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.

Author: Deborah Hodge
Publisher: Groundwood Books
Published: 06/02/2026
Pages: 36
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.85lbs
Size: 11.10h x 8.80w x 0.40d
ISBN: 9781779460318
Audience: Ages 4-8


Review Citation(s):
School Library Journal 02/01/2026 pg. 65
Kirkus Reviews 03/15/2026
Booklist 06/01/2026

About the Author
Hodge, Deborah: -

DEBORAH HODGE is the author of more than 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.

Reczuch, Karen: -

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, by Deborah Hodge. Karen lives in Porters Lake, Nova Scotia.