Beware the Burmese Pythons: And Other Invasive Animal Species

by Etta Kaner, Phil Nicholls (Illustrator)

A kid-friendly introduction to invasive animal species that explores how they got into new ecosystems and the damage they’ve caused. It might not seem like a big deal when a non-native animal species finds its way to another environment. But it can be! Invasive species reproduce quickly and often have no natural predators, allowing them to overtake native species, and even destroy the ecosystem of their new home. Here’s an intriguing look at 10 of these species from around the world — from tiny cactus moths to mighty Burmese pythons — and the problems they’re causing. As each section explains, humans were responsible for bringing all these animals to their new locations. And now it’s up to humans to do something about it! In this unique, highly visual book, Etta Kaner’s accessible text and Phil Nicholls’s vibrant art reveal a fascinating world of “aliens” that invade new habitats. With two spreads for each animal, the book is chock-full of information, including the animal’s features, habitat and invasion route; a narrative describing how it became invasive and why it’s become a problem; and a list of ideas for what can be done, ending with the question, “If you were a scientist or conservation officer, what would you do?” The text is presented in fun, eye-catching formats, ranging from comic strips to posters to newspaper articles, keeping the engagement level high and highlighting what scientists are currently doing to solve the problems. There are strong life-science connections here on characteristics of living things, ecosystems and habitats. Contains a glossary, sources, further reading and how to help.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Animals, Childrens

48 pages, Hardcover

Published October 4, 2022

Reviews

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Non-fiction with interesting, lesser-known facts is always a treat, but slide in a bit of graphic novel atmosphere, and this one is a definite winner.

What is an invasive species? These pages dive right into that question before taking off with examples of lesser known ones and troublesome ones. There are ten species presented, including nutria, cane toads, killer shrimp, and more. Each one is introduced with its common name, scientific name, and a cartoon-like but still detailed illustration, where little lines and phrases point out its unique characteristics. The size and habitat as well as a global map, showing the general area where the animal is native and where its wandered to, is also presented. There's a fun introduction as to how the animal was taken to the 'new' area, a page presenting the problems it has caused, and then, another section which explains how scientists are trying to deal with the problem. This last section ends with the question of what the reader thinks could be done to stop the animals' destruction.

While all of the information is very well done, laid out, and does teach all sorts of things from animal facts to ecological problems and connections, the fun is never forgotten. I do enjoy the variety given in the ways the animals were inadvertently 'spread', since this does show that even scientists make mistakes...and how many are stupid or even an unknown side product. And the lists of things being done are just as broad in variety, and illustrate how much ingenuity is used. Since kids are then asked for their thoughts, the entire thing gains clout, exercises the brain gears, and is even great for group or homeschooling situations. And, of course, an awareness for the environment and balance of life is strengthened.

But what really makes this one fun is the writing style and illustrations. The author keeps the information light and entertaining. There's a spark of humor without really being silly. The illustrations and their comic flair make everything digestible, also hinted with humor, and keep boredom away. It creates an atmosphere, which will drawn in even reluctant readers, and marks information in a manner, which sticks in the mind better than dry numbers, terms, and facts.

I do see kids really enjoying this one and know my own would grab it off the shelf without a second's thought. I received a DRC through Edelweiss.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This graphic novel tells about a variety of invasive species and the impact that they have on the habitats they have invaded. The story explores jobs like conservationists and environmentalists and what scientists need to research and do to prevent problems occurring from these invasive species. While the book looks like a graphic novel, and thus will be very appealing to young readers, it also has non-fiction text features like a page with labels, text boxes, diagrams and ends with resources and glossary. I love that it has the features of a text you can use for research while being a high interest graphic novel. The speech bubbles contain a fairly well spaced font, and usually with only 1 or 2 per box, so it is fairly easy to read and the fact pages have a similarly sized, clear phot as well as fun “comic style” fonts for headings which are still quite easy to read. I love this book and would highly recommend it! As a grade 3 teacher, I would recommend this book to parents and teachers of children in the 6-12 age range. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this book!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first put this book on hold [at my public library], I first thought it was going to be [specifically] about the Burmese Pythons in the Everglades in Florida. Alas, it is not. Those Pythons are just one of ten Invasive Species that are talked about in this book.

For each species, we are given the Common name of the species, along with the Scientific name; an illustrated (not a photo) picture of the animal, along with a brief description of key features of its body, i.e. "Strong bill muscles to find prey" for the Starlings; information about Size, Habitats, Invasion Route, along with a brief history / information about how the animal came to be (and multiplied) in the United States. Part of this information is presented in what I call graphic novel format.

