This post is sponsored by Karen B. Winnick. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.
If you’ve ever wondered why wolves are such a big deal in the wild, Why Wolves Matter by Karen B. Winnick is the perfect read. This book dives into how wolves shape an entire ecosystem at Yellowstone National Park, from keeping prey populations in check to even influencing plant growth. Winnick does a great job explaining all of this in a way that’s easy to understand, making it a fascinating read for kids who love to learn about cool new things. This real-life example really drives home just how important these animals are.
But it’s not just about science—Winnick also explores the complicated relationship between humans and wolves. She touches on the fears that have shaped how we see them, as well as the conservation efforts that have helped bring wolves back from near extinction. The book makes makes you realize how important wolves are in the circle of life and makes you think about wolves in a whole new way. Plus, the illustrations bring everything to life, making it even more engaging.
If your children love nature, enjoy books that make you see the world differently, or just want to understand what makes wolves so incredible, this book is definitely worth a read. It’s packed with insight, but it never feels overwhelming—just fascinating, eye-opening, and maybe even a little inspiring. By the end, you find yourself rooting for these misunderstood creatures more than ever.
Table of Contents
More about Why Wolves Matter
For ages 7-9, 40 pages.
Where did all the wolves go? The birds, the fish, and the beavers? When the top predator was wiped out, the balance of nature in Yellowstone National Park was disrupted. The circle was broken.
Written in a lyrical style, Why Wolves Matter is an ecological tale that helps children to understand the interconnectedness of all things in the natural world. Once all the wolves were gone, the elk population grew so large that the trees and vegetation on which they fed disappeared, throwing the Park and the remaining wildlife into disarray.
A nonfiction picture book, including a timeline and bibliography, Why Wolves Matter is about the importance of the top predator in nature, how balance was restored in Yellowstone National Park, and how the circle was made whole again—with important historical and scientific relevance for children.
Where to buy Why Wolves Matter By Karen B. Winnick
About the Author
A deeply committed animal person, Karen B. Winnick has created many picture books about animals including: Why Wolves Matter, Can You Spot the Leopard: An African Safari, Good Night, Baby Animals, Mr. Lincoln’s Whiskers, Sybil’s Night Ride, Lucy’s Cave, A Year Goes Round, Barn Sneeze, Cassie’s Sweet Berry Pie, Sandro’s Dolphin and Patch & The Strings. She is the author of The Night of the Fireflies.
She’s a member of an oversight commission for the Los Angeles Zoo, and a member and supporter of many groups working to save animals, including wolves. Karen serves as President of the Board of Commissioners for the Los Angeles Zoo; the Board of Trustees Emeritus at Brown University; the Boar d of Trustees at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library; the Board of Trustees of Fauna and Flora, International and the Board of Governors Syracuse University Hillel. She has also served on the Board of Trustees of The Jewish Museum in New York and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Council in Washington, D.C.
Her paintings have been exhibited in local galleries, and her poetry has been published in magazines and anthologies. She has also produced a play, Kindertransport, about Jewish children sent to England during WWII.
Karen received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Syracuse University. She also studied in Florence, Italy, at NYU, the School of Visual Arts, and at the University of California, Los Angeles.
For more information, visit karenbwinnick.com. Click HERE to follow Karen on Instagram!
Download this free printable Wolf Activity Pack
Here’s some fun wolf activities to do with the kids that’s free to download. You’ll get a 12-page PDF to download with everything included.
What’s included:
- Coloring page
- How to draw a wolf
- Wolf Bookmarks
- Wolf Seek n Find
- Wolf Maze
- Roll a Wolf in the Forest Game
- Instructions for Game (Easy and Hard Versions)
- Answers to Puzzles
Download the Files:
Enter the Giveway
- Grand Prize: A signed copy of Why Wolves Matter and a $25 gift card to Amazon!!
- 10 additional winners will receive a signed copy of Why Wolves Matter.
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