Leaf Litter Critters

Written by Leslie Bulion
Illustrated by Robert Meganck

Who knew there was so much going on in the pile of leaves in your yard? Apparently, scientists knew. Each two-page spread in this very informative book highlights a different creature possibly lurking in the typical pile of leaves (duff). The author cleverly weaves a lot of information into various poetry forms, explained later, and followed up by science notes about that creature. The illustrations, though at times cartoonish, give a good feel for what the creatures are up to. From the relatively large ecosystem engineers, earthworms, to predatory mites to the ever tiny bacteria, each creature has a job to do. “A Few Favorite Brown Food Web Kings” to the tune of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “My Favorite Things” sort of wraps it all up. Especially fun for kids are the relative sizes and the suggested at-home experiments. How many tardigrades can you fit on the head of a pin? This is a wonderful place to start a biology unit or even a poetry unit. Or just to think about what you’re really jumping on in that pile of leaves.  

  • Leaf Litter CrittersTitle: Leaf Litter Critters        
  • Author: Leslie Bulion
  • Illustrator: Robert Meganck
  • Published: Peachtree Publishers, 2018
  • Reviewer: Sue Poduska
  • Format: Hardcover, 48 pages
  • Grade Level: 3 to 7
  • Genre: Creative Nonfiction, Biology, Poetry
  • ISBN: 978-1-56145-950-6
  • Extras: Table of Contents, Glossary, Poetry Notes, Litter Critter Investigations, Resources for Further Investigation, Critter Comparisons: Relative Sizes

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