Pass the Energy, Please!: Learn the Basics of the Food Chain and the Transfer of Energy with an Upbeat Rhyming Story

by Barbara Shaw McKinney, Chad Wallace (Illustrator)

Learning becomes fun with this book about the food chain and transfer of energy connecting all life on earth. Amazing artwork will inspire children in classrooms and at home to appreciate the world around us and feel part of it all. Each of nature's creatures "passes the energy" in its own unique way. In this upbeat rhyming story, the food chain connects herbivores, carnivores, insects and plants together in a fascinating circle of players. All beings on Earth from the anchovy to the zooplankton depend upon the green plant, which is the hero of the story. Barbara McKinney's special talent shines again (see also A Drop Around the World ) for being able to present the science curriculum so concisely, creatively, and cleverly. Great for anyone looking for

Genres: Science, Animals, Nonfiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Julianna Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This text is a great poetry book that could be effectively used in a science lesson. Throughout the poetic rhymes, it explains how nature and the food chain works all around the world. It describes animals in the desert, the grasslands, the ocean etc. and what energy they contain to survive. I feel that this text would be perfect in a fifth grade classroom as it aligns directly with their science standards. In fifth grade, students will learn different types of ecosystems, the organisms that live within them, and the producers, consumers, and decomposers that live there as well.
As said before, this text would be ideal for a science lesson. I would implement this text as an introduction to the unit of producers, consumers, and decomposers. Students can work on a KWL chart on this topic before, during, and after they read the text. Another way to implement this text could be in a social studies lesson. Also said before, there are a variety of different types of land masses and ecosystems involved in this book, which are very beautifully illustrated! I could have students choose one page to focus on, its location, the organisms that live there, the type of ecosystems, the food chain etc. and have them create presentations for the class.
This was a WOW book to me because I truly loved the illustrations on each page. Additionally, I learned some new things in this text as well! Being a 20 year old and thoroughly enjoying this poetic text, I am sure that fifth graders would enjoy it as well.

[Julie Moschitta · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. This book goes through the life cycle and the food chain. It describes with beautiful illustrations how energy is passed from one source to the next. It begins with sun, moves to plants, both in and out of the ocean, which then moves to herbivores and omnivores, eventually getting to carnivores, and ending with death and how plants receive those nutrients again and the whole process starts all over.

2. This story really illustrates how exactly the life cycle and how energy gets passed from animal to plant to animal in stages. It is clear and concise, the text is written in stanzas that rhyme, which allow students to memorize the material a little easier. The chains in each section show the stage of the cycle and that is interesting and also very helpful.

3. This book can be connected to Sharing Nature with Children, The Web at Dragonfly Pond, and the Habitat.

4. "Let's all learn from the creatures,
the wisest of teachers,
who pass their energy, one to another,
respecting and trusting their Planet Earth Mother."

[Stephanie M · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writing in this book is a delightful breath of fresh air. I am loving narrative nonfiction books for our science units. I am a homeschool mom of three and just finished teaching a unit on animal kingdoms at our co-op. This book was a beautiful way to end our final day on the topic.

It teaches children how energy is passed through different food chains in a poetic and whimsical way. I love how the line in the story, “passing the energy needed to live is a difficult thing for a creature to give,” is repeated at the end of each chain. It helps show children that this is the circle of life, and without the passing of energy, the world would not have balance. It presents this concept in a gentle way and fit perfectly for the students I teach, ages 5 to 10.

I purchased this book after watching a read-aloud on YouTube. I was surprised I could not find it at any of our local libraries.

[Monica Hocking · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very nice book about how everything is connected to one another through out the food chain. It will be nice if they show how mankind fit in.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

How the food chain works in different habitats and makes a cycle.
I liked the concept, but I didn't care for it in poetry.
The pictures are nice.

[Diane Baima · Rating 3 out of 5]

4 for pictures and information but two for the verse. It was distracting.

[Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fabulous. What a good explanation of the energy cycle (cycle of life) in poetic form. Perfect for mid to upper elementary-aged children.

[Maya · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bad

[Bobbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book with lyrical rhymes, pretty & detailed illustrations, and important educational facts about the energy of life.

[Marissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty basic food chain and conservation book. My son enjoyed the rhythmic prose.

[Melba Deoleo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book goes teaches students about how the food chain works and how each animal or creatures passes on energy in their own way. The book lets us know that it doesn't matter what we are, we all depend and need plants, this is where it all begins. This books talks about carnivores, herbivorous, insects and plants and connects them all and shows us how they all need each other, they all have a purpose and are here for a reason no matter how small or weird looking they might be. To make the book even more interesting the book also rhymes, what better way to catch a students attention(besides with pictures) than with rhyming. I would use this book in my classroom to teach my students about the food chain and as an activity I would have my students create their own food chain based on what they learned from the story.

[Hatka Kecalovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is Pass the Energy, Please! by Barbara McKinney. This book can be used in Kindergarten to 4 grade classrooms. This book can be used for lessons on the ecosystems, food web/food chain, and adaptation-survival/extinction. This book can also be used for lessons on rhyming.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

AR 5.4

[H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and Useful

A great educational primer on food webs, with memorable rhymes. The illustrations are gorgeous, and the rhymes utilize several importance science words that made this a valuable resource to read in my first grade classroom.