Awards

Reviews

“Fredericks utilizes a cumulative rhyme to introduce the community of a Saguaro cactus. . . DiRubbio’s vibrantly colored and detailed illustrations-including pictures of a speckled Gila monster and sharp-eyed owl-are sized perfectly to provide clarity. Combining an elegant text with dramatic artwork, this book is an attention-grabbing read-aloud and a winner for any collection.

— School Library Journal (September 2004)

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A young boy looks at a cactus in the desert, and assuming that nothing else could live on this arid ground he walks away and misses the community of animals that live in and around the cactus and come out at night. This picture book would be a great addition to a science program. It is appropriate for a study of ecosystems in general, a general study of animal adaptations, or a study of desert animals in particular. The book is also a treat for pleasure reading. The text is written in rhyming verse and the repetition builds with the arrival of each new animal at the cactus “a haven for creatures in a waterless land.” The text is lyrical and reads aloud beautifully. The illustrations are also appealing–accurate and detailed. Also included is a letter to the reader, field notes and fantastic facts for each animal featured, suggestions for further reading and organizations to contact. Fredericks has also written Under One Rock: Bugs, Slugs and other Ughs and In One Tidepool: Crabs, Snails and Salty Tales.

— Children’s Literature – Renee Englot

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A saguaro cactus standing in the desert may look lonely, but as this book shows, it is actually “a haven for creatures in a waterless land.” On each spread, a new animal appears around the cactus. Owls nest in its shelter. Bats sip nectar from its flowers, pollinating them in the process. Snakes watch for prey beneath the plant’s spiny arms. In the back of the book, a mini-field guide provides even more information about cactus critters.

— National Wildlife Federation Magazine (August 2005)