Serengeti: Plains of Grass

Charmingly illustrated and beautifully written.

Attractive and informative, this will please browsers and information seekers alike.

Taking inspiration from the utendi, "an East African, Swahili poem form with Arabic origins," Bulion presents a vibrant picture of Tanzania's Serengeti Plain and the animals and plants that reside there, employing lilting half-rhyme quatrains that each end with "grass." "Bathed by rain, Serengeti blooms,/ sun-faced yellows and scarlet flames,/ waste paper flowers on tiny stems,/ scattered as handfuls across the grass," reads text accompanying one spread of flower-strewn green, as an aside in smaller font--found on each spread--informs, "Seeds of wildflowers swell and sprout, bringing splashes of color to Serengeti's grassy plains." Rich gouache and pastel art by Stadtlander provides atmosphere through vintage-inflected depictions of wildlife and sweeping landscapes portraying the plains at different times of day and year. A reverent and educational portrait of "one of the most productive and biodiverse ecosystems on Earth." Back matter features an author's note on the form, a glossary, information on Serengeti conservation efforts, further reading, and a map of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. Ages 8-12. (Mar.)

Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

The Serengeti comes to life in all its color and glory through illuminating verse, matter-of-fact narrative, and captivating illustration. Bulion once again makes science accessible and imaginative through an innovative variation of utendi, a poetic form from East Africa. Each four-line stanza follows a repeated pattern, ends with a partial rhyme, and concludes with a last line which highlights the Serengeti's most precious and symbiotic resource—grass. The grass and the landscape are just as important in the ecosystem as the animals, and therefore feature prominently in the illustrations. Stadtlander's renderings embody the expanse through spectacular colors, shading, and brushwork via gouache and pastels. Careful contrast creates depth and gentle hues and helps portray the immensity of the unending landscape. The illustrations are full of movement, sometimes subtle but always in tandem with the verse. Brief scientific facts, presented in standard sentences, engage learners but make a bump in the flow of the poetry. Reading straight through may present read-aloud challenges; however, reading just the verse or just the facts successively will allow listeners to pick up on new vocabulary and pictorial details. It includes a detailed overview of the Serengeti, a glossary, further reading, and additional resources. VERDICT A STEAM book in the truest sense as it inspires curiosity through art and science. This warm and wise purchase will benefit educators in poetry, geography, or science units.—Kate Davis

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

★ The Serengeti comes to life in all its color and glory through illuminating verse, matter-of-fact narrative, and captivating illustration. Bulion once again makes science accessible and imaginative. . . . Stadtlander's renderings embody the expanse through spectacular colors, shading, and brushwork. . . . A STEAM book in the truest sense as it ­inspires curiosity through art and science.—School Library Journal, Starred Review

The poems are scientifically informative (wildebeests feast on shorter swards / oxpecker birds are stowaboards), evocative (butterflies flutter at nectar wells), and a delight to read (low-ground growth is nimbly used, / fleet gazelles nibble gnu-mown grass). Another highlight is the thoughtful detail in the expressive paintings. . . . Stadtlander is especially gifted at portraying the beauty of the Serengeti at various times of day. . . . Charmingly illustrated and beautifully written. . . .—Kirkus Reviews

Dramatic watercolors spread across the pages to convey the expanse of grassland. . . . Absolutely fascinating on many levels, the wilderness is brought to life even for readers living a world away from Africa via vivid language reflecting the stark sounds and sights of an ancient ecosystem in motion. ' . . . This nonfiction picture book is a veritable feast for a curious child 's hungry mind.—School Library Connection

Bulion presents a vibrant picture of Tanzania's Serengeti Plain and the animals and plants that reside there, employing lilting half-rhyme quatrains. . . . Rich gouache and pastel art by Stadtlander provides atmosphere through vintage-inflected depictions of wildlife and sweeping landscapes portraying the plains at different times of day and year. A reverent and educational portrait. . . .—Publishers Weekly

★ Attractive and informative, this will please browsers and information seekers alike.—Booklist, Starred Review