Woolly Mammoth (pob) [Hardcover]

Windsor Chorlton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2001 | Age Level: 9 and up

Buried in the permafrost of Siberia for more than twenty thousand years, the Jarkov mammoth has recently been unearthed. In this fascinating book, readers are given an in-depth account of the woolly mammoth¹s existence and extinction. Packed with fascinating facts and gripping, full-color action photos of the expedition scientists took in Siberia, this book is a must-read for any child interested in our planet¹s icy past!

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In 1997, a 9-year-old nomadic reindeer herder came across a pair of woolly mammoth tusks buried in the frozen tundra of Siberia. Knowing that the ivory in these tusks was worth a lot of money, young Simion Jarkov and his brother Gennadi removed the tusks and set out to sell them. But when a French explorer named Bernard Buigues heard about the discovery, he started wondering if the entire mammoth carcass could be removed intact from the permafrost. Thus began the first recovery of a complete adult woolly mammoth.

Presented partially in diary form, Woolly Mammoth tells the fascinating story of the excavation of the Jarkov mammoth. Readers will also learn what mammoths looked like, where they lived, what they ate, how they spent their days, and try to guess how they became extinct. Intriguing illustrations give a sense of life hundreds of thousands of years ago, while photographs reveal the thrill of discovery and the scientific unraveling of the mystery surrounding these ancient beasts. Young readers will even be given an opportunity to ponder the ethics of DNA cloning. Windsor Chorlton's writing reflects the excitement of the scientists--and the world--even as he provides tons of basic (though remarkable) information. (Ages 9 and older) --Emilie Coulter

From School Library Journal

Gr 4-8-This excellent book is centered around the recent excavation of the Jarkov mammoth in Siberia. Beginning with general information about the creature's habits and habitats, the text moves to the accidental discovery of a huge tusk by a nine-year-old Dolgan boy. This prompted a 1999 international expedition to extract the remains of the animal, which was preserved in ice. The progress of the expedition, accompanied by color photographs, conveys the practical complexities of the project, culminating in a helicopter airlift of the 26-ton load to an ice-cave laboratory. The "diary" of the expedition includes comments by the participants that show the excitement and eagerness that inspire their work. The Jarkov discovery has prompted plenty of speculation about how to proceed with this unique resource. Some are eager to explore the possibilities of cloning, while others are more cautious, and the author relates the controversy in an evenhanded manner. Readers also learn other scientific details related to mammoths without veering too far from the course of the excavation. The book takes them through 2000, when the careful thawing of Jarkov was just beginning. Youngsters get an involving look at current scientists in action, along with enough background information to gain context and an engaging introduction to the provocative ideas and possibilities of modern science.

Steven Engelfried, Deschutes County Library, Bend, OR

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Reference; 1St Edition edition (April 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439241340
• ISBN-13: 978-0439241342
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,210,542 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dig Deep Into the Past, October 19, 2001

By 

crazy4canines (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Woolly Mammoth (pob) (Hardcover)

This book is an excellent resource for the classroom
teacher of upper elementary students. Not only are there
numerous interesting & little known facts about the various
types of Mammoths, but one of the participants in the recent
Zarkov excavation shares every facet of the two-year
expedition to unearth a Mammoth that has been preserved for
23,000 years! The photos in this book are excellent, and it
serves as a companion to the Discovery video "Raising the
Mammoth." My fifth graders actually loved this documentary,
and were delighted that the book includes much of the same
information along with bits of trivia about these mysterious
creatures. My students are constantly passing this book
around to share with each other. This is AMAZING because they
don't like to read! I highly recommend this book for its
educational value. You won't be disappointed!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Woolly Mammoth, January 14, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Woolly Mammoth (pob) (Hardcover)

I read Woolly Mammoth.
I though it was interesting because it tells you how they found it.
It talked about how they found and got the mammoths out of the middle of nowhere.
I think kids in grade 4 would enjoy this book.
I recommend this book because it is really interesting.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging Reading, August 6, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Woolly Mammoth (pob) (Hardcover)

During the summer of 1997 a young boy discovered mammoth tusks sticking out of the tundra in Siberia. This book documents the efforts of a team of scientists from around the world to remove the mammoth from the permafrost. Information about the behavior, migration, and extinction of mammoths is included. Photographs from the expedition, diagrams, and maps round out the text. The text also raises the question of whether or not it would be ethical to clone mammoths if it became scientifically possible. The ultimate answer is left to the student. This book would be a great addition to any middle school library.