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Landscape Modeling Of The Potential Natural Vegetation Of Santa Catalina Island, California, Travis Longcore, Nina Noujdina, Peter J. Dixon

Western North American Naturalist

The vegetation of Santa Catalina Island has been significantly transformed through a history of introduction of exotic plant species and disturbance by large introduced herbivores. Many of these disturbances have been reduced in recent decades, using measures such as carefully controlling the number of bison and removing cattle, sheep, feral pigs, and goats. The success of subsequent vegetation restoration actions depends on the choice of the right plant community for a location, which may not be obvious for an island with extensive areas dominated by exotic species. Environmental niche modeling is an approach to re-create the spatial distribution of habitat …

World's Best (And Worst) Animal Jokes, Mavanee Farnsworth

Children's Book and Media Review

World’s Best (and Worst) Animal Jokes really lives up to its name. This joke book is filled with everything animal. There are many different types of jokes, from question-and-answer to knock-knock jokes. There are great, laugh-out-loud jokes, as well as others labeled as “groaner jokes” that are meant to make you sigh and laugh. Each page has several fun jokes that will get the reader thinking about other animal jokes that could be found on the next page. There are many types of animals included, ranging from ocean creatures to cave creatures to mountain creatures. Animal lovers will love laughing …

Tractor Mac: Tune-Up, Beverly Jones

Children's Book and Media Review

Take a trip to the farm with Tractor Mac! In this installment of the beloved series, Mac is not feeling well and he must go visit the tractor doctor. Mac is worried, but his animal friends send him well wishes and positivity for a quick fix and recovery. Mac needs some new parts and a tune-up, and soon he is better than new and ready to get back to work at Stony Meadow Farm. Mac is delighted to leave Dr. Lou behind and rejoin his friends and Farmer Bill on the farm.

The Tin Forest, Karen Abbott

Children's Book and Media Review

An old man dreams of living in a beautiful green forest that is full of living plants and creatures, but the reality around him is trash. Each day he burns garbage, sorts trash, and buries a bit; but the mountain of waste is too high. One day while viewing a piece of trash he gets an idea--why not build a forest from the trash? Each day a builds a bit, and then a bit more. Soon he has tin trees and tin birds and tin cats, an entire forest of tin. But it is quiet. It is not quite the …

The Midnight War Of Mateo Martinez, Jazmin Gomez

Children's Book and Media Review

Mateo Martinez doesn’t believe it at first. How could two skunks have stolen his old tricycle from the driveway in the middle of the night? When he realizes that it really did happen, and it wasn’t just a dream, Mateo is determined to get his precious trike back. Along with his best friend and little sister, Mateo plans a sneak attack on the skunks to get the tricycle back. They end up forming an alliance with the animals to wage war against a gang of raccoons. Together, the group discovers the strength in friendship, loyalty, and working with others.

Real Cowboys, Maryn Wheeler

Children's Book and Media Review

Real cowboys are tough and strong, but they are also gentle and quiet. This picture book goes beyond the cowboy stereotypes to highlight the real life of a cattle drive. Many qualities are needed for a good cowboy. They are thoughtful, helpful, peaceful listeners and patient caretakers of animals and the earth. They come from many backgrounds and miss their families left behind. Cowboys work together and dream of bigger things beyond the horizon.

Possum And The Summer Storm, Robyn Lee

Children's Book and Media Review

Possum’s family watches as their home washes away in a rainstorm, leaving them with nowhere to live. A friendly neighbor notices their situation and volunteers to help rebuild the Possum family home, prompting a community effort. Each forest animal helps build the kind of home they are used to, until eventually the Possum home is roomy enough for everyone to take shelter when the next storm hits.

