How to Be an Animal Hero

Hoo-ray! Kate Messner has a new chapter book series, and this one is about wildlife rescues. How to Save an Otter, along with How to Save an Owl, are the first two book that will release together this week. Perfect timing for a chapter book, too: the beginning of a school year when kids will be looking for new books to read!

How to Save an Otter (Wildlife Rescue) 

by Kate Messner 

128 pages; ages 6-9

Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2025

Ivy and her brother, Ezra are as different as two siblings can be. But they have one thing in common: they care about animals. Their family volunteers as “critter carriers” for the local wildlife hospital – that means they’re called when someone finds an injured or orphaned animal. When they arrive, they calm the animal, load it safely into a carrier, and transport it so it can receive medical care. 

When Ivy discovers a baby river otter with an injured leg, she’s worried that it will feel lonely without its family. Ivy would! Ivy helps transport the otter and, later, visits it as it recovers. Readers will enjoy the antics of the baby otter and at the same time learn what it takes to care for injured wild animals. For example: when carrying an injured critter to the hospital, leave the radio off. Too much noise is stressful!

Ivy’s visits to the wildlife hospital keep her busy, and at the same time she has friendships to build and school projects to collaborate on. I love how Kate brings everything to a satisfying conclusion so we can all take a deep breath … before diving into the next book in the series – which I have not read yet, but I understand it focuses on Ezra and the owl.

Why I like this book: The story inspired by Kate’s own experiences volunteering for a local wildlife hospital and has the voice of authenticity. I also like that she includes back matter. Her author’s note shares her experience with wildlife rehabilitation, and another section offers specific ways kids can be “wildlife heroes.”

Thanks for dropping by today. On Monday we'll be hanging out at Marvelous Middle Grade Monday with other  bloggers. It's over at Greg Pattridge's blog, Always in the Middle, so hop over to see what other people are reading. Review copy provided by the publisher.

Explore Outdoors ~ Nature Walk

 On a cool and damp summer morning, I went for a walk. I intended to go up to the hayfield and maybe follow one of the trails. But... I managed to get about 10 feet past the garage and spend the next 20 minutes discovering cool things in the underbrush.  

 

 

What will you find this week when you head out 

for a walk in the wild? 

This Tree Needs Fire to Survive!

 

Pine Cone Regrown: How One Species Thrives After Fire 

by Elisa Boxer; illus. by  Kevin and Kristen Howdeshell 

32 pages; ages 5-8

Sleeping Bear Press, 2025 

theme: forest, ecology, trees

Nestled in the needles, seeds sealed inside, the pine cone hangs high out of harm’s way…

For those of us who grew up with Smokey Bear and posters reminding us that Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires, the idea that forest fires are necessary comes with a bit of trepidation. Fires destroy so much: animal homes, timber, wildlife food sources… and often the wildlife themselves. But some trees require fire.

In this book, Elisa Boxer introduces readers to lodgepole pines, one of the serotinous trees that can only produce new seedlings when their cones burst open from the heat of flame. Once the flames clear the canopy, the seeds fall down onto soil filled with nutrients from the ash and begin to germinate. Over time, the forest renews itself.

What I like about this book: I like how Elisa uses lyrical prose to bring us into what could be a scary story. I like the way she shows how fire is integrated into forest ecology. Not only do certain trees require heat to germinate their seeds, but other plants and fungi require fire to thrive. I like the back matter! Elisa reaffirms that fires are destructive and come at an environmental and health cost. At the same time, she points out that fire has always been part of a healthy forest ecosystem. 

Beyond the Books:

Find out more about how trees have adapted to fire, and the plants that grow back in a burned area. An article about trees from the National Forest Foundation, and a couple articles about other fire-adapted species from the Teton Chapter of the Wyoming Native Plant Society and “fire followers” in Southern California.

What trees and plants move into burn areas in the environment where you live? (If you live in a city, look to the surrounding areas)

If you’re interested in learning more about wildfire ecology, I’ve posted reviews of a couple books right here on the blog: The Glorious Forest that Fire Built, by Ginny Neil and Fire Escape: How Animals and Plants Survive Wildfires , by Jessica Stremer.

Check out why some folks use controlled burns to restore health and diversity to natural lands here. 

We’ll join Perfect Picture Book Friday once they resume. It’s a wonderful gathering where bloggers share great picture books at Susanna Leonard Hill's website. Review copies provided by the publishers.