“Behold! The majestic bison of the Great Plains.” A new entry in the excellent “Tiny Habitats” series for young children explores the thriving habitat found in … bison dung! As with Hevron’s other “Tiny Habitats” books, a brief narrative full of child appeal balances its lighthearted tone with accessible information. When that “majestic bison” dumps a pile of poo on the prairie, as bison do, the poo pile becomes a small center of activity and transformation across the seasons. It’s a treasure trove for insects, birds, and animals, while its nutrients feed the soil. Prairie violets bloom on it. “Belowground, earthworms and prairie dogs tunneled into the rich, poo-filled soil.” Each two-page spread has only a few sentences of primary text, while illustrations that skillfully straddle a line between sweet (they aren’t) and adorable (they are) include humorous speech-bubble dialogue from the many types of prairie creatures featured. End matter includes “The Scoop on Bison Poop,” suggestions for additional reading, and sources.

A Junior Library Guild Selection
Three starred reviews!

Get the scoop on bison poop and the tiny ecosystem it creates in this “incredibly amusing…spectacular” (Booklist, starred review) new book in an illuminating nonfiction picture book series that explores how even the smallest habitats play big roles in nature.

Behold! The majestic bison of the Great Plains! Hear them thunder across the prairie! Watch them mow down miles of meadows! See them…poo.

Did you know that entire tiny habitats can form on a pile of poo? In the prairies of North America, bison roam the land, and their poo becomes an important building block for diverse prairie ecosystems. It fertilizes the soil, spreads seeds, and houses and feeds hundreds of tiny grassland species, which in turn feed birds and small mammals, which then attract bigger animals, and the cycle goes on! With snappy, funny text and lush illustrations, this book invites curious readers to explore a tiny ecosystem that’s truly abuzz with life.