Reference Books

Reprinted from The Wild Times Teacher Connection v1n1, Fall 1995.

This space will list reference books (for teacher and older student use) related to the scope and mission of The Wild Ones that teachers have found useful. Send us your resource suggestions for future issues.

Animals
Attracting Wildlife
Backyard Habitats
Folk Tales
General
Endangered Species
Habitats

Endangered Species

The Endangered Species Handbook, ed. Greta Nilsson, Animal Welfare Institute (1986). $8.00 US paperback.

An extensive resource discussing species and issues surrounding endangered species. Currently out of print. The editor is presently in the process of revision with an expected release of Spring 1996.

Witness: Endangered Species of North America , Susan Middleton and David Liittschwager, Cronicle Books (1994). $30.00 large format paperback.

This is a beautiful collection of photographs. Included in the book is a description of how the couple documented these species on film and a descriptive profile of each species.

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Nature in Danger: Threatened Habitats and Species, Noel Simon, Oxford University Press, 1995.

Describes region by region, endangered habitats and the plant and animal species contained within them.

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Gaia State of the Ark Atlas, Lee Durrell, Anchor Books, 1986.

An atlas of the state of the planet. Profiles several of the world's most fragile and endangered habitats as well as the positive work of the conservation movement.

Folk Tales

Native American Animal Stories, Joseph Bruchac, Fulcrum Publishing (1992). $12.00 US paperback.

A wonderful collection of stories originally printed in Keepers of the Animals. When known, each story cites the originating tribe.

An Okanagan tale of why owls are nocturnal. Best read aloud, appropriate for all ages.

An Iroquois tale that describes the creation of the owl, explaining the bird's unusual appearance. Best read aloud, appropriate for all ages.

Habitats

The Field Guide to Wildlife Habitats of the Eastern United States, Janine M. Benyus, Fireside Books (1989) 336 pages.

Illustrated by Glenn Wolff, the guide covers the geological and ecological histories of 20 habitat types.

The Rainforests: a Celebration, ed. Lisa Silcock, Cronicle Books (1989). $35.00 US large format hardback.

A collection of photographs and text by several prominent scientists and photographers.

Animals

The Snyders are noted scientists for their work in the preservation of the California condor, Puerto Rican parrot, and the thick-billed parrot of Arizona. This book includes photographs and text describing the threats and conservation measures for each species indigenous to North America. Great reference for teachers and older students.

Elephant Days & Nights: 10 years with the Indian Elephant, Raman Sukumar, Oxford University Press, 1994.
Describes Sukumar's work studying elephant-human conflict. Includes detailed descriptions of field observations of wild individuals.

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Insects: Life Cycles and the Seasons, John Brackenbur, Blandford, 1994-95.

The Wild Canids: their systematics, behavioral ecology and evolution. Michael Fox, N.Y.: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1975.

This is a text Lopez recommends for a broad review on canids.

Of Wolves and Men. Barry Holstun Lopez, 1978. Charles Scribner's Sons, NY.

This is an excellent and popular book which gives a broad background about wolves, their history, research, and mythology. The author's heartfelt writing is effective. The bibliography he lists on his book is a useful reference guide to different topics and treatments on wolves and canids, from texts, to papers, to books.

The Wolf: the ecology and behavior of an endangered species. David L. Mech, N.Y.: Natural History Press, 1970.

Lopez highly recommends this text by the leading authority on the Eastern timber wolf, Canis lupus lycaon.

General

Discussion of owl pellet dissection and bone and skull identification chart.

Photographs of skeletons and focus on different structures and adaptations of skulls.

The classic that helped launch the modern environmental movement. Great reference for teachers and older students.

Skulls & Bones, Glenn Searfoss, Stackpole Books (1995).

Detailed line drawings and discussions of skull and jaw adaptations of North American land mammals. Great for identification, gaining a deeper understanding of the bones and the animals.

Backyard Habitats & Attracting Wildlife

Jurenka, Nancy Allen and Rosanne J. Blass. Beyond the Bean Seed: Gardening Activities for Grades K-6.

Mohrhardt, David and Richard E. Schinkel. Suburban Nature Guide: How to Discover and Identify the Wildlife in Your Backyard.

Needham, Bobbe. Beastly Abodes: Homes for Birds, Bats, Butterflies and Other Backyard Wildlife.

Raham, Gary. Explorations in Backyard Biology: Drawing on Nature in the Classroom, Grades 4-6.

Schneck, Marcus. Your Backyard Wildlife Garden: How to Attract and Identify Wildlife in Your Yard.

Your Backyard Wildlife Garden: How to Attract Birds, Butterflies, and Other Animals Every Month of the Year.

Seidenberg, Charlotte. The Wildlife Garden: Planting Backyard Habitats.

Tufts, Craig, Peter Loewer, NWF. The National Wildlife Federation's Guide to Gardening for Wildlife: How to Create a Beautiful Backyard Habitat for Birds, Butterflies, and Other Wildlife.

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