Bioblitz!: Counting Critters

Community Science Counts!

by Susan Edwards Richmond, Stephanie Fizer Coleman (illustrator)

A young boy and his cousin compete to identify the most different species on a biodiversity count day at a local park.

You might be amazed at the large number of insects, birds, and small mammals that inhabit even a very small plot of land. In this story Gabriel's dad, a ranger for the local municipal park, is helping with a Biodiversity Day (or Bioblitz), and he invites Gabriel and his cousin Ava to participate. With Gabriel's expertise in bugs and Ava's eye for birds, the two cousins are eager to start the hunt in the park. They are placed on different teams, competing to see which group finds the most species of animal life in the time allotted.

Readers follow the two teams through a variety of habitats, where they spot dozens of different species over the course of the day. Kids will enjoy finding all the species (some are hidden in the illustration) that appear on the lists compiled in each habitat. Several different techniques for viewing species—rolling logs to discover critters living underneath and shining lights on white sheets at night to attract moths, for example—are highlighted.

Plot action in this community science adventure revolves around the competition between the cousins, who check in with each other at intervals to compare lists. In the end, Ava's team spots one more species than Gabriel's, but Gabriel earns a special award for discovering a species of special concern in their area, a blue-spotted salamander. Because of all they have learned from the Bioblitz, the cousins realize that the real winner is the park and all its visitors.

After reading Bioblitz!, students—as well as their parents and teachers—will be eager to participate in a biodiversity day in their own community!

Genres: Picture Books, Science, Nature, Animals, Childrens, Nonfiction, Birds

40 pages, Paperback

Published February 11, 2025

About the author

Susan Edwards Richmond explored the history of the Harvard Shaker Community while poet-in-residence at the Fruitlands Museum. Her poems have appeared in numerous journals and anthologies. She has taught writing at the Shirley Medium Correctional Facility, located on the site of another former Shaker community, and is currently on the faculty at Clark University. Her interest in the intersection of art and nature is reflected in her work with Wild Apples: a journal of nature, art, and inquiry. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Massachusetts, where she enjoys hiking and birdwatching.

Reviews

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book as an adult reader for the Arkansas Diamond Book Award. It is recommended for grades PreK-3rd, but it sure does have alot of text and complicated bug names for such a low grade range. For a reader that loves the outdoors, animals, bugs, etc. this would be a great read. As for other readers, they could get bored very quickly or just creeped out by all the bugs/birds--it did not keep my attention very well and I am interested in wildlife. It was almost like a look and find with numbered animals and bugs scattered across the pages.

[The Silvan Reverie | Sarah Street · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Bird Count by Susan Edwards Richmond and am excited to see a similar story featuring a wider range of creatures. This book contains an engaging narrative, a gentle search-and-find and counting element, and rich nature learning.

We follow two cousins as they participate in a biodiversity search in the community park -- back matter contains more detailed information and fun facts about the wildlife featured.

This story is just such a fun way to engage young children with nature learning and I'm sure will inspire them to get outside and hunt for flora and fauna in their own neighborhoods.

***Note: I was given a review copy of this book via Peachtree Publishing. Opinions are my own.

[Lisa K · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real nice book about a kid who spends the day at his town park with his dad and cousin participating in a count of all the animal species they see. Gabriel know lots of insects and Ava knows her birds. They are on different teams, but at the end of the day Ranger Kai point out that since each team saw things the other didn't they have a longer combined list of 100 critters.

Facts at the back. Story is set in the northeast U.S. so those are the species we get. Colorful illustrations and cool sidebars depicting the species lists.

[Brooke Gilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a park naturalist I have been involved in several BioBlitz events. This book is a lovely story highlighting what a BioBlitz is as well as the importance of Community Science. I love the added illustrations of a children's notebook documenting species found as well as their drawings. The author has provided a list of great resources in the back of the book such as iNaturalist. This a great book for families with children.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to a Bioblitz through a narrative format. I loved the notebook sidebars with the identified species listed on each spread. Will definitely add to my classes before we go out to the woods!

[Taylor Kundel-Gower · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Margaret Boling · Rating 3 out of 5]

6/17/2023 ~ I appreciated the backmatter, especially Gabriel's "Did you know...?" blurbs.

[Emily Carlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great concept for a picture book! I love all the details for the bugs, birds, and other animals that the characters spotted.

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wordy text but one filled with a wealth of wonderful creatures. It captures the joy of exploring the natural world in a way that children can imitate, even without a park-sponsored event.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Narrative nonfiction that gives background knowledge on what a bioblitz is and what to expect during one. It may inspire readers to find or start one in their own communities.

[Kellee Moye · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun introduction to bioblitz for young kids! It also includes so many different animals that readers are going to want to learn more about, even more than what is shared in the back matter. I think this will be a great book to incorporate in science to introduce different types of creatures and the idea of bioblitz.