About Habitats: Tundras

by Cathryn Sill, John Sill (Illustrator)

Overview

This beginner's guide to tundras explores the unique attributes of this cold habitat, showcasing its beauty and plant and animal diversity.

Author and educator Cathryn Sill uses simple, easy-to-understand language to teach children what tundras are, what kinds of animals and plants live there, and how certain species have adapted to the unique environment. The book covers the characteristics of Arctic, Antarctic, and alpine tundras.

John Sill's detailed, realistic paintings reflect the beauty and diversity of the habitat. A glossary and afterword provide more detail for further exploration.

Ideal for early childhood and elementary education units on biomes and environments, geography, habitats, and nature.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781682636336
Publisher:	Holiday House
Publication date:	11/14/2023
Series:	About Habitats , #10
Pages:	48
Sales rank:	1,152,801
Product dimensions:	10.08(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.14(d)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Cathryn Sill, a graduate of Western Carolina University, was an elementary school teacher for thirty years. She is the author of more than twenty-five prize-winning nonfiction picture books about animals and habitats. She has created three nature series especially for pre-K and kindergarten students. She lives in North Carolina.

John Sill holds a BS in wildlife biology from North Carolina State University. Combining his knowledge of wildlife and artistic skill, John has achieved an impressive reputation as a wildlife artist and received many awards. He has illustrated more than twenty-five books in the About... and About Habitats series. He lives in North Carolina.

Editorial Reviews

"This handsome addition to the Sills ' About Habitats series introduces the geography, climates, plants, and animals of the tundras. . . . The book 's beautiful full-page paintings help viewers grasp the varieties of terrain encompassed by the term tundra, while introducing some of its diverse plants as well as various animals that live there . . . . An effective classroom read-aloud choice for tundra-related science units."—Booklist

"This careful study of what makes a tundra raises field guides to an accessible art."—School Library Journal

From the Publisher

01/01/2022

Gr 1–3—In this latest in the series, which follows a format similar to that of the Sills's other works, readers are introduced to the tundra. Each spread offers a single fact, using one sentence, while the facing page has a clear and realistic drawing. These watercolors are filled with just enough information to hold young readers' attentions, neither too busy nor too simple. Each one has a label with a plate number and the physical location and name of the animals or plants within the drawing. These easy-to-read facts and detailed illustrations clearly depict a variety of tundra habitats. By the last plate, readers will have a strong understanding of what the tundra looks like and the type of plants and animals that live there. From Plate 18 on, there are thumbnails of the illustrations, well labeled, and descriptions of each image next to it—an interesting and accessible way to understand the topic. Readers will find that the single sentences create an overview while the full-page illustrations fill in the details. Some children might find it difficult to navigate back and forth during a first read but will return for more details gleaned from the plates. The title concludes with a glossary of useful words and resources in print and digital format. Early elementary students will find lots of information about the tundra from this title, which complements other titles in the series. VERDICT Purchase where the series is popular; this careful study of what makes a tundra raises field guides to an accessible art.—Susan Lissim

School Library Journal

2021-09-15
The 10th in the Sills’ About Habitats series tackles the tundra biome, which covers about one-fifth of the Earth’s land.

“Cold, dry areas with no trees,” tundras are largely found in polar regions and near the summits of very tall mountains. The text addresses some of the adaptations plants and animals require to live in the tundra (low-growing, clumped plant species, animals with warm feathers or thick fur, for example). In summer, when the tundra snow melts, animals can raise their young and find plenty to eat. Two final pages address threats: “Tundras are in danger because of pollution, rising temperatures, and harm to the land caused by too much building. // Tundras are important places that need to be protected.” As in the previous entries, Cathryn Sill provides simple, straightforward text in a large font on left-hand pages, while John Sill provides watercolor artwork on right-hand pages. Strengths continue to be the marvelously detailed, lifelike pictures and the careful identification of each subtype of habitat (here, Arctic, Antarctic, and alpine) and its plants and animals. The series’ largest weakness, though, is that further vital information about each illustration plate is buried in the aftermatter, forcing interested readers, whether curious lapsitters or older readers looking for information, to flip back and forth.

This solid addition to an established series covers an often overlooked habitat. (glossary, bibliography) (Informational picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews