MARY KAY CARSON
Author of books for kids about wildlife, nature, space, weather, and more!
The River That Wolves Moved
THE RIVER THAT WOLVES MOVED
A True Tale from Yellowstone
by Mary Kay Carson
Long before its establishment as a national park in 1872, Yellowstone was home to the gray wolf, as well as other large predators. But the relationship between human and wolf has always been a tense and complicated one. Predator control programs were developed and, by the mid-1900s, wolves had almost been entirely eliminated from the region and even the lower United States. The removal of even one strand of an ecosystem's complex web can have a ripple effect, though. Using the structure of "The House that Jack Built," science writer Mary Kay Carson shows the interconnectedness of the wildlife that lives in a place and how the presence (or absence) of a single species can impact an ecosystem so that the physical landscape itself is altered. Engaging text and colorful detailed artwork make the natural science understandable and accessible to young readers. With so many of Earth's ecosystems under threat by climate change, pollution, and loss of habitat, this is a critical and timely topic. Back matter includes information on the Yellowstone region during the wolves' absence and after their reintroduction.
Reviews & Awards
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Beautiful full-color art shows the cascading positive effects of wolves on the park. The simple text is complemented by longer informative blocks of text on each double-page spread and backmatter, both of which make it adaptable for different age levels and attention spans. The River that Wolves Moved is an educational, timely and entertaining addition to children’s nonfiction.”
Shelf Awareness
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Timely in its theme, The River That Wolves Moved would make an excellent addition to school or home libraries where students looking for books to help with research on ecosystem issues would find it a handy aid.”
Feathered Quill