Bobcat: North America's Cat

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Bobcats truly are North America's cat. From southern Canada to northern Mexico, bobcats inhabit forests, deserts, and swamps. Although they have been hunted and trapped for more than 200 years, there may be as many as 1.5 million bobcats in North America. In fact, there are more bobcats now than there were when the colonists first settled the continent. Elusive and mysterious, this beautiful animal is rarely seen in the wild. In this fascinating book, chock full of facts and stunning full-color photos, Stephen Swinburne puts us on the trail of the bobcat, examining its behavior, hunting techniques, and habitat, and the cat's special abilities to survive.

FROM THE CRITICS

Children's Literature

This is a great compilation of bobcat information that would interest a broad range of readers. Youngsters will love the wild photographs; older readers will appreciate the collection of bobcat facts. The author gathered his information from adventurous experiences tracking bobcats in the wild and observations of captive cats in Idaho and New York. He writes of two unique journeys in the backwoods of New England—one with a group of sixth graders on a bobcat expedition in Vermont and the other with a group of eight naturalists. Hands-on learning and real-life study of the bobcat habitat provides extensive learning for readers. Did you know that the bobcat name comes from its characteristically "bobbed" tail? Readers will learn about the characteristics and behavior of the bobcat while also gaining a nature vocabulary introducing terms like ambush, captivity, nocturnal and more. There is an index and a further reading section, which might be of interest for bobcat enthusiasts. Readers will gain a deeper understanding of the life of the bobcat and enjoy the full-color photographs of these North American cats. Adventurous teachers and parents might be inclined to head up their own bobcat field trip. 2001, Boyds Mills Press, $15.95. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Melinda Tierney

Parent Council Reviews

Biologists believe there may be as many as 1.5 million bobcats living throughout North America. However these shy, secretive cats are rarely seen in the wild. Join the author and a group of sixth graders as they study the behavior and habits of bobcats by the clues the cats have left behind. Discover the bobcat's incredible ability to survive. 2001, Boyds Mills Press, $15.95. Ages 10 to 12. Reviewer: S. Kleven SOURCE: Parent Council, September 2001 (Vol. 9, No. 1)

School Library Journal

Gr 4-7-Swinburne's account of attempting to track and spot a small, powerful predator in Vermont includes treks made with professional naturalists and a trip made with a sixth-grade class. The attractive book, made up of a prologue and four short chapters, incorporates details about the animal's life in its natural habitat and in captivity. Most of the plentiful full-color photographs were taken by the author and by a habitat specialist, who also appears in the book. Occasional insets add factual information and make comparisons with other species. The author's respect for the bobcat's survival skills-"You and I may never see a wild bobcat, but I want to know they are out there"-and his first-person experiences lend an inviting immediacy. Readers who are fond of big cats or intrigued by wild animals will enjoy these glimpses of the physical characteristics and behavior of this elusive, sharp-eared, short-tailed wild cat.-Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

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