Supernavigators: How Animals Find Their Way (Illustrated Young Readers Edition)
What’s inside...
Supernavigators reveals the astonishing ways animals cross vast oceans, fly thousands of miles, and trek over land with unerring accuracy. Adapted for middle-grade readers, the book blends lively storytelling, colorful illustrations, and clear scientific explanations to show how monarch butterflies read the sun, sea turtles sense Earth’s magnetism, and bees dance out maps. David Barrie draws on real-world research and true adventure accounts to spark curiosity about biology, geography, and conservation while celebrating the power of perseverance, cooperation, and environmental stewardship.
Age
8-12
Length
64 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Which animal’s navigation skill surprised you most? Why?
How do human tools imitate or differ from animal senses?
What everyday journeys in your life require careful planning?
How might climate change change the routes animals take?
What can our family do this week to help local wildlife?
Tip: Role play these questions
Create a family migration map tracing vacation routes beside animal paths.
Try the at-home experiments together and record observations in a nature journal.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Curiosity drives discovery
Explanation: Researchers asked why monarchs keep flying south—and found a sun compass.
Real-World Application: Kids learn to ask ‘why’ during everyday observations.
Example Lesson: Teamwork amplifies success
Explanation: Bees share food locations through dance, benefiting the entire hive.
Real-World Application: Children see how sharing information helps group projects.
Example Lesson: Perseverance overcomes obstacles
Explanation: Salmon leap waterfalls and swim upstream to reach spawning grounds.
Real-World Application: Encourages persisting with challenging school tasks.
Example Lesson: Respect for nature fosters stewardship
Explanation: Stories spotlight habitat threats and conservation victories.
Real-World Application: Motivates eco-friendly habits like reducing plastic use.