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Scientists in the Field
Once A Wolf: How Wildlife Biologists Fought to Bring Back the Gray Wolf
With powerful and rare photographs by Jim Brandenburg, Once a Wolf explores the long, troubled relationship between humans and wolves. The book traces the persecution of the wolf throughout history and also reveals the role scientists have played in wolf preservation. The work of scientists can often seem mysterious and intimidating to the nonscientist. No longer! Introducing an exciting perspective on the important work of scientists in all areas of research and study. Scientists in the Field show people immersed in the unpredictable and dynamic natural world, making science more accessible, relevant, and exciting to young readers. Far from the research laboratory, these books show first-hand adventures in the great outdoors - adventures with a purpose. From climbing into a snake den with thousands of slithering snakes to tracking wolves, readers experience the thrill of discovering the unknown.
48 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
About the author
Stephen R. Swinburne
39 books15 followersSteve was born in London, England. He holds a BA degree in Biology and English from Castleton State College in Vermont. He has worked as a ranger in a number of national parks and is the author of over 30 children's books. His extensive travels to faraway lands such as Africa and treks through Yellowstone have all influenced his book projects. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt published Steve’s book Sea Turtle Scientist in 2014. His most recent title is from Scholastic and entitled Safe in a Storm, a comforting read-aloud story, where all the animals find cozy places to keep them safe and warm. Steve visits nearly a hundred schools a year across the United States as well as many international schools. He lives in Vermont with his wife Heather, two dogs named Scout and Jem, and a cat named Skittles.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
June 18, 2021
Well and indeed, the information presented by author Stephen R. Swinburne in his 2001 Once A Wolf: How Wildlife Biologists Fought to Bring Back the Gray Wolf is educational, fascinating, often heartbreaking (regarding the gray wolf and how its undeservedly nasty reputation both in Europe and elsewhere has led to it becoming almost extinct in many countries, in many areas) and at the same time also a huge and powerful conservation success story. But definitely, although Once A Wolf: How Wildlife Biologists Fought to Bring Back the Gray Wolf shows how gray wolves have been successfully reintroduced in particular in Yellowstone Park, Stephen R. Swinburne’s text is unfortunately and sadly often also an infuriating and anger inducing account (regarding the relentless and often vicious battles with regard to bringing back gray wolves from extirpation that wildlife biologists generally had to fight with both obstinate and often rabidly hate-filled ranchers and their influential and well moneyed political lobbyists). So yes, I do absolutely say kudos to the fact that Swinburne does not try to make excuses for ranchers and also even personally identifies and shames individuals who have harassed and killed reintroduced wolves within the pages of Once A Wolf: How Wildlife Biologists Fought to Bring Back the Gray Wolf as this is definitely needed a d there should NOT be any excuses made for individuals (for ranchers etc.) who still see wolves as vermin to be destroyed and for those trigger happy monstrosities who still think that stalking and killing wolves is or should be acceptable.
So yes, five shining stars for Once A Wolf: How Wildlife Biologists Fought to Bring Back the Gray Wolf for Stephen A. Swinburne’s engaging, enlightening and no nonsense text and with Jim Nrandenburg’s visually stunning accompanying photographs and the detailed both book titles and websites providing the icing on the cake (but with the small but necessary caveat that some of the photographs of dead wolves slaughtered by uneducated and trigger happy “hunters” perhaps being a bit rough for sensitive readers or listeners if Once A Wolf: How Wildlife Biologists Fought to Bring Back the Gray Wolf is being read aloud).
So yes, five shining stars for Once A Wolf: How Wildlife Biologists Fought to Bring Back the Gray Wolf for Stephen A. Swinburne’s engaging, enlightening and no nonsense text and with Jim Nrandenburg’s visually stunning accompanying photographs and the detailed both book titles and websites providing the icing on the cake (but with the small but necessary caveat that some of the photographs of dead wolves slaughtered by uneducated and trigger happy “hunters” perhaps being a bit rough for sensitive readers or listeners if Once A Wolf: How Wildlife Biologists Fought to Bring Back the Gray Wolf is being read aloud).
December 5, 2013
Summary: Wolves were once considered terrible beasts that must be killed. For this reason, the wolf population in North America was nearly obliterated. This is, however, until scientists began to learn more and realize the importance of these predators. Their reintroduction to Yellowstone Park marked a critical shift in the outcome of these animals.
