Here Is the African Savanna - (Web of Life) by Madeleine Dunphy (Hardcover)

About the Book

Exotic environments like the African savanna have long held a fascination for young readers. This colorful picture book beautifully evokes that realm with images of giraffes, lions, hippos, elephants, and many more animals of the plains. Through cumulative, singsong verse, young readers learn how all living things in this important ecological community rely on one another for their existence. The book brings home the important lesson that when one of these animals or plants is killed off or goes extinct, the web of life is broken. Luminous paintings by Tom Leonard capture the untamed beauty of this timeless, endangered realm.

Book Synopsis

Using cumulative verse, this colorful picture book introduces children to the lions, zebras, elephants, impala, hippos, trees and grasslands that make up the East African ecosystem, while giving young readers an understanding of the interdependency of life.

Exotic environments like the African savanna have long held a fascination for young readers. Through singsong verse, kids learn how all living things in this important ecological community rely on one another for their existence, and that when one of these animals or plants is killed off or goes extinct, the web of life is broken. Luminous paintings by Tom Leonard capture the untamed beauty of this timeless, endangered environment. This book is a must have for any young naturalist (ages 3-8) hoping to learn about how all life is connected in the natural world.

Other Books in the Series: HERE IS ANTARCTICA, HERE IS THE ARCTIC WINTER, HERE IS THE CORAL REEF, HERE IS THE SOUTHWESTERN DESERT, HERE IS THE TROPICAL RAIN FOREST, and HERE IS THE WETLAND. Free downloadable activities can be found on the publisher's website.

Review Quotes

Named an "Outstanding Science Trade Book for Children" by the National Science Teachers Association and Children's Book Council.

"This is an attractive, effective way to introduce ecology to young readers." -- The Horn Book Guide

"A lovely, circular, cumulative tale evokes the landscape and animals of the Africa savanna. Dunphy's wording is a pleasure to read, and her . . . . structure is musical. Leonard's artwork is equally engaging." -- Kirkus Reviews

"A classic style of cumulative verse builds the text as it weaves the story of the food web of the African savanna. The strength and survival of the animals is illustrated by luminous paintings featuring the interdependence of each strand of the food web." -- Science and Children