Beavers

Steve Pitt is a Toronto-based freelance writer and an award-winning journalist. He has written many young adult and children's books, including Day of the Flying Fox: The True Story of World War II Pilot Charley Fox.

Many countries have a national bird, but only Canada boasts a national
rodent. We owe this act of homage to the fact that for three centuries
the beaver was the backbone of the Canadian fur trade. This book
explores the natural world of the beaver. The text is divided into 15
concise chapters. Each chapter focuses on a particular segment of a
beaver’s existence such as beaver food, beaver anatomy, the beaver
lodge, family structure, and how beavers and people coexist. Sidebars
are plentiful and full of interesting tidbits (e.g., the beaver can
weigh up to 70 pounds, build a dam longer than a soccer field, and hold
its breath for up to 15 minutes). The author knows her young audience;
her prose is informative without being pedantic.

Dozens of realistic full-color panels are provided by well-known nature
illustrator Pat Stephens. The illustrations depict beavers in a wide
variety of life situations during all seasons of the year. This book
will be a welcome addition to any junior nature library. Highly
recommended.