Customer Reviews

Screech Owl at Midnight Hollow - a Smithsonian's Backyard Book (Smithsonian' Backyard)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I read this book to elementary students during my owl programand they enjoy following the owls around for a night. Children areable to understand what an owl eats and where it lives. The pictures illustrate owls unique features like talons, tufts, and so on.

With authentic illustrations, this book is an excellent introduction to screech owls and predator - prey. It also lends itself well to elementary classroom studies about the food web and ecosystems. The only thing lacking is the screech owl's melodious and haunting call.

Having purchased several other books in the Smithsonian series, Screech Owl at Midnight Hollow managed to exceed my high expectations. While my daughter and I are big fans of the mini books--the perfect size for her to read in her car seat, or for me to toss in my bag on our way out the door--we bought this one in the full size edition and it is gorgeous. Like the other books in this series, it does a really good job of weaving fascinating facts into this nonfiction story in a way that enhances the plot. It begins with a mystery: why are so many little creatures disappearing from the yard on Midnight Hollow? We find the answer soon enough, and in the process learn all about screech owls: what they eat, how they grow and develop, how they raise their young, where they live, and--in an especially dramatic passage--the dangers they face while navigating the big world.

I love the way that this series of books teaches my daughter about different animals, and the way in which the authors manage to present the content in a way that is both entertaining and educational, while remaining age-appropriate. They do a good job of satisfying children's natural curiosity about the world around them, without ever talking above my daughter's head or down to her. Many of the books in this series are among her favorites, and I plan to continue to add to her collection--especially since most of these are part of the 4-for-3 promotion.