Migration Nation : Animals on the Go from Coast to Coast

by Joanne O'Sullivan

From whales to manatees, pronghorn antelopes to monarch butterflies,
travel along with North American animals as they make the trip of a lifetime.

Follow the paths of nine very different types of animals, exploring how and why they take their road trips and the challenges they face along the way. Snakes slither along Southern Ilinois’s Snake Road. Gray Whales swim down the California coast to Baja in Mexico and sandhill cranes wing their way through the midwest. Along the way, these animals on-the-go mate, molt and munch in really unique ways. Migrating polar bears cross through the center of Churchill, Manitoba and monarch butterflies may even cross through your back yard. Kids learn how and when to catch these commuting critters along their paths. Fabulous photos from the National Wildlife Foundation showcase these amazing animals. Bonus: fun facts about each creature and their habitats.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science

96 pages, Hardcover

First published February 10, 2015

Reviews

[Lydia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Follows the migration routes of several different creatures no matter if they travel by land, air or water.

As a kid I would have eaten this up! Lots of great critter info (which I would expect from "Ranger Rick"), good pictures and a nice variety. However, I also would have found it depressing; I agree to mention hazards and problems for all the migration routes, but it's like they chose creatures that they could specifically say "Biggest threat is humans! Humans are terrible! And ruin everything!". I very strongly encourage stewardship and taking as good of care of creatures and resources as we know how and if you can give positive methods for stewarding, wonderful! (Which they do for a couple of the early creatures; the fences solution for the mule deer was really cool!) However, if you won't mention the good and the helpers along with the problems, then change something. (Like change the book from being "Migration Nation" to "Solve This: Brainstorming ideas to save endangered animals migration paths and what YOU can do to make a difference".) Disappointed! I wanted better from this.

No content issues, just lots of negativity.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book that looks at different types of animal migrations: land, sea, and air. Not only does it provide maps, facts, and great photographs, it gives you a list of other places that you can go to learn more about these animals and more. I particularly found the section on polar bears interesting since many are having difficulty with their migration due to the climate change which means that the polar ice they use to feed on has a shorter season than it ever has. Some are adapting to the situation by breeding smaller bears that don't need as much food, but many are not surviving. It opens up some important issues to kids without being too dire but wanting readers to be more proactive in protecting our planet.

[K Morlando · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great resource for learning about migration!

[Mrs. Trimble · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book with amazing visual and verbal access features. The structure is consistent throughout each chapter so it's easy for students to read and make sense of the information. Sections are color-coded. There are great sections on conservation efforts. I especially like the illustrations, quick facts and provided links telling readers where they can see the animals and learn more about their habitats.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good information and helpful as I plan my migration adventures.

[Shauna Yusko · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2. Great info presented well.