Review by Booklist Review
Gr. 3-4. Along with relating his own brief encounters with black bears, observing a Pennsylvania biologist giving a bear and her cubs physical examinations in the wild, visiting a New Hampshire man who raises orphaned cubs (for release, not sale), and covering the history of bears and people in Yellowstone, Swinburne delivers a basic picture of the animal's habits, counters some common misconceptions, and explains how to identify bear signs. Illustrated with photos new and old, and closing with links to sources of further information, this will be a valuable addition to most libraries--particularly as the black bear's North American cousins, the grizzly and the polar, have received so much more attention in books for children. --John Peters Copyright 2004 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-5-Stunning, full-color photos and a lively text make for an intriguing introduction to these fascinating animals. Swinburne traveled to several locales to observe biologists at work, including a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in New Hampshire who has mentored orphaned cubs for 10 years. Another chapter provides historical perspective by relating how human encounters with bears were once the norm at Yellowstone National Park. Using helpful photos, the final chapter illustrates the signs these animals leave behind in the woods. The readable text offers observations about bear behavior, often addressing common misconceptions. Fact boxes present additional information, such as the controversy about hibernation versus semi-hibernation and a look at tracking individual animals. The combination of full-color photos, some taken of Swinburne's observations, and the historical photographs from National and Yellowstone Park Service archives, expands the reading experience. A range map of North America is also included. Written to enlighten children's knowledge of the black bear's world and that of those who study and help wildlife, this book is well researched and well delivered.-Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
With a naturalist's genuine appreciation for the bears he's observed, the author describes his work with northeastern U.S. bear biologists studying the black bear. Factual information is woven into the narrative and illustrated with detailed photos. Endearing pictures of cubs and Black Bear Facts appear in boxes on some pages, adding layers of information. Websites. Bib., ind. From HORN BOOK Spring 2004, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Black bears roam North America from Maine to California, with populations estimated at 750,000; increasingly they are invading urban areas. In this glossy photo essay, the author describes his own encounters with black bears and interviews bear specialists, including a Pennsylvania bear biologist and a licensed wildlife rehabilitation specialist in New Hampshire who raises orphaned bear cubs. One chapter recounts a history of bears in Yellowstone National Park where feeding bears became a dangerous popular pastime. While the author's enthusiasm is evident, the chapters do not form a cohesive whole. The colorful photos of the author cuddling bear cubs may give young naturalists the impression that bears are harmless wild neighbors. They aren't. As black bears expand their range, invading urban neighborhoods, young naturalists should be cautioned to give them a wide berth. Includes further reading, Web sites, and a brief index. (Nonfiction. 7-10) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
