Horseshoe Crabs and Shorebirds: The Story of a Food Web [Hardcover]

Victoria Crenson (Author), Rachel Gurevich (Author), Annie Cannon (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2003 | Age Level: 8 and up

Each spring, hundreds of thousands of horseshoe crabs crawl from the bottom of Delaware Bay to lay billions of pearly green eggs on the beaches. Their salty eggs provide a feast for scavenging coastal animals, but billions more are eaten by the flocks of shorebirds that stop to rest and feed each spring after flying north from their homes in South America. In recent years the horseshoe crab population has dwindled. In turn, the number of shorebirds that fly north each year has grown smaller. Illuminated with warm, detailed watercolors, Horseshoe Crabs and Shorebirds demonstrates the delicate relationship between these animals and is an excellent resource for ecology lessons, as well as a dramatic storybook for sharing.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 2-4. In picture-book format, this volume presents a particular food web in the Delaware Bay. The story begins with the spring journey of horseshoe crabs to mate and lay their eggs on the beach, and the parallel migration of shorebirds from South America to the Arctic, stopping to feed on the eggs. Meanwhile a peregrine falcon preys on the birds; minnows, crabs, and a heron feast on the eggs; and more birds attack stranded horseshoe crabs. Finally, some of the eggs hatch, continuing the cycle that will lead to another spring's mating, nesting, and feasting. Attractive as well as informative, Cannon's paintings offer close-up views of the action. Crenson's narrative approach will not suit every young researcher, but her text gives a good idea of how the food web operates in a specific locale. And perhaps all ecology, like all politics, is local. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Author Victoria Crenson has explored the shoreline up and down the east coast of the United States from Maine to Florida. Her previous books include Birds of the World and Bay Shore Park: The Death and Life of an Amusement Park. She lives in Baltimore, Maryland.

Illustrator Annie Cannon has illustrated a number of nature titles, including Tale of a Tadpole, The Bat in the Boot, and Ma Jiang and the Orange Ants. She lives in Portland, Oregon.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Childrens Books (January 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761451153
• ISBN-13: 978-0761451150
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,857,301 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Shore Book, July 17, 2008

By 

B. Cornelius (Kennett Square, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Horseshoe Crabs and Shorebirds: The Story of a Food Web (Hardcover)

An excellent text and pictorial book about horseshoe crabs and their place in the "circle of life." Hardly anyone ever thinks of these creatures, but they play a crucial part in the lives of migrating birds as well as humans. Beautifully done.

5.0 out of 5 stars Gift for niece, December 27, 2011

By 

Blahsan - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Horseshoe Crabs and Shorebirds: The Story of a Food Web (Paperback)

Fun way to teach my west coast niece about eastern shore Delaware life. Product came on time in condition advertised.

4.0 out of 5 stars good book, August 8, 2011

By 

septarian - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Horseshoe Crabs and Shorebirds: The Story of a Food Web (Paperback)

I got this book for my 3 year old as he is very interested in learning the life cycle. This book was a little over his head, but still a very good book for that purpose. It also is interesting because of the subject, the horseshoe crab itself.