WILD & WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY: Border Crossings by Sneed B. Collard III & Howard Gray
REVIEW
A young male ocelot is deprived of the chance to find a new territory and a mate by a wall built along a human created border. Whatever one's politics or beliefs about such walls, the impact goes far beyond the people it's intended to stop. In this picture book, Collard and Gray highlight the ecosystems that cross the border and some of the animals that live in the area. Some parts of the border aren't shut off yet and the story follows a young female ocelot who does manage to cross the border to find a new territory and mate. The effects of the wall on the environment are highlighted but the focus is on the remarkable animals and ecosystems that existed long before any border. Back matter includes an author's note with more information about the environments and animals of the U.S./Mexican border region. There is also a glossary along with some suggested reading. Gray's illustrations are beautiful and wonderfully show the remarkable nature of the environment and how the wall interferes with the natural world in the area. The young male ocelot getting scared away by construction equipment emphasizes the point the author makes in the text. A fascinating and thoughtful reminder that actions have consequences, sometimes unintended ones.
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