đź”— Content Connection: Ocean Life. Learn about whales, dolphins, and other ocean mammals.
▶️ The three different ways mammals give birth from TED-Ed. “All mammals share certain characteristics, like warm blood and backbones. But despite their similarities, these creatures also have many biological differences—and one of the most remarkable differences is how they give birth. Kate Slabosky details the placental, marsupial, and monotreme methods of giving birth.” – All
bats
📖 The Case of the Vanishing Little Brown Bats: A Scientific Mystery by Sandra Markle. Since 2007, White-Nose Syndrome has been decimating bat populations throughout the Northeast. In this excellent and timely book, Sandra Markle introduces us to the scientists at the center of the effort to identify and respond to this devastating disease. This is a terrific addition to a study of bats, ecosystems, and scientific research. Caveat: there are a number of photos of little bat skeletons and corpses, which may be distressing for some. – Elementary • Middle
đź”— Content Connection: Conservation. Learn about the importance of healthy ecosystems to bats and other mammals.
▶️ Why do bats transmit so many diseases like Ebola? from MinuteEarth. Bats possess certain traits that make them good carriers of many deadly diseases. – All
bears
📖 Wild About Bears by Jeannie Brett. Best for younger kids, this book offers a fine introduction to bears. Brett discusses the physical and behavioral traits shared by all bears, and gives information on the eight different species alive today. – Preschool • Elementary
📖 Polar Bears by Mark Newman. Here is a good starting point for your study of polar bears: the two page spreads convey basic facts with limited text and cool photographs.​ – Preschool • Elementary
📖 Waiting for Ice by Sandra Markle. An orphaned polar bear cub struggles to survive on her own through the Arctic winter. Based on a true story. – Preschool • Elementary
bison
📖 The Buffalo Are Back by Jean Craighead George. This is a brief history of both the Great Plains and the decimation and resurgence of the American bison. – Elementary
📖 The Buffalo & The Indians: A Shared Destiny by Dorothy Henshaw Patent. This 78-page non-fiction chapter book describes the bison, their importance to the native Plains people, and the way in which westward expansion destroyed their world. – Elementary • Middle
đź”— Content Connection: Native Americans. Learn about the Plains people.
cats
📖 A Boy and a Jaguar by Alan Rabinowitz. This is a touching little picture book memoir about a boy who stutters uncontrollably—except when he's talking to animals. As the book describes, young Alan grows up to be a prominent wildlife conservationist and advocate for stutterers. A wonderful story about vulnerability, self-acceptance, and finding your passion. Rabinowitz is CEO of Panthera (see below). – Preschool • Elementary
📖 Snow School by Sandra Markle. Follow a young snow leopard cub and his sister as they learn from their mother the lessons that will help them survive in their mountainous homeland.​ – Elementary • Middle
📖 Chasing Cheetahs: The Race to Save Africa’s Fastest Cats by Sy Montgomery. This entry in the Scientists in the Field Series takes us to the African headquarters of the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia, where scientists are working to save the cheetah from extinction. With colored photographs and lots of text, this is a great read for an older kid with an interest in animal conservation. – Middle
📖 Saving the Ghost of the Mountain: An Expedition Among Snow Leopards in Mongolia by Sy Montgomery. Big cat lovers and conservationists will also enjoy learning about scientists' efforts to save the endangered snow leopards of Mongolia in Montgomery's award-winning Saving the Ghosts of the Mountain. – Middle
💻 Panthera.org. Panthera is a non-profit dedicated to saving wild cats. On their visually appealing website, you will find a 4-minute introductory video as well as a page of facts and photos for each of the big cats. – All
▶️ The history of the world according to cats from TED-Ed. “In ancient times, wildcats were fierce carnivorous hunters. And unlike dogs, who have undergone centuries of selective breeding, modern cats are genetically very similar to ancient cats. How did these solitary, fierce predators become our sofa sidekicks? Eva-Maria Geigl traces the domestication of the modern house cat.” – All
