Rare & blue Finding nature's treasures

Describing all the endangered flora and fauna of the U.S. is a Herculean task, and this book illustrates our country's multitude of rare plants and creatures by narrowing in only on blue ones. The opening pages, for example, show children on the hunt for a patch of lupine, where they find Karner blue butterflies, which have been largely squeezed out of their habitats by human development. Next, it's off to an oasis pond where, readers are told, Quitobaquito pupfish live --they're now found in just one pond in the U.S., though they were once much more common. Covered in a similar way (i.e., habitat description followed by endangerment details) are the cerulean warbler, eastern indigo snake, bluestem prairie grass, blue bear, and blue whale, with extra facts about each, a general glossary, and an explanation of words related to endangerment closing the work. The short but pithy details about each species will be enough to pique children's interest to learn more, and the dreamy watercolor images of beaches, ponds, and animals--the blue whale illustrations are especially striking--make this a gorgeous read.

An introduction to eight blue and very rare wildlife species. This highly unusual field guide for kids focuses on the "blueness" as well as the ecological rarity of each featured species. Karner blue butterflies are "silvery blue"; mating male Quitobaquito pupfish turn "iridescent blue"; eastern indigo snakes have "midnight blue" scales; blue whales appear "turquoise blue" underwater; male cerulean warblers boast "electric blue" feathers; an occasional lobster trapped in North Atlantic coastal waters is "sapphire blue;" the coats of some Alaskan black bears look "pearly blue"; and the big bluestem prairie grass formerly covering much of central North America manifests as "steely blue." In terms of rarity, the text mentions ecological factors causing Karner blue butterflies, Quitobaquito pupfish, eastern indigo snakes, blue whales, and big bluestem prairie grass to be officially listed as endangered while cerulean warblers are considered a "species of concern." In contrast, blue lobsters and blue black bears are "naturally rare" rather than threatened. Delicate, realistic illustrations steal this show with splendid double-page paintings of the natural habitats and close-up portraits of each species discussed. Arresting perspectives add interest while use of a full-spectrum blue palette appropriately reinforces the blue theme, including endpapers featuring each subject washed in blue. Additional facts on each species, a glossary of terms, categories of species, and a selected bibliography flesh out the text for further study or discussion. A visually appealing, informative peek at some of nature's rare treasures, with a strong ecological subtext. (Informational picture book. 5-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.