Swamper: Letters from a Louisiana Swamp Rabbit

by Amy Griffin Ouchley

Overview

Swamper, a fictitious swamp rabbit, lives in the bottomland hardwood forest, or overflow swamp, which is a very real environment. In twelve "letters" addressed to his human friends, Swamper shares his vivid observations about life in a Louisiana swamp. With excitement and captivating detail Swamper explains ecological concepts such as food webs, energy flow, decomposition, and reproduction. He recounts adventures like escaping his predators, the great horned owl and the red fox, and swimming for his life after a flood forces him to find higher ground. The observant swamp rabbit even describes the seasonal migration of birds and the monthly phases of the moon.

While educating readers about the interconnected life cycles found in a natural habitat, Swamper's first-hand account of the richness and value of the wetlands will also help them develop a deeper appreciation for this delicate ecosystem. Written for 8–12-year-olds, the content aligns with life science and environmental science educational standards for 4th through 7th grades.

Also Includes:

A glossary of key terms
Questions and a creative activity for each letter
Biologically accurate drawings of animals and habitat
Color photographs of the environment
Supplementary online resources for teachers and parents

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807150740
Publisher:	Louisiana State University Press
Publication date:	03/11/2013
Pages:	72
Sales rank:	739,006
Product dimensions:	10.00(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.20(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Naturalist and environmental educator Amy Griffin Ouchley conducts encounters with the outdoors for students and teachers, children and adults, through workshops, field trips, and conferences, as well as programs in schools, libraries, nature centers, and museums. She received the Conservation Educator of the Year Award in 2011 from the Louisiana Wildlife Federation. She lives with her husband, Kelby, in northeast Louisiana near an overflow swamp.

Editorial Reviews

Ouchley, a naturalist, blends fact and fiction in this curious story about an obscure species. Shortly after Ouchley spies a swamp rabbit while leading students on a field trip through the Louisiana bottomland hardwood forest, the rabbit, "Swamper," strikes up a written correspondence with her. In 12 casual yet eloquent letters, Swamper describes his habitat and daily life and shares anecdotes about animal friends and predators. This first-person anthropomorphic perspective sometimes sits at odds with the scientific details about the swamp and its ecology. Ouchley includes information about ecosystems, food chains, and wetlands (photographs and realistic sketches are interspersed), but Swamper's loquaciousness may test patience: "Once I dreamed of a beautiful rabbit. Her fur was golden and glossy. It glistened in the moonlight. Her ears were long, soft, and silky. Her eyes sparkled. She moved with graceful leaps by the edge of the bayou. When she sat up, she groomed her long ears in a slow, gentle motion with her front paws. As I began to hop toward her, I woke up and she was gone." Not since Watership Down has a rabbit had so much to say. Ages 4–8. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

Ouchley has tapped into pure gold with the creation of this book. As bewitching as a fairy tale, it remains a valuable educational tool perfect for summer reading that might inspire you to take the kids on a nature hike through the swamp.

Louisiana Life