Desert Giant: The World of the Saguaro Cactus

Tree Tales

by Barbara Bash

A story about the mighty saguaro cactus.

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

28 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Barbara Bash grew up in Barrington, Illinois and has worked for many years as a calligrapher, illustrator and teacher of book arts and botanical drawing. She currently lives in upstate New York.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author/illustrator Barbara Bash, who has profiled a number of arboreal species in her Tree Tales series - see also: Tree of Life: The World of the African Baobab , In the Heart of the Village: The World of the Indian Banyan Tree , and Ancient Ones: The World of the Old-Growth Douglas Fir - began the project here, with this picture-book about the saguaro cactus. Exploring the world of this "desert giant," she discusses the creatures, from the Gila Woodpecker to the Harris Hawk, that rely upon it for shelter; as well as those - bats, birds, insects, humans, and other animals - that feed upon its flowers and fruit. A traditional source of sustenance for the Tohono O'odham people while still healthy, the saguaro is also a valuable resource once it begins to decay, providing shelter for a variety of small mammals, insects, and snakes.

It's easy to see why Desert Giant: The World of the Saguaro Cactus was chosen as a Reading Rainbow selection, as its informative text and bright, colorful artwork make just the right ingredients for an engaging episode of that show! I have never been to the Sonoran Desert (one day, perhaps...) and know little about it, as an ecosystem, so I learned quite a bit from Bash's simple book. So too, I imagine, will young readers. I found the artwork just beautiful, both in its own right, and as an illustration of the text. The vivid colors, and the accurate depiction of flora and fauna were impressive, confirming the impression I took away from Tree of Life (the only other Barbara Bash book I have read) that this is an author/illustrator who really knows how to make natural history come alive for young children. Recommended to young tree-lovers and would-be naturalists.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book seems to be in a series of “Tree Tales” books. I’ve already read one of the other three, and have the remaining two books on my to-read shelf.

This is an excellent nature book. I learned so much. I had no idea how much life a cactus can support, from birth until after death.

The book covers the lifespan of the saguaro cactus and how throughout its life it nourishes all sorts of creatures, including humans. This account is not at all dry but fascinating. There is so much detail and the illustrations add immeasurably to the information. They’re wonderful. I love seeing all the creatures involved and also seeing just how slowly this cactus grows. The whole ecosystem is amazing.

I’ll have to get to those other 2 books!

This is a book best enjoyed by independent readers. There is just too much information, in text and pictures, to have to rely on being only a listener/viewer. Kids who are interested in desert life, trees, cacti, ecosystems, Native peoples, sweet treats, and nature are likely to enjoy this book.

4 ½ stars

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something very appealing about Desert Giant : The World of the Saguaro Cactus. The illustrations are lovely, and I had no idea how vital these plants are to the ecosystem in the Sonoran Desert (which is beautiful, by the way).

At the end of this book, my niece was begging, "Amy, can we please go to this desert in Arizona and see these cactus?! PLEASE???" My nephew was also engaged with this book, asking questions about the various animals that he was seeing, and even asking me what would happen if all of the cactus died.

This is a wonderful book that seems to really grab kids' attention. The book presents all kinds of learning opportunities, and it is very conducive to encouraging kids to ask questions and run with their curiosity. My niece gave this one five stars, and my four year old nephew gave it, "Ummm.... Sixteen!" :-)

[معصومه توکلی · Rating 5 out of 5]

عنوان ترجمه ی فارسی:
غول مهربان صحرا
(دنیای کاکتوسی به نام ساگارو)

[Becky McLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was used in my classroom to focus on making text-to-text connections with a previously read book, Cactus Hotel. This was a great activity for students, and a great read! Students had prior knowledge of the Seguaro Cactus from Cactus Hotel, and made some great connections with both illustrations and information.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this author's style. You can tell she's done her research and has a great love for nature.

[Sarah Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book describing many aspects of the saguaro cactus, as well as how it’s used by animals and people. Also has really good illustrations.

[Alaina Covington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Desert Giant is a book all about saguaro cactus. In the book we learn where you can find saguaro cactus, how tall they can grow to be, how it survives, and what it does for the environment. You also learn about how other animals interact with the cactus. i am from Arizona, so I really love cactus which made me really like this book. It's very informative and not a lot of people know about cactus and what they do for the environment. The illustrations are very beautiful as well. I would use this in any elementary science classroom when learning about different kinds of plants.

