How to Help a Hare and Protect a Polar Bear by Dr. Jess French

What worked:

The book is divided into nine different habitats with a similar format in each section. The first two pages of a section describe wildlife that can be found in that habitat and how the habitat is being harmed. The next two pages explain facts about unusual animals specific to the area and ways young readers can help conserve the habitat. The end of the book includes an index and glossary to help locate individual topics or to learn definitions of terms used. There are also pages sharing additional information about endangered species including the address for the IUCN’s website where visitors can learn the endangered status of different animals. The purpose of the book is to inform but it also provides suggestions regarding how young people can help. In general, many of the ideas can be summed up with reduce, reuse, and recycle. Other hints suggest using environmentally friendly products, becoming more aware of what’s happening in nearby habitats, and helping to educate others about harmful habits and different ways to protect nature.

The book includes colorful illustrations of the habitats along with the unique animals found there. There is a nice blend of familiar and uncommon animals to help readers relate to the content. The savannah shows a giraffe and African wild dogs, the swamp shows a beaver along with a meadow vole, and the jungle displays an orangutan and a proboscis monkey. The author provides brief highlights of the different animals so young readers won’t be overwhelmed by an overabundance of information.

What didn’t work as well:

The information and conservation suggestions don’t significantly differ from what’s been shared in other books and magazines. However, highlighting the information in short, specific pieces should make it easily understood by young readers.

The final verdict:

This book is a reader-friendly introduction to learning about habitats and conservation around the world. It reminds me that individual readers live in individual habitats so the different sections will appeal differently to individual audiences. Overall, I recommend this book to young readers interested in science, animals, and nature.