Not sure how it is that I was sent this book, but I found it in my mailbox on a dreary Seattle afternoon. Instantly I was flooded with memories of dewy summer mornings that promise to become hot sticky days; the smell of earth and sweet grasses rising with the humidity; the sounds of grasshoppers hopping, crickets chirping, skippers fluttering, big blue stem, bur oak, gamma grass all rustling from a breeze that seems to tug at me to follow it to the horizon.
Having grown up in Illinois where 99% of the original prairie landscapes are gone, it is a THRILL to see a 352 page directory of North American prairies. I found myself scanning this book's pages for restoration sites I did volunteer work on years ago and places I've visited. It's encouraging to see how many have been designated as nature reserves and parks. Of course many of the entries are also for very small, inevitably threatened rements of prairies. Perhaps this text will help to validate the existence of these small treaures and promote human awareness and stewardship.
This directory is nicely organized by U.S. States and Canadian Providences. Introductions for each state provide varying amounts of backround information, such as the types of prairies, geological history, current environmental/restoration/preservation concerns, and key plant and animal species. A few states are included, which aren't really prairie states, such as Oregon. The all too brief justification for including this state and it's two listings are that these sites look like prairies. That's good enough for me, but then I have to ask why my current home state of Washington was not included with it's steppes, plateaus and mima mounds. Oh well. Entries for each state are then provide within alphabetical county listings. One improvement might be to include each site by name in the index. I spent a long time trying to find individual prairies I knew by name, but couldn't recall the county they are in.
There is one map of central North America, a lack luster, black and white, bare-basic outline of states and providences, on which, author, Bernard Schwartz, appears to have colored in the "pre-settlement prairie bio-regions" with dark and light crayon. A far better map, perhaps with color/texture coded sub-regions, would have been a nice addition and not too hard to come by. However, on the facing page is one of my favorite prairie related illustrations, a diagram of prairie plants and their root systems. Other illustrations are black and white sketches of prairie flora, drawn by author Charlette Adelman. Like her husband's map they are a bit more abstract and amateurish than botanical, but I like them anyway, being recognizable representations of key species and having a 'heartland' essence of earthiness, simplicity, and beauty.
One problem of restoration is the long term management and monitoring of human activities on on prairie sites. Since the book serves as a guide to visit these natural areas, I would have liked it to have a introductory chapter on appropriate human usage and negative impacts (eg. harvesting seeds, herbs, disturbing/feeding wild life, pets, off-road vehicles, staying on trails, littering, etc., etc). Additional emphasis on invasive weed species and land- use threats with perhaps an apendix of references for state and federal weed/rare plant directories and protection agencies might enhance future additions.
A great reference for birders, botanists, conservationists, scientists, travelers, and anyone who believes that America is, first and foremost, a beautiful chunk of land.

Collaboratively written by Charlotte Adelman and Bernard L. Schwartz, Prairie Directory Of North America is an information packed, accessible, reader friendly, straightforward, ecological reference book filled cover to cover with the names, one-paragraph descriptions, and geographical locations of prairies found throughout the United States and Canada. The prairie listings are organized first by state (or Canadian province), then by county for easy reference. Telephone numbers for each prairie area's associated conservation board or similar organization are included. The Prairie Directory Of North America is an excellent, indispensable, highly recommended desktop reference for academicians, professionals, environmental activists, and non-specialist general readers needing to look up a given prairie's location or basic facts quickly.

This book was easy to read, has cute pictures, and gives you basic information on what things to consider and do before you buy a prairie dog, plus how to care for them after you have purchased. It is very important that new owners have this information since most pet stores selling prairie dogs are not educated in the proper care of these wonderful but demanding pets. It is not the best or the most detailed book I have read on the subject but you don't have to spend hours searching on the internet to find it and it is priced reasonably. For a new owner or anyone trying to decide if a prairie dog is the right pet for them I would highly recommend you purchase this book. For more expereinced owners who have other reference material you won't find anything new in this one and there are a few errors but you get to see more pictures of cute prairie dogs!

