The Prairie Builders: Reconstructing America's Lost Grasslands

"The book has received excellent reviews and was chosen by Science Books and Films as an outstanding science book for 2005. Prior to the first part of the twentieth century, bison and elk roamed among the tallgrass prairie that covered America's heartland. The prairie was replaced by farmland as the Midwest became America's "bread basket." The beautiful photographs and engaging text in this book for children ages 10 to 14, tell the story of efforts to bring back an area of native tallgrass prairie in Iowa at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge." (summary by South Texas Library System)

Who knew how strong the connection was between delicate Regal Fritillary butterflies and giant buffalo? Biologist Pauline Drobny, Iowa congressman Neal Smith and others who helped rebuild 8,000 acres of tallgrass prairie knew. Collard walks us through the process from gathering seeds found in nature to seeding the prairie with caterpillars, demonstrating the connectedness of all elements in our ecosystem. Lots of color photos clearly illustrate the beauty and majesty of the nearly extinct tallgrass prairie. 2006 ALA Notable Book