Page 3 - Kind News Teacher Guide, March/April 2021

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Curiosity Corner FROM PAGE 7

Picture #1: Picture #2:
squirrel chipmunk

(Answer) (Answer)

opposite page, from the top: redrover; san diego herp society; raja: bryan huff. this page: alastair newton/pixabay; thomasb72/pixabay; cew/bigstock.
Critter Clues FROM PAGE 7
Our mystery critter is the mourning dove. It is one of the most common
birds in North America. Most people recognize the distinct call the bird makes, from
which it gets its name.
Instead of being negatively affected by the presence of humans, mourning
dove populations have actually increased in North America as it has become
more settled. The bird is found most often in the suburbs or agricultural areas
and usually avoids dense forests.
Seeds make up 99% of the mourning dove’s diet. When birds pick up seeds,
they may store them to digest later instead of eating them right away. The seeds
are stored in their “crop,” an enlarged part of their esophagus.
Mourning doves often mate for life, although sometimes pair up just for the mating
season. People have even reported witnessing doves grieving the death of their mates!
Parent mourning doves work hard together to take care of their babies.
The male and the female both produce liquid, sometimes called “crop milk,” to feed their young.
Although the mourning dove population is not declining, they are the most hunted bird on the continent. They are
at risk from dying from lead poisoning. Since they forage on the ground, they sometimes pick up lead shotgun pellets
and can ingest large quantities.
How can we help mourning doves? Consider helping your child or students build a nesting basket for a mated pair,
and encourage them to put out feeders for them. For instructions on constructing a nest box, visit sciencing.com
(search “mourning dove nest box”).

BOOK NOOK

Matylda, Bright and Tender
Written by Holly M. McGhee | Recommended for ages 8-12
Sussy and Guy are best friends in fourth grade who share their silliest thoughts and deepest hopes.
One afternoon, the two of them decide they must have something of their very own to love. After a trip
to the pet store, they bring home a spotted lizard, the one with the ancient face and starfish toes, and
they name her Matylda (with a y so it’s all her own). With Guy leading the way, they feed her and give
her an origin story fit for a warrior lizard. A few weeks later, on a simple bike ride, there is a terrible
accident. As hard as it is, Sussy is sure she can hold on to Guy if she can find a way to love Matylda
enough. But in a startling turn of events, Sussy reconsiders what it means to grieve and heal and hope
and go on, for her own sake and Matylda’s. By turns both devastating and buoyant, this story is a brave
one, showing how far we can justify going for a real and true friend.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: HOLLY M. MCGHEE IS A LIFELONG LOVER OF WORDS AND PICTURES. AFTER WORKING IN THE NEW YORK CITY PUBLISHING WORLD
FOR YEARS, SHE STARTED HER OWN PUBLISHING COMPANY, PIPPIN PROPERTIES, INC., IN 1998. THE COMPANY FOCUSES ON HIGH QUALITY LITERATURE FOR
YOUNG PEOPLE, AND HOLLY IS COMMITTED TO PUTTING OUT BOOKS THAT MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD. SHE IS ALSO A PLANT-LOVER AND
GETS A LOT OF JOY FROM HELPING THINGS GROW. “PEOPLE AND PLANTS THRIVE WHEN THEY RECEIVE WHAT THEY NEED.”, SHE SAYS. OTHER BOOKS BY
HOLLY M. MCGHEE INCLUDE WHAT THE WORLD COULD MAKE, LISTEN, AND COME WITH ME. SHE LIVES IN MAPLEWOOD, NJ AND NEW YORK CITY.
COPYRIGHT: MATYLDA, BRIGHT AND TENDER. © 2017 BY HOLLY M. MCGHEE. REPRODUCED BY PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER, CANDLEWICK PRESS, SOMERVILLE, MA.
SUMMARY FROM AMAZON.COM.