Books with title Exploring the Galapagos Islands

Fernando, a young South American finch, becomes cast out to sea and is all alone on floating debris. After a horrid storm-tossed six-hundred-mile trip, he is eventually stranded on a Galapagos island and ends up adventuring, learning, and exploring other islands and new ideas with a sidekick finch, Hector. Along with seeing and meeting many wondrous wild creatures on the enchanted islands, Fernando experiences earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and watches nature at work, which keeps his keen mind filled with questions and flowing ideas. After seeing six strikingly different islands, can Fernando really understand the true nature of them and the humans he travels with? Can he and Hector, his sturdy sidekick, survive the many perils and ever find a way back to their homes? Can he learn why little finches do most bird tasks on all the different islands? Can he understand why giant tortoises and huge iguanas on the Galapagos Islands are so different from those in his South American mainland? He struggles to answer all these puzzling questions as he travels and trusts his luck. It's an exciting trip with feathered adventurers investigating many secrets of nature on unique enchanted islands with weird new animal life far out in the Pacific Ocean. Amazingly, Fernando discovers answers to many of his questions. But how does he get this new knowledge, insight, and himself back home to South America? Yet this feathered adventurer does just that.

Accurately detailed, colorable images of flora and fauna from the exotic islands that inspired Darwin's theory of evolutionFrom Charles Darwin's historic visit in 1835 to the present wave of tourism by naturalists and nature lovers, the Galapagos Islands have proved to be a fascinating destination. Once a favorite pirate hideaway, the islands are home to a rich variety of plant and animal life, many unique to the archipelago. It was here that the young Charles Darwin first observed the differences in species that led to the formulation of his landmark theory of evolution. Carefully researched illustrations spotlight 32 unusual animals from these isolated islands off the west coast of South America. Depicted amid the vegetation in their native habitats are:• Giant tortoise • Leaf-toed gecko• Flightless cormorant • Rice rats • Sulphur butterfly • Blue-footed booby• Spotless ladybug • Giant longhorn beetle• Great frigatebird • Squeak bug• Vermilion flycatcher • Sally lightfoot crabs. . . and 20 other forms of wildlife.A fascinating, descriptive caption accompanies the illustration of each unique creature and plant.

This book is about one of the most interesting and important group of islands in the world. It explains what helped form the isolated islands, and how its unique ecosystem developed way out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The book goes on to talk about when the islands were first discovered and talks about the incredibly important theory Charles Darwin developed there that help change science forever. The book concludes by talking more about its unique features and animals and explains what visiting the islands is like.

This title takes readers on an incredible journey to the Galápagos Islands, one of the world's most extraordinary, yet endangered, Troubled Treasures. Young travel enthusiasts are sure to appreciate the large, colorful photos of unique endemic species such as Galápagos giant tortoises, Galápagos sea lions, and Galápagos marine iguanas. Popular native creatures, such as blue-footed boobies, are also introduced. Helpful diagrams demonstrate how the archipelago formed over a hot spot and how ocean currents impact its unique environment. Students will also become familiar with UNESCO and why the Galápagos were named a World Heritage site. Colorful maps show where in the world the Galápagos are located and give a detailed view of the official World Heritage area. From the archipelago's formation to Darwin's theory of evolution to today's conservation efforts, readers will gain an understanding of the islands' history and their significance to scientific study. Tips for how to be a conscious tourist encourage kids to consider responsible environmental actions on the islands and at home. Informative sidebars and fun facts offer additional opportunities for readers to explore the Galápagos, while bolded glossary terms, phonetic spellings, and an index make this adventurous volume accessible! Checkerboard Library is an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.