dogs
📖 The Wolves Are Back by Jean Craighead George. From the author of Julie of the Wolves comes a nice picture book about the grey wolves of Yellowstone. The Wolves Are Back focuses on the ways in which the newly introduced wolves have helped to restore balance to the Yellowstone wilderness. – Preschool • Elementary
📖 Family Pack by Sandra Markle . Based on a true story, Family Pack tells of the grey wolves who were re-introduced to Yellowstone Park, 70 years after the species was driven out of the region.​ Family Pack focuses on a young female wolf relocated from Canada to Yellowstone. – Elementary
▶️ A brief history of dogs from TED-Ed. “Since their emergence over 200,000 years ago, modern humans have established communities all over the planet. But they didn’t do it alone. Whatever corner of the globe you find humans in today, you’re likely to find another species as well: dogs. So how did one of our oldest rivals, the wolf, evolve into man’s best friend? David Ian Howe traces the history of humanity’s first domesticated animal.” – All
elephants
📖 My Bibi Always Remembers by Tony Buzzeo. This gentle story introduces the social structure of the African elephants. Little Tembo and her herd rely on her grandmother, Bibi, to help them find their way across the dry savannah. For really young children. – Preschool • Elementary
📖 A Baby Elephant in the Wild by Caitlin O’Connell. Featuring large color photographs, this book offers a simple, straightforward introduction to the wild elephants of the African savannah. – Preschool • Elementary
📖 Elephant Talk: Surprising Science of Elephant Communication by Ann Downer. This is a comprehensive 100-page book on elephant communication, appropriate for older students. Chapters include “Born into the Heart of a Herd,” “Talking Through Walls: Ultrasound,” and “Gods and Monsters: The Elephant-Human Relationship.”​ – Middle
📖 The Elephant Scientist by Caitlin O’Connell and Donna Jackson. This Scientist in the Field title describes the research of prominent elephant scientist (and co-author) Caitlin O’Connell, whose studies on elephant communication were also the subject of a 2013 Smithsonian documentary, Elephant King. A fascinating read. – Middle
▶️ Why elephants never forget from TED-Ed. “It’s a common saying that elephants never forget. But the more we learn about elephants, the more it appears that their impressive memory is only one aspect of an incredible intelligence that makes them some of the most social, creative, and benevolent creatures on Earth. Alex Gendler takes us into the incredible, unforgettable mind of an elephant.” – All
Primates
📖 Ape by Martin Jenkins. "Swing with a hairy orangutan and her baby as they lunge for a smelly, spiky durian fruit. Roam and play with a gang of chimps, then poke out some tasty termites with a blade of grass. Chatter and feast on figs with a bonobo, or chomp on bamboo with a gorilla as he readies for sleep. What could be better than spending time with these rare and wonderful creatures—after all, the fifth great ape on this planet is you!" Jenkins' Ape has received many accolades in children's literature. – Preschool • Elementary
📖 Mad about Monkeys by Owen Davey. This thorough picture book manages to convey a lot of interesting information about monkeys in an accessible manner. “With over 250 species inhabiting our planet, this book explores the many different types of monkeys from the smallest Pygmy Marmoset to the largest Mandrill, and provides all the facts you wanted to know and more. Discover where monkeys come from, how they swing from tree to tree, and why they fight and play with each other.” – Elementary
📖 The Watcher: Jane Goodall's Life with the Chimps by Jeanette Winter. Here is a great first introduction to the life and work of Jane Goodall. Young children will appreciate the whimsical illustrations and simple yet poignant text. – Preschool • Elementary
📖 My Life with the Chimpanzees by Jane Goodall. This engagingly written 150-page autobiography is perfect for middle grade readers with a deeper interest in Goodall and her work with chimpanzees. – Middle
📖 Primates: The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Biruté Galdikas by Jim Ottaviano. Here's an unusual graphic novel about three highly distinguished female primatologists of the 20th century. A great addition to your study of primates. – Middle • High
