The Burrowing Owls of the Prairie Grasslands
It’s spring in Grasslands National Park and burrowing owls are returning from a winter away to lay their eggs in this rare and protected habitat.
Lush illustrations celebrate the magnificent wild prairie of Grasslands National Park in southern Saskatchewan and feature the remarkable burrowing owls — the only owls in the world to live underground! Meet the owls as they prepare a burrow and lay their eggs. See tiny fuzzy owlets hatch and grow before flying south to Mexico and Texas for the winter.
Sadly, these little owls who were once common in the grasslands of western and midwestern North America are now endangered. As the wild prairies were farmed and developed, far fewer places were left for the owls to nest and raise their young.
Today, biologists, Indigenous groups, landowners and conservationists are working hard to restore the vital grasslands and help this precarious species recover.
Includes an author’s note about successful burrowing owl recovery programs and other wild animals of Grasslands National Park.
WILD BY NATURE
A series for young readers that explores the unique links between ecologically sensitive species and their habitats, and encourages the preservation of the world’s wild places.
Key Text Features
illustrations
author’s note
further information
further reading
facts
Correlates to the Common Core States Standards in English Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.1.7
Use the illustrations and details in a text to describe its key ideas.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.2.3
Describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.2.6
Identify the main purpose of a text, including what the author wants to answer, explain, or describe.
It’s spring in Grasslands National Park and burrowing owls are returning from a winter away to lay their eggs in this rare and protected habitat.
Lush illustrations celebrate the magnificent wild prairie of Grasslands National Park in southern Saskatchewan and feature the remarkable burrowing owls — the only owls in the world to live underground! Meet the owls as they prepare a burrow and lay their eggs. See tiny fuzzy owlets hatch and grow before flying south to Mexico and Texas for the winter.
Sadly, these little owls who were once common in the grasslands of western and midwestern North America are now endangered. As the wild prairies were farmed and developed, far fewer places were left for the owls to nest and raise their young.
Today, biologists, Indigenous groups, landowners and conservationists are working hard to restore the vital grasslands and help this precarious species recover.
Includes an author’s note about successful burrowing owl recovery programs and other wild animals of Grasslands National Park.
WILD BY NATURE
A series for young readers that explores the unique links between ecologically sensitive species and their habitats, and encourages the preservation of the world’s wild places.
Key Text Features
illustrations
author’s note
further information
further reading
facts
Correlates to the Common Core States Standards in English Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.1.7
Use the illustrations and details in a text to describe its key ideas.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.2.3
Describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.2.6
Identify the main purpose of a text, including what the author wants to answer, explain, or describe.
| Published By | Groundwood Books Ltd — Jun 2, 2026 |
| Specifications | 36 pages | 8.75 in x 11 in |
| Keywords | species at risk; animal life cycle books; earth day books; earth day books for kids; books for kids; nature books; natural world books; author's note; resources; cute animal books; books about owls; bird watching; bird migration; bison; fox; badger; rattlesnake; |
| Written By |
DEBORAH HODGE is the author of thirty-five books for children. Her awards include the Children’s Literature Roundtables of Canada’s Information Book Award, the Green Prize for Sustainable Literature and the Honor Book distinction for the National Jewish Book Award for Children’s Literature. Her work has also been featured on such lists as ALA’s Top Ten Best Environmental Books for Youth. Deborah is a former teacher and curriculum writer who lives in Vancouver, BC. |
| Illustrated by |
KAREN RECZUCH has illustrated many award-winning children’s books. Loon by Susan Vande Griek won the TD Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-fiction, the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Picture Book Award and the Children’s Literature Roundtables of Canada’s Information Book Award. Karen’s other books include West Coast Wild, also the winner of the Information Book Award, and three more titles in the West Coast Wild series, all by Deborah Hodge. Karen is newly resident in Porters Lake, Nova Scotia. |
| Written By |
|
DEBORAH HODGE is the author of thirty-five books for children. Her awards include the Children’s Literature Roundtables of Canada’s Information Book Award, the Green Prize for Sustainable Literature and the Honor Book distinction for the National Jewish Book Award for Children’s Literature. Her work has also been featured on such lists as ALA’s Top Ten Best Environmental Books for Youth. Deborah is a former teacher and curriculum writer who lives in Vancouver, BC. |
| Illustrated by |
|
KAREN RECZUCH has illustrated many award-winning children’s books. Loon by Susan Vande Griek won the TD Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-fiction, the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Picture Book Award and the Children’s Literature Roundtables of Canada’s Information Book Award. Karen’s other books include West Coast Wild, also the winner of the Information Book Award, and three more titles in the West Coast Wild series, all by Deborah Hodge. Karen is newly resident in Porters Lake, Nova Scotia. |
| Audience | ages 3 to 7 / grades P to 2 |
| Key Text Features | illustrations; author’s note; further information; further reading; facts |
| Common Core |
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.1.7
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.2.3 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.2.6 |