Member Reviews
Interesting look at coyotes from famed author Barbara Kingsolver and her daughter Lily. Follow coyote through her Appalachian home and learn about the ecosystem. Soft illustrations make coyotes more friendly than scary.
Me and my children enjoyed this story with all the characters within. It's about a coyote pup and his adventure around the woods. There is even a surprise visitor that comes to the forest.
This was a fun story to read. It had action and adventure throughout. The illustrations were very colorful and went along with the story well.
I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. This is my honest unbiased opinions.
Lily Hopp Kingsolver teams up with her mother, the iconic author Barbara Kingsolver, to write a children’s book with a strong environmental message. Illustrator Paul Mirocha’s lush, whole page artwork adds appeal. My thanks go to Net Galley and Gryphon Press for the review copy. This book will be available to the public November 28, 2023.
There are two stories here, one of young Diana, who is in the forest with grandfather on a fishing trip, and the other of a coyote pup, who is in the forest with his aunt, who is teaching him to track prey. The two stories dovetail nicely.
The choice of the coyote as the book’s subject is an interesting one. As a native Pacific Northwesterner, I had not known that coyotes are not found everywhere in North America. Here, they are ubiquitous and frequently seen as a nuisance, a danger to our house pets, the problem child that sometimes breaches forest boundaries to forage in the backyards of homes and even businesses. I wonder if this is part of what inspired the authors’ choice, to inform the next generation that coyotes have an important part to play in the food chain, and that they fill a useful role in killing and consuming rodents and other small mammals that we humans also do not want to find in our homes and gardens.
The story is well told, and the illustrations are irresistible. The only concern I find is that the vocabulary level is far more advanced than is possible for children in the beginning grades of elementary school to access. Most young students take great pride in graduating to chapter books, those without pictures to help the emerging reader. It’s like riding a bicycle; once you can ride without training wheels, you never want to see them again.
However, I do see possible uses for this book. A book that is read aloud to a class by a teacher, or to children at home or in child care, can use a more challenging vocabulary because the reader is there to explain the difficult words. But its greatest use is for students in the early teens that are significantly behind their expected reading level. When others are reading To Kill a Mockingbird, no adolescent wants to be caught by their peers reading books that are obviously intended for small children; nonfiction is often the best option that they have. A struggling reader can read a book about coyotes and emerge with their dignity intact, and they’ll pick up a science lesson or two along the way. And of course, one can also pitch it in the other direction, for the precocious younger reader whose maturity level makes it tough to find challenging, yet suitable books.
For the readers described here, this book is highly recommended.
THis was an absolutely marvelous book and I am so thankful to have received it as an ARC. Set in the Appalachian forest the tale follows a wolf cub and a little girl as they both go on their own adventures in exploring and learning about their forest around them. We live here in the Appalachian mountains and so this made this story even more dear to us. This is so wonderfully written in such a heart warming and endearing way that you will truly fall in love with this little adventure. Showing how connected the two very different adventurers' paths are is simply outstanding. The beautiful and colorful illustrations will capture your heart and your own little ones hearts as well. It is so wonderfully written they wont even know they are learning. I highly recommend this story for home and in the classroom. Enjoy this adventure together.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own opinions.
A beautiful book that reminds both children and adults that there is a reason for both predictors and prey. We are having an issue with coyotes and foxes in our neighborhood of late and some adults are being very unreasonable.
Books like Coyote's Wild Home are great reminders or nature's ways. Also it's rabbits, rabbits everywhere.
There are two stories in this book that sort of parallel each other. One is a coyote going on its first hunt and the other is a child going camping with grandpa. It was a neat concept with adorable art and a good message about conservation.
4 stars
This is an absolute must-buy for me, even after receiving a free copy (for a limited time) through netgalley in exchange for a fair review left voluntarily.
I have a Master’s in Teaching, and so books that help me teach my son (who is three) or my daughter (who is 12) are what I am always looking for. I love reading to them. And we are working on becoming better citizens of earth on a daily basis. So books about environmentalism, ecology, and being good to Mother Earth are our focus right now.
