Saving the Spotted Owl - by Nicola Jones (Hardcover)

About the Book

"This story is about a baby Northern Spotted Owl named Zalea who fell from her tree. Her parents couldn't bring her back to the nest, but luckily she was found by humans and taken to a breeding centre where biologists care for endangered owls so they can be released back into the wild. The book describes efforts to save one of our most endangered species: the Northern Spotted Owl. Their forest homes from BC to California have been ravaged by logging over past decades. And their scrappier cousins, the barred owl, tends to push these gentler owls aside. Today, they are Canada's most endangered species and are listed as threatened under the US Endangered Species Act. But there are plans afoot to save them. The scientists working hard at the world's only breeding centre for spotted owls -- all young women -- have one of the world's most rewarding and important jobs, providing an inspiration for students everywhere to get involved with conservation biology."--

Book Synopsis

Readers learn about saving threatened species -- and meet real owls! - in this endearing true story of an owl chick's rescue.

One day, Zalea, a three-week-old northern spotted owl, fell from her tree. Her parents were unable to carry her back to their nest. That meant Zalea, a member of a threatened species, would now be easier for predators to find. But Zalea got lucky. Wildlife biologists who saw her on the ground decided to rescue her. They brought her to the Northern Spotted Owl Breeding Centre in Langley, British Columbia. There, she joined a handful of other owls being cared for until they could be released back into the wild. The biologists took great care with Zalea, first placing her with foster parents and later helping her find a mate. They're committed to saving the northern spotted owl -- one owl at a time!

In this informative and hopeful book, Nicola Jones, an award-winning science journalist, uses Zalea's compelling story as a framework to teach and explore the biology and life cycle of owls, as well as raise awareness of environmental concepts such as conservation and habitat protection and the inspiring work of this all-female scientist crew. Information boxes and sidebars with owl facts and loads of other relevant information appear throughout the book alongside the narrative about Zalea's rescue. Alexandra Finkeldey's gorgeous art illustrates the story and the science content, and there are real-life photos of the adorable owls, too! This book has curriculum links to life science lessons on biodiversity, ecosystems, endangered species and animal habitats. A glossary, index, author's note and information on how readers can help round out this usable and highly readable book.

Review Quotes

... facts are well presented with thorough explanations and animated illustrations that will enhance a reader's understanding .. The stories of this work could be inspirational for youngsters who have a desire to care for nature.--CM Magazine

About the Author

Nicola Jones is an award-winning science journalist with a background in chemistry and oceanography who lives in the wilds of Pemberton, British Columbia. She writes about all science from anthropology to quantum physics, with environmental issues at the heart of it all. While she normally writes features for grown-ups, she has also published for children in the magazine Current Science. In 2019, she gave a TED Talk about noise pollution in the ocean.
Alexandra Finkeldey is an illustrator based in Ottawa, Canada. She uses both traditional and digital mediums to capture her favorite subjects, which typically include animals, people, plants and food. She has long been inspired by nature, animation, travel and video games, which has translated into vibrant and often unreal color palettes as they appear in her work. She is the illustrator of When the Storks Came Home.