Monday, August 23, 2021

Synergy: Eons

Eons are chunks of time used to mark key events in the history of Earth including the history of life on our planet. Eons are the largest division of time and are subdivided into eras, periods, epochs, and ages.

Read the recently published informational picture book, then learn more at the YouTube Channel:

OUT OF THE BLUE written by Elizabeth Shreeve and illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon describes how animals evolved from prehistoric seas. Each two page spread explores an eon, period, or era. The simple, accurate text along with the colorful illustrations and diagrams provide an effective introduction to the evolution of living things. The author skillfully weaves questions and answers into the narrative to bring together key concepts.

Eons is a YouTube Channel from PBS Digital Studios exploring the history of life on Earth. The episode, THE SEARCH FOR THE EARLIEST LIFE shares information about the earliest life on earth. Other videos explore topics related to the evolution of plants and animals through the eons.

To visit the channel, go to https://www.youtube.com/c/eons.
To watch the video, go to https://youtu.be/uCVnRIP3pIk.

ARC courtesy of Candlewick Press.

Monday, August 16, 2021

Synergy: Seasons

Seasons are a way to divide a year on Earth based on changes in daylight, weather, and living organisms. The seasons in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere are different because of the Earth’s axial tilt. Although traditionally divided into four seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter, some areas of the world recognize fewer or more seasons.

Read the recently published picture book, then learn more at the website:

IF YOU GO DOWN TO THE WOODS TODAY with poems by Rachel Piercy and illustrated by Freya Hartas is an engaging picture book exploring the woodland habitat through the seasons. Each two-page spread includes a descriptive poem and over a dozen things to find on the page. Primary grade teachers will find this book to be a fun read-aloud or engaging learning station option. Use it to jumpstart a discussion about the fact and fiction of woodland life. The book concludes with a nature trail revisiting the book’s content and encouraging children to get outside and explore nature.

50 THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU’RE 11-3/4 is an activity list from UK’s National Trust. This handy resource describes dozens of ideas for encouraging young adventurers to explore nature through the seasons. Users can read the guide online, then download a wall chart as a PDF.

To learn more, go to https://bit.ly/3i50B2C.

ARC courtesy of Magic Cat Publishing, an imprint of ABRAMS.


Monday, August 09, 2021

Synergy: Tree



A tree is a woody perennial plant generally containing a trunk and lateral branches. A root system serves as an underground anchor using moisture and nutrients from the soil. Leaves grow from the shoots. Trees usually reproduce using seeds.

Read the informational picture book for youth, then learn more at the websites:

BE A TREE! written by Maria Gianferrari and illustrated by Felicita Sala skillfully balances poetic connections between trees and humans with useful facts for young scientists. This combination is intended to inspire young people to be kind members of their community as well as environmentally aware global citizens. This beautifully illustrated picture book concludes with an author’s note, anatomy of a tree illustration, additional resources, and calls for environmental and community action.

THANK YOU, TREES! from PBS KIDS PLUM LANDING provides a digital nature sketchpad where children can draw their own trees.

To draw a tree, go to https://to.pbs.org/34AFWMm.

THE TREE GUIDE from the Arbor Day Foundation provides a tree database, glossary, and a page about the anatomy of a tree.

To explore the website, go to https://bit.ly/2RbMmhU.

ARC courtesy of Abrams Books for Young Readers. 

Monday, August 02, 2021

Synergy: Wildlife


Wildlife are undomesticated creatures that live separate from direct human interference. Global populations of wildlife are rapidly decreasing due to human activity such as habitat destruction.

Read the informational picture book series for youth, then learn more at the websites:

GO WILD! is a new series for young readers from National Geographic Kids. SEA TURTLES is the first book in this informational reading collection for ages 4 through 8. Each title has a similar format including a two-page spread and topics such as habitat, map, size, anatomy, relatives, food, and babies. Pages related to conservation issues are likely to inspire children to care for these creatures. A timeline and glossary are useful for curriculum connections. Fun facts and activities extend the experience. The parallel format of each book makes them particularly useful for small group activities.

Upcoming titles in the series include PANDAS, ELEPHANTS, and LEMURS.

LEAVE WILD ANIMALS IN THE WILD is a short online article providing wildlife tips for children.

To read the article, go to https://bit.ly/3uGZOIg.

EXPLORE provides access to dozens of live streaming cameras students and educators can use to observe wildlife.

To view the cameras, go to https://explore.org/livecams.

ARC courtesy of National Geographic Kids.

Monday, July 26, 2021

Timely Take-Aways for Life-Long Learning: The Boone Family

Timely Take-Aways for Life-Long Learning


The Taking of Jemima Boone: Colonial Settlers, Tribal Nations, and the Kidnap That Shaped America
Matthew Pearl, October 2021, HarperCollins
Themes: history, United States, Revolutionary Period

Blood and Treasure: Daniel Boone and the Fight for America’s First Frontier
Boby Drury and Tom Clavins, April 2021, Macmillan
Themes: history, United States, 18th and 19th Century

From tragedy and hardship to strength and independence, the Boone family represents the passion and resilience of 18th-century settlers. Both new titles skillfully explore the experiences of the Boone family within the larger context of the people, places, and events that shaped early westward expansion.

THE TAKING OF JEMIMA BOONE is an absorbing work of narrative nonfiction that seamlessly weaves key people and historical events with the personal story of a strong young woman with a legendary father. Divided into three sections, the book explores the taking, the retaliation, and the reckoning.

BLOOD AND TREASURE examines the epic struggle over the lands west of the Appalachian Mountains. From Native American tribes trying to save their land from invaders to the settlers pushed west by an expanding nation, this carefully researched, engaging narrative shares the many perspectives of both legendary figures and ordinary people.

Let’s explore seven timely take-aways for life-long learners:
1) In popular art and literature of the 19th-century, Jemima Boone was portrayed as a passive victim of a Cherokee-Shawnee raiding party. In reality, she was a strong wilderness woman who used knowledge of her captors, delay tactics, and skills in trail marking to stay alive.

2) During the early days of America’s westward expansion, complex relationships, ever-shifting allegiances, and broken promises sparked violent clashes between and among Spanish, French, British, Colonial American, Indigenous, and Enslaved peoples. These conflicts and betrayals caused deep and lasting physical and emotional scars that impacted their future actions.

3) Cultural misunderstandings about property ownership, allegiance, and family structure were at the root of many clashes. Unlikely early biographies that often depicted Daniel Boone as a thrill-seeking Indian killer, he is increasingly respected for his patience and interest in studying cultural nuances.

4) Peaceful gatherings were held among people of different cultural backgrounds to avoid conflict when possible. For instance, Jemima Boone had met her captor Hanging Maw at such an event prior to the kidnapping. Daniel Boone was adopted into a Shawnee family and was viewed as both a captive and son.

5) During the 18th-century, hunters spent six months on expeditions known as “long hunts”. Daniel Boone was one of several well-known long hunters. In addition to gathering and processing animals, Boone collected valuable information from other explorers such as John Finley as well as his own pathfinding that was later used to establish Kentucky settlements.

6) Although most people associate Daniel Boone with Kentucky, he and his extended family including Jemima Boone Callaway moved to Missouri in 1799 where he spent the last twenty years of his life.

7) Despite inaccurate 19th-century biographies and works of fiction, Daniel Boone remains an iconic figure in American history. However, it continues to be difficult to separate the man from the myth.

Timely Take-Aways for Life-Long Learning
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, Teacher Librarian: The Journal for School Library Professionals


Synergy: Comparative Adjectives


Comparative adjectives are words that share differences between the two objects they modify such as faster, colder, messier, or happier.

Read the informational picture book for youth, then learn more at the websites:

COMPARROTIVES by Janik Coat is the latest book in the Grammar Zoo series geared to a preschool audience. Featuring seventeen, two-page spreads, this oversized board book is an engaging way to teach children about comparative adjectives. Although designed for young children, the book is also useful with older children reviewing grammar rules. Other books in the series include HIPPOPPOSITES, RHYMOCEROS, and LLAMAPHONES.

COMPARATIVES GRAMMAR is a short animation that uses humor to introduce grammar concepts.

To view the video, go to https://youtu.be/2fQb7_KUs3A.

ARC courtesy of Abrams Appleseed, an imprint of Abrams.

Monday, July 19, 2021

Synergy: Camouflage


Camouflage is a defense mechanism used by creatures to blend into their environment. Also called cryptic coloration, these organisms are able to disguise their appearance, location, and even movement.

Read the informational picture book for youth, then learn more at the websites:

MASTERS OF DISGUISE: CAMOUFLAGING CREATURES & MAGNIFICENT MIMICS by Marc Martin uses brightly colored watercolor and cut-outs to explore the world of biomimicry in nature. Featuring a dozen animals from around the world, readers learn about how each creature is able to blend into its natural habitat. Of particular note are the seek-and-find activities woven throughout the book to get students thinking about the importance of observation in the natural world.

CAN YOU FIND THE CAMOUFLAGED ANIMALS? from Earth Rangers shows viewers an image and asks them to identify the creature. After revealing the answers, viewers learn facts about the creature. This video would be effective as a whole class, small group, or individual activity.

To view the video, go to https://youtu.be/kGZX1_Zy-74.

32 EXAMPLES OF CAMOUFLAGE IN NATURE is an online article containing lots ideas educators can use to teach about how predators and prey animals use camouflage.

To read the article, go to https://bit.ly/34FJXiJ.

ARC courtesy of Candlewick Press.

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Timely Take-Aways for Life-Long Learning: Auschwitz

 

The Sisters of Auschwitz: The True Story of Two Jewish Sisters’ Resistance in the Heart of Nazi Territory
Roxane van Iperen, August 2021, HarperCollins
Themes: history, Jewish, World War II, Holocaust
The Auschwitz Photographer: The Forgotten Story of the WWII Prisoner Who Documented Thousands of Lost Souls
Luca Crippa, Maurizio Onnis, Jennifer Higgins (translated by)
September 2021, Sourcebooks
Themes: history, biography, survival, World War II, Holocaust
The Dressmakers of Auschwitz: The True Story of the Women Who Sewed to Survive
Lucy Adlington, September 2021, HarperCollins
Themes: history, Jewish, World War II, Holocaust
Since the end of World War II, many nonfiction works have shared the horrific atrocities of Auschwitz. However, three recent titles explore the Holocaust from unusual perspectives including a photographer, dressmakers, and sisters. These powerful stories chronicle the variety of ways prisoners were able to survive.
THE SISTERS OF AUSCHWITZ shares the story of two sisters who joined the Dutch Resistance. From publishing an underground newspaper to hiding refugees, they were working at a resistance center when betrayed and sent to Auschwitz.
THE DRESSMAKERS OF AUSCHWITZ examines the experiences of seamstresses who survived the gas chambers by creating high fashion dresses for elite Nazi women. At the same time, these brave women played a role in camp resistance.
THE AUSCHWITZ PHOTOGRAPHER tells the true story of Wilhelm Brasse who recorded the horrors of the deadliest concentration camp in WWII. He was first assigned to the photographic identification unit and later to Josef Mengele’s horrific laboratory. He survived by taking 50,000 photographs over a five year period.
Let’s explore seven timely take-aways for life-long learners:
  1. Jewish sisters Janny and Lien Brilleslijper were active in the Dutch resistance. They were with Anne Frank and her family on the train to Auschwitz.
  2. The High Nest is an example of a secret refuge near Amsterdam that served as an important safe house during World War II.
  3. The Upper Tailoring Studio was a fashion workshop housed at Auschwitz and created to cater to the wives of SS officers and Berlin’s wealthy Nazis.
  4. Two dozen women prisoners sewed elegant gowns from fabrics and clothing plundered from across Europe.
  5. Wilhelm Brasse was able to save thousands of photographs that provided evidence of Nazi atrocities including human experiments.
  6. Upon entering Auschwitz, identity portrait photographs were taken of each prisoner including from the front and each side.
  7. From nurses and dressmakers to photographers, those who were selected to work at Auschwitz were more likely to survive than other prisoners.
Timely Take-Aways for Life-Long Learning
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, Teacher Librarian: The Journal for School Library Professionals

Monday, July 12, 2021

Synergy: Vaccination

Vaccination is the process of administering a vaccine. Vaccines are used to prevent illness from an infectious disease such as smallpox or polio. Vaccines work by helping the patient’s immune system develop protection from the disease.

