Reading Level: Grade 1 Interest Level: Grades K – 1
A black bear settles into its cozy den for a long winter’s snooze. Why does it need to sleep? Learn all about black bear hibernation and how weather makes them sleep. Colorful photos and carefully leveled text guide readers along on the seasonal journey from munching on berries to serene slumber.
Many students already know bears hibernate in winter. This series introduces other animals that take long winter sleeps and explains why and how they prepare for their seasonal rest. Each volume opens with a three-part “Teaching Tips” component for teachers or parents. The series is surprisingly fact filled for this young audience and presents information simply and clearly with three sentences per page. Many endearing, high-quality, full-page photos support the text. A useful feature in each title is a chart summarizing the animal’s hibernation process in the form of a seasonal cycle. An arrow proceeds from one season to the next in a circle, and a labeled description briefly explains how the animal prepares for that season. Back matter includes an index and a picture glossary, a bibliography, and additional digital resources. VERDICT Recommended for schools and public libraries. Expands students’ understanding of hibernation and encourages empathy and understanding for the animals depicted.
