The Wolves Return: A New Beginning for Yellowstone National Park

Gr 3–5—For many decades, wolves were absent from Yellowstone National Park. About 20 years ago, captured wolves from Canada were reintroduced into the park by environmentalists. They have since prospered and, most important, have influenced the ecology of the park for the better. This work chronicles the many changes to the environment since the animals' return. Because wolves have winnowed out some of the elk and driven them further into the mountains, trees and berry bushes have been given a chance to grow and river banks have become more stable. Beautifully illustrated by the author in watercolor and color pencil, each spread brims with the diversity of animals, plants, and insects presently thriving in Yellowstone. Young ones will enjoy the positive takeaway, and the picture book format makes a complex story accessible and usable in a wide range of early education classes.