Madeleine Dunphy is an educational consultant who teaches children about endangered environments. Madeleine has written several books for children, including all of the books in the Here Is the ... series. She lives in Oakland, California with her husband, Chris, and their daughter, Gwen. For more information about Madeleine, her books, and her school presentations, visit her website at www.mdunphy.com. Michael Rothman is a noted natural science illustrator whose work has appeared in the science section of the New York Times, among other publications. His beautiful illustrations have graced the pages of Madeleine Dunphy's Here Is the Tropical Rain Forest, Jaguar in the Rain Forest, by Joanne Ryder, and Inside the Amazing Amazon, by Don Lessem. Michael lives in Ridgefield, Connecticut. To find out more about his work, visit his website at www.michaelrothman.com.
Named an "Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students K-12" by the
National Science Teachers Association and Children's Book Council
for 2011.
"At Home With the Gopher Tortoise: The Story of a Keystone Species"
is an illustrated nature/conservation book for children featuring a
unique "keystone" species. With 360 different species of animals
dependent on it for survival, the gopher tortoise presents a
fascinating study of ecological interdependency. Because the gopher
tortoise digs burrows for its dens in parts of Florida, Georgia,
Alabama, and other Southeastern states of the US, many other
species including skunks, birds, frogs, mice and snakes depend on
the burrows for their own protection and survival of their young.
Even burrowing owls use the gopher tortoise's burrows to shelter
their fledgling owlets. Other insects use the burrows and other
birds eat the insects that thrive in the burrows, completing yet
more circles of interdependency. Even a bobcat may use a large
burrow to hide and cool itself, while birds such as bobwhites,
rabbits and lizards also find refuge in the burrows. In the soil
loosened by the gopher tortoise's digging grow plants such as the
scrub mint which provides a pleasant fragrance. In this way the
life activities of the gopher tortoise provide protective,
favorable habitat for a whole spectrum of living creatures who
depend upon the continued survival of the gopher tortoise species
for survival. "At Home with the Gopher Tortoise: The Story of a
Keystone Species" shows how one humble species can be at the center
of a vast web of creatures' lives. The beautiful detailed
illustrations show many of the different animals in their natural
settings, enhancing appeal to an audience of children ages 5-9.
“—Midwest Book Review
"Educational without being didactic, this picture book is an
engaging introduction to the concept of a keystone species—an
animal on which many other species depend. Rothman's eye-catching,
full-bleed acrylic paintings depict a wide variety of creatures
utilizing the gopher tortoise's burrow. Almost every spread
features a beautifully illustrated example of yet another animal,
bird, or insect—from skunks to owls to scorpions—that relies on the
gopher tortoise's burrow for shelter, nesting, and protection from
predators. Dunphy's clear text adds additional interesting details
("The loose soil created by the tortoise's digging is perfect for
growing plants"). One shortfall is the fact that the text is
sometimes difficult to read, as it is printed in white directly on
top of the illustrations. With a map showing the tortoise's range
of habitat in the southeastern United States and an end note
relating that the animal is a threatened species, this attractive
book effectively demonstrates the interdependent nature of the
animal world.” —Booklist Review
"This book gives a simple yet in-depth look at the importance of an
unassuming and often overlooked animal. Surprisingly, the gopher
tortoise significantly affects more than 360 different kinds of
animals that depend upon its burrows for shelter, food, or a place
to raise young. This is a fascinating look at how one species can
affect the fate of many." —Science & Children
"This book would be doing a great service, even if it were not
stunningly illustrated by Michael Rothman. But because every lavish
two-spread takes you either close to, or deep inside, the
ecologically essential Gopher Tortoise burrow and the many animals
that make use of it, this book is all the more special. The Gopher
Tortoise, native to the Southeastern United States, is known as a
Keystone Species because over 360 other species depend on its
burrows for nesting, protection, and sustenance. It is now listed
as Federally Threatened in Louisiana, Mississippi, and western
Alabama. I was surprised to learn what a wide variety of birds,
insects and mammals is supported by the burrowing habits of the
Gopher Tortoise. Creatures as diverse as the gopher cricket, mole
skink, Northern Bobwhite, Red-Tailed Hawk, the Gopher Frog and even
the bobcat would be adversely affected if the Gopher Tortoise
became extinct. A short essay at the end of the book summarizes the
plight of the Gopher Tortoise alongside sketches of the animals
that interact with the Gopher Tortoise's burrows. Here is a bit
more info on the Gopher Tortoise and a nice pictorial on how the
Gopher Tortoise lives. There's also helpful site for land managers,
developers, and others seeking to minimize their impact on the
Gopher Tortoise. This is a beautiful book for teachers to read
aloud in the classroom, or for naturalists to use in presentations
to children. I hope the National Parks in Alabama, Mississippi,
Louisiana, Georgia, and Florida are all aware of this very
well-made and educational children's book."—Kid Lit Saves World
"For this excellent book, the author has written an interesting
narrative that paints a picture of what it is like to live in the
world of the gopher tortoise. She combines science with a writing
style that is easy to follow and a joy to read. Children will
quickly come to appreciate how many animals of all kinds depend on
the tortoise for their survival.”—Through the Looking Glass
Children’s Book Reviews
"Author Madeleine Dunphy and illustrator Michael Rothman have
collaborated to create a delightful and informative book for young
people. At a time when the gopher tortoise faces multiple threats
throughout its range in the southeastern United States, and
especially within the rapidly developing state of Florida, this
book helps answer an every present question: "So... what good are
gophers?" As Ms. Dunphy explains in compelling and evocative text
that helps transport the reader to the gopher tortoise's physical
environment, this species' importance extends well beyond its own
intrinsic value. It is indeed an excavator extraordinaire, one that
hosts some 350-400 other species. As noted in this book, the
tortoise is a humble creature at the center of this web of life: a
charming model of longevity and persistence. The lives of the other
species are also well-depicted, completing the picture of a vibrant
and interactive community. Mr. Rothman's excellent illustrations,
with their impressive attention to detail, further enhance the
feeling of being transported into the sometimes harsh, but also
beautiful, sandhill and scrub habitats. This book is a welcome
contribution to the literature that showcases an amazing animal and
plant community, one whose central figure is a benevolent,
burrowing landlord."—Joan E. Berish, Biological Scientist, Florida
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
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