Cactus Cafe: A Story of the Sonoran Desert

by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld, Paul Mirocha (Illustrator)

A giant saguaro cactus stands alone in the hot desert sun. But with the coolness of nightfall, kangaroo rats, kit foxes, owls, insects, and long-nose bats emerge, helping to pollinate the cactus and feast on its rich fruit. Cactus Café has been reviewed by environmental experts to ensure its accuracy. This informative and interesting story is filled with detailed illustrations and includes a poster, pictorial glossary of the wildlife covered in the book, and bonus facts about the Sonoran Desert.


Book
- Colorful illustrations and interesting facts
- Poster and bonus facts about the Sonoran Desert
- 36 pages
- Paperback 8 x 10 inches
- Appropriate for 3 - 7 years

Genres: Picture Books

27 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld is the award-winning author of more than sixty books for children, including DINOSAUR TRACKS, "a great choice for even the most discriminating dinophiles" (School Library Journal); DID DINOSAURS HAVE FEATHERS?, a Children's Book of the Month Club selection, described as "fascinating" by Kirkus Reviews; and DINOSAURS BIG AND SMALL, a 2003 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Book Award winner.

When she's not reading, researching, writing, or editing, Kathleen loves to spend her free time exploring, doing fieldwork, and preparing fossils for her local natural history museums.

Reviews

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cactus Cafe: A Story of the Sonoran Desert is a “must have” for any elementary school library/media center. The book is informative and visually compelling as it conveys the story of how the flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert are intertwined. The glossary at the end of the book is spectacular; each desert plant and animal is named and illustrated. A two-page spread expands to a four-page colorful mural of the desert where students may locate and identify each plant and animal.

I liked this book because it is scientifically accurate while at the same time visually captivating with wonderful illustrations. The desert literally and figuratively comes to life in this book.

I would recommend this book to readers in grades K – 4th or any young reader interested in natural science.