Books for Independent Reading
VERY EASY
- Seal Journey
- by Richard and Jonah Sobol
(Science/Health)
Cobblehill 1993 (32p)
A father and son explore the life and
habitat of the endangered harp seal.
- I Can Read About Whales and
Dolphins
- by Joan Anderson
(Science/Health)
Troll 1973 (32p)
Clearly presented information about
these species. Available in Spanish
asYo puedo leer sobre las ballenas y
delfines.
- Eagles: Lions of the Sky
- by Emery and Durga Bernhard
(Science/Health)
Holiday 1994 (32p)
Explains how these flying predators
hunt.
- Amazing Poisonous Animals
- by Alexandra Parsons
(Science/Health)
Knopf 1990 (32p)
Fascinating information presented in
clear text with detailed artwork.
- And So They Build
- by Bert Kitchen
(Science/Health)
Candlewick 1993 (26p)
Clear text and beautiful paintings show
how various animals build homes for
their families.
- The Grizzly Bear Family Book
- by Michio Hoshino
(Science/Health)
Picture Book 1993 (52p)
Photo essay of the author's year
watching grizzlies in Alaska.
- Dolphins
- by Norman Barrett
(Science/Health)
Watts 1991 (32p)
Informative introduction to a popular
marine animal. Available in Spanish
asDelfines.
- Shadows of the Night: The Hidden
World of the Little Brown Bat
- by Barbara Bash
(Science/Health)
Sierra Club 1993 (32p)
Explains the benefits bats provide and
dispels myths about them.
EASY
- Urban Roosts
- by Barbara Bash
(Science/Health)
Little 1990 (32p)
Many birds, including sparrows and
owls, have adapted to living in cities.
- Hunter in the Snow: The Lynx
- by Susan Bonner
(Science/Health)
Little 1994 (32p)
The hunting and survival methods of a
young lynx are traced over a year.
- Animal Camouflage: A Closer Look
- by Joyce Powzyk
(Science/Health)
Bradbury 1990 (40p)
Presents explanations and examples of six varieties of animal camouflage.
- The Golden Lion Tamarin Comes
Home
- by George Ancona
(Science/Health)
Macmillan 1994 (40p)
Captive-born tamarins are reintroduced
to their natural Brazilian habitat.
- Whales
- by Seymour Simon
(Science/Health)
Harper 1989 (40p); also paper
An informative, colorful introduction
to these popular animals.
- The Eagle and the River
- by Charles Craighead
(Science/Health)
Macmillan 1994 (32p)
The Snake River is home to and
provides food for many species.
- Mangrove Wilderness: Nature's
Nursery
- by Bianca Lavies
(Science/Health)
Dutton 1994 (32p)
A red mangrove swamp in the Florida
Everglades contains an abundance of
wildlife.
- Voices of the Wild
- by Jonathan London
(Science/Health)
Crown 1993 (32p)
Animals sense and respond to a man
kayaking through the Northwest
wilderness.
AVERAGE
- La zorra negra (The Midnight Fox)
- by Betsy Byars
Text in Spanish.
- The American Alligator
- by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent
(Science/Health)
Clarion 1994 (48p)
Interesting facts about this once-endangered animal.
- Predator!
- by Bruce Brooks
(Science/Health)
Farrar 1991 (80p)
A look at how predators survive in
the wild.
- What Does the Crow Know: The
Mysteries of Animal Intelligence
- by Margery Facklam
(Science/Health)
Sierra 1991 (48p)
Experiments and tests done to find out
if animals can learn, reason, and mimic
human behavior.
- One More Elephant: The Fight to
Save Wildlife in Uganda
- by Richard Sobol
(Science/Health)
Cobblehill 1995 (32p)
The Moeller brothers struggle to
protect elephants and other wildlife.
- Seals, Sea Lions, and Walruses
- by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent
(Science/Health)
Holiday 1990 (88p)
Three pinniped families are discussed
and compared.
- When the Wolves Return
- by Ron Hirschi
(Science/Health)
Cobblehill 1995 (32p)
Wolves are being restored to some
parts of the country.
- Dogs: The Wolf Within
- by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent
(Science/Health)
Carolrhoda 1993 (48p)
How today's canine resembles its wolf
ancestors.
- The Endangered Florida Panther
- by Margaret Goff Clark
(Science/Health)
Cobblehill 1993 (64p)
Presents the plight of this endangered
animal and describes efforts to save it.
- Jackal Woman: Exploring the World
of Jackals
- by Laurence Pringle
(Science/Health)
Scribners 1993 (48p)
Dr. Patricia Moehlman studies the
jackals of Africa's Serengeti Plain.
- The Crocodile Family Book
- by Mark Dooble and Victoria Shaw
(Science/Health)
North-South 1994 (48p)
Crocodiles, large and small, prey and
sleep along the Grumeti River in
Tanzania.
- The Moon of the Mountain Lions
- by Jean Craighead George
(Science/Health)
Harper 1991 (48p); also paper
Describes a month in the life of a
mountain lion and how he interacts
with his environment. See others in the
Moon series.
- Killer Bees
- by Bianca Lavies
(Science/Health)
Dutton 1994 (32p)
History of and information about the
feared bees making their way north into
the United States.
- American Bison
- by Ruth Berman
(Science/Health)
Carolrhoda 1992 (48p)
What happened to the bison that used
to roam the Great Plains? Available
in Spanish asEl bisonte americano.
- Bees Dance and Whales Sing: The
Mysteries of Animal Communication
- by Margery Facklam
(Science/Health)
Sierra 1992 (48p)
The author answers children's
questions about how animals “talk” to
each other.
- Swimming with Sea Lions and Other
Adventures in the Galápagos Islands
- by Ann McGovern
(Science/Health)
Scholastic 1992 (48p)
A young boy's diary of his trip to the
Galápagos with his grandmother.
- The Astonishing Armadillo
- by Dee Stuart
(Science/Health)
Carolrhoda 1993 (48p)
A close-up look at this unusual
creature. Available in Spanish as El
asombroso armadillo.
- Fur, Feathers, and Flippers: How
Animals Live Where They Do
- by Patricia Lauber
(Science/Health)
Scholastic 1994 (46p)
Describes how animals have adapted to
some of the world's harshest
environments.
CHALLENGING
- The Missing Gator of Gumbo Limbo
- by Jean Craighead George
(Science/Health)
Harper 1992 (148p); also paper
People in Gumbo Limbo are concerned
when the alligator that protects them
disappears.
- Dangerous Insects
- by Michel Peissel and Missy Allen
(Science/Health)
Chelsea 1993 (112p)
Twenty-five of the most dangerous
insects from around the world.
- The Watchable Wildlife Series
- by various authors
(Science/Health)
Falcon Press 1994 (80+p)
Wildlife viewing guides for nineteen
states, including maps.
- Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices
- by Paul Fleischman
Harper 1988 (64p); also paper
Poems about insects.
- Project Panda Watch
- by Miriam Schlein
(Science/Health)
Atheneum 1986 (96p)
Researchers monitor pandas to help
ensure their survival.
Books for Teachers to Read Aloud
- Owls in the Family
- by Farley Mowat
Bantam 1985 (96p); also paper
The author's hilarious adventures
training two great horned owls.
- The House of Wings
- by Betsy Byars
Puffin 1982 (136p); also paper
Caring for a wounded crane brings a
boy and his grandfather closer.
Available in Spanish asLa casa de
las alas.
- The Cry of the Crow
- by Jean Craighead George
Harper 1980 (160p); also paper
A Florida girl takes care of a pet crow.
Available in Spanish asEl graznido
del cuervo.