Personal Reaction: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The reader feels a strong connection to the wolves and the photographs throughout support this connection. This book gave a lot great details, from the destruction to repopulation of this species.
Intended Audience: Elementary age students
Curriculum Connection: I would read use this book when studying living things. This would also be a great book to use during a PBL requiring students to make a decision about the reintroduction of an endangered species.
Personal Reaction: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The reader feels a strong connection to the wolves and the photographs throughout support this connection. This book gave a lot great details, from the destruction to repopulation of this species.
Intended Audience: Elementary age students
Curriculum Connection: I would read use this book when studying living things. This would also be a great book to use during a PBL requiring students to make a decision about the reintroduction of an endangered species.
June 18, 2021
Fascinating info. Wish the author would write an updated, "where the wolves are now" book.
November 5, 2022
Fascinating account of the reintroduction of wolves back into Yellowstone Park.
August 7, 2012
I wanted to know three things about wolves: How do Wolfs communicate? What strategies do wolfs use? What is Wolf Society?
I learned that the leading theory about Wolf communication is they communicate by howling. I deduce that they have some tail signals that they use when hunting prey. They usually howl when chasing prey to tell the stages of the chase. When they are on the kill run they have a different howl than when they are just chasing. I think their howls make their prey panic and make bad decisions.
Wolves eat meat, and a lot of it, but they don’t eat every day. They usually have one meal every two to four days. They eat mice and they eat big things like elk, moose, and caribou. When prey stands its ground they encircle it, when prey runs they chase it. They stalk up to their prey so they can get close then they rush in and attack. 2—3% of the time they kill their prey, the rest of the time they fail and the prey gets away.
Alpha, Beta, others is the chain of command. Alpha is the top then there is Beta last there is all the others. I learned the seasonal pattern of wolves’ lives. They are in packs in the winter and in the summer they are usually in family groups. Alpha and beta wolves usually are the only wolves that mate. The other wolves usually help get food for the cubs, or little wolves.
I found this information in these books:
Once A Wolf by Stephen R. Swinburne
North American Wolves by Barbara K. Parker
Wolves by Sara Swan Miller
I would recommend these books to people who want to know more about wolves. I didn’t find one more useful than the other, but still I liked Once a Wolf more than the others.
Written by Bulldog – Age 8
I learned that the leading theory about Wolf communication is they communicate by howling. I deduce that they have some tail signals that they use when hunting prey. They usually howl when chasing prey to tell the stages of the chase. When they are on the kill run they have a different howl than when they are just chasing. I think their howls make their prey panic and make bad decisions.
Wolves eat meat, and a lot of it, but they don’t eat every day. They usually have one meal every two to four days. They eat mice and they eat big things like elk, moose, and caribou. When prey stands its ground they encircle it, when prey runs they chase it. They stalk up to their prey so they can get close then they rush in and attack. 2—3% of the time they kill their prey, the rest of the time they fail and the prey gets away.
Alpha, Beta, others is the chain of command. Alpha is the top then there is Beta last there is all the others. I learned the seasonal pattern of wolves’ lives. They are in packs in the winter and in the summer they are usually in family groups. Alpha and beta wolves usually are the only wolves that mate. The other wolves usually help get food for the cubs, or little wolves.
I found this information in these books:
Once A Wolf by Stephen R. Swinburne
North American Wolves by Barbara K. Parker
Wolves by Sara Swan Miller
I would recommend these books to people who want to know more about wolves. I didn’t find one more useful than the other, but still I liked Once a Wolf more than the others.
Written by Bulldog – Age 8
December 31, 2012
This is a loaded book discussing one species of wolf, and how biologists are fighting to preserve it. In the story, they chronicle historically how the image of the wolf over time has been wholly negative, which effects the survival of the species. Many wolfs are being killed off by humans, destroying the ecological environment and effecting the food chain. The story is non-fiction, and shows how these biologists are active in working to preserve wolfs and change their image in popular culture. I think this story is appealing to students who might prefer a more non-fiction, scientific style. Furthermore, it shows activism of a different kind, in which people who are passionate about a certain issue fight for change. I believe it's a great example of activism that also introduces the issue of animal rights and preservation.
