Elementary Library

●​ In what ways does the book encourage readers to explore and appreciate nature in their own surroundings? ●​ How does the book use seasonal changes and life cycles to illustrate the dynamic nature of canyon ecosystems? ●​ What can we do to protect and preserve canyon ecosystems and other natural habitats?

Max Almost Missed It by Chris Britt (E BRI) Max really loves his cell phone. It doesn't seem to bother him that he's missing the world around him. It isn't until his family takes a trip to Grand Canyon National Park and a pesky raven steals his beloved device that Max is forced to lift his head and notice the magnificence of nature, the love of his family, and the excitement that life has to offer. Max Almost Missed It opens readers' eyes to the joys of disconnecting and experiencing a real-life adventure. Discussion prompts: ●​ Why do you think Max was so focused on his phone and not paying attention to his surroundings? ●​ How did Max's attitude change throughout the story as he realized he was about to miss the important event? ●​ How did the actions of other characters, like his friends or family, influence Max's realization of the importance of being present? ●​ What details of the Grand Canyon would Max have missed? What animals and plants could he have missed? At Home with the Prairie Dog: The Story of a Keystone Species by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent (599.36 PAT) Prairie dogs are dubbed a keystone species for good reason because the burrows they dig are used by dozens of other animals, from insects and spiders to rattlesnakes, salamanders, owls and more. The highly endangered black-footed ferret depends almost completely on prairie dogs for food, and may also live in their abandoned burrows. In addition, prairie dog activity makes the grass areas around their burrows especially nourishing for grazing animals like bison and pronghorn. With up to 150 species associated with prairie dogs, this keystone species plays a pivotal role in keeping the prairie healthy and thriving

Discussion prompts: ●​ Why is the prairie dog called a keystone species? ●​ Describe some of the connections between species shown in the book. Are all ecosystems connected similarly? ●​ What would happen if prairie dogs disappeared? ●​ What are some ways energy moves through the prairie ecosystem? ●​ What role do humans have in this ecosystem?

If You Take Away the Otter by Susannah Buhrman-Deever (599.769 BUH) In prose, examines the food chain on the Pacific coast of North America and what happened when sea otters were hunted to near extinction.

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