Animals Hibernating: How Animals Survive Extreme Conditions

Animal Behavior

by Pamela Hickman, Pat Stephens (Illustrator)

In this title in the Animal Behavior series, kids will find out which animals hibernate and why, the difference between true hibernators and deep sleepers, where animals hibernate, what happens while they hibernate, and much more. Whether to avoid extreme weather, conserve energy or survive on meager resources, animals hibernate in some unexpected ways. Packed with illustrations, facts, activities and easy-to-do experiments, Animals Hibernating is an innovative approach to understanding animal life.

Genres: Picture Books, Science, Nonfiction

40 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2005

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderfully informative and as such indeed a very thorough and enlightening general introduction to animal hibernation (covering many essential topics such as why and how some if not many animal species need to hibernate in the winter months, in cold weather, the way they prepare for hibernation, the differences between true hibernators and so-called deep sleepers and also briefly touching on aestivation, as well as pointing out a few animals that every day experience regular instances of torpor in order to save energy), if I were simply to consider Animals Hibernating: How Animals Survive Extreme Conditions for Pamela Hickman’s presented narrative, for the factual, scientific information that she both informatively and engagingly (but never monotonously) has presented to her readers (older children from about the age of eight onwards, although even adults might well find Animals Hibernating: How Animals Survive Extreme Conditions interesting and educational), I would definitely be ranking this book with a solid four stars (for an in all ways enlightening and interestingly penned text accompanied by colourful yet realistic, almost photo quality illustrations).

However, as much as I have indeed enjoyed reading Animals Hibernating: How Animals Survive Extreme Conditions and have found the combination of Pamela Hickman’s printed words and Pat Stephen’s pictures both textually and visually successful and educational, I really do have no choice in my opinion but to lower my general star ranking to but three stars for Animals Hibernating: How Animals Survive Extreme Conditions. For considering that Animals Hibernating: How Animals Survive Extreme Conditions is a one hundred percent non fiction and hard core science book, the lack of a bibliography, the fact that Pamela Hickson does neither acknowledge her sources nor present any suggested book titles for further reading and study is to and for me something that I cannot ignore and cannot really excuse either, and yes, this is also an academic shortcoming that to and for me certainly does to a point rather reduce the teaching and learning value of Animals Hibernating: How Animals Survive Extreme Conditions as a whole and in particular with regard to supplemental research, which is really kind of totally nonexistent if there is no biographical information included.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

*For me, this would be a five star book if the book included a bibliography or acknowledged sources. Poor scholarship to leave that out!

That said, I would still recommend this book for those, young or old, seeking to broaden and deepen their understanding of "hibernation." It is of fascinating information presented in a way that is accessible for children and yet I learned so much from it as an adult! A higher endorsement, still? My four year old not only sat attentively through it with my six-year-old (we read it in two sittings) he actually asked for a re-read the next day! I think that's really saying something for book aimed at the 7-11 age crowd. Many of the questions that my oldest brought up as we read were answered as we continued with the book. We haven't tried the activities yet but simply reading through the book is both entertaining and educational. I think the large illustrated spreads with the "imagine you are a.... [bear, frog, etc.]" detailing what you would feel and do during your hibernation/estivation really help bring the concepts to life for younger readers. I have come away feeling a sense of wonder and awe, and a deeper appreciation for our natural world and the incredible ways these animals adapt to survive extreme heat or cold.

[Jonathon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very informative. This book would teach children a lot about animals and their hibernation stages. There are a lot of terms which might be hard for children. Little ones would not be able to do this book on their own. There are interactive activities peppered throughout that could be fun to do in class.
I feel that this book might make better reading for chapter books. It is kind of long and the terms are kind of hard. One thing that might help would be to introduce the terms to the children before reading the book. There is a glossary in the back that gives all of the terms and their definitions.

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a good introduction to the difference between hibernators and deep sleepers. All I can say is that scientists have learned a lot more since I was a child student learning about hibernation, when every animal that became dormant during the winter was called a hibernator. The text was very straightforward, readable, and included many interesting facts, but not terribly exciting or riveting. The illustrations were very nice, rendering the many animals in a realistic manner. The explanation of aestivation was interesting, as I had no idea what that was (before I read it). I was interested to learn that not only deep sleepers wake up on mild winter days to take the air, but that hibernators can also wake up for brief periods during the winter have a snack. The book is suggested for independent readers ages 7-11; parents could read a page or two a day to younger children, so as not to overwhelm them.

[Shauna]

This book would be great for 2nd-4th grade. I think that students this age really like animals, so anything that involves animals will interest them. I think this book can be used to teach about hibernation, warm & cold blooded animals, and why an animal can survive outside. This would be a good unit to do when it starts to get really cold out.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pamela Hickman's book, "Animals Hibernating: How Animals Survive Extreme Conditions" is an informational book about what hibernation is, what animals hibernate, and what is done prior to and at the end of hibernation. The facts that were included about the hibernation process were very fascinating and helped to clarify the physical state of an animal that is in the midst of hibernating. This book not only explored the entire process of hibernation from start to finish, it also gave some interesting experiments and things that children can try at home to gain better understanding of the animals and processes being described. This made this book, not only educational and informational, but also gives the ability for it to be interactive. The activities are minimal and easy to perform, which makes them a great addition to the learning process.