Wolf Island

As an elementary classroom teacher for many years, I have used this book in various grade levels to reinforce the need for balance of predator/prey within an ecoystem, and the impact on the ecosystem when one piece is removed. It gets even better when that piece is restored, and the ecosystem begins to recover. A related book, using a kelp ecosystem is Sea Otter Inlet, also by Celia Godkin.

This is a simple retelling of the story of Isle Royal, an island that was brought back into ecological balance when a wolf pack crossed over an ice bridge to the island. Before that time the vegetation was being denuded by moose, and the moose herd was suffering. The island was the living laboratory for some of the classic research on the relationship between predators and their prey, and the role of predators in an ecosystem. It also relates to another classic essay by Aldo Leopold, called "Thinking Like A Mountain." again, about wolves and their relationship to their prey and to the ecosystem as a whole. These concepts are important to teach young children, but the research and essay above would be hard for young kids to understand. This book serves as an excellent introduction to the topic. There are few books out there that tackle this important subject, this book fills the niche.

As a teacher who enjoys combining literature and science, this is one of my favorite books to read to children. Everything on the island appears to be in balance until the wolf cubs discover a raft on the beach. As they explore, the raft drifts off and their parents are forced to follow. With the wolves gone there are now no natural predators to keep down the deer population, which threatens the whole island ecosystem. Can life on the island ever be the same?This short story is beautifully written and illustrated by Celia Godkin.