Cactus Hotel

by Brenda Z. Guiberson, Megan Lloyd (Illustrator)

It is another hot day in the desert. Birds and other animals scurry about looking for food. When they get tired, they stop to rest at a giant cactus. It is their hotel in the desert!

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

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Brenda Z. Guiberson has written many books for children, including Cactus Hotel, Spoonbill Swamp, Moon Bear and Disasters. As a child, Brenda never thought she wanted to be a writer—her dreams tended more toward jungle explorer. She graduated from the University of Washington with degrees in English and Fine Art. She started thinking about writing for children when her son went to elementary school, and she volunteered in his class and in the school library. After taking exciting trips that involved a fifty-foot cactus, hungry alligators and sunset-colored spoonbills, she wanted to create books for children that would be like a field trip. Her books are full of well-researched detail, and Brenda sees this research as an adventure—one that allows her to be a jungle explorer at last. She lives in Seattle, Washington.

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well and indeed, the general information on the life cycle of the saguaro cactus which Brenda Z. Guiberson textually provides in her 1991 non-fiction picture book Cactus Hotel (and how both during a saguaro cactus’ approximately 200 year existence and indeed even after its eventual demise, it provides not only food but also necessary living spaces, necessary accommodations to a vast variety of animal species) is penned by Guiberson both educationally, enlighteningly and also engagingly (almost a bit like one is reading a personal cactus biography) and with Cactus Hotel therefore not only showing young readers and/or listeners how a saguaro cactus seed takes root and slowly but surely grows taller and taller, but also and equally how it is in many ways absolutely central to the ecosystems of the Sonoran Dessert, providing both nourishment (nectar, seeds, fruit) and as already alluded to above shelter (as a huge variety dessert creatures from birds to insects do actively reside inside saguaro cactuses and make these their permanent homes, their primary residences).

However, even though I very much believe that with regard to her printed words and her narration, Brenda Z. Guiberson certainly does in Cactus Hotel render the saguaro cactus and the many creatures that rely on it for food and for living spaces both interesting and also rather fun and intriguing for young readers, for children from about the age of six to eight or nine (and that illustrator Megan Lloyd also contributes artwork that glowingly and with just the right colour scheme gives a both realistic and imaginative visual mirror to and for Guiberson’s text), there are indeed two frustrating issues I have found with Cactus Hotel and and they are annoying and problematic enough for me to consider only a two star rating, a high two star rating to be sure, but I just cannot and will not consider going any higher than two stars.

For one, there does unfortunately seem to be rather a glaring mistake encountered in Cactus Hotel, since the bats that are described by Brenda Z. Guiberson and visually depicted by Megan Lloyd as visiting the saguaro cactus to feast on the nectar of its flowers are obviously free-tailed bats. And free-tailed bats are in fact insectivorous and thus of course would not be consuming nectar (a pretty substantial error in my opinion and one that I do think also warrants mentioning to potential readers and listeners of Cactus Hotel because in my humble opinion, confusing a bat that basically only eats insects with one that is a nectar consuming bat and as such of course also likely a pollinator is a pretty significant faux pas). And for two, considering that textually Cactus Hotel is pretty dense and contains much ecological and biological information on suguaro cactuses and the many dessert animal species that make use of these cactuses for food and for shelter, I am pretty sadly disappointed that Brenda Z. Guiberson has not bothered including a bibliography with suggestions for further reading and study, and that this for and to me definitely rather lessens and reduces the educational value of Cactus Hotel.

[Angie]

Okay, I realize this book was published in 1991, but I have to point out a HUGE mistake. The bats drawn supposedly coming for the nectar of the saguaro flowers are free-tailed bats, which are insectivorous. Nectar-eating bats have a quite different appearance. Seems like it would have been pretty easy to find out.

[Julesmarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ecology is one of the science units I teach, and this book is fantastic! Especially given that I teach in Arizona, getting to read about the ecology of our actual environment, and the interdependence of all of the organisms in it is fantastic, and my students just love it!

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good non-fiction book about the Saguaro cactus, written as a story. It shows how the cactus seed grows slowly into a small cactus, and then gradually over the course of many years becoming taller, more sturdy, and eventually a home to many animals. We enjoyed the story and the illustrations are great.

[Julie]

A saguaro cactus is an ecosystem within the desert ecosystem. This book shows how each thing that happens to the cactus starts a chain of events affecting many animals and plants in and around it.