Read the work of graphic science for youth, then learn more at the websites:

A SHOT IN THE ARM! by Don Brown is the third book in the “Big Ideas that Changed the World” series of juvenile nonfiction graphic science books. From smallpox to COVID-19, this engaging graphic science book examines the history of deadly disease and the essential role of vaccinations in saving lives. Told through high-quality, engaging illustrations and concise text, this timely work shares the science behind vaccinations and the key scientists who have made them possible. Although the book primarily on the history of smallpox, other diseases are also woven into the story.

THE HISTORY OF VACCINES provides a timeline, articles, and activities exploring the development and use of vaccines through time.

To visit the website, go to https://www.historyofvaccines.org/.

THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE FIRST VACCINE from SciShow shares the long history of smallpox and how medical breakthroughs across thousands of years lead to the vaccine.

To watch the video, go to https://youtu.be/jtqAqL3fn64.

VACCINES 101 from Nature is a short video describing how vaccines work in the human body.

To watch the video, go to https://youtu.be/4SKmAlQtAj8.

ARC courtesy of Amulet Books an imprint of Abrams.

Monday, July 05, 2021

Synergy: Artist Ben Shahn


Ben Shahn (1898-1969) was a Lithuanian born, American social realist artist and educator. Through his paintings, murals, prints, photographs, and illustrations, he told the stories of civil rights activists, political protestors, and ordinary people facing injustice.

Read the biographical picture book for youth, then learn more at the websites:

THE PEOPLE’S PAINTER: HOW BEN SHAHN FOUGHT FOR JUSTICE WITH ART written by Cynthia Levinson and illustrated by Evan Turk tells the true story of a boy who escaped injustice and spent his life sharing the stories of others who faced persecution. Notes, a timeline, and resources are useful in learning more about this artist.

The Archives of American Art contains collections, oral histories, and digital reproductions of the work of BEN SHAHAN.

To visit this collection, go to https://s.si.edu/34ytHjt

BEN SHAHN: PASSION FOR JUSTICE is an award-winning PBS documentary telling the story of this socially engaged artist. Told through interviews and examples of his work, excerpts from this documentary would be useful in helping students understand the continued relevance of this artist.

To watch the video, go to https://youtu.be/LFYwcq0veXc

ARC courtesy of Abrams Books for Young Readers.

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Timely Take-Aways for Life-Long Learning: Geology


How the Mountains Grew: A New Geological History of North America John Dvorak August 2021 Pegasus Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Themes: Science, Nature, Ecosystems, Geology, Geologic History, Mountains

Tracing the geologic history of Earth, HOW THE MOUNTAINS GREW by John Dvorak skillfully weaves common knowledge and established theories with new research findings. The well-established theory of plate tectonics changed our perception of how our continent was formed. However, recently uncovered evidence demonstrates that scientists are just beginning to understand the complexity of our changing landscapes.
This epic story of the geological history of North America celebrates our rapidly changing knowledge of Earth’s past. Of particular note to Earth Science teachers and geology buffs, this engaging narrative also appeals to readers interested in broader areas of science from astrophysics to climate change. From young adults to seniors, Dvorak’s conversational style will be popular with leisure readers.
Let’s explore seven timely take-aways for life-long learners:
  1. In the 1960s, the theory of plate tectonics became widely accepted. However, it was not able to explain the existence of the Black Hills or the diamonds of Arkansas. The intertwining of geology with other traditional and emerging sciences is needed to trace the entire span of geological history.
  2. On August 17, 2017, the first gravitational waves were detected in the direction of the constellation Hydra. This confirmed the collision of neutron stars. These collisions are responsible for most of the heavier elements in the universe such as gold and silver. Prior to this discovery, these collisions were purely theoretical.
  3. In 2015, the International Commission on Stratigraphy determined that the 4.030 billion year old Acasta Gneiss found in the remote Northwest Territories of Canada represents a major milestone in geologic history marking the beginning of the Archean Eon. It’s considered to be the oldest known rock on Earth.
  4. Luis and Walter Alvarez published a paper in 1980 hypothesizing that an extraterrestrial body caused the mass extinction of the dinosaurs. In 2016, a scientific drilling project penetrated the seafloor identifying the Chicxulub impact crater.
  5. In geodynamics, delamination is the loss of the lowermost lithosphere from its tectonic plate. Asthenosphere rises to replace the sinking lithosphere. This process causes uplifts and sometimes volcanism playing an important role in the continuing “growth spurt” of mountains such as the Sierra Nevada. Seismic tomography allows geoscientists to generate images from the crust to the core. 5) In 2019, delamination was found through seismic tomography in the Appalachian Mountains.
  6. In 2019, a fossilized forest containing palm-like trees was found near Cairo, New York demonstrating that complex forests existed at least as early as 388 million years ago.
  7. Although working groups at the major geological societies have not yet recognized the Anthropocene as the current geological epoch, the term as been used informally for a couple decades. The benchmarks for this new epoch include the impact by humans on the natural world. From human-made rock such as concrete and bricks to plastic fragments, human have already made profound changes in the rock record.
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



