Book excerpt: From the underground safety of a prairie dog burrow, a small animal emerges. It scans the grassland with its huge yellow eyes, looking for predators. The animal is not a prairie dog, however. The little creature is a burrowing owl that has moved into an abandoned prairie dog burrow. It sees no threats nearby, so the little owl takes flight to search for a mouse or other small creature to eat. Packed with information perfectly suited to the abilities and interests of its young audience, this colorful, fact-filled volume gives readers a chance not only to learn, but also to develop their powers of observation and critical thinking. Activities, such as describing the burrowing owl to a friend and discussing critical thinking questions, give readers a chance to gain insights beyond the facts and figures. From learning why burrowing owls collect cattle dung and take it back to their burrows, to seeing the fluffy faces of baby owls peeking from the burrow entrance for the first time, this book makes learning about the habits and habitat of these little burrow-dwelling birds an enjoyable, satisfying experience.