Synergy: Nocturnal Animals

NOCTURNAL ANIMALS are creatures who are active during the night and sleep during the day. After dark, these animals hunt, eat, and mate. Adaptations to their senses such as hearing, eyesight, and smell allow them to function in the dark.

Read the recently published children’s book series, then learn more at the websites:

THE NOCTURNALS by Tracey Hecht includes both early reader (3 levels) and middle grade fiction reading adventures. Combining humor with mystery, the fiction books have recently expanded to include nonfiction works. 

New nonfiction works are intended to extend the fiction reading experience. However, they can stand alone for children who prefer informational reading and activities. ARC courtesy of Fabled Films Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster.

UNIQUE ADAPTATIONS OF NIGHTTIME ANIMALS is a companion to The Mysterious Abduction Books for ages 9 to 12. Focusing on both adaptations and conservation efforts, it combines narrative from the series characters along with interesting facts.

AWESOME FEATURES & SURPRISING ADAPTATIONS is a companion to the Early Reader series for ages 6 to 8. Focusing on the adaptations of nine nocturnal animals, readers connect their favorite nocturnal characters to real-world nighttime animals and their habitats.

NOCTURNALS WORLD is the web portal for The Nocturnals series. Readers are invited to join the “Nocturnal Brigade”. The website includes information about the authors, books, educational resources, and activities.

To visit the website, go to https://nocturnalsworld.com/.

NOCTURNAL ANIMALS from DK Findout! provides information about night creatures.

To explore the web project, go to https://www.dkfindout.com/us/animals-and-nature/nocturnal-animals/.

LIST OF NOCTURNAL ANIMALS from Wikipedia provides links to dozens of nocturnal creatures.

To visit the list, go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_nocturnal_animals.

Synergy: Narwhal

The NARWHAL is a medium-sized toothed whale with a long tusk protruding from it’s head. Known as the unicorns of the sea, they are deep diving creatures who live in groups above the Arctic Circle near the polar ice cap.

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

NARWHAL: THE ARCTIC UNICORN written by Justin Anderson and illustrated by Jo Weaver combines an engaging nature story with factual information about the fascinating narwhal. The book concludes with information about the future of the narwhal, additional resources, and an index. ARC courtesy of Candlewick Press.

WHAT IS A NARWHAL? is a web page from NOAA Ocean Exploration providing basic information about the narwhal and its habitat.

To read the page, go to https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/facts/narwhal.html.

NARWHAL from the WWF features photos, text, and videos about the sea creature and the challenges it faces from growing threats.

To visit the website, go to https://www.arcticwwf.org/wildlife/narwhal/.

NARWHAL FAQ by Kristin Laidre is a web project providing answers to commonly asked questions along with engaging illustrations.

To visit the web project, go to http://staff.washington.edu/klaidre/narwhal-faq/.

Synergy: Dr. Mary Edwards Walker

DR. MARY EDWARDS WALKER was an American surgeon, abolitionist, suffragette, and Civil War era spy. Known for her unconventional wardrobe and efforts to promote human rights, Walker received the Medal of Honor.

Read the recently published young adult biography, then learn more at the websites:

I COULD NOT DO OTHERWISE by Sara Latta tells the story of a Civil War surgeon and spy who broke gender norms and fought for social justice. Disregarding social conventions and championing human rights, Dr. Mary Edwards is still the only woman to be awarded the Medal of Honor. Weaving primary sources documents and photographs into an engaging narrative, Latta successfully immerses readers in the life of this lesser-known historical figure. ARC courtesy of Zest Books, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group.

CHANGING THE FACE OF MEDICINE is an online exhibition celebrating America’s women physicians. The website includes a database, resources, and activities. Dr. Walker is included in the database.

To visit the website, go to https://cfmedicine.nlm.nih.gov/.

MEDAL OF HONOR: MARY WALKER is an online graphic biography from the Association of the United States Army.

To read the ebook, go to https://online.flowpaper.com/77a9072e/MedalofHonorMaryWalker/#page=1.

Synergy: Beavers

BEAVERS are semiaquatic, broad-tailed rodents found in North America and northern Eurasia. This large mammal is known to gnaw through tree trunks, feed on bark, and build dams.

Read the recently published children’s nonfiction picture book, then learn more at the websites:

THE LODGE THAT BEAVER BUILT by Randi Sonenshine and illustrated by Anne Hunter features engaging illustrations and informative text to tell the story of a beaver and its family. Skillfully balancing scientific information with lyrical prose, this picture book is a perfect way to jumpstart an inquiry into the life cycle of a beaver and its ecosystem. Related creatures are effectively woven into the narrative to expand the appeal. The book concludes with useful background information. ARC courtesy of Candlewick Press.

AMERICAN BEAVER is a video from National Geographic Kids featuring amazing beaver footage.

To watch the video, go to https://youtu.be/Ic3x8OVYe80

BEAVER from National Geographic Kids provides an overview to this common mammal including text, a map, photos, and a video clip.

To read the page, go to https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/beaver.

Timely Take-Aways for Life-long Learning: History of the American West

Several new histories of the American West shed light on lesser known individuals and new ways of thinking about this fascinating time period and location.

Birthing the West: Mothers and Midwives in the Rockies and Plains
Jennifer J. Hill, March 2022, Bison Books, Longleaf Services   
Themes: American West, History, Women

Childbirth is an overlooked event that dramatically impacted the economic and cultural development of the American West.

Take-aways: From the changing role of midwives and physicians to the transition of births from homes to hospitals, teachers can use this book to help students better understand woman and families in the West.

The Widowed Ones: Beyond the Battle of Little Bighorn
Chris Enss, June 2022, TwoDot                               
Themes: Biography, American West, History, Women

Told through diaries and other primary sources, THE WIDOWED ONES shares the story of seven officers’ wives whose husbands died at the Battle of Little Bighorn providing a unique look at western life.

Take-aways: History is often told from the soldier’s perspective. This text provides useful examples of the impact of military service on families.

Peace and Friendship: An Alternative History of the American West
Stephen Aron, July 2022, Oxford University Press     
Themes: American West, History, Revolutionary Era

This refreshing collection of inspiring stories focuses on instances of peace and good will often overlooked in favor of a focus on conflict and violent ends.

Take-aways: Students sometimes feel like history is just one conflict after another. Use anecdotes from this text to stress historical episodes that ended in cooperation, alliances, and peace. 

Continental Reckoning: The American West in the Age of Expansion
Elliott West, February 2023, University of Nebraska Press                     
Themes: American West, History

This engaging work of nonfiction shares both the physical transformation of the West along with the deep impact on the people who were displaced and those that reshaped the land.

Take-aways: This sweeping narrative highlights key events within the larger national and global contexts. These contexts are essential in helping students understand the significance of this pivotal period and place.

The Summer of 1876: Outlaws, Lawmen, and Legends in the Season that Defined the American West
Chris Wimmer, June 2023, St. Martin’s Press, an imprint of Macmillan   Themes: American West, History

Wimmer uses the 100th anniversary of the nation to explore key figures and events in American frontier mythology. These interrelationships provide fascinating insights into a changing nation.

Whether helping educators keep up-to-date in their subject-areas, promoting student reading in the content-areas, or simply encouraging nonfiction leisure reading, teacher librarians need to be aware of the best new titles across the curriculum and how to activate life-long learning. - Annette Lamb