Even if you have never seen a live prairie dog before, this book is an excellent primer on these industrious, energetic creatures. Prairie dogs are increasing in popularity as pets. This owner's manual systematically outlines the essentials about housing, feeding, handling and keeping prairie dogs healthy.
The section on behavior and training includes useful descriptions about their vocal repertoires and how to interpret their meanings. I especially like the many tables and sub-sections such as "do and don't" tips because they provide practical information that you can put to use (and can easily find).
Dr. Vanderlip describes how to keep a prairie dog healthy, and what to look for if they have health problems. As with other books in this series, the illustrations (numerous and excellent quality) and layout make the subject easy to understand and to use as a handy reference. Prairie dogs will benefit from the education that this provides their caretakers!

Phillip T. Robinson, DVM

This book is readable and decently-written. I found myself wishing for more in-depth information. The book is illustrated with good-quality drawings. I enjoyed it, but craved more depth. Probably unrealistic of me to expect it from a book with 150 or so pages of text.

The book has a brief coverage of relevant Indian legends, a surprising amount of information on details of the different species of prairie dog, how the prairie dog fits into the ecosystem, and decent coverage of animals with close ties, such as the black-footed ferret. The main place I felt "shorted" is the brief coverage of prairie dog behavior.

The newest addition to the outstanding "Johnson Nature Series", Prairie Dogs: A Wildlife Handbook by wildlife expert Kim Long is an amazing, informative, "reader friendly" guide to a fascinating species of small mammal. Prairie Dogs thoroughly documents the species, habits, and habitats of the prairie dog as well as relating myths and folklore. A highly enjoyable, information-packed book Prairie Dogs is enthusiastically recommended reading for anyone with an interest in these sociable, energetic creatures and a welcome addition to school and community library wildlife reference collections.

this book is a very good read but it needs to go into a lot more detailes when it comes to the sex. but if you can get your hands on it a know that you will enjoy it. i know i did.

I have read hundreds of romance novels, but "Prairie Knight" is one of the few closest to my heart! You'll laugh until you hurt, you'll cry because you're sad, you'll cry because you're happy, and you'll ask for your own war horse for Christmas. (Seriously, our hero's dedicated steed will steal your heart! ) This book is worth every moment of time it takes to get your hand on it!

I loved this book. Susan Kirby has a talent for bringing you right into this enjoyable story. The characters are beautiful and believable. I finished this book wanting more and hurried out to find the other two in the series.

What a beautiful, heart-warming book! This book demonstrates love. This is the perfect, Christian book, not only for entertainment, but for encouragement. Libby's father was awesome. I did envy her, though, because it made me wish I had of had a father like hers. This book reminds us that God DOES have plans for us, and he DOES work in our lives, and His plan is the perfect plan. Libby was also awesome. At only 19, she is mature, and is a good example to follow. Not only is she Christian-hearted, she is an honest hard worker, and a dedicated friend and fellow human. I loved her. One example in particular that I really loved about her, was when Naomi was trying to tell Libby about some personal business, Libby said "You don't have to tell me". Most people would have listened with greedy ears, and then wanted more. I guess I found this especially encouraging because so many people today are so nosy and ask personal questions. Libby wasn't that way. Another thing I loved was the old-timy setting. Even though I live in modern day, I grew up in the country, so I could relate to a lot of the ways in which they lived. It was a warm feeling. After reading this book, I went to a museum, and an old country store was on display in the museum. Mail slots were set up in the store, just like they were in Willie Blue's store. I felt as if I were in Willie Blue's store! Libby seemed as if she should be there! The characters were great and WELL-developed. Like I mentioned earlier, a very AWESOME character was Libby's father. Zerilda Payne was a pain. Willie Blue apparently, as Libby discovered, was a noble man. This book had an awesome finish. When I got near the end, it was hard to put down. It was simply awesome and heart-warming. I do recommend it. I can't wait until I get the two books after this one in the sequel. I want to read on about Libby's life. I'm glad it doesn't end here! I've grown to love Libby, so of course I want more.

I really enjoyed this book. The children and their teacher MissMartin have several adventures. Miss Martin flys in an airplane flownby one of her former students. The children are trapped at theschoolhouse by a blizzard and they run out of coal to heat with. During this blizzard one of the children gets sick. Miss Martin has to try to get her to a Doctor. With the help of her former student, who flys an airplane, all turns out well.

I loved the book prarie school. Lois Lenski is a great author. If I had to read this story again I would love it. If you want to read a book that is exciting, and interesting, this is it. I am a lover of history. Read this book!