Along the way, the reader learns "How to Become an Invasive Species in Six Easy Steps," but you'll have to read this book to learn more!

At the end of this book is a Conclusion that guides readers in how we can help save the world, a Glossary, Selected Sources, and a short list of items for Further Reading.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learn about invasive animal species all over the world, the types of problems they are causing, how they got to where they are today, and what scientists and wildlife experts are trying to stop their spread.

Our 6th graders do a project on environmental issues and I never have enough invasive species books for those interested in that subtopic, so I'm happy I can add this to their resources. Each animal gets about 4 pages that succinctly but thoroughly enough covers how the species spread, what kinds of problems they are causing in the new area, and solutions being explored. The information is presented in a mix of graphic novel panels, newspaper excerpts, infographics, and more. It is an engaging presentation of the information and completely color illustrated. Highly recommended for middle grade curious readers and researchers.

Notes on content: Predator/prey issues are talked about a lot, and species threatened or being wiped out by the invaders. The illustrations are tactful and not scarring.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

There were plenty of facts in the book and the illustrations were brilliant

The book was well laid out, it was nice, bright and attractive too and gave a really good insight into the impact of the habitats from these invasive species.

I knew about quite a few of the species mentions but there were ones that were new to me and I wasn't aware for some how much of an impact they are having. I live in the UK and we have Starlings as a natural species here but they are reducing in numbers all the time, yet they are spreading far too quickly having been introduced to the US and their impact is devastating the crops.

The books goes quite a way to show the impact that humans have had and can have from their actions of introducing non-native species. I do think though that for some now it is probably too late to be able to cull the numbers back to protect what was already living there but I hope I am wrong

It is 5 stars from me for this one – very highly recommended!

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A handful of creatures that shouldn't be where they are get a cartoonish look, in the child-friendly manner of the recent 'stamp on a certain bug' campaign centred around the eastern US. This too is centred around America, and so is not going to be of that much use outside that territory – certainly I live in a place where trying to get rid of starlings is going to be fighting a losing battle, and way below reducing the bloody pigeons in priority. It's not a long book but it is perhaps surprising there is enough material here to write one about the subject based solely on current problems – the history of us moving critters from their natural place to somewhere unnatural for them is certainly a large one. Therefore the subject is a rich one, and this is a gentle child-friendly background-cum-campaigner on the topic.

[Cyndie Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gets a lot of points from us both for including snakes (one of our oldest kiddo's favorites) but also providing useful information for budding naturalists on how we can help protect ecosystems in a fun way. Uses great illustrations, comics, how too and more to get important points across. In particular it talks about how we can avoid contributing to the introduction of invasive species including by not engaging in bonehead moves like releasing pets or animals into the wild or introducing new species to fight other species.

[Amanda Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will entertain nonfiction and science fans; and also environmentalists and naturalists. The author and illustrator chose comic format for a part of each animals’ section. That will draw reluctant readers. I thought each invasive species was fascinating. This is the kind of nonfiction book I recommend people read cover to cover just for fun. The starlings were the most offensive invasive species to me.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Kids Can Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

This is a great primary-middle grade nonfiction book about invasive species. It's written and illustrated in a graphic novel format that is sure to appeal to kids. It is very informative. For each invasive species, it tells where it originated, where it ended up, and how it is damaging the ecosystem of its new home. The illustrations are bright and engaging. I definitely recommend this for middle grade readers, teachers, and librarians.

[Lisa Gisèle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resourse for the classroom.

I greatly enjoyed how they broke down the invasive species by their description, how they arrived and their crimes. Also asking the question how would you solve a problem like evasive cane toads

I can see class projects being build with help of they book.

[Olivia Luzitano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comic book styled. Informational and interesting, this book shows that species are invasive, what species are affected by invasive species and what you can do to help out our enviroment.

[wildct2003 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would have liked more direct info on where these creatures are now.

[Scott Hayden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative
Colorful
Fun

[Krystin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Comic book format
A good pick for reluctant readers
Entertaining, informative
I enjoyed the touches of humor in the illustrations

[Elizabeth Mellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Kids Can Press for the ARC of this!

Very informative, I was glad to see housecats included in the invasive species highlighted. My kids really liked the comic pages, and I liked that it seemed like it was epistolary- there were “news reports”, comics, and other formats that kept it interesting and engaging. The art style was fantastic.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed digital review copies of this book through NetGalley and Edelweiss.