[Christa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story that includes interesting information about the natural world! One of my favorite books for young children (3+).

[Two Hearts Homeschool · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of our top 3 picture books about the Southwest

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a truly remarkable book. The illustrations were gorgeous. The story talked about the life cycle of a cactus and while that may sound boring, it was not. It was fascinating. Along the way we learned about a variety of animals and insects.

We loved this book. We re-read it several times the first day and have read it many times since.

[Kalenna O'Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brenda Z. Guiberson’s The Cactus Hotel explores the life of a saguaro cactus in the Sonoran Desert. Megan Lloyd’s illustrations show the various types of animals that create the multiple ecosystems surrounding a saguaro throughout its lifetime. The realistic fiction picture book begins with a saguaro fruit dropping to the ground, releasing thousands of seeds. Then, a pack rat carries a seed on its whisker where it falls under a paloverde tree. As the tree provides shade, the cactus sprouts after a monsoon storm. After ten years, the cactus is large enough for ants to crawl on it. As various animals come by the saguaro and paloverde tree for shade, the cactus grows ten feet tall after fifty years, finally being able to provide shelter and nectar for birds, bees, and bats. As the cactus grows so does the number of animal occupants around it, but at two hundred years, the cactus finally falls to its death to the desert floor. As it starts to dry up, ground animals like scorpions, snakes, and termites are able to find a home in the ribs of the saguaro. This concludes that from beginning to end of the life cycle, the saguaro cactus is able to provide a home for all of the Sonoran animals.
This is an excellent book for an Arizona classroom so children are able to appreciate the importance of the nature around them. Although many critters within the Sonoran dessert should be taught to be a danger, the book focuses on how the saguaro providing a home. Therefore, young children will appreciate the beautiful parts of the Sonoran dessert. The Cactus Hotel is a great read for six-year-old children who are exposed and are aware of the different types of plants and animals in the dessert. However, for children who are unfamiliar with desert animals, it ideally should be read around age nine. This is because many of the illustrations show animals that are directly explained in the text, therefore could cause confusion. The use of the various animal drawings helps children understand that ecosystems work in harmony and all effect each other. If the saguaro cactus is not protected, many animals within the desert would not have a home. It should also be noted that entitling The Cactus Hotel is a metaphor that shows how the lifespan of the cactus always has changing residents, like a hotel. The use of a natural science book can help Arizonian children become proud of the world that makes their home unique.

[Katerina Spoonhour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cactus Hotel is about the ecosystem and how the role for a cactus impacts everything around it. It follows the story of a seed maturing all the way to two hundred years demonstrating as a hotel for animals and how even after it died becoming a resource for smaller insects and amphibians. The illustrations are very classic with lots of greens which evolve to brown as the cactus continue to gain holes and begins to age.
It surprised me with how many facts were woven in and by the way plant affects the ecosystem. Whenever animals starting moving in without getting harmed by the spikes, which was impressive consider that these were everywhere as a protection. This book really talks about ecosystem which remind me of learning that places have different ecosystems can be really fun with pictures.
I would definitely keep this in my classroom for kids who are fascinated with plants and science because it could lead them into reading books with creativity as well as learning. This could also be a class project were you read the book aloud and discussed ecosystems then have the class make their own cactus hotel.

[Patricia Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cactus Hotel by Brenda Z. Gueberson was an engaging read aloud text for the grade 3 students. It was not only a good way to teach elements of nonfiction, but it was a sweet story illustrated by Megan Lloyd showing animals in the desert.

The story shows the life cycle of a saguaro cactus from seed to its demise. There was a lot to discuss, from the animals and the other natural elements of the desert, to the uplifting message of life going on. The birth, growth and death of the saguaro cactus encouraged discussion about the cycle of life.

The title comes from the way the cactus became a hotel for many other animals. It, too, was a positive message about support for each other.

For a small (and beautiful) picture book, a lot of ground was covered. Overall, the children had good questions about and connections to this wonderful story and they enjoyed it.

[Lexi Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this book a rating of 3 stars because it wasn't exactly my favorite book but it is still a cute book for young children.

This book started out by talking about a fruit that falls from a cactus in the desert and how it splits when it drops. Then, a pack rat comes and eats the fruit while a seed was stuck to his foot and he peeled it off and threw it on the ground. Next, A thunderstorm hits the desert and while soaking the seed a cactus starts to grow. It later becomes a hotel for different animals.

