Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Recommended Picture Book: Snow School by Sandra Markle


Title: Snow School

Author: Sandra Markle

Illustrator: Alan Marks

Publisher: Charlesbridge, Feburary 1, 2013

Age: 4 -8 years

Topic: Snow Leopards, survival and hunting skills, how snow leopards learn

Opening: It’s May – springtime in Pakistan’s Hindu Kush Mountains. But high up on gravel-strewn slopes, where only the hardiest plants grow, snowflakes still dance in the icy wind.

Book Summary: Twin snow leopard siblings survive their first year of life in Pakistan's Hindu Kush Mountains by learning critical skills from their mother, including how to hunt, where to find shelter, and to stay away from humans.

Resources:                  
Author’s note offers link to learn more about snow leopards in their natural habitat and how to protect them
Includes amazing facts about snow leopards
Reading is Fundamental website has an excellent guide to that helps extend learning opportunities. Most of the activities are geared for children between the ages of 5-12

Why I Like This Book:

Snow leopards are such beautiful creatures. As such, they are endangered as people hunt them and taking over their natural habitat. In this story, we see up close and personal just how these animals survive their harsh environment and how these lessons are passed down from mother to cubs. Informative and very well written in a story format which makes it very appealing to follow these cubs adventure and learning. The illustrations are beautiful and done in watercolor and pencil.