Migration

by Gail Gibbons

Overview

Get kids thinking with this primer on sky, land, and sea animal migrations.

Did you know Arctic terns migrate farther than any other animal? Gray whales can swim up to 12,000 miles during their migration journeys and Emperor penguins walk about 125 miles over ice to reach their nesting grounds.

Gail Gibbons explores the many reasons why animals migrate, using direct sentences, maps, infographics, and illustrations. Featuring over 30 different species of mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, and fishes, this nonfiction picture book is perfect for aspiring zookeepers and animal-lovers. Fully vetted for accuracy by James Doherty, Curator Emeritus, The New York Zoological Society.

This title is part of the Explore the World . . . with Gail Gibbons series, which promotes active learning, good citizenship, and student leadership.

A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780823440658
Publisher:	Holiday House
Publication date:	08/04/2020
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	10.10(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

According to the Washington Post, Gail Gibbons "has taught more preschoolers and early readers about the world than any other children's writer-illustrator." The multi award-winning Gail Gibbons is the author of more than 100 books for young readers, including the best-selling titles From Seed to Plant and Monarch Butterfly. Her many honors include the Regina Medal, the Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Nonfiction Award, and the NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book Award.

Editorial Reviews

★ 08/01/2020

K-Gr 3—Gibbons opens with a clear definition of migration and an enthusiastic invitation to readers. The subject of migration is easy to understand and will appeal to the demographic. Subtopics, such as migration routes and migration in the sky, on land, and in the water, are labeled in bold red letters and then explained. The text and the illustrations work beautifully together. Important vocabulary is introduced and then immediately used in the text. For example, after the word climate is defined, the text explains that animals often migrate to find climates that are more suitable for mating and raising their young. The text pulses with enthusiasm and also highlights the unknowns of science by referring to what scientists "believe" to be true. The illustrations, created with watercolors, black ink, and colored pencil, depict a variety of animals in migration. Maps show migration routes that include detailed captions. Gibbons's encouragement to "get going" is hard to resist. VERDICT Gibbons makes migration accessible and endlessly fascinating. An excellent addition to collections featuring scientific studies of animal behavior and language arts investigations of how to clearly present information with enthusiasm.—Myra Zarnowski, City Univ. of New York

School Library Journal

2020-05-03
From birds, bats, and butterflies to grass-eating land mammals to whales and fish, animals migrate as their needs and the seasons change.

Gibbons draws on years of experience introducing the natural world to very young readers and listeners to explain an important concept: animal migration. Using a wide variety of examples, she explains both the why and some theories about the how. After a brief introduction, she organizes her presentation topically: migration routes; migration in the sky, on land, and in the water; and finally, how people see and learn about migrations. Each colorful spread includes exposition in large font, definitions in a smaller font, and vignettes of many different species, each pictured on a relevant background (penguins on ice floes, reindeer in a snowy evergreen forest, zebras on grasslands, etc.). Most include hand-drawn maps of the globe showing species-specific migration paths. The animals are generally recognizable and always labeled. Where humans are shown, they are usually white-skinned. An afterword, curiously titled “Let’s Get Going,” includes a variety of additional facts including a mention of one effect of global warming. While there are many titles about specific migratory journeys for a young audience, few are so encompassing. Marian Berkes’ Going Home, illustrated by Jennifer DiRubbio (2010), presents examples but does not pull back for an overall look at the topic till the backmatter.

A straightforward, wide-ranging survey that should be a welcome addition to the nature shelf. (Informational picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews

★ "The text pulses with enthusiasm . . . Gibbons’s encouragement to “get going” is hard to resist. Gibbons makes migration accessible and endlessly fascinating. An excellent addition to collections featuring scientific studies of animal behavior and language arts investigations of how to clearly present information with enthusiasm."—School Library Journal, Starred Review
 
"Packing the pages with a plethora of facts, Gibbons details how far each species migrates, why (for food, for a warmer breeding spot, etc.), and related tidbits—what the animals do when they arrive, for example. Children will be absorbed, too, in the pleasingly retro and vividly hued watercolors of the animals and their journeys. Covering whole double-page spreads, the illustrations also feature multiple maps showing each species’ route. A great addition to nonfiction shelves, especially where animal encyclopedias are popular."—Booklist


"A straightforward, wide-ranging survey that should be a welcome addition to the nature shelf."—Kirkus Reviews

"This title will appeal to elementary teachers, students, and readers who are interested saving planet Earth. . . . This is an excellent depiction of the phenomenon of relocation, and the facts provided will fascinate even the most reluctant readers. Included are reasons for migration, migration routes, groups that migrate, and different modes of migration. The illustrations, done with black ink, watercolors, and colored pencils, provide beautiful depictions of each animal and will appeal to all readers. . . . Lovers of nature and casual readers alike will enjoy all the fun facts included in this book. Elementary librarians will definitely want to add this title to their collection."—School Library Connection

From the Publisher