I think that this book could be useful and a fun story for littles when talking about natural science and how when you plant a seed things can grow. They could learn some things from this story.

[Amelia]

This book is another book that takes place in the desert. It teaches readers about the cactus plant, as well as the various animals that call a cactus their home. The book talks about lifespan, weight, etc. of a cactus and teaches about animal habitats through the context of animals coming to stay at the "cactus hotel". Various animals burrow in holes inside the cactus. I always loved this book when I was little! The concept of a cactus hotel is super cute, but I think it also does a good job at illustrating the very real concept that some animals do live inside a cactus. This book would be a good book for comparing/contrasting our environment, animal species, etc. with the ones in the book; it would also be a good book to teach/learn about habitats!

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an interesting story about the saguaro cactus that grows in southern Arizona and northern Mexico. The author tells about the cactus from its start as a tiny seed, to when it is 150 years old, to when it is full grown and has reached the end of its useful life. In between its beginning and its end the cactus goes through many phases and usefulness in nature to where it becomes shelter, nourishment, and a home for different wildlife.
The life of the saguaro cactus is fascinating, and its story is presented in an informative and appealing way for children to enjoy. In the back of the book are more facts about the cactus.

[Becky McLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book that provides non-fiction information in a fictional story feel. I used this book as a form of having students learn from the illustrations of the book. Just looking at the pictures, students shared what they were learning as each page turned. At the end of our class, I read the book aloud and students were excited to see if what they thought they were learning was correct...the words typically added on to what they visually learned.

[Cathy Sheetz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Explains the life cycle of a saguaro cactus and the habitat and food it provides for numerous creatures over the course of its lifetime.

This book is a great book for discussing ecosystems, habitats, etc. in biology with 3rd through 6th graders. I would also keep this in the classroom library for 2nd through 6th grade.

[Becca Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read aloud about 4 picture books about cactus recently and this one stood out as a real winner for our whole family. We love saguaro cactus but I didn’t know much about this unique plant... (to be honest, I wasn’t exactly curious). I am so glad we picked this one up to read as a family. The information and illustrations are just a perfect combination.

[Chanel · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a kid, my mom bought this book for me when she went on a business trip to Arizona. I remember loving the illustrations and picking through the pages all the time. I'm glad I've held onto it for all these years.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book goes through a cactus's life cycle. My favorite part about this book is how the birds make nests in the cactus and the cactus makes a thick layer of skin on the inside of the hole for the nest. I like the artistry in this book.
Carsen age 10

[Delali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully simple, non-fiction book about the life cycle of the Saguaro cactus, and the animals and insects that make their homes in it as it grows, and as it dies. My 6 year old surprisingly loved this book and enjoyed learning about cacti and desert animals. A great read!

[Cheryl Neer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this book years ago with my now grown children. Recently, it has been a much-loved favorite for a 5-year-old in my life. Fantastic illustrations and details of the life cycle and ecosystem of a cactus in the desert.

[Crystal Mangum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cactus Hotel take life cycle of a desert cactus. First a seed, then plant, that many animals use for a place to live. Even when the cactus dies animals still use it for shade from the hot sun or as place to find insects to eat.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

My granddaughters and I really enjoyed the Desert Unit....this is one of the books we listened to and really enjoyed seeing all of the animal and how they utilize the cactus to really help each other.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was perfect for our study of life cycles. It connects beautifully with Mystery Science and it mentions pollination as well as the life cycle of the saguaro as well as how the saguaro contributes to the ecosystem.

[J.P. Sirro · Rating 4 out of 5]

A children’s picture book about the 200 year life of a cactus and being a home to many animals.

Great learning book, mostly will have to read it to your child has it has some tough words in it. Still recommend at 3-4 yo

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

LFL find. Marvelously well done. Shows how long these cacti take to grow, and the various weird shapes they can form, and why they have holes in them, and how important they are to the ecosystem of the desert southwest. They are much more than an icon on a coffee mug!

[Tam Newell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick picture book about the life cycle of the saguaro cactus and how it helps other creatures in the desert ecosystem.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

informative and interesting narrative on cactus-- cacti? Gr. 1-3

[Mayumi Amargo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful artistry

[Antonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A favorite science picture book.