Named an Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students K-12 by the National Science Teachers Association and theChildren's Book Council "Educational without being didactic, this picture book is an engaging introduction to the concept of a keystonespecies—an animal on which many other species depend. Rothman's eye-catching, full-bleed acrylic paintings depict awide variety of creatures utilizing the gopher tortoise's burrow. Almost every spread features a beautifullyillustrated example of yet another animal, bird, or insect—from skunks to owls to scorpions—that relies on the gophertortoise's burrow for shelter, nesting, and protection from predators. Dunphy's clear text adds additional interestingdetails ("The loose soil created by the tortoise's digging is perfect for growing plants"). One shortfall is the factthat the text is sometimes difficult to read, as it is printed in white directly on top of the illustrations. With amap showing the tortoise's range of habitat in the southeastern United States and an end note relating that the animalis a threatened species, this attractive book effectively demonstrates the interdependent nature of the animal world.”—Booklist Review "At Home With the Gopher Tortoise: The Story of a Keystone Species" is an illustrated nature/conservation book forchildren featuring a unique "keystone" species. With 360 different species of animals dependent on it for survival,the gopher tortoise presents a fascinating study of ecological interdependency. Because the gopher tortoise digsburrows for its dens in parts of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and other Southeastern states of the US, many otherspecies including skunks, birds, frogs, mice and snakes depend on the burrows for their own protection and survival oftheir young. Even burrowing owls use the gopher tortoise's burrows to shelter their fledgling owlets. Other insectsuse the burrows and other birds eat the insects that thrive in the burrows, completing yet more circles ofinterdependency. Even a bobcat may use a large burrow to hide and cool itself, while birds such as bobwhites, rabbitsand lizards also find refuge in the burrows. In the soil loosened by the gopher tortoise's digging grow plants such asthe scrub mint which provides a pleasant fragrance. In this way the life activities of the gopher tortoise provideprotective, favorable habitat for a whole spectrum of living creatures who depend upon the continued survival of thegopher tortoise species for survival. "At Home with the Gopher Tortoise: The Story of a Keystone Species" shows howone humble species can be at the center of a vast web of creatures' lives. The beautiful detailed illustrations showmany of the different animals in their natural settings, enhancing appeal to an audience of children ages 5-9. “—Midwest Book Review "This book gives a simple yet in-depth look at the importance of an unassuming and often overlooked animal.Surprisingly, the gopher tortoise significantly affects more than 360 different kinds of animals that depend upon itsburrows for shelter, food, or a place to raise young. This is a fascinating look at how one species can affect thefate of many." —Science & Children "This book would be doing a great service, even if it were not stunningly illustrated by Michael Rothman. But becauseevery lavish two-spread takes you either close to, or deep inside, the ecologically essential Gopher Tortoise burrowand the many animals that make use of it, this book is all the more special. The Gopher Tortoise, native to theSoutheastern United States, is known as a Keystone Species because over 360 other species depend on its burrows fornesting, protection, and sustenance. It is now listed as Federally Threatened in Louisiana, Mississippi, and westernAlabama. I was surprised to learn what a wide variety of birds, insects and mammals is supported by the burrowinghabits of the Gopher Tortoise. Creatures as diverse as the gopher cricket, mole skink, Northern Bobwhite, Red-TailedHawk, the Gopher Frog and even the bobcat would be adversely affected if the Gopher Tortoise became extinct. A shortessay at the end of the book summarizes the plight of the Gopher Tortoise alongside sketches of the animals thatinteract with the Gopher Tortoise's burrows. Here is a bit more info on the Gopher Tortoise and a nice pictorial onhow the Gopher Tortoise lives. There's also helpful site for land managers, developers, and others seeking to minimizetheir impact on the Gopher Tortoise. This is a beautiful book for teachers to read aloud in the classroom, or fornaturalists to use in presentations to children. I hope the National Parks in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana,Georgia, and Florida are all aware of this very well-made and educational children's book."—Kid Lit Saves World "For this excellent book, the author has written an interesting narrative that paints a picture of what it is like tolive in the world of the gopher tortoise. She combines science with a writing style that is easy to follow and a joyto read. Children will quickly come to appreciate how many animals of all kinds depend on the tortoise for theirsurvival.”—Through the Looking Glass Children’s Book Reviews "Author Madeleine Dunphy and illustrator Michael Rothman have collaborated to create a delightful and informative bookfor young people. At a time when the gopher tortoise faces multiple threats throughout its range in the southeasternUnited States, and especially within the rapidly developing state of Florida, this book helps answer an every presentquestion: "So... what good are gophers?" As Ms. Dunphy explains in compelling and evocative text that helps transportthe reader to the gopher tortoise's physical environment, this species' importance extends well beyond its ownintrinsic value. It is indeed an excavator extraordinaire, one that hosts some 350-400 other species. As noted in thisbook, the tortoise is a humble creature at the center of this web of life: a charming model of longevity andpersistence. The lives of the other species are also well-depicted, completing the picture of a vibrant andinteractive community. Mr. Rothman's excellent illustrations, with their impressive attention to detail, furtherenhance the feeling of being transported into the sometimes harsh, but also beautiful, sandhill and scrub habitats.This book is a welcome contribution to the literature that showcases an amazing animal and plant community, one whosecentral figure is a benevolent, burrowing landlord."—Joan E. Berish, Biological Scientist, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