[Sandy]

A phenomenal science book that provides the lifecycle of a Saguaro Cactus and describes the different animals that co-habitat and find shelter throughout the different stages of this mighty desert 'tree'. When I was reading this book, I couldn't help but think of the Saguaro as the Redwood of the desert. Someday, I hope I'll have the opportunity to take my kids to see one in person.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

ATOS 5.5

[Sydney Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great detail, in word and illustration.

[Scarlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

B really liked this one, informative but not boring

[Lara Lleverino · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the illustrations and the information EXCEPT that they called the Saguaro Cactus a TREE...which it is NOT!

[ℓ◎♥℮ т☺ яεαḓ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, this is a children's book, but it was a worthy read as an adult. The drawings were lovely, and I learned so much.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informational, but too high a level for early childhood.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is educational in that it describes the ecological role that one of the primary forms of plant life in the deserts of the American southwest plays. It is the Saguaro cactus, A slow grower, individual plants can grow to over seventy feet tall and live for 150 years.
The cactus produces flowers in the spring that provide nourishing nectar for many different species that serve as pollinators and their fruit is sweet and nutritious. The Native Americans constructed long poles to knock the ripened fruit off the plants so that they can be consumed. Other species also consume the fruit and help spread the seeds around.
Many different animals construct nests in the Saguaro, some bore into the plant while other make their nests in the branches. As happens to all living things, the plants age and then fall to the ground, where they decay, providing shelter and sustenance for many ground dwelling creatures.
All of this is covered in this book, it is an exercise in explaining the niche that the Saguaro fill. The text is roughly at the level of the third grader and the images are detailed and informative. I strongly recommend this book as an educational supplement for science classes that are covering the biological diversity of the desert. Adults will also find information of interest.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look at the life cycle of a saguaro cactus and all the other organisms in its ecosystem.

I vaguely remember seeing this book as a child on Reading Rainbow. Rereading it made me appreciate the way it depicts how one organism can affect so many others in its ecosystem. This book does a great job of showing the way animals find homes in it, the various things that eat the nectar of its flowers, or the people and animals who eat its fruit. Even after its death, it is shown how humans and animals can use what remains of it afterwards and how the seeds slowly sprout. A wonderful pick for any science class studying the way organisms impact each other in an ecosystem.

[Lisa Overberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author provides rich detail about the Sonoran desert ecosystem, focusing on saguaro cacti. Birds, bats, lizards, and insects depend upon the spiny plant for shelter and food. The Tohono O'odham Indians harvest its sweet fruit to make james, candies, and wines. Bash even illustrates the reproductive parts of a flower, which could be used during a science extension lesson.

Genre: Informational, picture
Reading level: 4.5
Grade level: 3-5
Lexile: 980L

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fascinating and versatile plant, the saguaro cactus, serves various purposes in the Sonoran Desert! It is home to multiple animals, provides natural food containers for Native Americans and its fruit is consumed by animals and humans. This hearty cactus can grow fifty feet tall and can live two hundred years. Wonderful illustrations and informative text!!

[Julie]

Like Cactus Hotel but for a slightly older audience, this picture book explains the function of the saguaro cactus in the southwestern desert. Even as the large plant dies and decomposes, it becomes food for insects and scorpions.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an informative book about Saguaro Cactus. This book explains how the cactus is used for survival by animals. It provides food and home for our many creatures, and can also be used in a science lesson to explain the cycle of life.

[Patty Profitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations.

[Cws]

JERR-Bas

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in conjunction with Reading Rainbow episode: Desert Giant. I love the narrator of that story on the show and always hear his voice when I read it now.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is full of interesting facts and great simple illustrations. It covers the life cycle of a saguaro and the animal and human lives that interact with them.

[Andrea M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has great pictures and a number of surprising facts about the ecological benefit of these large cacti.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book for learning more about the Saguaro Cactus

[Riley Poling · Rating 5 out of 5]

a cute children’s book

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great book explaining the life of a saguaro!

[Laura]

Great art! Lots of information. good for a report or kids who are interested in nature.