Stylistically, the images in the book are all photographs, with text throughout the pages. Photography in books is something we have not touched on in class, but I find that children often love looking at real photographs, especially wildlife. It is probably a story for about a fifth grade audience.
Stylistically, the images in the book are all photographs, with text throughout the pages. Photography in books is something we have not touched on in class, but I find that children often love looking at real photographs, especially wildlife. It is probably a story for about a fifth grade audience.
June 17, 2017
سال 2001 به چاب رسید. داستان انفورماتیوی درباره ی دسته از گرگ ها توی آمریکاست و اینکه چطور شکار غیر قانونی و بدون نظراتش باعث شد تا اینگونه تا مرز انقراض پیش برن. بعد دانشمندان اونا رو دوباره در بخش هایی مثل یلو اِستون و ایداهو مورد حفاظت قرار دادن و باعث شدن اینگو با تولید مثل محافظت شده، تعدادشون رو به افزایش بره. سیستم روایت داستانی اصلا حوصله سر بر نیست و عکسهاش از گرگها، واقعا زیباست. جالبیش برای من دیدن دانشمندا بود که چجوری توی طبیعت با چه عشقی کار میکنن. واقعا دوست داشتنی بود.
May 22, 2014
This book is worth a howl. Wolves are my favorite animal. Not because of the way hollywood potreys them but how they survive. Even through dark times. this book really brought out "the inner wolf".
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December 4, 2019Summary:
This book is a nonfiction book about wolves that is accompanied by pictures taken in the wild. It tells the relationship between people and wolves and how wolves have been taken down over the years. It also discusses how scientist have tried to save wolves. Scientists in the Field shows the reader that scientists do a lot to try and protect wildlife. They go on all kinds of amazing adventures.
Evaluation:
This book is a great nonfiction read that allows readers to dive into the wild. I thought that it was a great read and had amazing photographs to go along with the information. The scientists really allow the reader to feel like they are there with them.
Teaching Point:
I would use this book as a resource for students who are writing a report. I would use this as one topic that students can write about. This would be a great resource, because it is dependable and has sources that are accurate.
This book is a nonfiction book about wolves that is accompanied by pictures taken in the wild. It tells the relationship between people and wolves and how wolves have been taken down over the years. It also discusses how scientist have tried to save wolves. Scientists in the Field shows the reader that scientists do a lot to try and protect wildlife. They go on all kinds of amazing adventures.
Evaluation:
This book is a great nonfiction read that allows readers to dive into the wild. I thought that it was a great read and had amazing photographs to go along with the information. The scientists really allow the reader to feel like they are there with them.
Teaching Point:
I would use this book as a resource for students who are writing a report. I would use this as one topic that students can write about. This would be a great resource, because it is dependable and has sources that are accurate.
Read
October 29, 2017Summary of the book: This book talks about the important relationship between humans and wolves. It talks about the importance of the persecution of wolves throughout history and reveals the critical role that scientists have played in the preservation of wolves. So how important is it truly to preserve the wolves?
Evaluation of the book: I liked the book. I love how it depicts the importance of preserving wolves in nature.
Teaching idea: I would use this book to teach about different animals that live in the wild.
Evaluation of the book: I liked the book. I love how it depicts the importance of preserving wolves in nature.
Teaching idea: I would use this book to teach about different animals that live in the wild.
Read
November 24, 2019Once A Wolf begins by recounting the history of how wolves neared extinction throughout the world due to fear and hatred. It then continues to tell the story of how scientists began to change society’s mind about predators and fought to create laws about killing them. I recommend this book for its photography and factual insight into the fight to restore wolves. It can be used to teach about the impact extinction can have on ecosystems and food chains.
December 20, 2017
This was a very entertaining book about the progress of the wolf society throughout time. There were a few different views, and that's what I like about non-fiction books; that they have a little bit of the other side of the argument/viewpoint besides their own. Although there were some sad parts, it was overall a very good book that I would recommend to all kids in 4th grade or up.
May 26, 2017
Teaching: Jean Craighead George books/ The Call Of The Wolves
July 4, 2019
This book describes the life of an endangered species. It addresses the conflicts associated with the wolf. It also takes a close look into the 25 year conservation efforts taken to bring back the Gray Wolf.
I thought this was a very informative book with great pictures to accompany the text.
I thought this was a very informative book with great pictures to accompany the text.
