hiders seekers finders keepers: how animals adapt in winter

When the autumn days grow shorter and the temperatures cool, animals prepare for winter. Some, the hiders, choose a place to rest and wait out the winter, hibernating under the ground or snuggling in a sheltered spot. Other creatures are seekers, migrating to new locations where the weather is milder and the food sources more plentiful. And then there are the finders, who keep warm and fed by adapting to the new conditions. Every animal knows just what to do — following an ingenious plan that’s just right for them!

Jessica Kulekjian’s lyrical informational picture book uses expressive text supplemented with sidebars to explain how different animals survive winter. While the compelling narrative tells the bigger story, the sidebars provide fascinating information about specific winter animal behaviours — for example, how box turtles lower their heart rates, and monarch butterflies travel all the way to Mexico! Salini Perera’s stunning illustrations show the concepts in detail and provide a visual story, featuring a father and a child, that evocatively traces the subtle changes in the landscape from late fall to early spring. Grouping the animals into three categories makes for easier comprehension of topics such as hibernation, migration and adaptation. Back matter contains a guide to tracking prints in the snow, an author’s note and a list of resources. There are strong links here to primary grades’ earth and life sciences curriculums. This is also a perfect read-aloud for a snowy day!