Pika: Life in the Rocks

Product Description

The pika survives where life is rocky. A male pika scurries across a stone pile high in the mountains. He nips leafy twigs off bushes and piles them in the shelter of a rocky den. This hamster-size cousin of the rabbit builds a hay pile as big as a bathtub. In the winter, he feeds on his hay pile, tunnels through the snow for lichens, and pops out for low-growing plants. The story of how the pika avoids predators, survives the cold, and sings for a mate will enthrall young readers. Tannis Bill’s simple text makes the true story of the pika accessible to all. Jim Jacobson’s stunning photographs capture the pika in the act of living naturally.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2—Short sentences paired with brilliantly distinct photography show a little “rock rabbit” gathering food and building a “hay pile as large as a bathtub,” his food supply for the winter. Alert to danger and focused on survival, the pika is a hard worker that eats nine times a day and tunnels through the snow to his food cache. Though this small animal is a recently failed candidate for endangered status, Bill’s note to older readers links to the best Web-based resources to keep up-do-date with its status. Back matter includes facts, a habitat map, and photos of the animal’s family and predators. Heads up to librarians in California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and British Columbia. This critter lives in your state, and your young patrons will be enchanted by this book.—
Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA
(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

From Booklist

The pika is a cousin to the rabbit, although the candid snapshots in this nature biography find the animal looking much more like a hamster or mouse, with round ears, shining eyes, and a fan of inquisitive whiskers. Using short, declarative sentences, Tannis follows the laborious life of a pika living in the Rocky Mountains. It is a daily grind of gathering leaves and branches for his hay pile, a massive thatch that can grow as large as a bathtub and that serves as a food reserve, particularly during winter months: He makes tunnels through the snow to reach his hay pile. Sometimes he pops up from a tunnel to find other plants. Between forays, our fuzzy hero evades both weasel and hawk. Though a bit static, the photos capture the pika at his cutest, most notably when he is singing a song to attract a mate. Loaded with rich back matter on the pika and its predators, this is a cycle-of-life book that satisfies to the end. Grades 1-3. –Daniel Kraus

Review

“A good choice for beginning readers. Jacobson’s photographs give readers a marvelous up-close view of the animals. . . . A relatively in-depth and accessible look at a lesser-known animal. (pika facts, predators, family, resources, author note, glossary)” —
Kirkus Reviews

“Crisp color photos and easy-to-follow text show the life of a pika over the period of a year. . . . Children needing material for animal reports will find this volume helpful for getting beyond the typical study. It would also be useful when studying habitats and looking for unusual animals within the appropriate geographic area.” —
Library Media Connection

“Young readers are fascinated with animals and will enjoy mimicking some of the expressions of the Pika.” —
Science Books & Films

About the Author

Tannis Bill was an elementary-level teacher for nineteen years, with special training in early childhood education and early-reading intervention. She lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Jim Jacobson is an educator, outdoorsman, and wildlife photographer. He lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.