Serengeti

January 17, 2022
Taking inspiration from the utendi, “an East African, Swahili poem form with Arabic origins,” Bulion presents a vibrant picture of Tanzania’s Serengeti Plain and the animals and plants that reside there, employing lilting half-rhyme quatrains that each end with “grass.” “Bathed by rain, Serengeti blooms,/ sun-faced yellows and scarlet flames,/ waste paper flowers on tiny stems,/ scattered as handfuls across the grass,” reads text accompanying one spread of flower-strewn green, as an aside in smaller font—found on each spread—informs, “Seeds of wildflowers swell and sprout, bringing splashes of color to Serengeti’s grassy plains.” Rich gouache and pastel art by Stadtlander provides atmosphere through vintage-inflected depictions of wildlife and sweeping landscapes portraying the plains at different times of day and year. A reverent and educational portrait of “one of the most productive and biodiverse ecosystems on Earth.” Back matter features an author’s note on the form, a glossary, information on Serengeti conservation efforts, further reading, and a map of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. Ages 8–12.

Starred review from March 1, 2022

K-Gr 4-The Serengeti comes to life in all its color and glory through illuminating verse, matter-of-fact narrative, and captivating illustration. Bulion once again makes science accessible and imaginative through an innovative variation of utendi, a poetic form from East Africa. Each four-line stanza follows a repeated pattern, ends with a partial rhyme, and concludes with a last line which highlights the Serengeti's most precious and symbiotic resource-grass. The grass and the landscape are just as important in the ecosystem as the animals, and therefore feature prominently in the illustrations. Stadtlander's renderings embody the expanse through spectacular colors, shading, and brushwork via gouache and pastels. Careful contrast creates depth and gentle hues and helps portray the immensity of the unending landscape. The illustrations are full of movement, sometimes subtle but always in tandem with the verse. Brief scientific facts, presented in standard sentences, engage learners but make a bump in the flow of the poetry. Reading straight through may present read-aloud challenges; however, reading just the verse or just the facts successively will allow listeners to pick up on new vocabulary and pictorial details. It includes a detailed overview of the Serengeti, a glossary, further reading, and additional resources. VERDICT A STEAM book in the truest sense as it inspires curiosity through art and science. This warm and wise purchase will benefit educators in poetry, geography, or science units.-Kate Davis

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April 1, 2022
An introduction to the animal and plant life of the vast grasslands of the Serengeti, a UNESCO World Heritage site. In Bulion's latest blend of science and poetry, the Serengeti's complex ecosystem is described, from the impressive migrations of large mammals to the roles played by the smallest insects. Beginning and ending with a brief overview of the region, each two-page spread features a four-line verse inspired by the Swahili poetic form utendi with accompanying factual information. Alongside zebras, giraffes, and cheetahs, readers encounter dik-diks, waste paper flowers, secretary birds, and black mambas. The poems are scientifically informative ("wildebeests feast on shorter swards / oxpecker birds are stowaboards"), evocative ("butterflies flutter at nectar wells"), and a delight to read ("low-ground growth is nimbly used, / fleet gazelles nibble gnu-mown grass"). Another highlight is the thoughtful detail in the expressive paintings conveying the dynamism of both the land and the animals; Stadtlander is especially gifted at portraying the beauty of the Serengeti at various times of day. Bulion's closing note briefly touches upon numerous threats to the Serengeti's ecosystem including climate change, tourism, domestic crops and livestock, poaching, and road construction. Unfortunately, the Indigenous Maasai are largely omitted from this account; a reference to the negative impact of human population growth is not given sufficient context and may feed into controversial notions of overpopulation. Charmingly illustrated and beautifully written but lacking in Indigenous human context. (note on poetry, glossary, organizations, further reading, map) (Informational poetry. 7-11)

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Starred review from April 15, 2022
Grades 1-4 *Starred Review* ""Wildebeests feast on shorter swards, / oxpecker birds are stowaboards, / gnus trample roots in shaggy herds, / spreading manure for growing grass."" Bulion offers a series of connected stanzas that document the annual migration of large herbivores through the Serengeti. In early winter, winds from the Indian Ocean bring rains to the volcanic soils of northern Tanzania. As the grasses return, so do zebras (tall-grass grazers), followed by wildebeests and gazelles (short-grass feeders), and giraffes (acacia leaf eaters). Bulion also details the activities of several non-migrating species (dik-diks, hyraxes, aardvarks, black mambas, secretary birds, dung beetles) as well as large carnivores (cheetahs, jackals) that live on the Serengeti. Poems appear on the top left side of each spread, while smaller-print sidebars provide additional information. Throughout, the emphasis is on the interdependence of these species, all linked in an intricate web. Stadtlander's gouache-and-pastel illustrations highlight earth tones, with indigo and orange used for contrast. Employing a naturalistic style, many spreads depict panoramic views. Young readers will be particularly interested in the art featuring termite mounds and kopjes, structures not found in North America. Back matter explains utendis (a four-line poetic form common in Swahili and used here) and provides a glossary and further resources. Attractive and informative, this will please browsers and information seekers alike.

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