Galápagos: Islands of Change
by Leslie Bulion (Author) Becca Stadtlander (Illustrator)
A poetic introduction to a distinctive island ecosystem that is home to many species found nowhere else on Earth.
Using the same poetry/science note format as Serengeti, Galápagos tells the complex story of a young volcanic ecosystem influenced by seasonal ocean currents, where food energy moves through integrated land and sea communities, each in its own season of growth and renewal.
Millions of years ago, undersea volcanos in the eastern Pacific Ocean erupted, spewing up lava, rocks, and ash that eventually formed a cluster of islands: the archipelago known as the Galápagos Islands. Over time, castaway plants and animals from hundreds of miles away arrived on the rocky shores and adapted to each island's changing volcanic landscape and seasonal weather variations.
In these isolated locations constantly affected by shifting winds and swift ocean currents, much of the wildlife evolved into species found nowhere else on Earth. Some of the many distinctive organisms featured include giant daisy trees, Galápagos penguins, marine iguanas, blue footed boobies, and Galápagos giant tortoises.
The well-researched back matter includes poetry notes, a glossary, resources, and a list of the species from this remarkable ecosystem that are highlighted in the book.
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Publishers Weekly
Haiku, tanka, soledad, as well as free verse and myriad rhyming forms offer an evocative deep dive into the unique biodiversity of the Galapagos ecosystem in this conservation-minded tribute. Many pieces honor individual species--from phytoplankton, marine iguanas, and blue-footed boobies to lava lizards, giant tortoises, and ghost crabs--while others on climate and seasonal change signal the passage of time ("cool ocean/ dry season... warm ocean/ wet season"). Stadtlander's thickly colored gouache and pastel art portrays active subjects immersed in their environment, while accompanying captions further educate. Darwin's finches get their due with free rhyme ("slight shape changes--/ finch beak variations--/ can open new food options./ That's adaptation!") and a full spread of six labeled finches in profile ("Fourteen new finches evolved across islands from the accidental arrival of a single species," text adds). Bulion's poetic tour of the islands' specialness simultaneously underscores the importance of preservation and highlights the richness that is Earth's ecology. A glossary, map, and poetry notes conclude. Ages 8-12. (Mar.)
Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.School Library Journal
Gr 4-6--Volcanoes erupting beneath the Pacific Ocean long ago gave rise to these lava-based islands. Poetry, short captions, and handsome illustrations introduce a bit of island history and some of the creatures. An introductory essay preceding the quick survey of species explains how plants and animals journeyed over and under ocean waters, over millions of years to become unique residents. The entry on zooplankton is followed by activities of the marine iguana, whale sharks, penguins, blue-footed booby, sea lion pups, sharks, and more during the dry season. As the season changes to warm and wet, painted locusts, lizards, finches, hawks, ghost crabs, giant tortoises, and more appear. Plants grow, but only the prickly pear cactus is shown--the emphasis throughout the book is the food chain, with many species eating others. The closing essay explains that now dying trade winds and human visitors are parts of climate change, disrupting the food chain of island inhabitants. A final note urges readers to be earth's stewards and protectors: "Let's choose a sustainable future, together." This attractive picture book array of animals will appeal to younger children, but the quick skim and terse wording in text segments and the many adult items in the generous array of end materials are for older readers. The poetry notes in the back matter might find fun use in high school English classes. VERDICT Likely to be most useful in the hands of creative teachers.--Margaret Bush
Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
Becca Stadtlander is an illustrator and fine artist. She attended the Maryland Institute College of Art. She has illustrated a number of children's picture books.
JNF051100 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | Environmental Science & Ecosystems
Animal ecology
Island ecology
