Black Bear

November 1, 2003
Gr 3-5-Stunning, full-color photos and a lively text make for an intriguing introduction to these fascinating animals. Swinburne traveled to several locales to observe biologists at work, including a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in New Hampshire who has mentored orphaned cubs for 10 years. Another chapter provides historical perspective by relating how human encounters with bears were once the norm at Yellowstone National Park. Using helpful photos, the final chapter illustrates the signs these animals leave behind in the woods. The readable text offers observations about bear behavior, often addressing common misconceptions. Fact boxes present additional information, such as the controversy about hibernation versus semi-hibernation and a look at tracking individual animals. The combination of full-color photos, some taken of Swinburne's observations, and the historical photographs from National and Yellowstone Park Service archives, expands the reading experience. A range map of North America is also included. Written to enlighten children's knowledge of the black bear's world and that of those who study and help wildlife, this book is well researched and well delivered.-Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA

Copyright 2003 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2004
Gr. 3-4. Along with relating his own brief encounters with black bears, observing a Pennsylvania biologist giving a bear and her cubs physical examinations in the wild, visiting a New Hampshire man who raises orphaned cubs (for release, not sale), and covering the history of bears and people in Yellowstone, Swinburne delivers a basic picture of the animal's habits, counters some common misconceptions, and explains how to identify bear signs. Illustrated with photos new and old, and closing with links to sources of further information, this will be a valuable addition to most libraries--particularly as the black bear's North American cousins, the grizzly and the polar, have received so much more attention in books for children.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)