El Primer Verano del Zorro Fernando [The First Summer of Zorro Fernando]

Life Cycles

by Mary Holland

Sigue a este joven zorro rojo durante los primeros meses de su vida, mientras explora el mundo a su alrededor. Tiene aproximadamente un mes de nacido cuando sale de su madriguera por primera vez. Observa mientras él aprende a cazar mediante juegos y utilizando sus sentidos. Nota los cambios mientras crece y pasa de ser un zorrezno a un zorro joven. Después de todo, para el próximo verano, ¡él tendrá a sus propias crías! La fotógrafa naturalista y educadora ambiental Mary Holland ha capturado El primer verano del zorro Fernando de tal modo que les atrapará el corazón a los niños.

Please This audiobook is in Spanish.

Genres: Animals, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Photography, Childrens, Science

Audible Audio

Published November 19, 2015

About the author

Mary Holland, naturalist, wildlife photographer, columnist, and author, resides in Hartland, Vermont. Marys work in environmental education has included directing the state-wide Environmental Learning for the Future (ELF) program for the Vermont Institute of Natural Science, being a resource naturalist for the Massachusetts Audubon Society, designing and presenting Knee-high Nature Programs for libraries and elementary schools throughout Vermont, and compiling Vermonts Rare Bird Alert for the Vermont Center for Ecostudies. In addition to writing a natural history newspaper column and magazine articles, Mary has written and photographed a childrens book, Milkweed Visitors, which introduces young and old alike to the insects that visit a milkweed patch. "

Reviews

[ACS Book-finder · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Ferdinand Fox’s First Summer” chronicles the life of a young fox kit as it is first coming out of the den to when it learns to find food and become self sufficient. The large white print on top of the photographs highlights the type and makes the story easy to read. Real photographs capture the movements and actions of the fox as it goes about daily activities.

All children love baby animals and this book is no exception. The pictures are large and cute, making them fun to look at. The author presents interesting details in an easy to read fashion. Teacher helps at the end of the book enhance learning about the life cycle of the red fox.(reviewed by C.Delorge, Librarian)

Author/Illustrator info: Mary Holland is a naturalist, nature photographer, columnist, and author with a life-long passion for natural history. After graduating from the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources, Mary worked as a naturalist at the museum of the Hudson Highlands in New York state and directed the state-wide Environmental Learning for the Future program for the Vermont Institute of Natural Science. She also worked as a resource naturalist for the Massachusetts Audubon Society and designed and presented her own “Knee-High Nature Programs” for libraries and elementary schools throughout Vermont and New Hampshire. Mary’s latest book, Naturally Curious: A Photographic Field Guide and Month-by-Month Journey through the Fields, Woods and Marshes of New England, won the 2011 National Outdoor Book Award for the Nature Guidebook category. Also, her children’s book, Milkweed Visitors, received national acclaim when it was placed on the AAAS Science Books and Films list for the best books of 2006. Mary lives is Hartland, Vermont with her lab, Emma.

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary paperback copy of Ferdinand Fox's First Summer was provided by Sylvan Dell Publishing in exchange for our honest review. Opinions expressed are solely those of the reviewer.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a photographic journal of the early months in a red fox kit’s life. It has a lot going for it besides full-color two-page photo spreads. The subject – baby animals – is a popular one with children. Most pages include only two to four sentences, printed in large white font that stands out on the photos. These sentences are well within the comprehension and reading levels of younger elementary students, but at the same time, they are interesting to older children. The book concludes with additional fun facts about red foxes, a page of red fox life cycle sequencing, and a photo quiz about what red foxes eat. Furthermore, through its website, the publisher has provided cross-curricular teaching activities and interactive quizzes on this book. Well-supported and structured for use in a classroom or home school, or simply for the interested reader.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant! The pictures are so beautiful, the text informative and engaging, and the facts section in the back is full of niftiness! This could be read/enjoyed on different levels depending on whether or not you decide to go deeper with the several pages of facts & activities at the back of the book. Otherwise, you can keep it on a more simplified level, just following Ferdinand as he changes and grows up over the course of the year.

I especially loved reading about him because a couple times the author mention that though he was the runt of the litter, Ferdinand was a scrappy little guy who fought for his place and didn't give up. Yeah Ferdidnand!

P.S. Be warned, reading this may make your children want a pet fox as the fox kits in this book look so darling. I mentioned how gorgeous the photography was, right? GOR-GEOUS!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filled with extraordinarily up close photographs of a young fox, this book follows him as he grows up. Ferdinand ventures out of his den when he is five weeks old, and practices hunting by playing with his fellow kits. The book describes and shows how the mother fox weans her young so that they will learn to rely on their own abilities as hunters. The text is just as engaging as the photographs. The book features activities related to foxes for anyone who wants to learn more or show off what he/she has learned. Man! I wish the author/photographer had described how she got all those great shots.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

An up close look at a family of foxes. From kit to adult, this photo journey includes a fascinating look at how foxes relate to the natural world. The writing is filled with facts and focuses on the development of the animals (aka characters).

Following the text are pages of extension activities including facts, life cycle sequencing, and a look at a red fox's diet.

Recommended for grades 1-3.

[Boom! · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciate when authors create an educational text and use realistic illustrations as opposed to so many of the cartoon-ish ones. Desert Baths is not only full of interesting and fun facts, but it also engages children into discussion which is an essential part of the learning process.

[Edith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wonder why the author referred to the baby foxes as kits when foxes are canines. Otherwise an excellent, brisk, and spontaneous summer read.

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Ranette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice story with great pictures of kits and information about them.