Yodel the Yearling

Life Cycles

by Mary Holland

Yodel and his siblings have woken from their long winter’s nap and are ready to learn and grow. Nature photographer Mary Holland captures precious moments of this black bear family’s springtime adventures. Just like human children, the yearlings play, explore their surroundings, and then snuggle up with mom for milk. They even stay with a special “babysitter” while mom is away. Someday soon, the yearlings will be grown and go off on their own, but for now, they can catch a nap under their mama bear’s watchful eye.

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

32 pages, Hardcover

Published February 10, 2018

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

[Andree Sanborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book for all ages.

An amazing book. I envy Mary's find of the bear family and capturing them so wonderfully. This is science and nature, not a sugary children's book. It includes photos of bear food and signs of bears in the woods. My only complaint? Not enough!

[Janet Squires · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yodel the Yearling by Mary Holland relates the true story of a black bear cub from his waking in the spring with his mother and siblings through the year when he will strike out on his own and live an independent life.

Written for ages 4-9, this narrative nonfiction story is richly imagined and well supported with lovely close-up photography. The story offers readers a detailed look at how Yodel plays and learns the many important skills he will need to survive.

Young readers will enjoy discovering additional important information about black bears in a follow-up section titled: For Creative Minds. For instance, bears aren’t true hibernators. They actually spend their winters is a deep sleep called torpor. How can bears go so long without eating? You’ll find that answer, too. “What Do Bears Eat?” carefully illustrates many of the black bears’ favorite foods. A final section details “Black Bear Signs” with explanations and photographs that provide a guide to the many ways to discover the presence of black bears.

A 30-page cross curricular Teaching Activity Guide is available online. The book is also available in Spanish.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfect for elementary school students studying black bears. The book discusses the daily life of yearling bears including what they eat, how they play, and their closeness with their mother. It has color photos throughout, and the text is easy to ready and informative. Back matter includes a list of signs to look for that show a black bear is in the area, photos of typical foods that bears eat, a description of the torpor in which bears sleep through the winter, and the role of a "babysitter tree" in the life of a young bear.

Those living near parks where black bears are common would find this especially useful to read before field trips, or as part of a unit on local wildlife. In my area we also have the Appalachian Bear Rescue rehab facility, which provides speakers to visit with school groups about the work of the volunteers at the facility. Students would enjoy reading this book before or after one of those visits.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Complemented by large color photographs that show bears in action, this book introduces young readers to Yodel, a young bear, who lives with his mother and his siblings while they are still too young to leave their mother. Throughout the year as they grow, the bear cubs wrestle with each other, learn how to find food, and find ways to stay safe when their mother must leave them in order to forage. Young readers will be surprised to learn that the mother bear uses a babysitting tree in which the cubs stay while she is gone, providing them a safe place high above any dangers. The book also includes activities and puzzles to expand students' enjoyment of this story. The back matter also provides information about how to recognize bear signs. While it might not be likely that readers will ever see a bear and her cubs in the wild, they are likely to see the signs those bears have left behind in the form of scat and scratching on tree trunks.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children will love the photos in this book. It is filled with neat facts about baby bears and follows the life of one specific bear, Yodel.

[Mrs. Mazzola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative with great photographs, but not particularly engaging. Good for primary student research.