We Are the Keystones

Katy S. Duffield is the author of more than twenty-five books for children, including the celebrated Crossings: Extraordinary Structures for Extraordinary Animals, which was an ALA/ALSC Notable Book, a Bank Street Best Book of the Year, and the recipient of the Eureka! Excellence in Nonfiction Gold Award. She lives in Florida with her husband and her wild and crazy Australian Shepherd. For more information about Katy, please visit her website at KatyDuffield.com.Hannah Salyer received her BFA in illustration and communication design, with a minor in environmental studies, from Pratt Institute. She resides in Brooklyn, New York, where she writes and illustrates picture books, including her own Packs: Strength in Numbers and Ancestory: The Mystery and Majesty of Ancient Cave Art, as well as This Wolf Was Different by Katie Slivensky. She also teaches art classes for young kids and illustration classes for undergrad students at Parsons School of Design. Visit her at HannahSalyer.com.

*The notion that every habitat is part of an interwoven web provides the framework for this informational picture book. . . . Keystone species from a variety of habitats are featured; each use a different skill, like building or hunting, to keep their “nature-hood” healthy. Some are familiar mammals, including beavers, wolves, and sea otters, but others are lesser known; who knew that cassowaries swallow fruit whole and then poop out the seeds, thereby allowing their Australian rainforest home to thrive? Duffield uses layered text to great effect: on each spread, rhyming text will pique reader interest while a block of smaller print text on the opposing page provides more information. Salyer’s enchanting, digitally composed gouache art captures the beauty of each nature-hood and the web of creatures that exist there. Children will be captivated by the close-up details of each featured species and enjoy locating the other benefited creatures tucked into each full-page image. The gorgeous and arresting cover features some of the profiled animals in cut-out silhouettes, with gracefully curving plants connecting each creature. End pages provide additional information about keystone species and sources. Engaging rhymes and immersive art will introduce many young readers to a new way of looking at habitats, and how interconnectedness helps each one thrive.