Nature’s wonders for young readers

Friday, March 7, 2008

Helping protect the increasing number of once-endangered osprey is the job of young Pete’s dad, a biologist. As they cross a Southern Maryland bridge, Pete spies an osprey’s nest with a bit of blue in it.

His dad says it is probably a trash bag and then explains to his son how the raptors make their nests and what they use to make it strong and soft for their little nestlings.

The problem, it seems, is that some of the soft items are also very dangerous for the birds, large and small.

They go get their boat and as dad powers it closer to the nest, Pete examines its contents through binoculars. There’s more in the nest than one would imagine, he sees.

‘‘Osprey Adventure” is based on the true story of Pete McGowan, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife biologist from the Chesapeake Bay Field Office.

One of the problems he discovered during his studies through the years was the danger of cast-off materials like fishing line. They may be soft and help cushion the nest, but they pose a bigger hazard than comfort to little birds and aren’t all that safe for the adults, either.

This story has a happy ending as well as a simple lesson in caring for the world around us.

‘‘Beetle Boddiker” is a more whimsical look at nature through the experiences of author Priscilla Cummings’ tiny buggy character.

Told with rhymes, the colorful pages turn quite quickly, but there is plenty to look at if your young reader wants to pause to examine the pictures.

Beetle, who lives in a tiny house of leaves and twigs under the porch, has received an invitation to a party given by his brother, Nevins.

Although he lives a quiet life, he loves and misses his older brother whom he has not seen in a long time. That’s because Nevins lives in a tin can across the street at the far end of Beetle’s yard.

There are a lot of interesting — and scary — things to see along the way. And Beetle’s journey is filled with more adventure than a young beetle would like.

How the story ends is a big surprise and one worth reading again and again.