June 2, 2017
This was an excellent history of how the wolf was erraticated and then reintroduced to Yellowstone.
March 15, 2018
Awesome factual and historical compilation about wolves.
April 22, 2022
A look at the common perceptions of wolves in history, how the wolf was hunted out of much of the USA, and then how scientists started to study wolves and their impact on the ecosystem and changed their policies, moving towards reintroducing the wolf to Yellowstone Park.
I would love to see a revised edition of this with notes from the almost 20 years the wolves have now had at Yellowstone. [Note: there are now some other books out there that can provide this.] Not that this isn't a good read as it is. It is a fascinating read. The historical notes on how rangers and scientists viewed wolves in the past and how their change in understanding came about was so well explained. There are great photographs and the text is very readable. It provides a very balanced view of predators and their importance in the ecosystem even though we sometimes view them as mean since they kill other animals. This moved up to one of my favorite Scientists in the Field books.
Note on content: One of the wolves relocated to Yellowstone was in heat and it mentions some anatomical details (bleeding from vagina) that could be awkward to explain to younger kids. There is also one photo of an animal carcass that is a bit bloody.
I would love to see a revised edition of this with notes from the almost 20 years the wolves have now had at Yellowstone. [Note: there are now some other books out there that can provide this.] Not that this isn't a good read as it is. It is a fascinating read. The historical notes on how rangers and scientists viewed wolves in the past and how their change in understanding came about was so well explained. There are great photographs and the text is very readable. It provides a very balanced view of predators and their importance in the ecosystem even though we sometimes view them as mean since they kill other animals. This moved up to one of my favorite Scientists in the Field books.
Note on content: One of the wolves relocated to Yellowstone was in heat and it mentions some anatomical details (bleeding from vagina) that could be awkward to explain to younger kids. There is also one photo of an animal carcass that is a bit bloody.
December 5, 2013
Summary:
A book about the views and lifestyles of wolves, how they were hunted and then preserved. Different Scientists and Researchers observed the wolves and worked to bring them back and repopulate the species. This book allows the reader to have a deeper understanding of how wolves are more than an evil fairytale character.
Personal response:
I really enjoyed reading this book. It provides good insight and many pictures to help go along and provide the reader more than just words. The book is separated into four chapters, each one allowing the reader to get an understanding and see "the other side" to the life of a wolf.
Curriculum Connection:
You could easily use this book with science, biology, and english.
Visual Appeal:
Great illustrations throughout the book. The cover has a lone wolf looking through branches. I think the cover works well with the book because the wolf is not in a threathening position, therefore looks more like a curious dog than a dangerous wolf. I think that they had chosen this picture to avoid promoting the "scary wolf" idea for the book.
Grade:
5th - 7th
Genre:
Informational
A book about the views and lifestyles of wolves, how they were hunted and then preserved. Different Scientists and Researchers observed the wolves and worked to bring them back and repopulate the species. This book allows the reader to have a deeper understanding of how wolves are more than an evil fairytale character.
Personal response:
I really enjoyed reading this book. It provides good insight and many pictures to help go along and provide the reader more than just words. The book is separated into four chapters, each one allowing the reader to get an understanding and see "the other side" to the life of a wolf.
Curriculum Connection:
You could easily use this book with science, biology, and english.
Visual Appeal:
Great illustrations throughout the book. The cover has a lone wolf looking through branches. I think the cover works well with the book because the wolf is not in a threathening position, therefore looks more like a curious dog than a dangerous wolf. I think that they had chosen this picture to avoid promoting the "scary wolf" idea for the book.
Grade:
5th - 7th
Genre:
Informational
February 1, 2014
I love reading nonfiction books with our girls. The books published in the last ten years or so seem to be so much more interesting and engaging than the ones I grew up with. So I typically pick an animal they like or perhaps one of the topics they are learning about in school. And then we see what's available at our local library.
This is an informative tale about the plight of the wolf in America. It certainly has an agenda, but for the most part, it objectively chronicles the hunting of the wolves to their virtual extinction. Then it details the careful reintroduction of the Gray Wolf to Yellowstone and Idaho.
