Wait, Rest, Pause: Dormancy in Nature

"Plants and animals have many different ways to enter dormancy, using minimal energy when weather extremes or seasonal changes require a pause. Many books for young children address the concept of hibernation, but Atkins develops the concept further, introducing the many different forms dormancy takes. Her simple, second-person text asks readers to imagine being a tree, ladybug, Arctic ground squirrel, chickadee, or alligator in cold weather or an earthworm in a drought. She describes the situation that leads to a timeout, repeating the line, 'You would pause, ' then tells what happens next: Leaves unfurl, ladybugs 'wiggle awake, ' ground squirrels' heartbeats 'quicken, ' chickadees fly, alligators come out to sun themselves, and earthworms 'moisten [their] skin . . . and squirm.' She makes clear that this resting state may last anywhere from a few hours to a season. Large, close-up photographs from various sources show the trees and animals and the weather conditions that prompt these activities. Helpful backmatter explains the different forms of dormancy, including diapause, hibernation, torpor, brumation, and estivation, for older readers. Here, the author gives further detail about dormancy in volcanoes as well as seeds and deciduous trees, and she mentions that, contrary to popular knowledge, some scientists use the word 'torpor' to describe bears in winter. The attractive design uses display type to highlight the action words. A refreshingly original exploration of a physical process both common and important in the natural world."--starred, Kirkus Reviews

"There are different types of dormancy among plants and animals, with hibernation as possibly the most familiar form. Atkins explores how trees, insects, mammals, reptiles, birds, and even invertebrates pause and rest in response to changes in the seasons. In spare, rhythmic language, she describes first the process of entering dormancy and then of waking up. She uses varying patterns in her descriptions, which are illustrated with vivid photographs in an appealing layout with good use of white space and varying fonts. The text is deceptively simple; Atkins expresses the nuances among the different groups, unifying them with the all-purpose phrase 'you would pause, ' since dormancy can last for an entire season or a few hours. A detailed description of the differences in dormancy is at the end, followed by books and websites for further reading and research. This title could be incorporated into a class in many ways, such as a read aloud, an introduction to a science unit, or a thematic unit about seasons."--Booklist