a single cypress log). This would be an excellent purchase for those looking for titles with cross-curricular connections.

Picture Book

Elem. – Habitats: A Journey in Nature

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Pang, Hannah. Habitats: A Journey in Nature. Illustrated by Isobel Lundie. 360 Degrees, 2024. 978-1-944-53041-9. $18.99 Unpaged. Grades K-3.

This book showcases six habitats of the world with illustrations spread across uniquely designed ‘layers’ of pages. This especially is helpful in visualizing the concepts of layers of these habitats. For example, the layers of the rainforest shown are emergent layer, canopy, understory, and forest floor; and the animals are often unique to one layer. Each layer and each animal is briefly described, and readers can locate the animal in the full-page illustration. The information varies, but a sense of enthusiasm carries the book front to back. Examples are “the guanaco has thick skin on its neck to help protect it from the sharp bite of a predator!” and “Despite its armor plating, the nine-banded armadillo can swim well, holding its breath for up to six minutes when underwater!” The book does not include page numbers or index.

THOUGHTS: This is an effective addition to the understanding of various habitats and the variety of living within habitats. It could serve as an excellent jumping-off point for research into the individual animals or habitats.

577 Habitats

Elem. – Over and Under the Wetland

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Messner, Kate. Over and Under the Wetland. Illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal. Chronicle Books, 2024. 978-1-797-21087-2. 56 p. $18.99. Grades K-5. A little girl and her grandmother spend the day exploring the wetlands. An author’s note informs us that the book was inspired by Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Florida, though it is not mentioned in the book. Appealing, detailed, full page illustrations depict their walk as the grandmother points out the plant and animal life thriving over them and under them. This short, narrative nonfiction work is rich with lyrical language replete with literary devices, yet simple enough to be understandable to even very young readers. Listen to this opening line: “Into the wetland we wander, through curtains of green in the afternoon sun.” From the afternoon to the evening, the little girl receives an education about the different animals in their wetlands habitat. The humans in this book are ethnically ambiguous, perhaps purposely so. The emphasis is on the vibrant life of the environment, growing, eating, populating. This book, a new addition to Kate Messner’s Over and Under. . . companion books exploring other biomes (e.g. – Canyon and Rainforest) is a delight to read as well as to view. Teachers with science units covering wetlands should list this as a must-read. As preparation for a visit to a wetland preserve, Over and Under the Wetland is a perfect read aloud. In addition to the Author’s Note, the book contains a glossary describing the animals and plants in the book.

THOUGHTS: I loved this book. As an attachment to a science unit, as a read aloud, as an interesting narrative non-fiction, it works. If teachers do plan trips to a wetland or wildlife refuge, the students can use this book as a model to make their own wetlands book based on their experiences. I am not familiar with the places outside of Philadelphia, but here is a list of some places offering school tours of wetlands:

  • John Heinz Wildlife Refuge, Tinicum, PA
  • Strawberry Hill, Fairfield, PA
  • The Blair County Conservation District, Tyrone, PA
  • Wildwood Lake/Park in Harrisburg, PA (does virtual presentations on wetlands upon request)
  • Morris Arboretum, Philadelphia, PA
  • Awbury Arboretum, Philadelphia, PA (free for Philadelphia public and charter schools)
  • Moraine Preservation Fund, Portersville, PA
  • Jennings Educational Center, Slippery Rock, PA

574.5 Rain Forests

Elem. – How the Sea Came to Be (and All the Creatures in It)

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Berne, Jennifer. How the Sea Came to Be (and All the Creatures in It). Illustrated by Amanda Hall. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2023. 978-0-802-85478-0. $18.99. 56 p. Grades 2-5.

4.6 billion years ago our Earth was formed. For the next 600 million years the Earth’s surface was hot enough to melt rock. As the Earth began to cool, water formed from condensation, creating clouds and rain. Our oceans were born, and along with them came the first signs of single-cell life. Two billion years ago oxygen began to fill the oceans and atmosphere leading to more complex lifeforms in the oceans. This beautiful nonfiction picture book tells the story of the creation of the oceans and the life within them in rhymed verse. From the fiery start in bold reds and oranges, through the cooling period in icy shades of blue, and the eventual growth of life in luscious greens, the illustrations depict thousands of pre-historic and current day ocean creatures with detailed accuracy. End notes from the author and illustrator explain that our understanding of how the oceans formed is constantly evolving. This book’s information is based on what is currently known about the formation of the Earth, our oceans, and ocean life. Extensively illustrated factual information, recommendations for further research, reading, and viewing for students and educators as well as a selected biography, timeline, and glossary are all included.

