When Beavers Move In

by Alison Pearce Stevens, Natasha Donovan (Illustrator)

When beavers move in, they chew down a tree.
They nibble the bark.
And they drag the branches into a stream.

Beavers topple trees and build dams, which can cause floods and disrupt neighborhoods. So what do we do when beavers move in? In Puget Sound, we call the Tulalip Tribes. They send biologists to help relocate our furry friends to a place far from people, where the beavers can be free.

Poetic text and gorgeous art make this an irresistible read with gentle STEM tie-in.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Animals, Indigenous, Audiobook, Nature, Childrens

Kindle Edition

Published March 10, 2026

About the author

Alison Pearce Stevens was a science professor until life took her overseas, at which point she started writing about science and nature for kids, because she’s an educator at heart and had to find new ways to share cool things with the world's most curious people. Alison writes lots of fun nonfiction: articles, picture books, and middle grade books. All of her work is inspired by a love of science and nature. Rhinos in Nebraska (Godwin Books/Henry Holt BYR) was a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection and won three Nebraska Book Awards. Animal Climate Heroes (Henry Holt) and Detective Dogs are on the Case (Holiday House) release in 2024. You can learn more about Alison at apstevens.com.

Reviews

[Jen Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives beavers their due as being a huge creator and protector of thriving ecosystems that impact their territory and the people within it. The story of the beavers' daily lives, along with vivid illustrations, is very accessible to the youngest of readers. The story is inspiring as it also highlights the role that the Tulalip Tribe, along with scientists, have in championing the beaver's survival and how the reader can help.

[Kristen ⭐️ (beansbooktrove) · Rating 4 out of 5]

okay so my partner wanted to listen to this ALC and i said why not but it was cute! very factual and at times felt like an ad but still enjoyed!

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fact based educational narrative about beavers, where they live, how they live, the indigenous peoples who lived with them before colonization as well as the impact colonization had beavers habitats. This includes basic information about a beaver sanctuary and the Indigenous folks who support it. This manages to convey a great deal of information in an age appropriate way. While this is nonfiction, it did not feel dry or boring at all.

This high-quality audiobook production has a full musical soundtrack and includes sound effects. These sounds run as a soundtrack under the narrators voice. The sounds don't in anyway distract from the story and in many ways the background noises work to enhance the text. This is narrated by Melinda Sewak

Thank you to Alison Pearce Stevens, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.

[Jilanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic way for kids to learn about how beavers create wetland ecosystems and how those ecosystems benefit those who live near them or downstream, especially when it comes to alleviating drought conditions and associated forest fires. It's also a wonderful introduction to how the Tulalip Tribes in the Pacific Northwest have helped salmon populations rebound through their efforts to rehome beavers from developed areas to the wilderness. I love the narrative's circular structure, showing what beavers do when they move into an area. Interesting back matter offers more details to what's already been presented, including an author's note about the efforts of the Tulalip Tribes, more facts about beavers, and what kids can do to help. Great book!

[Martha Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a dream team with Alison Pearce Stevens and Natasha Donovan working on the same book! Young kids are introduced in a simple but beautiful way to how Pacific Northwest native tribes are saving beavers who come into conflict with human populations and moving them to the mountains where they can do their great work for biodiversity and the mitigation of climate change.

Of course, Natasha Donovan's art is glorious! And Alison Pearce Stevens proves she's got that amazing ability to reach kids with clarity and simplicity around a critical topic in a child appropriate way.
Brava to both creators! Parents and teachers and nature educators, don't miss this one.

[Amy Pickett · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable and informative picture book about the benefits of helping furry families of beavers find their forever homes in the mountain streams of the Pacific Northwest, where they can thrive and support the ecosystem. An informative Author's Note and some Facts About Beavers round out the back matter. When Beavers Move In is a great choice for readers of The Wolf Effect: A Wilderness Revival Story by Rosanne Parry and Jennifer Thermes.

Thank you to the publisher, Edelweiss, and Libro.fm for pre-publication access to this title.

[Ann Staats · Rating 5 out of 5]

With sparse but powerful text, here is the story of how beavers have an essential role to play in the environment. While people and beaver families often clash when the beavers come too near homes, the Tulalip Tribes provide a solution to save these critical creatures. Vibrant illustrations help to share this important story of how beavers are necessary to help manage forest fires, provide a home to young salmon, and build valuable wetlands. This beautiful book shares thought-provoking details about these incredible animals. Recommend!

[Katie Furze · Rating 5 out of 5]

This interesting book focuses on the important role that beavers play in creating and maintaining wetland ecosystems and how the Tulalip Tribes of Washington State are re-introducing beavers to their former natural habitats. It goes on to explain the crucial role of wetlands in alleviating adverse climate events such as flooding and fire and drought. The text is great to read out-loud, child-friendly and clear with pleasing circular structure and use of repetition, and the main narrative is supported by a well-researched author note and further facts about beavers.

[S.M.R. Glawar · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Beavers Move In by Alison Pearce Stevens is a beautiful, lyrical look at the interconnectedness of our ecosystem, and how the actions of one small beaver can change the habitat for the better – and how important it is that we look after our environment. Stevens strikes an excellent balance between providing information for older readers in a way that is accessible for the youngest of readers, too. The illustrations are beautiful and bright. This is a picture book you will want to read again and again!