This book covers the logistics of traversing the wild west. Issues from first aid to how hard to ride your animals are discussed. The value of this book is that it gives an insite into what it must have been like to pack a family up and move them to California or any point west of the Mississippi. I would say it is a must read for anyone interested in the pioneer experiance as it provides a background to further studies.

Marcy was a soldier, trailblazer, and mapmaker. He never gained fame although he conducted five major expeditions through the West and traced the Red River to its source. His task on the various expeditions was to describe the country and its resources for future travelers and settlers. Marcy's advice led to the establishment of five important forts stretching from eastern Oklahoma to western Texas. Marcy later headed a perilous march in 1857-1858, of 680 miles, through snow covered mountains to New Mexico to get supplies for Fort Bridger.

Marcy was very familiar with the West and this knowledge was evident when he wrote three interesting and valuable books on his travels and experiences including "The Prairie Traveler," in 1859. This book is one of the better emigrant guides unlike a similarly entitled book by Joseph Ware. Marcy favored the Southern route to the west coast and his expertise is evident when listing distances, camping spots, trails, water, and grass.

Marcy is less able in describing the route from Utah to the west coast having to rely, in certain instances, on phonetic spelling: Cahoon for Cajon Pass; Coco Mongo for Cucamonga Ranch; San Yenness for San Ynez River. Marcy probably used another explorer's descriptions. It is known he used information provided by Black Beaver on many occasions when they scouted together. Black Beaver was a Delaware, renowned as a scout, a trusted friend, and may have helped Marcy supplement his knowledge of the West and the Plains Indians.

The book is interesting, informative, and unexpectedly funny. Marcy cites medical authorities when warning against: The dangers of noxious airs rising from the ground; The use of Cedron, a Panamanian nut, as an infallible antidote for any snake bite including the bite of the deadly coral snake. Marcy mentions the doctoring used by a frontier mother when her child was bitten repeatedly by a rattler. She poured a huge glass of liquor down the child's throat, making the child very drunk but also curing her. Marcy suggests the use of Arsenic as a tonic for tired blood, that it should be mixed with Ammonia in a full dose and swallowed frequently.

Marcy had good knowledge, for his day and time, of the Plains Indians yet personally disparages them as inveterate beggars while praising them as perfect horsemen. He didn't think they fought fairly and thought it proper they were chastised through force of arms. Marcy quotes a friend (speaking about Indians) - "Tain't no use to talk honor with them, they hain't got no such thing in um. They won't show (a) fair fight. Ef you treat um decently, they think you ar afeard. Trash them well at first, then the balance will sorter take to you and behave themselves." Marcy's anti-Indian attitudes, imparted in his emigrants' books, contributed to their fear and mistrust of Native Americans.

Marcy's book was helpful to neophyte travelers on the Southern Overland Trail and to a lesser extent on the Northern route. There is good advice ranging from simple, but easily overlooked tasks, to unexpected situations such as Northers - ice storms sweeping south over the plains. This book is formatted according to 19th century procedure, each chapter listing is supplemented with descriptive information. Marcy eases a reader's search for information by headlining individuals pages throughout the book with headings such as "stampedes," "sanitary considerations," and so forth. The illustrations are excellent and prove helpful when wondering about portable camp furniture.

Marcy became a Major in August 1859, a Colonel Inspector General in August 1861, served in the Civil War. and ended the conflict a brevet Major General of Volunteers. He retired as a Brigadier General in January 1881. He is best remembered for his books such as The Prairie Traveler, which imparts a flavor of frontier days and is quite entertaining as it deals with the day to day concerns of emigrant travel.

A very pretty and sensitive book about pregnancy and birth (does not deal with conception). It is told from a second person point of view, as though the child being read to was the infant. The author focuses on the feelings of the mother while she was carrying her baby: what it felt like when the infant kicked, how the infant was fed, etc. Includes good in utero descriptions and drawings. Lacks multicultural drawings.

This adorable book on how we all came about, is one of my favorites when it comes to children's books. My kids never get tired of hearing the story, I think partly because they love to be talked about, and because the author and artist really convey those special moments of pregnancy and birth that "speak" to children-(as well as the adults!) The first time I read it to my boys, ages 2 & 5, I had to make a real effort not to cry! It's a beautiful-TRUE story, and makes a wonderful gift for an older sibling-when there's a new addition to the family! It brings back wonderful emotions for Mom and Dad, and helps the older child realize that the love Mommy and Daddy have for the new baby is exactly the same as it is for them. Great book!!!

