June 1, 2024
A lonely bison searches for companionship. This gentle tale stars an unhappy bison who's in need of a friend. As Bison searches for "someone to trample through the woods with," she goes about her usual activities and meets the wildlife neighbors who benefit from her actions. Her habit of tearing off strips of bark to eat attracts insects for the woodpecker to eat, the dung beetle eats the poop she produces, and when she rolls in the dust, she creates spots for the lizard to sunbathe. Though they're grateful for her help, these creatures prefer staying where they are; they aren't good friendship candidates for a wandering bison. But a solitary butterfly is a perfect companion for her rambles, and they embark on a beautiful friendship. Hemming uses a lighthearted friendship story to explain the role of a keystone species, which she explores further in the backmatter; she also notes the differences between American and European bison and discusses the Wilder Blean project, which introduces European bison into the woodlands of Blean in the U.K. Leschnikoff's digital illustrations depict the animals with cartoonlike googly eyes and expressive faces and bodies, but they and their surroundings are recognizable. The effect is sweetly amusing and very appealing. A winsome friendship story with an important environmental message. (Informational picture book. 3-7)
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August 1, 2024
Preschool-Grade 2 It's a perfect day, but Bison's feeling down and unsure why. A nearby Woodpecker suggests Bison needs a friend. Bison's cheered by the idea, but she worries when Woodpecker adds that friends help each other ("I don't help anyone. Who'd want to be friends with me?"). But Bison's friend-seeking quest leads her to discover that she already does help others, just by doing what she does naturally. Her bark-stripping draws insects, providing Woodpecker food; her dung's beneficial for Dung Beetle; her dirt baths make a sunbathing spot for Lizard. Alas, no one wants to trample through the woods with Bison until Butterfly, who's also alone, does (""you fly and I'll trample""), and their fun foray in the woods concludes with Bison receiving a reassuring message from her many friends. Hemming's lively text entertainingly offers some facts about the interconnectedness of nature amid the sweet friendship story, and Leschnikoff's colorful, textural illustrations depict invitingly cartoonish but still recognizable wildlife characters. Back matter includes more bison facts and information about conservation advocacy. An enjoyable introduction to bison and an encouraging story about friendship.
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