Monday, June 28, 2021

Synergy: Animals Using Tools


From birds and fish to insects and cephalopods, mammals including humans aren’t the only animals who use tools for work and play. Animals use tools to achieve specific goals such as grooming, defense, communication, and food gathering. Primates are particularly known for their use of tools in hunting, gathering, shelter, and self-defense.

Read the informational picture book for youth, then learn more at the websites:

ORANGUTAN HATS AND OTHER TOOLS ANIMALS USE by Richard Haynes and illustrated by Stephanie Laberis is an informational picture book sharing the many ingenious ways that creatures use tools for a wide range of activities. The book is divided into chapters exploring tools for hygiene, health, defense, gathering food, comfort, and fun. The author concludes with a useful glossary and index. This well-organized work of nonfiction would be useful to teaching about the parts of an informational book. Use this engaging picture book to jumpstart an inquiry-based experience focusing on an animal and its use of tools.

INCREDIBLE TOOL USE IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM is an online article from the BBC that includes text, images, and video sharing the many ways animals use tools.

To read the article, go to https://bbc.in/3uEsYYq.

THE ANIMAL’S TOOL BOX from the Davidson Institute of Science Education is an online article that defines tool and provides many examples of tool use among animals around the world. Many video examples are embedded.

To read the article, go to https://bit.ly/3fVqyiZ.

ARC courtesy of Candlewick Press.

Monday, June 21, 2021

Synergy: Dark Matter and Vera Rubin


Dark matter is made up of particles that do not emit, reflect, or absorb light. It can’t be seen directly or detected through electromagnetic radiation, so we only know about it through its effect on objects that we can observe.

Vera Rubin (1928-2016) was an American astronomer who provided some of the first scientific evidence of dark matter and expanded our understanding of how galaxies work.

Read the informational picture book for youth, then learn more at the website:

THE STUFF BETWEEN THE STARS is a biographical picture book exploring the life of astronomer Vera Rubin. This inspirational story shares the challenges Rubin had as a woman astronomer along with the process of making her discoveries about dark matter and the universe.

VERA RUBIN AND DARK MATTER is a short article about Rubin and her scientific discoveries from the American Museum of Natural History.

To read the article, go to https://bit.ly/3i5HAgZ.

Open Mind’s VERA RUBIN AND DARK MATTER is an engaging short video exploring her life and work.

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

DARK MATTER from NASA’s SpacePlace explains the basics of dark matter to children.

To read the article, go to https://go.nasa.gov/3i12AWe.

ARC courtesy of Abrams for Young Readers.

Monday, June 14, 2021

Synergy: The White Rose

The White Rose was a resistance group formed by university students as a form of nonviolent protest in Nazi Germany. The students coordinated a leaflet and graffiti campaign in opposition to Nazi atrocities. In 1943, some members of the group were captured and executed.

Read the recently published graphic novel, then learn more at the websites:

FREIHEIT!: THE WHITE ROSE GRAPHIC NOVEL by Andrea Grosso Ciponte tells the true story of a group of university students who formed a resistance movement known as the White Rose. Before they were caught and executed, they successfully printed and distributed anti-Nazi leaflets exposing atrocities.

This engaging graphic history depicts the daily life of these heroic activists. The story comes alive through muted grey toned watercolor images.

Pair this title with others that explore this little-known activist group. Related titles:
We will not be silent: The White Rose student resistance movement that defied Adolf Hitler by Russell Freedman is a middle grade work of nonfiction.
White Rose by Kip Wilson is a young adult work of historical fiction.

The CENTER FOR WHITE ROSE STUDIES is a website sharing information about this group. It includes FAQs and English translations of some of the original leaflets. To learn more, go to http://white-rose-studies.org/.

ARC courtesy of Plough and Library Thing.

Tuesday, June 08, 2021

Synergy: Fatherhood Involvement

Fatherhood involvement focuses on the unique bond between a father and child. Children at every stage of development benefit from the involvement of a positive and supporting adult in their life. Regardless of the family structure, strong families and healthy relationships take patience, respect, and communication.

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

DADDY LET’S PLAY written by Rodney Freeman, Jr. and illustrated by Dorothea Taylor weaves together an endearing father-daughter story with relatable, contemporary themes including the pandemic, diversity, and social activism.

Milah and her father play video games together each evening. When her father ends up in the hospital, they figure out a way to stay in contact through their shared passion for gaming.

The brightly colored illustrations paired with the fast-paced text are sure to engage young readers. This accessible title is an effective way to introduce children to the growing number of picture books that represent fatherhood and specifically black dads in a positive light.

FATHERHOOD.GOV is part of the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse supporting strong fathers and families. The website contains tips and hints for dads and kids along with programs and research. The marketing campaign including PSAs reflect ‘#Dadication’ to parenting. A search of the library section reveals dozens of articles focusing specifically on the needs and interests of black fathers.

To visit the website, go to https://www.fatherhood.gov/.

ARC courtesy of Preservation LLC.

Monday, June 07, 2021

Synergy: Women of STEM

Historically, women have been under-represented in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). According to a AAUW report, women make up only 28% of the STEM workforce. Gender gaps are particularly high in computing and engineering. Recent support for STEM education increases the likelihood that more young women may select these careers.

Read the informational book for youth, then learn more at the website:

WONDER WOMEN OF SCIENCE written by Tiera Fletcher and Ginger Rue and illustrated by Sally Wern Comport explores a dozen STEM professionals who have made major contributions to science. Each biography contains a fact box and short narrative with illustrations. Readers learn about the spark that got them started, their eureka moment, note to self, note to you, and words to live by. Each narrative concluded with information about their specializations. The book concludes with a glossary and suggestions for activities and further reading.

THE UNTOLD HISTORY OF WOMEN IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY is a webpage sharing the diverse stories of women across the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. Users can read a short biography, then listen to a SoundCloud podcast that shares their story. To explore this resource, go to https://bit.ly/3wwR89E.

The AAUW’s THE STEM GAP report shares research regarding women in science, technology, engineering and math. To read the report, go to https://bit.ly/3dD729K.

ARC courtesy of Candlewick Press.

Monday, May 31, 2021

Synergy: Estivation

Estivation is the prolonged dormancy of an animal during a hot or dry period. Breathing rate, heart rate, and metabolic rate are slowed to conserve energy. Examples include the North American desert tortoise and the California tiger salamander. These animals seek out a cool, shaded places to wait out the heat. Some animals even burrow in mud or seal themselves in a shell with mucus.

Read the informational picture book for children, then learn more at the websites:

SUMMERTIME SLEEPERS by Melissa Stewart is a picture book examining animals that estivate. While children are likely familiar with hibernation, they may not know about estivation. This beautifully illustrated informational book explores a wide range of creatures from around the world who estivate to avoid hot, dry weather. The author uses a short, main line of text along with blocks of detail about each creature’s approach to estivation. Each two-page layout includes a watercolor along with a sketch of the creature. The book concludes with additional information about animals that estivate.

ASK THE NATURALIST from the Discovery Place compares hibernation, brumation, and estivation. To read the article, go to https://bit.ly/3sWQEr5.

ESTIVATION: HOW MUCUS SAVED MY LIFE from YouTube’s SciShow describes how animals survive in the hottest and driest environments. To view the video, go to https://bit.ly/39KgZ3X.

ARC courtesy of Charlesbridge.