Review by Booklist Review
Hunted almost to extinction by 1926, Yellowstone's wolves have made a dramatic comeback thanks to human intervention, and their increasing numbers have restored essential balance to the park's ecology. In a familiar, photo-essay format, veteran science writer Patent gives a concise history of these essential predators, effectively using precise examples of the wolf's place in the natural order to show the profound interconnections of life in Yellowstone and the devastation that the absence of a single species can cause. Contributed by a father-and-daughter team, the many crisp, exciting color photos will easily draw readers into the fascinating story of natural survival and balance, while the multilevel text (short, simple sentences in framed boxes and longer, more complex sentences in paragraphs) widens the book's audience. A final, illustrated page, entitled The Wolf Effect, encourages kids to review the links among Yellowstone's fauna and flora. A great choice for elementary units about science and environmental protection.--Engberg, Gillian Copyright 2008 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-5-Removal of one predator-the wolf-from Yellowstone National Park caused the decline of many animal species, subsequently changing the very terrain of the area as ponds and trees also disappeared. The rise and fall and interdependence of species are explained simply in this slim survey of some of the park's wildlife. Patent begins with the Congressional designation of Yellowstone as a national park in 1872, stating that in the early years the geologic wonders rather than the animals were the main attraction. The wolf was a popular hunting target, and its demise led to an overpopulation of elk and coyotes and a complex chain of effects. The format sets small chunks of text and two or three small color photographs on a black background at the far right of the spread. A large color photo fills the remaining space, with a framed sentence superimposed on the picture. The two blocks of text become repetitive, but they're apparently intended as a dual-level text, so that children can read either the briefer explanations on the left or the longer ones opposite. Bits of background terrain are seen in the pictures, but they do not capture the dramatic decline and renewal of the ecosystem suggested. There is no map to indicate the large size and location of Yellowstone. The book concludes with a review quiz with small animal photos.-Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
(Primary, Intermediate) The restoration of the Yellowstone ecosystem through the reintroduction of wolves to the park is the subject of two exceptional books from venerable authors George and Patent. George, aiming at a slightly younger audience, presents the results of the reintroduction through the eyes of a wolf pup as he encounters the diverse flora and fauna of Yellowstone. With just a few sentences on each spread, George conveys the astonishing diversity within the park by focusing on different aspects of the complex web. Each description reveals a multitude of plant and animal relationships that were adversely affected by removing just one key predator but that, happily, are thriving once again. Minor's illustrations capture this joy and springtime promise, putting readers at eye level with our wolf pup as he traverses the lushly green environment and interacts with other park life. Patent's text also centers on the revitalization of Yellowstone, but takes slightly older readers through the backstory, revealing the complex challenges faced in environmental preservation. Beginning with the establishment of the national park at the turn of the last century, Patent explains the ill-fated decision to kill all the wolves and then shows, step by step, the slow yet inevitable decline of the ecosystem, failed attempts to control plant and animal populations, and the ultimate decision to return wolves to the park, which let natural relationships rebalance the habitat. Outstanding historical and present-day photographs of Yellowstone, its inhabitants, and its visitors capture the rugged natural beauty of the park. From HORN BOOK, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
The original mission of Yellowstone, the world's first national park, was people's enjoyment of its geologic wonders. Unaware of the intricate balance of nature, the U.S. government supported the extermination of wolves there, and by 1926 they were all gone. In this account, a profusion of wildlife photographs, most by the Hartmans, illustrates the resulting changes in the ecosystem and the return to balance since wolves were reintroduced the 1990s. Supporting the historical background are black-and-white National Park Service images. The narrative proceeds on two levels, a simple boxed text on the left-hand page suitable for reading aloud with more detail in a paragraph on the right. The description of the welcome restoration of equilibrium is reinforced by a double-page spread at the end of the book asking readers to recall the wolf effect on each living thing pictured. Pair this with Jean Craighead George's The Wolves are Back (2008) for contrasting but equally effective approaches to this piece of ecological good news. (bibliography, index) (Picture book/nonfiction. 6-10) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
