Musk Oxen

by Sandra Markle

Herds of musk oxen roam the treeless tundra of the Far North. Following closely are wolves, predators looking for a meal. The wolves are no match for the powerful adult musk oxen with their helmet-like horns. When the herd is threatened, the adults form a circle around their young to protect them. Musk oxen, with their long, thick hair, are built to survive the harsh arctic winters. But the wolves still watch the herd ―for a calf that can’t keep up or an old musk ox too weak to survive.

40 pages, Library Binding

First published November 30, 2006

About the author

Sandra Markle is the author of more than two hundred children's books, which have won numerous awards, including Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book, IRA/CBC Children's Choice, NSTA/CBC Outstanding Trade Books for Children, NCTE Orbis Pictus Recommended, and ALA Notable Books for Children. She lives in Lakewood Ranch, Florida and frequently travels to schools sharing her program "Sandra Markle's Books Are REAL Adventures."

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Kids really liked this book. The way it was written made it interesting to learn. I think the low ratings are due to the fact that being prey is not a "happy story." It is sad to hear that calves of the herd are left behind in the race to outrun the wolves. Not sure what else you would expect from a book about animals that are prey!