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Galápagos

Islands of Change

Author Leslie Bulion
Illustrated by Becca Stadtlander
Paperback
$8.99 US
Holiday House | Peachtree
10-7/8"W x 9-1/2"H
On sale Mar 11, 2025 | 48 Pages | 9781682637852
Grades 3-7
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A poetic introduction to a distinctive island ecosystem that is home to many species found nowhere else on Earth.

Using the same poetry/science note format as Serengeti, Galápagos tells the complex story of a young volcanic ecosystem influenced by seasonal ocean currents, where food energy moves through integrated land and sea communities, each in its own season of growth and renewal.

Millions of years ago, undersea volcanos in the eastern Pacific Ocean erupted, spewing up lava, rocks, and ash that eventually formed a cluster of islands: the archipelago known as the Galápagos Islands. Over time, castaway plants and animals from hundreds of miles away arrived on the rocky shores and adapted to each island’s changing volcanic landscape and seasonal weather variations.

In these isolated locations constantly affected by shifting winds and swift ocean currents, much of the wildlife evolved into species found nowhere else on Earth. Some of the many distinctive organisms featured include giant daisy trees, Galápagos penguins, marine iguanas, blue footed boobies, and Galápagos giant tortoises.

The well-researched back matter includes poetry notes, a glossary, resources, and a list of the species from this remarkable ecosystem that are highlighted in the book.
Leslie Bulion creates award-winning science poetry steeped in hands-on learning experiences, field observations, research, humor, and imagery in a variety of poetic forms. Her illustrated poetry collections invite readers on multi-layered science adventures exploring spiders, birds, sea creatures, insects, amphibians, entire ecosystems, and even human anatomy. Leslie's graduate science background and her years as a school social worker inform both her poetry and her science-infused novels for young readers.

Becca Stadtlander is an illustrator and fine artist. She attended the Maryland Institute College of Art. She has illustrated a number of children’s picture books.
Leslie Bulion View titles by Leslie Bulion
Becca Stadtlander View titles by Becca Stadtlander
★  "Stadtlander’s thickly colored gouache and pastel art portrays active subjects immersed in their environment, while accompanying captions further educate. . . . Bulion’s poetic tour of the islands’ specialness simultaneously underscores the importance of preservation and highlights the richness that is Earth’s ecology."—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

★ "The creators of Serengeti: Plains of Grass (2022) offer here an equally appealing introduction to this Pacific Island group. . . . Stadtlander's lush gouache-and-pastel spreads spotlight these unusual species. . . . this is informative, accessible, and not to be missed."—Booklist, Starred Review

"This attractive picture book array of animals will appeal to younger children . . . the generous array of end materials are for older readers."—School Library Journal

"Bulion’s cinematic verse calls up the oceanic and island ongoings with a skillful ease . . . while a delightful variance in tone . . .  invites readerly engagement. . . . An easy classroom sell to aspiring writers or ocean enthusiasts."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"An amiable excursion, literary as well as scientific."—Kirkus Reviews
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About

A poetic introduction to a distinctive island ecosystem that is home to many species found nowhere else on Earth.

Using the same poetry/science note format as Serengeti, Galápagos tells the complex story of a young volcanic ecosystem influenced by seasonal ocean currents, where food energy moves through integrated land and sea communities, each in its own season of growth and renewal.

Millions of years ago, undersea volcanos in the eastern Pacific Ocean erupted, spewing up lava, rocks, and ash that eventually formed a cluster of islands: the archipelago known as the Galápagos Islands. Over time, castaway plants and animals from hundreds of miles away arrived on the rocky shores and adapted to each island’s changing volcanic landscape and seasonal weather variations.

In these isolated locations constantly affected by shifting winds and swift ocean currents, much of the wildlife evolved into species found nowhere else on Earth. Some of the many distinctive organisms featured include giant daisy trees, Galápagos penguins, marine iguanas, blue footed boobies, and Galápagos giant tortoises.

The well-researched back matter includes poetry notes, a glossary, resources, and a list of the species from this remarkable ecosystem that are highlighted in the book.

Author

Leslie Bulion creates award-winning science poetry steeped in hands-on learning experiences, field observations, research, humor, and imagery in a variety of poetic forms. Her illustrated poetry collections invite readers on multi-layered science adventures exploring spiders, birds, sea creatures, insects, amphibians, entire ecosystems, and even human anatomy. Leslie's graduate science background and her years as a school social worker inform both her poetry and her science-infused novels for young readers.

Becca Stadtlander is an illustrator and fine artist. She attended the Maryland Institute College of Art. She has illustrated a number of children’s picture books.
Leslie Bulion View titles by Leslie Bulion
Becca Stadtlander View titles by Becca Stadtlander

Praise

★  "Stadtlander’s thickly colored gouache and pastel art portrays active subjects immersed in their environment, while accompanying captions further educate. . . . Bulion’s poetic tour of the islands’ specialness simultaneously underscores the importance of preservation and highlights the richness that is Earth’s ecology."—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

★ "The creators of Serengeti: Plains of Grass (2022) offer here an equally appealing introduction to this Pacific Island group. . . . Stadtlander's lush gouache-and-pastel spreads spotlight these unusual species. . . . this is informative, accessible, and not to be missed."—Booklist, Starred Review

"This attractive picture book array of animals will appeal to younger children . . . the generous array of end materials are for older readers."—School Library Journal

"Bulion’s cinematic verse calls up the oceanic and island ongoings with a skillful ease . . . while a delightful variance in tone . . .  invites readerly engagement. . . . An easy classroom sell to aspiring writers or ocean enthusiasts."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"An amiable excursion, literary as well as scientific."—Kirkus Reviews

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