Bobcat prowling

Gr 1--2--Action-packed illustrations capture the journey of a yearling bobcat searching for a new territory when he is sent out from his mother's den. The quest for a new home leads the bobcat to encounter many other species, some prey, and others competitors, for food and space. The poetic language captures the details of the bobcat's situation and the accompanying back matter and additional resources provide ample opportunities for young researchers interested in extending their learning. The text itself is not sufficient for research but is an engaging starting point. Ibatoulline's watercolors are detailed and full of energy and emotion. VERDICT A visually arresting introduction to the species that makes its home throughout North America.--John Scott

Bobcats live solitary lives all across North America. In this story, Gianferrari (Hawk Rising, rev. 5/18) shows how one such creature travels for many months to find its own territory. Bobcat Yearling leaves its mother at about a year old so that Mother Bobcat can again mate and raise a new litter. The protagonist identifies three potential habitats, but Canada Lynx, Resident Bobcat, and Coyote have already claimed these territories, forcing Bobcat Yearling to move along until it finds a suitable area -- in this case near a suburban neighborhood -- that it can call home. During the bobcat's journey, readers observe its predatory skills and a portion of its carnivorous diet: hares, squirrels, and even a pheasant. The focus here is clearly on Bobcat Yearling, with humans shown in the illustrations as observers who glimpse the animal dashing across the landscape or see evidence (such as tracks in snow) that it's been nearby. Ibatoulline's (Coyote Moon, The Hawk of the Castle) realistic watercolors depict unspoiled landscapes, which provide glimpses into the ways animals and humans can occupy the same spaces. Appended with facts about bobcats, a review of the cat's predatory skills and diet, and suggestions for further reading and viewing. Betty Carter March/April 2022 p.(c) Copyright 2022. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.