Panther: Shadow of the Swamp [Hardcover]

Jonathan London (Author), Paul Morin (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2000 | Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

Jonathan London and Paul Morin introduce one of the world's most majestic and most endangered animals.

A long, thick tail
twitches in the saw grass.
A shadow flows.

It is Panther.


Deep in the Florida Everglades is a unique and fragile ecosystem of interconnected lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Here egrets preen. Alligators float with eyes like periscopes. Here, among the swamp grass and shadows, threatened by habitat loss, live fewer than fifty Florida panthers, the last of the big cats east of the Mississippi River. With lyrical text and stunning oil paintings, Jonathan London and Paul Morin bring young readers face to face with a rare and elusive wild creature who is as fierce a predator as she is tender a mother.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 1-3-This mood piece about a day in the life of a female Florida panther nicely conveys the wildness and mystery of this rare creature and her habitat. Two-thirds of each double-page spread is devoted to an eye-catching, atmospheric oil painting that draws readers into the animal's world. This sense of immediacy is strongly reinforced by the poetic text. London tells of the panther's search for food, culminating in her return to her cubs. Children will appreciate the rich art and will feel as though they're right there in the Everglades. A concluding page provides some basic facts, but this is not a book for reports. Instead, it's an attractive choice to supplement a unit on endangered animals and an engaging story for young nature enthusiasts.-Arwen Marshall, formerly at New York Public Library

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Jonathan London has a keen interest in the natural world that is reflected in many of his books for children. He says, "Ever since I flew over the Everglades to Miami, I have imagined the Florida panther stealing through the swamp like a shadow."

Paul Morin traveled to the Florida Everglades before illustrating PANTHER. "If I hadn't gone there and walked through the swamp and known that there may have been a panther behind that palmetto, the book wouldn't have had the energy or the strong predatory feel that a book about a panther should have."

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (November 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156402623X
• ISBN-13: 978-1564026231
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #970,738 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars High-quality endangered animal book, August 5, 2001

By 

riofriotex (Texas, where else?) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Panther: Shadow of the Swamp (Hardcover)

In the Everglades, a Florida panther searches for food to keep her strength up to nurse her kittens. The simple story of this picture book for primary students comes alive with Paul Morin's striking, vibrant illustrations of the lush vegetation and wildlife of the Florida Everglades. Jonathan London's concise free verse suggests the anticipation and secrecy of the scarce panther's mission. An educational postscript is above the reading level of the rest of the book, but teachers and parents will find it a helpful resource. This is an admirable addition to a collection on endangered animals for primary-age children.

5.0 out of 5 stars unique book!, August 13, 2010

By 

Five - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Panther: Shadow of the Swamp (Hardcover)

Love this book. It teaches about an endangered species and is so well written. The illustrations are beautiful. It captures the reader.