[Kelsey Gross · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHEN BEAVERS MOVE IN highlights beavers’ essential role in creating wetlands, allowing forests and other wildlife to thrive. Based on the real life relocation efforts by the Tulalip Tribes, the story follows beavers as they are moved from a human-populated area to a wild stream where they can flourish. The illustrations are vibrant and engaging, and back matter offers more information for curious readers. This book is a tribute to those working to rewild landscapes and protect wildlife, and encourages readers to appreciate and protect nature. A lovely addition to any children’s bookshelf!

[Carrie Kruck · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! I loved learning about the ways that beavers affect an ecosystem, creating homes and safe havens for a myriad of other animals. The beavers in this book are ADORABLY (and also accurately) illustrated, and kids will especially love the images of baby beavers. It was fascinating to learn of the beaver relocation project undertaken by the Tulalip tribes of the Pacific Northwest, and all the ways that we can support and live in harmony with beavers. A kids' book that combines cute animals and actionable ways to help them is always nice to see, and this one is a winner!

[Carol Foote · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely, fascinating book with an important story. Clear, concise text and beautiful illustrations show us how the Tulalip Tribes in the Pacific Northwest are saving beavers who come into conflict with people and how the relocated beavers create wetlands that benefit the environment and other wildlife. Interesting back matter provides further information. This is a delightful book for any home or library! Highly recommend!

[Diane Mittler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gorgeous nonfiction picture book tracks what happens to the land and surrounding areas When Beavers Move In. Their impact is huge and important!

Packed with information and accompanied by beautiful illustrations, this book also offers (through the text and the backmatter) information about the important role the Tulalip Tribes are playing when human and beaver territories overlap.

A great read!

[Jena Benton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This nonfiction picture book has a lilting refrain "When beavers move in..." that repeats frequently throughout the story almost like a song. This pushes the reader along to learn more about beavers. Beavers do much more for the environment than the average reader might expect. This book not only teaches about their value, but shares how some Pacific Northwest tribes are working to rehome "nuisance" beavers in order to help heal their lands. This is a fascinating read with lots to take away.

[Rebecca Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely story about the important work beavers do while creating a home for themselves-- providing resources for other animal species and making their environment more resilient to drought, floods, and wildfires. Beautiful illustrations of the world from the beavers’ point of view. Informational backmatter provides fun beaver facts, discusses how indigenous tribes care for the beavers, and lets readers know how they can help the beavers.

[Beth Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when beavers move in? If they’re near people, they may need to be moved. But once relocated, those beavers start building an amazing ecosystem. Engaging text, supported by clear and colorful illustrations, is accessible for very young listeners and suitable for early readers. Nature in action invites wonder, questions, and appreciation for these remarkable creatures!

[Danielle Mccoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this audiobook from netGalley for a honest review.

This is a marvelous audiobook showing what a rehomed beaver family can do to improve the environment. It's wonderful what the native tribes are doing and the ways they are using the beavers to improve their land and all of our futures.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book about the role of beavers in the eco-system and all the environments they create for other animals. I enjoyed listening to this with my kids. I appreciate the additional context from the author's note.

Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Young Listeners for an early copy.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beavers are truly crafty critters-- and they're essential to our ecosystem! In this book, readers can learn all about how their handiwork positively impacts the environment... and they sure are adorable, too!

[Angelica Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very educational which I as a Mom love! It was a quick one but so cute. I loved hearing all the background noises that went along with the story. The narrator was clear, precise, and kept me listening.

[Grandma Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cover is adorable. This book is gently packed with beaver facts. An easy way to learn. Outstanding narration.

I was blessed with an audio ARC. Thank you NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.

[Laurel Zeisler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an educator ALC from Libro.fm

This was a great nonfiction book with actionable ideas presented at the end. The narrator was engaging and the background sounds were very realistic. I would recommend this audiobook to schools.

[Jessica Karjanis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really cool book! I learned a lot about how beavers shape their ecosystems. Clear text, cozy illustrations, and informative back matter. I think early elementary students would be intrigued, great animal book to add to a library collection.

[Nora Nickum · Rating 5 out of 5]

A concise, hopeful book about beavers, Indigenous stewardship, and rewilding. The rich illustrations and clear text bring to life how beavers transform a landscape and make it a healthier habitat for salmon and other animals, and more resilient to drought and wildfires.

[Michelle Schaub · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alison Pearce Steven’s book is a fascinating look at beavers and their importance to the forest ecosystem. It also shows how people can take steps to live in harmony with beavers so that they can continue to thrive. A great book to add to a study of wetlands and animal adaptations.

[Katy Tanis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book touches on many important topics: climate change, wildfires, wetland conservation, ecosystem relationships, and human and wildlife conflict. The author approaches these topics in a succinct and approachable way, making it easy to understand and fun to follow. Great read!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this exploration of how the Tulalip Tribes in the Pacific Northwest are helping to restore ecosystems by relocating beavers. The narrative is clear and kid-friendly, and the artwork has an appealing colorful style that is also just right for sharing with little ones. Enjoy!

[Heidi Yates · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read!
WHEN BEAVERS MOVE IN is a fascinating story about how beavers affect the environment. The poetic text, colorful illustrations and thought-provoking backmatter bring this book to life. Readers who are drawn to nature and wild animals will love this engaging beaver tale!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have seen the destruction that beavers can cause near homes, but I was grateful to learn the important role and value they bring to ecosystems. I'm also incredibly grateful to the Tulalip Tribes in Washington state, who are working to bring brighter solutions to animals and habitats.

[Patricia Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love beavers and after reading this book, children will see how wonderful they are for our environment. They're not called ecosystem engineers for nothing! Gorgeous art by Natasha Donovan perfectly complements Alison Pearce Stevens lyrical text. A book of hope for our environment!