The Hidden Habitat
by P.K. Dickmeyer
Trafford Publishing


"The incredible wonders of nature have long held fascination and appeal for those who wisely make the time and effort to take note of them."

We are taken on a journey through a "wildlife tale about a family of rare and unusual creatures" as the author explores a beaver community, birds, and butterflies. With drawings included, the beaver family takes priority with the fun of the two kits and the industrial work of gathering and building a large beaver nest. With glowing detail, the beavers become a family for the author as she lives, loves, and learns about these fascinating creatures. She's interrupted by this study from the birds' adventures and the miraculous appearance of butterflies hatching from the twigs and branches utilized by the beavers for their dam. While the book is only twenty-eight pages, with two of those pages about the author, her health issues, her religious beliefs, and her recovery (including a newfound ability to train animals), it is a cute take on her perspective of nature.

The descriptions of the natural environment are nicely tendered and the author's passion for wildlife is expressed throughout this booklet. She clearly notes that her writing has been therapeutic for her own recovery, and this is shown through her study of nature and its healing components. While the back cover notes that the author went to Canada to explore the ecosystem and its inhabitants, the story does not covey this information and leads the reader wondering at the purpose of this study and questioning for whom she is writing. The booklet would be most interesting to children and to person's who have similar religious beliefs (She notes when sick, she did not have a blood transfusion due to these beliefs.), which further conveys the message of nature as healing. It is a very quick and easy read with simple drawings that add life to the beautiful narrative.

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