Synergy: Border Barrier

A BORDER BARRIER is a fence, wall, or other structure intended to stop movement between two spaces such as countries. They are designed for defense or to prevent illegal activities such as immigration and smuggling. Unintended consequences of these structures include limiting the natural movement of wildlife.  

Read the recently published nonfiction picture books for children, then learn more at the websites:

BORDER CROSSINGS written by Sneed B. Collard II and illustrated by Howard Gray shares the story of how wildlife are impacted by the US-Mexico border wall. Specifically, the powerful picture book follows endangered ocelots who attempt to cross the border. ARC courtesy of Charlesbridge.

OCELOT from the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance provides useful background information about the endangered ocelot. To read the web page, go to https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/ocelot.

THE RIVER AND THE WALL is a full-length documentary following five friends who document wildlife migration and immigration issues along the US-Mexico border. Use this video to better understand the issues as you read the suggested picture book with children. To view the documentary, go to https://youtu.be/3TK4oMtSJfI

Website Review: American Panorama

AMERICAN PANORAMA: AN ATLAS OF UNITED STATES HISTORY is an interactive historical atlas.

This online atlas project currently contains five maps. The Mapping Inequality (1935-1940) project explores New Deal America, the Forced Migration (1810-1860) map examines enslaved people, the Overland Trails (1840-1860) project focuses on trails west, the Foreign-Born Population (1850-2010) map features immigrants from around the world, and the Canals (1820-1860) project focuses on canals of the Northeast US.

Librarians will find this atlas is helpful for students who learn best though the use of visual communication. Involve students in discussing other topics that would benefit from an interactive atlas approach. Because the topics cover a variety of topics, the project can be integrated into both history and social studies classes.

To visit the website, go to http://dsl.richmond.edu/panorama/.

For another historical atlas, go to http://dsl.richmond.edu/historicalatlas/.

Book Review: High Tide for Horseshoe Crabs

HIGH TIDE FOR HORSESHOE CRABS by Lisa Kahn Schnell is an informational picture book exploring the migration of horseshoe crabs to the shores of Delaware Bay.

Lisa Kahn Schnell begins each two-page spread with a short, active sentence that highlights the key idea. Next, she tells the story of coastal ecology and migration using age-appropriate details. This combination is effective for a read-aloud experience.

Designed for ages 3-7, this well-written science narrative is effective in sharing accurate scientific information as well as the passion of scientists and naturalists. The book concludes with detailed science information, a map, and additional information sources including website suggestions.

Alan Marks’ illustration beautiful illustrations combine ink lines with watercolor. The front and back endpapers contain a nicely labeled diagram of a horseshoe crab. Marks tells the story of the horseshoe crabs using the spectrum of nature colors. From shorebirds to scientists, Marks realistically portrays the story’s characters and coastal setting.

Librarians will welcome this informational picture book title into their science collections. With the themes of coastal ecology, animal migration, life cycles, and scientists-in-the-field, the book provides numerous opportunities for science standards connections.

For lots of photos of horseshoe crabs, do a Google Images search atimages.google.com.

To learn more about the author, go to http://lisakschnell.com/.
To learn more about the illustrator, go to http://www.marksonpaper.co.uk/.

Published by Charlesbridge April 14, 2015.