Little Helpers: Animals On The Job, Hannah Webb

Children's Book and Media Review

There are helpers all around us, sometimes taking the form of teachers and parents. Sometimes, a helper could be a trusted friend you look up to. But sometimes, rather than looking up, you’ve got to look down to spot a little helper! This book gives children a look into the world of service and therapy animals. The book illustrates and explains some common and some unexpected animals that help their owners with a variety of things, ranging from shyness to low blood pressure to blindness. This picture book tells readers about the importance of animal helpers in our world and …

If Wendell Had A Walrus, Sydnee Burr

Children's Book and Media Review

Dreaming of getting a pet, Wendell sets his sights on a walrus. He just knows if he could find a walrus, it will make the best pet! Finding a walrus proves to be trickier than he imagines. The pet store doesn't sell them. Wendell decides the only thing to do is to write his future pet walrus a letter, throw it into the sea in a bottle, and wait. While sitting on a rock and waiting for his new best friend to swim to shore, Wendell meets another boy who has the same idea, but for a pet whale. They …

Hoot & Olive: Brave Enough For Two, Karen Abbott

Children's Book and Media Review

Friends can be brave for each other. Olive's stuffed owl wants to try some adventurous new things, like flying with balloons and climbing trees. These things make Olive nervous, but Hoot assures her that he is brave enough for both of them. Then when owl needs some encouragement, Olive tells him that she will be brave enough for two this time.

Heartwood Hotel #1: A True Home, Karen Abbott

Children's Book and Media Review

Mona's house is swept away in a storm. The homeless mouse wanders looking for a new home until she comes to the Heartwood Hotel. Mr. Heartwood offers Mona a place to spend the night in exchange for helping the maid, a squirrel named Tilly. Tilly is not happy about it, but comforts herself that it is only for one night. In the morning Mr. Heartwood offers Mona a position through the fall and Tilly is dismayed again. Mona soon feels at home among the employees and guests and even saves the hotel from a sleepy bear with her courage and …

Don't Tell!, Maryn Wheeler

Children's Book and Media Review

How did you find out about this book? A girl and her animal friends try to find out who told the reader about this super-secret book. Harvey, the elephant, admits to telling the secret. He likes to share secrets rather than keep them. The girl and animals comfort Harvey and admit that they tell their family and friends secrets too. In the end, the girl decides they should tell everyone about the secret book.

All Aboard For The Bobo Road, Sydnee Burr

Children's Book and Media Review

Big Ali is driving his minibus to Bobo Road, the most beautiful road in the world. His two children ride atop the bus and help all the passengers load their cargo. The bus drives by hippos, beautiful waterfalls, rock domes, a forest, and finally into the city. All the while, Ali's children help load bikes, food, luggage, and even animals onto the bus. When the passengers arrive in the city, they take their belongings to the market to sell them, and Ali surprises his children with a special present for all their hard work: a pot of rice, beans, and …

A Mighty Bitey Creature, Robyn Lee

Children's Book and Media Review

Frog is minding his own business when suddenly something takes a bite out of his little green bottom. On his way to tell King Lion what has happened and get help, he runs into a series of friends who also get bitten. Finally, when they all find King Lion, the Mighty Bitey Creature bites him as well. After looking around, they find a tiny animal baby that is just hungry for dinner. All the Jungle animals share their food and eventually the creature settles in for bed without needing to try to eat everything in sight.

Land Mollusks Of The California Channel Islands: An Overview Of Diversity, Populations, And Conservation Status, Charles A. Drost, Jeffrey C. Nekola, Barry Roth, Timothy A. Pearce

Western North American Naturalist

The land snails and slugs have the highest level of endemism among all major animal groups on the California Channel Islands, with nearly 75% of the native terrestrial species confined to one or more of the 8 islands. In spite of this endemism, and in spite of the rarity of some species, the snails and slugs are one of the most poorly known groups. We present the first comprehensive overview of the land mollusk fauna of the Channel Islands, along with the results of recent intensive inventory studies. Surveys on San Clemente Island have increased the number of land mollusk …

Revised And Updated Vascular Plant Checklists For The Baja California Northern Pacific Islands, Sula Vanderplank, Jon Rebman, Exequiel Ezcurra

Western North American Naturalist

In the last 3 years, significant advances have occurred in our knowledge of the flora of the northern Baja California Pacific Islands. The availability of herbarium specimen data has been significantly increased, and 2 expeditions were undertaken to 7 of the 8 islands in 2015 and 2016. These events have resulted in a wealth of new plant records from the islands, which are here reported with updated taxonomy for the archipelago. The results include 586 vascular plant taxa on the Baja California Northern Pacific Islands; 118 taxa were new, and 54 previously reported taxa were vouchered. The checklists include the …

Limited Genetic Variability In Native Buckwheats (Eriogonum: Polygonaceae) On San Clemente Island, Lynn Riley, Mitchell E. Mcglaughlin, Kaius Helenurm

Western North American Naturalist

California Channel Island buckwheats are important components of scrub communities on the Channel Islands. A long history of overgrazing by introduced herbivores on San Clemente Island has contributed to scrub vegetation loss and population declines in 2 endemic island taxa, Eriogonum giganteum var. formosum and E. grande var. grande. Since herbivore removal, Eriogonum species, which are early colonizers of disturbed habitats, have been increasing across the island. These increases are thought to facilitate further recovery of the native flora because the shrubs act as nurse plants and improve the soil profile for other native species.

We genotyped individuals from both …

The Wild Robot #2: The Wild Robot Escapes, Mavanee Farnsworth

Children's Book and Media Review

Robot Roz is no ordinary robot. She learned to survive on an island and now has to learn to survive on a farm. However, Roz has left her son back on the island and desperately wants to make it back to him. She tells every animal she can about her son Brightbill back home. The rumors spread and soon Brightbill hears the story his mother is telling everyone. Brightbill decides to migrate on a different route this year and finds his mother Roz. Together they escape and attempt to make it back to their home. The humans they encounter are …

The Weather Girls, Robyn Lee

Children's Book and Media Review

The weather girls take readers on an adventure through the seasons, changing their clothes and activities as they go. Starting with the swimming and playing of summer, the girls continue on, teaching about the apples and sweaters of fall, snowmen, snowflakes and mountains of winter, and finally the breezes and colors of spring. All these adventures culminate in a summary of each season, how they relate to each other and how they affect animal and plant life.

Thank You, Mr. Panda, Haley Singleton

Children's Book and Media Review

From the ocean to the top of a mountain, Mr. Panda is traveling to deliver presents to each of his friends. A sweater for mouse, a bow tie for goat, some arm bands for octopus. Each gift seems a little too large for the recipients. However, as Mr. Panda's friend the lemur reminds us, it's the thought that counts. The lemur must remember this as he receives his own too-large gift from Mr. Panda and he remains thankful, despite the overlarge clothing.

Sense Pass King: A Story From Cameroon, Bailey Ondricek

Children's Book and Media Review

Although she is the child of simple farmers, Ma’anta’s wisdom is unlike anything the villagers have ever seen. Speaking all of the languages of the seven villages as well as that of the animals, she is even smarter than the king. Intimidated by her brilliance, he attempts to kill her and exploit her talents; however, Ma’anta proves her wisdom and skill to be more powerful than even the authority of the king.

Otter Let's Go Swimming!, Kristie Hinckley

Children's Book and Media Review

It is summer and Otter is so excited to go to the beach. He pictures himself being a very good swimmer, but the closer he gets to the water, the more scared he becomes. Otter’s owner tries many different things to encourage Otter. For example, he swims in the ocean with an inner tube. Next, he swims in the ocean with Otter’s stuffed animals, which successfully convinces Otter to get in the water. Otter finally enjoys kicking and splashing. Time flies as Otter has fun at the beach, and soon it is time to go home, but of course, Otter …

My Weird School: Class Pet Mess!, Kristie Hinckley

Children's Book and Media Review

Mr. Cooper’s class is getting a pet, and every student has a different opinion about what type of animal it should be. There is drama between classmates about who wants which animal and no one can agree. Many students decide a snake would be a great class pet, so they learn lots about snakes, especially the eastern hognose snake. The class brings in different pets for show and tell. The pets don’t get along much better than the students do. In the end, no pets die, they have a pet snake, and the students still don’t get along.