THOUGHTS: A treasure trove of extensively researched information in a beautifully illustrated verse story. Useful as a read aloud, read alone, or elementary research resource.

551.46 Oceans

Elem. – Except Antarctica!

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Sturgell, Todd. Except Antarctica! Sourcebooks. 978-1-728-23326-0. 40 p. $17.99. Grades K-3. 

When an unseen animal fact writer shares that turtles are found on every continent except Antarctica, one bold turtle sets off to prove him wrong. Along the way, he befriends an owl and a dung beetle who also live everywhere except Antarctica. They too join the turtle on his quest to reach the frozen continent. Soon, a snake, a mouse, a bee, and a frog join in, determined to prove the fact writer wrong and show that they are indeed found in Antarctica. The band of unlikely friends ultimately reach their destination, only to discover that the bitter temperatures, howling wind, and frozen conditions are not their ideal habitats. While in Antarctica, the fact writer mentions how penguins are only found here, and the final pages show one indigent penguin diving off an iceberg in hot pursuit of the turtle and his friends. Several pages of backmatter round out the title and provide additional facts about each featured animal. A section titled “Animals of Antarctica” highlights the continent’s native species, and a section called “The Frozen Continent” details the region’s extreme weather conditions. Also included is Information about how Antarctica is designated as a scientific preserve and a map of each country’s scientific research stations. The book’s final pages discuss climate change and share ideas about how readers can help make the world a better place, including ideas for recycling and planting trees. 

THOUGHTS: Imaginative illustrations, witty dialogue, and a conversational writing style will hook students from page one. They will laugh at the animals’ silly interactions and the fact writer’s frustrations as he tries to keep the book on track. This will be an engaging introduction to units about animals’ habitats and the differences in biomes around the world. 

Picture Book          Anne Bozievich, Southern York County SD

Elem. – I’m a Hare, So There!

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Rowan-Zoch, Julie. I’m a Hare, So There! Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2021. 978-0-358-12506-8. Unpaged. $17.99. Grades K-2.

Don’t you dare call this hare a rabbit, not even a jackrabbit! He will quickly point out the key differences between species. But he may not notice the others around his desert landscape also could get confused with other related species, such as ground squirrel (not chipmunk) and tortoise (not turtle). When attacked by the approaching coyote (not jackal), the hare reaches his last straw. The story is simple yet educational, and the illustrations have plenty hidden in the Sonoran Desert for repeated viewing pleasure. There is a chart at the end showing other “similar but not the same” animals which could lead into a nice discussion (hopefully without any heated arguments!).

THOUGHTS: This would be a great opening for young students to research similar animals or animals in the desert biome. Also a simple lesson in identity and personality.

Picture Book          Dustin Brackbill, State College Area SD

Elem. – Over and Under the Rainforest

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Messner, Kate. Over and Under the Rainforest. Chronicle Books, 2020. 978-1-452-16940-8. Unpaged. $18.99. Grades K-3.

Following up Over and Under the Snow and Over and Under the Pond Messner explores the rainforest both high and low. Christopher Silas Neal’s artwork, overwhelming the pages in luscious saturated shades of green, draws the reader into the forest along with the young narrator and her guide. Above is a world of monkeys, insects, and birds. Colorful toucans, flit among the branches. Capuchin and howler monkeys and sloths move through the leafy growth. Below are critters and creatures, both cute and deadly: agoutis and crocodiles, anteaters and spiders. As the day wanes, the rainforest fades to purples, creatures of the night emerge, and the young narrator heads for home, Abuelita and supper. Messner’s informative text never overwhelms the reader. Facts are lovingly wrapped in description to evoke life in the rainforest.

THOUGHTS: Messner never disappoints, and this book will be a solid addition to any elementary collection, useful as a read-aloud or with a classroom curriculum.

Picture Book         Nancy Nadig, Penn Manor SD