Review by Booklist Review
Wildebeests feast on shorter swards, / oxpecker birds are stowaboards, / gnus trample roots in shaggy herds, / spreading manure for growing grass." Bulion offers a series of connected stanzas that document the annual migration of large herbivores through the Serengeti. In early winter, winds from the Indian Ocean bring rains to the volcanic soils of northern Tanzania. As the grasses return, so do zebras (tall-grass grazers), followed by wildebeests and gazelles (short-grass feeders), and giraffes (acacia leaf eaters). Bulion also details the activities of several non-migrating species (dik-diks, hyraxes, aardvarks, black mambas, secretary birds, dung beetles) as well as large carnivores (cheetahs, jackals) that live on the Serengeti. Poems appear on the top left side of each spread, while smaller-print sidebars provide additional information. Throughout, the emphasis is on the interdependence of these species, all linked in an intricate web. Stadtlander's gouache-and-pastel illustrations highlight earth tones, with indigo and orange used for contrast. Employing a naturalistic style, many spreads depict panoramic views. Young readers will be particularly interested in the art featuring termite mounds and kopjes, structures not found in North America. Back matter explains utendis (a four-line poetic form common in Swahili and used here) and provides a glossary and further resources. Attractive and informative, this will please browsers and information seekers alike.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Taking inspiration from the utendi, "an East African, Swahili poem form with Arabic origins," Bulion presents a vibrant picture of Tanzania's Serengeti Plain and the animals and plants that reside there, employing lilting half-rhyme quatrains that each end with "grass." "Bathed by rain, Serengeti blooms,/ sun-faced yellows and scarlet flames,/ waste paper flowers on tiny stems,/ scattered as handfuls across the grass," reads text accompanying one spread of flower-strewn green, as an aside in smaller font--found on each spread--informs, "Seeds of wildflowers swell and sprout, bringing splashes of color to Serengeti's grassy plains." Rich gouache and pastel art by Stadtlander provides atmosphere through vintage-inflected depictions of wildlife and sweeping landscapes portraying the plains at different times of day and year. A reverent and educational portrait of "one of the most productive and biodiverse ecosystems on Earth." Back matter features an author's note on the form, a glossary, information on Serengeti conservation efforts, further reading, and a map of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. Ages 8--12. (Mar.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
An introduction to the animal and plant life of the vast grasslands of the Serengeti, a UNESCO World Heritage site. In Bulion's latest blend of science and poetry, the Serengeti's complex ecosystem is described, from the impressive migrations of large mammals to the roles played by the smallest insects. Beginning and ending with a brief overview of the region, each two-page spread features a four-line verse inspired by the Swahili poetic form utendi with accompanying factual information. Alongside zebras, giraffes, and cheetahs, readers encounter dik-diks, waste paper flowers, secretary birds, and black mambas. The poems are scientifically informative ("wildebeests feast on shorter swards / oxpecker birds are stowaboards"), evocative ("butterflies flutter at nectar wells"), and a delight to read ("low-ground growth is nimbly used, / fleet gazelles nibble gnu-mown grass"). Another highlight is the thoughtful detail in the expressive paintings conveying the dynamism of both the land and the animals; Stadtlander is especially gifted at portraying the beauty of the Serengeti at various times of day. Bulion's closing note briefly touches upon numerous threats to the Serengeti's ecosystem including climate change, tourism, domestic crops and livestock, poaching, and road construction. Unfortunately, the Indigenous Maasai are largely omitted from this account; a reference to the negative impact of human population growth is not given sufficient context and may feed into controversial notions of overpopulation. Charmingly illustrated and beautifully written but lacking in Indigenous human context. (note on poetry, glossary, organizations, further reading, map) (Informational poetry. 7-11) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
