Books in Save Our World series

Grade 3-5-These three titles are graced with eye-catching, full-color photos and illustrations. All three have Fun Fact sidebars interspersed throughout and lists of numerous Internet sites for further reference, but no further-reading recommendations. Clear texts provide information on physiology, life cycles, diet and hunting techniques, as well as habitats and family life. Vultures offers data on a global variety of species, while Falcons and Owls concentrate on the species found in North America. Falcons is more detailed than Deborah Kops's Falcons (Gale, 2000), while Vultures is similar to Mark J. Rauzon's Vultures (Watts, 1997). Owls is far less informative than Helen Roney Sattler's rich The Book of North American Owls (Clarion, 1995).-Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY―School Library Journal

This is our fourth title in our highly-praised Our Wild World: Ecosystems series. Once again, author/ photographer Wayne Lynch takes readers on a personal journey through a treasured North American ecosystem. Amazing photography, first-person anecdotes, and tons of factual information on the animals, plants, climate and landscape come together to give a complete picture of the ecosystem in action. Subjects cover the wide diversity of living things in this habitat from strangler fig trees and bromeliad plants to armadillos and dozens of water birds. And of course gators! These gorgeous books are a feast for both the eyes and mind.

Animals facing threats from human encroachment are featured in these offerings from the Our Wild World series. Prairie Dogs looks at critters considered a keystone species by scientists, linked to the survival of about 40 other species. Horse-lovers will gravitate to the doe-eyed bays on the cover of Wild Horses, which introduces readers to the scattered herds of mustangs still roaming the U.S. Both books spend a great deal of time on these animals' fascinating social systems, from the bands of mares led by a single stallion to prairie dog towns subdivided into coteries. The prose is consistently clear and lively, although Lorbiecki's breathless marveling at prairie dogs' language of chirks, yips, and other vocalizations may lead children to anthropomorphize more than is warranted.

Coyotes were once considered to be animals of the Wild West, but today they are found in every part of North America, including major cities. Some consider these animals to be a nuisance, while others see them as helpers in defeating crop pests. Frequently in the news and even in our neighborhoods, there's no denying that these creatures are a wildlife success story, continually adapting to changing habitats and conditions in order to survive. NorthWord is excited to be adding Coyotes to the popular OUR WILD WORLD collection of animals books. Known for stunning photography and straightforward information, this series has become a treasured reference for nature-minded kids.

The newest additions to the long-running and highly-respected Our Wild World series cover two fascinating, but very different, winged creatures! Outstanding nature photography and thorough information combine to make this a perfect purchase for the most curious readers! Bats and butterflies are common subjects in classrooms. Butterflies are perennially popular (their exotic beauty and the interesting process of metamorphosis), and the mystery and lore surrounding bats fascinates many. These books focus on commonalities among species, as well as interesting differences among the wide range of species in each group. Bats also addresses the rumors and negative information about bats, by debunking myths and giving the real story (which is more fascinating than the fiction!). Websites and index give added information and help navigate.