Young readers just love stories that feature animals. But in recent years, nature-themed children’s books have become increasingly popular, especially ones that highlight our precious ecosystems, wildlife, conservation and the impact humans have on their environments. When these stories are based on true events they have that extra spark that helps inform and educate as well as entertain. My Dad Brought Beavers Back is a engaging, rhyming picture book for young readers age 3-6 years old that embodies these themes beautifully.
Beavers are large rodents that once thrived in England and Scotland and are considered “ecosystem engineers” due to their dam-building, but around 400 years ago they became extinct due to over-hunting for their fur and meat as well as loss of their natural habitats. In 2002, beavers were reintroduced into Scotland by Paul and Louise Ramsay.
My Dad Brought Beavers Back is the story, told in rhyming form in a children’s picture book, of how beavers were reintroduced back into Scotland, as well as educating young readers what beavers are and what they do while highlighting the damage of not having them around affects nature and the ecosystem – they help to stop flooding among other things.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading My Dad Brought Beavers Back – it is an enjoyable true tale about the conservation work of bringing beavers back to Scotland told in rhyme. With its easy to read text it informs, entertains and educates readers – I for one didn’t actually know that they had become extinct in the UK before their reintroduction in the early 2000s. This book wonderfully explains their very important role.
The story starts with describing what beavers look like, where they live and what they do for the ecosystem as ecosystem engineers – dam builders that slow water flow to help stop flooding and creating ponds of fresh drinking water, all while attracting a large variety of different wildlife to the area. It then goes on to show the effects of beavers not being around caused significant ecological changes with less wetland habitats and increased flood risks. It ends on a high with the reintroduction of the beavers and the slow rebuilding of their environments – beavers are now legally protected against harm to them or their habitats.
This is a warm and engaging picture book that helps young readers grasp the concept of conservation and ecological restoration. It shows that beavers are important not just for the natural landscapes around them but how they benefit countless other species. While a quick read, Adam Ramsay explains in a simple and enjoyable way how beavers build dams and pond to create and shape wetlands, helping to restore habitats that encourage other species such as insects, birds and fish, as well as plant life.
Alongside the engaging rhyming text are the wonderful illustrations by Abigail Little. The illustrations are gentle in tone and complement the story beautifully, providing a visual delight to bring the world of the beavers to life.
Adam Ramsay’s My Dad Brought Beavers Back is a charming tale about the true story of one family bringing back a lost species. It educates children in conservation and rewilding and is written an easy, friendly tone without overloading young readers with lots of facts and statistics.
A fantastic ecological tale that young page turners will enjoy and learn from.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £9.99 (Paperback)
For more information or to buy, visit Scotland Street Press or Amazon.
PUBLISHER:
PUBLICATION DATE:
ISBN:
PRINT LENGTH:
ILLUSTRATIONS:
AGE RANGE: