Tag: Sneed B. Collard III

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STEM Friday #Kidlit One Iguana, Two Iguanas: A Story of Accident, Natural Selection, and Evolution

Prolific and award-winning children’s book author Sneed B. Collard III is not afraid to tackle tough STEM topics, such as fire ecology (Fire Birds) and climate change (Hopping Ahead of Climate Change). Now he’s taken on evolution with his new middle grade book One Iguana, Two Iguanas: A Story of Accident, Natural Selection, and Evolution, which is a Junior Library Guild selection and earned a starred Kirkus Review.


You may have heard about the Darwin’s finches that live on the Galápagos islands, but did you know that there are two related, but very different species of iguana found there? One of the species lives on land and eats the fruit of the prickly pear cactus. The other species is the only iguana in the world that can swim in the ocean. It is the marine iguana, shown in this video grazing on algae underwater.

 

Genetic testing have shown that the two species are related. Collard introduces the reader to a puzzle how the two such divergent lifestyles may have come about and how they ended up on an island chain 900 miles from their nearest relatives. He also discusses the geology and history of the islands, and how that impacts the iguanas and the other creatures that live there.

Although this is a middle grade book by text level and content, it is illustrated with many large color photographs. Many of the photographs were taken by the author, who is also a photographer. Others were taken by his friend Jack Grove.

As the author states in the back matter, “considering how important evolution is to the history of the earth, it’s surprising how few books for young people have been written about it.” One Iguana, Two Iguanas: A Story of Accident, Natural Selection, and Evolution steps in to fill the gap. This book is a must have for budding scientists and anyone interested in nature. Scoop up a copy today!

Related Activity Suggestions:

This book would be great to accompany lessons on lizards, as well as evolution. See our Growing with Science post with information and activities inspired by Sneed Collard III’s All About Lizards book.

National Geographic Kids has a Galápagos islands page.

Age Range: 8 – 12 years
Publisher: Tilbury House Publishers; 1 edition (December 4, 2018)
ISBN-10: 0884486494
ISBN-13: 978-0884486497

Photograph of marine iguanas from publicdomainpictures.net

 

 

Disclosure: This book was provided by the publisher for review. Also, I am an affiliate with Amazon so I can provide you with cover images and links to more information about books and products. As you probably are aware, if you click through the highlighted title link and purchase a product, I will receive a very small commission, at no extra cost to you. Any proceeds help defray the costs of hosting and maintaining this website.

Come visit the STEM Friday blog each week to find more great Science, Technology, Engineering and Math books.Opens in a new window Note: this is a new link as of 1/2019.

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Shep: Our Most Loyal Dog

Love,

Loyalty,

Loss.

Shep: Our Most Loyal Dog (True Story) by Sneed B. Collard III and illustrated by Joanna Yardley, is a poignant story that might be just right to read for Valentine’s Day.

Based on a true story, people began to notice that Shep the dog showed up whenever a train came into the town of Fort Benton, Montana. No one knew why he did this or where he came from. Slowly, however, the mystery was unraveled. Shep had belonged to a sheepherder who had passed away. The man’s body had been put on the train to be shipped for a funeral in another place. Shep evidently met the incoming trains in the hope that his master/owner/human would return. He would continue to do so for more than five years!

Shep’s story has touched a lot of people, both in the 1930’s when it occurred and today. The town of Fort Benton has even erected a statue in his honor.

As for the book, the author has done a wonderful job of remaining true to the story, yet keeping it appropriate for children. The lovely illustrations are dynamic and capture a sense of place.

Shep: Our Most Loyal Dog is a cuddle-up and read with your favorite person kind of book. It is an absolute must for dog lovers, and might be a useful way to approach the topic of loss, as well.

Are you going to be in Tucson this month? Author Sneed B. Collard III will be at the Tucson Festival of the Book on Saturday, March 9, 2013.

And now, a video showing actual footage of the real Shep, as well as illustrations from the book:

 

Reading level: Ages 6 and up
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press (October 31, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 158536259X
ISBN-13: 978-1585362592

 

 
The book was provided by the author for review purposes.

 

Nonfiction Monday is a blogging celebration of nonfiction books for kids. We invite you to join us. For more information and a schedule, stop by Booktalking to see who is hosting each week.

Today’s round-up is at Abby the Librarian.

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Sneed B. Collard III’s Most Fun Book Ever About Lizards

I have to admit it was the title that caught my eye when I spotted Sneed B. Collard III’s Most Fun Book Ever About Lizards by Sneed B. Collard III at our local library. What middle-grade child can resist a title like that?

To say Sneed Collard’s book is special is an understatement. First of all, the text is written is a conversational, second person style that is relaxed and friendly. He starts out with “Meet Joe Lizard,” detailing the life of “your average” western fence lizard. Sometimes books that use the second person try too hard to be cool, but this one hits just the right note. I was also impressed with the detail and accuracy of the text.

Second, most of the lavish full-color photographs in the book were taken by the author. This allows the text and images to fit perfectly, plus there’s less chance that the photographs have been misidentified, a real hazard when using stock photographs. The best part is Sneed Collard is a fantastic photographer.

Third, the author reveals a real passion for his topic, and in fact admits a “special love of reptiles” in the author blurb on the book jacket. This love of reptiles has led him to include a section on lizard conservation and also a realistic look at keeping lizards as pets, which he doesn’t encourage for reasons he has obviously thought carefully about.

The bottom line is that Sneed B. Collard III’s Most Fun Book Ever About Lizards is a must-have for budding herpetologists, and an interesting and entertaining read for the rest of us. I am definitely going to pick up a copy for our family (we have been known to wear our local lizards*).

For some lizard science for kids, try Growing with Science

Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing (February 1, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1580893244
ISBN-13: 978-1580893244

(*Note:  It was entirely the lizard’s own decision to climb up this person. It was not picked up or handled.)

Nonfiction Monday is a blogging celebration of nonfiction books for kids. We invite you to join us. For more information and a schedule, stop by Booktalking to see who is hosting each week.

Today’s round-up is at Ana’s Nonfiction Blog.