Title: Why Wolves Matter: A Conservation Success Story | Author: Karen B. Winnick | Illustrator: Karen B. Winnick | Genre: Picture Book, Non-Fiction | Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group | Release Date: February 25, 2025 | ISBN: 979-8886452846

Publisher’s Book Summary: Where did all the wolves go? The birds, the fish, and the beavers? When the top predator was wiped out, the balance of nature in Yellowstone National Park was disrupted. The circle was broken.

Written in a lyrical style, Why Wolves Matter is an ecological tale that helps children understand the interconnectedness of all things in the natural world. Once all the wolves were gone, the elk population grew so large that the trees and vegetation on which they fed disappeared, throwing the Park and the remaining wildlife into disarray.

A nonfiction picture book, including a timeline and bibliography, Why Wolves Matter is about the importance of the top predator in nature, how balance was restored in Yellowstone National Park, and how the circle was made whole again—with important historical and scientific relevance for children.

A deeply committed animal person, Karen B. Winnick has created many picture books about animals. She’s a member of an oversight commission for the Los Angeles Zoo and a member and supporter of many groups working to save animals, including wolves.

My Thoughts: In this thought-provoking non-fiction picture book, author, illustrator and conservationist, Karen B. Winnick, shows readers what happens when wolves are removed from nature and how things become rebalanced when they are reintroduced. Why Wolves Matter is a fascinating account of a real world example when wolves were removed from Yellowstone National Park. The story gently explains to young readers why predators are essential to the balance of our environment and illustrates the damage that occurs to other animals when we interfere with nature. Structured in a circular format where the ending brings us right back to the beginning, the story itself reinforces the importance of the circle of nature. This is a wonderful book for schools and libraries that will prompt discussions about our environment and wildlife.

About the Author: Karen Winnick is the author and illustrator of Why Wolves Matter, Can You Spot the Leopard: An African Safari, Good Night, Baby Animals, Mr. Lincoln’s Whiskers, Sybil’s Night Ride, Lucy’s Cave, A Year Goes Round, Barn Sneeze, Cassie’s Sweet Berry Pie, Sandro’s Dolphin and Patch & The Strings. She is the author of The Night of the Fireflies. Her paintings have been exhibited in local galleries, and her poetry has been published in magazines and anthologies. She has also produced a play, Kindertransport, about Jewish children sent to England during WWII.

Karen serves as President of the Board of Commissioners for the Los Angeles Zoo; the Board of Trustees Emeritus at Brown University; the Board of Trustees at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library; the Board of Trustees of Fauna and Flora, International and the Board of Governors Syracuse University Hillel. She has also served on the Board of Trustees of The Jewish Museum in New York and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Council in Washington, D.C.

Karen received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Syracuse University. She also studied in Florence, Italy, at NYU, the School of Visual Arts, and at the University of California, Los Angeles.

For more information, visit karenbwinnick.com.

https://www.instagram.com/karenbwinnick/

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Giveaway: Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a signed copy of Why Wolves Matter: A Conservation Success Story and a $25 Amazon Gift Gard!

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Tour Schedule

Monday, February 17, 2025 The Children’s Book Review Book Review of Why Wolves Matter: A Conservation Success Story

Tuesday, February 18, 2025 Me Two Books Book Activity for Why Wolves Matter: A Conservation Success Story

Wednesday, February 19, 2025 Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers Book Review of Why Wolves Matter: A Conservation Success Story

Thursday, February 20, 2025 Crafty Moms Share Book Review of Why Wolves Matter: A Conservation Success Story

Friday, February 21, 2025 icefairy’s Treasure Chest Book Review of Why Wolves Matter: A Conservation Success Story

Monday, February 24, 2025 One More Exclamation Book Review of Why Wolves Matter: A Conservation Success Story

Tuesday, February 25, 2025 The TipToe Fairy Book Review of Why Wolves Matter: A Conservation Success Story

Wednesday, February 26, 2025 The Fairview Review Book Review of Why Wolves Matter: A Conservation Success Story

Thursday, February 27, 2025 Cover Lover Book Review Book Review of Why Wolves Matter: A Conservation Success Story

Tuesday, February 18, 2025 The Starlit Path Author Interview with Karen B. Winnick

Monday, March 3, 2025 Deliciously Savvy Book Review of Why Wolves Matter: A Conservation Success Story

Tuesday, March 4, 2025 Country Mamas With Kids Book Review of Why Wolves Matter: A Conservation Success Story

Wednesday, March 5, 2025 Glass of Wine, Glass of Milk Book Review of Why Wolves Matter: A Conservation Success Story

Thursday, March 6, 2025 Q&As with Deborah Kalb Author Interview with Karen B. Winnick

Friday, March 7, 2025 Writer with Wanderlust Book Review of Why Wolves Matter: A Conservation Success Story

Monday, March 10, 2025 Froggy Read Teach Instagram Post about Why Wolves Matter: A Conservation Success Story

Tuesday, March 11, 2025 Mrs. Makes Reading Fun Book Review of Why Wolves Matter: A Conservation Success Story

A sincere thank you to the author for a review copy of the book read in partnership with The Children’s Book Review.