Our heroine is a fourteen year old girl named Sarah Jane Price. Her father, a recently deceased schoolteacher, has left her behind limited financial resources and no relatives. Staying with caring owner of her boarding house, Miss Kizer, Sarah Jane pays a small weekly fee and helps Miss Kizer with chores, such as washing dishes and collecting buffalo chips.

However, Sarah Jan knows that her father's money won't last forever, and discussing her situation with Miss Kizer and the traveling minister the Reverend Laurent, they feel her best option is an Orphan Girls' Asylum. Sarah reluctantly accepts that, but when her friend Ida notifies her that the girls there are made to work six days a week in a clothing factory, with the Asylum keeping their wages, Sarah Jane becomes determined to find a way to stay in Broken Bow.

Dreaming about her father and the the help she gave him in his classes, Sarah Jane realizes her destiny. With Ida's help, and pretending to be sixteen, she is able to convince the town school board to hire her. But that is not the end of the struggles! The schoolhouse is in horrible condition, there is no books, supplies or furniture. She must deal with unruly students, blizzards that knock the school down, and difficult adults who refuse to believe in her.

This was a relatively good book. I was able to predict some of the epilouge. More for 4-7th graders than eighth graders.

Life is very hard for Sarah Jane Price in Broken Bow, Nebraska after her father's death in an epademic. However she even with money running out very quickly and life being hard is determined to stay by her father's grave and not follow others who are moving to the west. The fourteen-year-old girl decideds to take her father's old job as a schoolteacher for the children of Broken Bow, Nebraska because nobody has been found to replace her father. However the lack of experience hurts Sarah but does not hurt her heart. This was a great historical fiction book by Jim Murphy. I think it was one of his best. What a great edition to Dear America and its Fans!

Life in the small frontier town of Broken Bow, Nebraska, is difficult, especially for a fourteen-year-old girl on her own. Which is what Sarah Jane Price is now that her father, the schoolteacher, has died in an epidemic. Sarah Jane is devastated by this loss. She is unable to remember her mother, who died when she was very young, and her father was the only family she had in the world. She is determined to stay in Broken Bow, where she can be near her father's grave. But her money is running out, and to stay in Broken Bow, Sarah Jane will need to find a source of income. Broken Bow's children need a teacher now that her father has died, and Sarah Jane decides that she can be that teacher. The school board decides to give her a chance. But she is young and inexperienced, and teaching is more difficult that she ever imagined. Can Sarah Jane succeed? Fans of the Dear America series will love this book, and I highly reccomend it to fans of historical fiction.

As a mother of a child (age 7.5) who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes this summer, I looked up any book that might help present his condition to his friends and classmates this fall at school.
This one came with good rating, I bought it, and returned.
Not only that it is obsolete (quote "... I don't ever eat candy or ice cream or cake ...", recommendation from the early 20th century), it is insensitive (quote "... My sister thought diabetes meant I would die..."), and it is insulting that it was not updated since 1994 with a more medically accurate and more cheerfull attitude (quote "...my mom cries because she worries...").

If you need a book on the subject, pick a more accurate, medically sane, and straight-forward (like "My own Type 1 Diabetes Book" by Sandra J. Hollenberg)...If you think that kids with type 1 should never, ever eat candy, find another doctor. But please, don't buy this book.

I enjoyed reading this book to my brother who wanted to know about children having diabetes. He has a friend who has diabetes and wanted to know some facts about diabetes. It helped him be aware that children can be treated and that they have to be careful on what they eat. My brother now invites his friend over and has special food just for him.
I even learned about diabetes from reading this book. I did not know that children could be diagnose with diabetes. I am glad that there are treatments to help the children or adults stay healthy and live a normal life.

I am the mother of a newly diagnosed 5 year old boy. After coming home from the hospital, we purchased this book and read it to him, our 7 year old niece, and his classmates. It has made a tremendous difference in his acceptance and his friends understanding. They now understand why he has to have an extra snack before recess that they do not get. They have even started singing.. "Bryson has to eat the right food at the right time!" The book also contains one page addressed to the parents that is very informational and to the point. This is a must have book!!!!!