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This new series for the very young highlights the defining characteristics of habitats, including the plant and animal life, using examples from around the world. Award-winning author Cathryn Sill and her husband, noted wildlife illustrator John Sill, offer young readers a first glimpse into desert habitats. In simple, easy-to-understand language, this guide teaches children what deserts are, what kinds of animals and plants live there, and how certain species have adapted to the unique challenges of surviving in this harsh environment.
John Sill's beautifully detailed, full-color illustrations reflect the diversity of desert topography-- from the vast dunes of the Arabian Desert to the rocky Chihuahuan Desert in the southwestern U.S.-and the astonishing varieties of desert wildlife. A glossary and afterword provide young readers with further fascinating details on the desert, its creatures, and its conditions.
John Sill's beautifully detailed, full-color illustrations reflect the diversity of desert topography-- from the vast dunes of the Arabian Desert to the rocky Chihuahuan Desert in the southwestern U.S.-and the astonishing varieties of desert wildlife. A glossary and afterword provide young readers with further fascinating details on the desert, its creatures, and its conditions.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2007
27 people want to read
About the author
Cathryn Sill
56 books12 followersCathryn Sill, a graduate of Western Carolina University, was an elementary school teacher for thirty years. She lives in North Carolina.
When she was an elementary school teacher who loves nature. When she had trouble finding good natural history books for her kindergarten class, she decided to write them.
With her husband John as the illustrator, she has created two series of nonfiction books for children.
The ABOUT series is about different groups of animals and includes 16 books. She has just completed the eighth books in a series about habitats.
When she was an elementary school teacher who loves nature. When she had trouble finding good natural history books for her kindergarten class, she decided to write them.
With her husband John as the illustrator, she has created two series of nonfiction books for children.
The ABOUT series is about different groups of animals and includes 16 books. She has just completed the eighth books in a series about habitats.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 16, 2015
Once again I find myself learning new things (never realized that toads would wait for rain 8-10 months underground in the desert!) from a book meant for children. Do love the format and approach of this series. My only complaint is that I wish the country would be listed with the name of the desert when showing the pictures so you don't have to go back to the front of the book to track them down all the time. Otherwise, another great book teaching something new. :)
November 13, 2019
About Habitats: Deserts by Cathryn Sill is a nonfiction picture book. It is great for both boys and girls ages seven to twelve. It is part of the amazing About Habitats series. I like that it is so easy to read and how it tells you about the plants and animals in the pictures. I think that other people would like it because it tells you about deserts and the animals that live there. I also think that it would be good for school. My favorite part is at the end when it tells you about every page. This book is awesome, and I can't wait for the next one!
Reviewed by Dominic D., Age 9, Tampa Bay Mensa
Reviewed by Dominic D., Age 9, Tampa Bay Mensa
January 22, 2017
Amazing, beautiful illustrations tell about deserts. Lots of extra information available at the end of the book and organized by each page/illustration of book. Very helpful to see each habitat and creatures living there. I want more of this series for my library. Highly recommended for Gr. K-5. Great for use with a desert unit. Basic content book with lots of potential to spark conversation and learning.
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August 7, 2020One of the many books I used to help teach my grandkids about the Deserts in the US.
April 4, 2021
Nice addition to the series about animal classification that I purchased to assist with virtual Kindergarten. Recommended.
April 1, 2014
This is one of many books in a series. Cathryn Sill and her husband the illustrator, John Sill, have created very informative books focusing on one area of nature. Their books include things on fish, birds, mammals, insects, and amphibians.
Deserts has simple reading passages with one to two sentence on the left page; then, the right page is beautifully, detailed and realistic images to support and extend the thinking to the related sentences. All aspects of the dessert are illustrated and written; for example, the land details, the plants, and the animals. At the corner of the pictures there's reference to a specific dessert, the name of the animal shown, and the name of the plants. These then can be referenced in the back of the book for a more detailed description. There's a variety of deserts mentioned throughout the book and a world map is included in the beginning of the book showing where these deserts are located.
These series provide so much information with realistic detailed illustrations. They are not overwhelming, but very organized and superbly illustrated to learning much about one topic. I would use this in class to study land forms, specific deserts/locations and their native plants and animals. It's also a great reference to learn about animal habitats.
Deserts has simple reading passages with one to two sentence on the left page; then, the right page is beautifully, detailed and realistic images to support and extend the thinking to the related sentences. All aspects of the dessert are illustrated and written; for example, the land details, the plants, and the animals. At the corner of the pictures there's reference to a specific dessert, the name of the animal shown, and the name of the plants. These then can be referenced in the back of the book for a more detailed description. There's a variety of deserts mentioned throughout the book and a world map is included in the beginning of the book showing where these deserts are located.
These series provide so much information with realistic detailed illustrations. They are not overwhelming, but very organized and superbly illustrated to learning much about one topic. I would use this in class to study land forms, specific deserts/locations and their native plants and animals. It's also a great reference to learn about animal habitats.
November 14, 2013
This book is a great start to discuss nature to children. I like this book because, I've always wanted to know what goes on in a dessert where no one lives and how does the animals survive with a dry area. After reding this book I understand the different types of desserts and how the different animals learn to survive. I was glad to know that there is an area in the desert that has water all of the time is called an oasis.
April 2, 2014
Big and beautiful drawings that show us that they are deserts and as we find life despite being so dry, it allows us to put the children in the different habitats that we have and their differences in the life in each habitat.
At the end of the book found an explanation more wide for each of the pages which is excellent to work with different ages in children.
January 27, 2009
The illustrations in this book are beautiful, at first glance I thought they were photos. This has a lot of good, basic info in it.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews