Ecology

Set on an island in Northern Ontario, the Wolf Island story. based on an actual event. is a moving chronicle of what happens when the highest link in food chain is removed. The resultant population growth, food shortage, and starvation affect every member of the chain.

In Wolf Island author-illustrator Celia Godkin has created a sensitive, fictional exploration of the importance of biodiversity, the relationship between predator and prey, and the complex relationships within an ecosystem.

Wolf Island is home to many plant and animal species including a family of wolves. The island ecosystem functions well until a log raft drifts near the shoreline. Curious wolf cubs climb onto the raft and are soon floating away from the small island. Frantic howls draw the adult wolves to the raft and, moments later, the wolves are all aboard the raft. With the departure of the wolves, the island’s natural balance has been disrupted.

As the seasons pass, the wolves’ absence begins to be felt. An abundance of deer produce more fawns would otherwise be on the island so more grass and leaves are consumed. With less vegetation available, the rabbit, fox, mouse and owl populations are each impacted in turn. Soon many animals experience hunger and suffering. A difficult winter causes hardship but produces an ice bridge from the mainland to the island and the emaciated wolves are able to return home to their territory.

Well-suited to late primary grades, Wolf Island is an excellent introduction to biodiversity and offers many possibilites for further discussion and exploration.

On a island with lots of trees grass and animals. When the baby wolf got stuck on a drift board, the whole family tried to help and got stuck too. Animals have been having some diffculties with their food, when a sligh change had happend. Like when the wolf use to eat the deers, but now the wolf are gone. So the deer population over populated leaving food very limited to the deer and rabbit and foxes. I would recomend this book to people who like science and nature. This book talks about the trasitioning when one small change in food chain can effect the island and animals. ( )

If you have ever wondered what happens when an animal leaves its natural surroundings, then this is the
book for you. When the wolves accidentally leave Wolf Island, it becomes easy for the deer to move in. This change in the food chain endangered the other species on the island until the wolves made their way back
to the island. This beautifully illustrated book gently explains how quickly the food chain
can be compromised and how important it is for nature to keep its delicate balance. ( )