My Pet Wants A Pet, Kylee Hackney

Children's Book and Media Review

The little boy wanted something to take care of. Something of his very own. After begging and begging his mother, she finally agreed and get the boy a puppy. One day, the puppy decided he wanted a pet of his own, something to love and care for. So the puppy got a pet kitty. The three were great friends and did everything together. Then, the kitty decided she wanted a pet of her own, too! Then that pet wanted a pet and so on until mother realized just how many pets were in the house and wasn’t happy about it. …

Mrs. Mole, I'M Home!, Samantha Bullock

Children's Book and Media Review

The difficulty of finding things tends to increase significantly when one cannot see them, a truth Mr. Morris Mole learns quite completely in Mrs. Mole, I’m Home! The book details the comical journey of Mr. Mole, unfortunately lacking in both eyesight and memory for where he placed his glasses. It’s been a long workday for Mr. Mole, and all he wants is to go home and be with his family. He figures he can find his way home without his glasses, but sadly, it is not so. Morris meets all sorts of other animal families before finally finding his way …

Mommy Loves Me, Leah Christopher

Children's Book and Media Review

As a baby bear goes about his day, he wonders aloud how much his mommy loves him. His mother's responses gently affirm her great love for him. With each everyday moment they share, she explains that she loves him more than these joys of life. At an ice cream shop, she tells him she loves him more than all the sprinkles on an ice cream sundae. As they draw pictures, she professes that her love for him is greater than all the colors in the rainbow. He can hardly believe the amount of love she expresses, and then she says …

Just An Adventure At Sea, Kristie Hinckley

Children's Book and Media Review

Little Critter is ready for an adventure at sea with his dad. First, his dad buys a boat and they fix it up together. Little Critter gives the boat a name and paints it on the side of it. Although they are going fishing, Little Critter is not enchanted by the fish bait. They don’t catch anything all day, until they follow the seagulls and catch all sorts of fish. Unfortunately, all of the lines get tangled and the fish get away. Little Critter gets excited when he sees whales, sharks, and dolphins, but they get too close. It turns …

Jingle Bells, Samantha Bullock

Children's Book and Media Review

A familiar Christmas carol gets new life in Susan Jeffers’s Jingle Bells. The book showcases the wintry travels of a young boy and girl and their dog as they journey through the deep snow in a sleigh. They are joined at various points by a variety of snow animals but finally arrive safely to their destination, where they observe the festivities and warmth of Christmas with none other than Santa Claus himself. The story takes place over the backdrop of the familiar words of “Jingle Bells.”

I'Ve Got Feet!: Fantastical Feet Of The Animal World, Karen Abbott

Children's Book and Media Review

Animals have all kinds of feet that are adapted to help them in their particular habitat. Webbed feet help to propel ducks through the water. Koala feet with long claws help them to stay in branches while they sleep. Bright blue booby feet attract a mate! Cheetah's feet are fast and bighorn sheep's hooves hold them to high ground. The last page asks the reader what their feet can do.

Hop Up! Wriggle Over!, Loretta Farnsworth

Children's Book and Media Review

The picture book Hop Up! Wriggle Over! depicts the day of a large family of assorted Australian animals. They wake up their mother figure, a koala, and eat breakfast and go to the park. Then they are picked up by their father figure, a kangaroo, and go home, eat dinner, and go to bed. The actions throughout the book are depicted through pictures and simple words. Waking up is summarized as “Hop up! Wriggle over! Wakey, wakey. Hungry!” The entire book consists of this style of broken phrases, most without punctuation. The last page includes the names of all the …