Over and Under the Canyon, written by Kate Messner and illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal. Chronicle Books, Raincoast. 2021. $24.99 ages 5 and up

 

"Down in the sand, harvester ants hide in 
their home - a cool escape from the sun. 

My stomach grumbles as we hike back to 
camp. I'm not the only one. A desert kit fox
wakes to hunt, and cottontails graze in a 
clearing as sunset paints the sky orange."

For readers who have never experienced the beauty of a desert canyon, this book will introduce them to its many wonders. The sun is relentless, quickly baking any wet spots into hardened earth. Finding shelter in the shady spots offers a place for numerous animals to live: bighorn sheep, roadrunners, geckos, kangaroo rats, tarantulas, jackrabbits, horned lizards, and a red diamond rattlesnake. Many birds find food there as they soar above the canyon on the lookout for any movement below. 

"The roadrunner takes one long-legged
step. Then another. I hold my breath
and wait for the snake to strike. Then ... 

Snap! 

The roadrunner catches its head in her 
beak. She devours her rattlesnake lunch
while we munch on raisins and nuts."

As the mother and her son continue their exploration and make their return to the canyon's rim, they discover the beauty of desert wildflowers and peaceful quiet. They continue to take note of the many other animals who live in the desert ecosystem. Back at camp, the sun is setting, the air is cooling, and Dad's supper offers sustenance for two happy adventurers. In the darkness, they hear new sounds and catch sight of night creatures whose busy time is just beginning as the family takes shelter in their tent for a much-appreciated sleep.

This is the sixth collaboration for Ms. Messner and Christopher Silas Neal. Familiar to fans, exceptional mixed media illustrations capture both the heat and cool of the canyon, while also allowing readers to have a clear look at the variety in life as it is lived in this extraordinary environment. 

Well-researched, accurately illustrated, this new addition to an amazing series is exactly what is needed in libraries and classrooms to inform and interest young readers. An author's note, and a set of instructive paragraphs about the animals and plants mentioned are welcome. A further reading list includes both books and websites.  

The Over and Under series offers readers a chance to learn more about snow, the garden, dirt, the pond, and the rainforest. Don't miss them!