This book falls into all of those categories. It teaches about sustainable land harvest, about how to treat wild animals, and it is especially well written.
I am a huge fan of the topic, Coyotes, since they are much maligned.
The art is exceptional. I know my son is going to love to read this, and that it is likely going to end up being on of his “read it again” books, just like Jim Arnosky books (if you know who Jim Arnosky is, you know how much of compliment this is, and if you do not, check out his episode on Reading Rainbow!)
Speaking of Reading Rainbow, if it existed, I would lobby for this title to have spot on the show.
You will not go wrong with this book. This might be Lily’s first work, but it won’t be her last, and I am already a fan!
This book was so adorable, I loved everything about it, the illustrations were so well done, they suited the book perfectly, the story was amazing as well, even thought is very short I could really connect with the characters. I’m sure the kids are going to be just as enthralled with this amazing book as I was. I will definitely recommend! Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this early copy
Coyote's Wild home is an educational, illustrated and cute book for young kids. I'll teach them about coyotes and life. Well have two stories, the first one of a coyote pup and the second one about a young girl. Between both stories well see educational content but at the same time the story of how it is important to take care of nature.
Thank you so much Netgalley and The Gryphon Press for the ARC for my honest review
Coyote’s Wild Home is a beautiful picture book with a gentle environmental message. Pulitzer Prize winner Barbara Kingsolver and has teamed up with her daughter, environmental educator Lily Kingsolver to create a story of two very different youngsters on their first outings in the woods. A young coyote pup is on his first hunting lesson with his aunt. At the same time a young city girl has gone camping with her grandfather who is teaching her all about the delicate balance of nature. The simple lessons imparted to the youngsters in the story are a great way to teach our children about the role that coyotes play in our environment. Artist The true heart of the book is the gorgeous artwork by Paul Mirocha. The beautiful paintings that illustrate this book will capture a child's interest. The small details in each picture invite another look each time the book is read. This book introduces the topic of coyotes and their role in nature. At the end of the book is a page discussing further information to educate the adult who will no doubt face many further questions. I would recommend this book to parents of young children but feel that it is an invaluable tool for teachers planning an environmentalism lesson. This book definitely belongs in your grade school library!
I would like to thank NetGalley and Gryphon Press for an Advanced Reader Copy of this fall realease. It was provided by in exchange for an honest review.
Authors Lily & Barbara Kingsolver describe the woodland ecosystem using a coyote pup learning to hunt with his Auntie plus Diana and her grandfather camping and fishing. Adaptations are seamlessly embedded and explicitly stated throughout the two stories as well as relationships between predator and prey and the importance of keeping them in balance. The text/story is engaging and rich in science but the star of the book is the illustrations painted by Paul Mirocha! They are stunning and give almost three dimensional depth as we peer into snapshots of the woods. Paintings support the text and provide much material for conversation between readers and caregivers and their young ones. A first choice book for libraries serving grades 2-5.
Beautiful environmental picture book written by Barbara Kingsolver along with environmental educator Lily Kingsolver, and illustrator Paul Mirocha. Young coyote pup is introduced to the tools of hunting (patience camouflage, sharp teeth, and quick legs) while a grandfather introduces his granddaughter to importance if the coyote in maintaining the balance of the forest ecosystem. Worthwhile to explore the need for predators and prey. #CoyotesWildHome #NetGalley
Thank you to Gryphon Press and Netgalley for the digital arc.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
I read this beautiful story with my 4 year old daughter and we both loved it. I like that the store comes from two points of view. The first is the story of little coyote with his auntie just learning how to be a big coyote out of the den for the first time. The other is a grandfather and his granddaughter out for an overnight camping trip. He teaches her all about respecting nature and the delicate balance of all living creatures. The illustrations were gorgeous and the story engaging, even for my 4 year old.