The narrative is educational without being boring and the photographs of the wolves are gorgeous. We really enjoyed reading this book together.
interesting quote:
"We have so much to learn, but the wolves are teaching us. They are teaching us that if we are tolerant, we can live side by side with them. They are teaching us what Thoreau already knew: 'In wildness is the preservation of the world.' By restoring wolves, we restore ourselves." (p. 44)
This is an informative tale about the plight of the wolf in America. It certainly has an agenda, but for the most part, it objectively chronicles the hunting of the wolves to their virtual extinction. Then it details the careful reintroduction of the Gray Wolf to Yellowstone and Idaho.
The narrative is educational without being boring and the photographs of the wolves are gorgeous. We really enjoyed reading this book together.
interesting quote:
"We have so much to learn, but the wolves are teaching us. They are teaching us that if we are tolerant, we can live side by side with them. They are teaching us what Thoreau already knew: 'In wildness is the preservation of the world.' By restoring wolves, we restore ourselves." (p. 44)
December 18, 2012
Once a wolf is a very interesting book to read. If you love wildlife, especially wolves, this would be a great book to read. The book starts out talking about the history of wolves and their location. The author describes how the view of wolves has always been negative. Money was being rewarded for people who would kill wolves, even some Indians who honored wolves. Then in the 1900's wolves were brought back to Yellowstone. The book very well explains the thinking and nature of the wolf.
February 5, 2013
I learned about how wolves almost came to extinct. In the past, a lot of wolves were living in the U.S.A., however, wolves are now only living in Canada.
I learned about how the researchers at the Yellowstone National Park tried to raise the number of wolves and protect them.
I learned that predators help eliminating weaker animals.
This book was good because it got many illustrations and descriptions. I recommend this book to everyone.
I learned about how the researchers at the Yellowstone National Park tried to raise the number of wolves and protect them.
I learned that predators help eliminating weaker animals.
This book was good because it got many illustrations and descriptions. I recommend this book to everyone.
March 6, 2015
Indeed it's tragic that they killed many of Wolf's species that this country is close to losing its greatest predator.. It's even more heart breaking for me bc wolf is my favorite animal *sigh* o(╥﹏╥)o
March 27, 2016
In Yellowstone NP, the wolf population was on a serious decline. The book details how the scientists worked to bring the wolf back to Yellowstone.
January 28, 2009
Cool, but a little boring.....but I'll be an expert anyways....
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November 13, 2018Summary:
Once a Wolf is a non-fiction book that discusses the love- hate relationship that humans and wolves have together. The book starts with early people in the United States trying to exterminate wolves completely, however in the 1940s researchers found out that wolves play a vital role in the ecosystem and how everything runs. The book continues to present day were a group of scientists are trying to bring back the population of Grey Wolves in the Yellowstone National Park.
Evaluation:
I believe that this book can be used in my science classroom to help my students develop a better understanding of the content. This book has a great selection of vocabulary and the author does a great job mixing in harder vocabulary with definitions that the students will understand. The illustrations in this book are fantastic and give a realistic look at what one would see were the population of wolves are in Yellowstone Park. This will be a great book to use in my classroom to help teach science.
Teaching Point:
I would love to use this book to help teach about how important each species is in our environment to make sure that it keeps running safely and efficiently. I would love to use this book to also discuss how a key stone species affects the world around them and how each environment’s welfare hinges on these species. I will be using this book in my classroom to help teach the students to connect text to world, by researching and looking up different facts about Grey Wolves or other Key Stone species.
Once a Wolf is a non-fiction book that discusses the love- hate relationship that humans and wolves have together. The book starts with early people in the United States trying to exterminate wolves completely, however in the 1940s researchers found out that wolves play a vital role in the ecosystem and how everything runs. The book continues to present day were a group of scientists are trying to bring back the population of Grey Wolves in the Yellowstone National Park.
Evaluation:
I believe that this book can be used in my science classroom to help my students develop a better understanding of the content. This book has a great selection of vocabulary and the author does a great job mixing in harder vocabulary with definitions that the students will understand. The illustrations in this book are fantastic and give a realistic look at what one would see were the population of wolves are in Yellowstone Park. This will be a great book to use in my classroom to help teach science.
Teaching Point:
I would love to use this book to help teach about how important each species is in our environment to make sure that it keeps running safely and efficiently. I would love to use this book to also discuss how a key stone species affects the world around them and how each environment’s welfare hinges on these species. I will be using this book in my classroom to help teach the students to connect text to world, by researching and looking up different facts about Grey Wolves or other Key Stone species.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews