We Need Prairie Dogs

by June Smalls

Overview

Introduces readers to the roles of prairie dogs in grassland ecosystems, as well as threats to prairie dog populations and conservation efforts. Eye-catching infographics, clear text, and a “That’s Amazing!” feature make this book an engaging exploration of the importance of prairie dogs.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781641853132
Publisher:	North Star Editions
Publication date:	01/01/2019
Series:	The Animal Files
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)
Lexile:	740L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Life in a Colony 5

Chapter 2 The Grosslands 11

That's Amazing! Prairie Dog Talk 16

Chapter 3 Problems for Prairie Dogs 19

Chapter 4 Protecting Prairie Dogs 25

Focus on Prairie Dogs 30

Glossary 31

To Learn More 32

Index 32

Editorial Reviews

"A solid introduction to keystone species." —School Library Journal

From the Publisher

05/01/2019

Gr 4–6—The complexities of keystone species are presented clearly. Opening chapters introduce each animal and its crucial role in the ecosystem. Discussion of how wolves control elk populations, for example, moves smoothly into an explanation of how this also affects trees, songbirds, and beavers. A third chapter examines the threats to the featured animal, sometimes including population trends. Conclusions look at conservation efforts with varying degrees of detail. A spread in each book highlights a particular behavior, such as prairie dog communication. The term keystone species is introduced in some but not all titles, though it can apply to all of the groups. Full-page and half-page photos show the animals in their environments, with some examples of human interactions. VERDICT This series serves as a solid introduction to keystone species.

School Library Journal