Coyote’s Wild Home
Coyotes have a bad reputation as evil animals that they do not deserve. They are predators that are a vital part of a life web keeping a biosphere’s environment balanced. In particular, they feed on other animals, keeping them from overpopulating the area. The book compares humans and coyotes: both are part of families, and they both are predators that eat meat and plants.
The beautifully realistic illustrations are a treat to the eyes, adding so much to the narration.
This book is a valuable addition to the natural science collection of a picture book section of a library or a home collection.
Coyote’s Wild Home is a beautiful contribution to children’s literature about the balance of nature!
This is an exquisitely illustrated children’s book featuring the parallel stories of a coyote pup on its first hunt and a grandpa and granddaughter going camping. The stories eventually weave together to gently teach children about the balance of nature. Children will learn that although they are often portrayed as an enemy, coyotes have a major and essential impact on its ecosystem. Facts about coyotes and information about how you can help them survive is featured in the back of the book.
This book is a must-have for elementary libraries, science teachers, and parents/guardians of children ages 6 and up!
Coyote's Wild Home is a beautiful book about the balance of nature and the circle of life. Coyote Pup is learning the basics of hunting, especially patience! And Diana is out in the woods camping with her grandpa. Her grandpa is teaching her about the animals in the forest and how to read their signs.
This book is beautiful illustrated and beautifully written. This book should be in schools and libraries to teach kids about nature and the importance of individual parts of any ecosystem. It touches (loosely) on disappearing forests and human destruction of natural resources.
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this beautiful eARC in exchange for my honest review on the book!
This book is beautiful. Barbara Kingsolver and her daughter, Lily, wrote it together. The paintings by Paul Mirocha are gorgeous. It’s told from the viewpoint of a grandpa and his granddaughter and a coyote pup and his aunt and is about the important balance of the ecosystem.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and The Gryphon Press for my copy of Coyote's Wild Home by Lily and Barbara Kingsolver in exchange for an honest review. It publishes October 17, 2023.
I requested this book for my wildlife-loving 11 year old. She read this and really enjoyed the story and the information. I thought the illustrations were absolutely lovely, and I think this would make an excellent gift for any wildlife-loving kid in your life!
Coyote's Wild Home
5 Stars
The stunning cover caught my attention, and made me want to jump into reading their story. I'm so glad I did! One of the best books I've read this year.
I found this book heartwarming, educational, and a little nostalgic. It had me reminiscing about past times I spent with my dad fishing, hiking, or teaching my kids to enjoy nature. It's a true wonderland!
I love the realistic animal and nature illustrations. They're gorgeous and could easily be sold as prints. I enjoyed the warm color palette, and the artist's attention to detail. These fun illustrations brought the story to life.
I found this book unique, in that it's narrated by two beings' POV. Aunt Coyote with a Coyote Pup and Grandpa with her granddaughter. I like this because it shows parallels and similarities.
I can't recommend Coyote's Wild Home enough. It's fabulous! This is a great choice for teachers (Pre-K-3rd grade), school/public, or private libraries. I love that you could plan several activities over a week, and the book is diverse enough to cover several subjects. A good choice for homeschoolers. Below is a short list of conversation starters or teachable moments. Examples :Tracking prints & scat, animal behavior, how coyotes communicate, predators versus
omnivores, ecosystems. Each animal has important jobs they do to maintain balance. It encourages young children to love and respect nature and wild animals. It briefly covers
conservation and how we, as humans, can all play our part in preserving their habitats.
I absolutely love the fun facts found on the back of the book. I'm impressed with this book and fun facts, and hope it becomes a series.
Thank you, NetGalley and The Griffin Press, for an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I loved this book! Parallel stories of a little girl spending time with her grandfather in nature and learning her first lessons, and of a coyote pup on his first hunt with his auntie. The description of the coyote's loving family unit, how a pup learns what to do, and the difficulties facing coyotes (and other animals) as more wild areas are taken over by humans were told simply but with important details. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous. I will recommend this book to everyone in my library, and probably give many copies away as gifts!