We Are the Keystones Animals That Hold Habitats Together

Meet keystone species—the hidden heroes of the natural world—and learn about the ecosystems they support in this marvelous nonfiction picture book from the author of Crossings: Extraordinary Structures for Extraordinary Animals.

Keystone species are plants, animals, or other organisms that have a huge effect on the environments around them. From beavers to elephants, alligators to hummingbirds, keystones help themselves and other species survive. Whether it’s creating habitats for themselves and other animals, leaving behind leftovers that fertilize the soil, or clearing out harmful algae, keystones live up to their name in their essential contribution to the harmony of our natural world.

Katy S. Duffield is the author of more than twenty-five books for children, including the celebrated Crossings: Extraordinary Structures for Extraordinary Animals, which was an ALA/ALSC Notable Book, a Bank Street Best Book of the Year, and the recipient of the Eureka! Excellence in Nonfiction Gold Award. She lives in Florida with her husband and her wild and crazy Australian Shepherd. For more information about Katy, please visit her website at KatyDuffield.com.

Hannah Salyer received her BFA in illustration and communication design, with a minor in environmental studies, from Pratt Institute. She resides in Brooklyn, New York, where she writes and illustrates picture books, including her own Packs: Strength in Numbers and Ancestory: The Mystery and Majesty of Ancient Cave Art, as well as This Wolf Was Different by Katie Slivensky. She also teaches art classes for young kids and illustration classes for undergrad students at Parsons School of Design. Visit her at HannahSalyer.com.