Around One Cactus: Owls, Bats and Leaping Rats

by Anthony D. Fredericks, Jennifer DiRubbio (Illustrator)

Overview

Have you seen a saguaro cactus? It looks so lonely, standing in the dry, dry desert. But actually the saguaro is a haven for a whole community of creatures - some cute, some creepy, all of them fascinating! The renowned educator-author uses an entertaining, repetitive rhyme that culminates in successful learning. Includes “field notes” and resources.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781584690528
Publisher:	Dawn Publications
Publication date:	09/01/2003
Series:	Sharing Nature with Children Book Series
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	2.36(w) x 2.78(h) x 0.09(d)
Lexile:	AD1280L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 10 Years

Editorial Reviews

A young boy looks at a cactus in the desert, and assuming that nothing else could live on this arid ground he walks away and misses the community of animals that live in and around the cactus and come out at night. This picture book would be a great addition to a science program. It is appropriate for a study of ecosystems in general, a general study of animal adaptations, or a study of desert animals in particular. The book is also a treat for pleasure reading. The text is written in rhyming verse and the repetition builds with the arrival of each new animal at the cactus "a haven for creatures in a waterless land." The text is lyrical and reads aloud beautifully. The illustrations are also appealing-accurate and detailed. Also included is a letter to the reader, field notes and fantastic facts for each animal featured, suggestions for further reading and organizations to contact. Fredericks has also written Under One Rock: Bugs, Slugs and other Ughs and In One Tidepool: Crabs, Snails and Salty Tales. 2003, Dawn, Ages 5 to 10.
— Renee Englot

Children's Literature

K-Gr 4-In a cadence reminiscent of Arnold Lobel's The Rose in My Garden (HarperTrophy, 1993), Fredericks utilizes a cumulative rhyme to introduce the community of a Saguaro cactus. A young boy observes the impressive plant and wonders, "Who could be living on this arid ground?" As night falls, he walks away and the animals begin to "play and prey." First, "A leaping rat builds a cozy nest/(A sheltered place for her young to rest)/Beside the cactus tall and grand,/A haven for creatures in a waterless land." Each additional verse conveys a few facts about another desert inhabitant. A "Field Notes" section at the end explains that these animals can be found in the Sonoran desert and provides some background about each of them. DiRubbio's vibrantly colored and detailed illustrations-including pictures of a speckled Gila monster and sharp-eyed owl-are sized perfectly to provide clarity. Combining an elegant text with dramatic artwork, this book is an attention-grabbing read-aloud and a winner for any collection.-Phyllis M. Simon, Bay Shore School District, NY Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal