The Big Empty: A Sagebrush Survival Story

K-Gr 3–Many books focus on the greener spaces, or perhaps watery biomes. Once in a while, there are books written of less picturesque, overlooked spaces, such as the sagebrush biome, one of the largest in the continental United States, located in the intermountain areas. Readers will be introduced to the beauty of the resilient sagebrush, living in relationship with the dramatic weather patterns and supporting hawks, snakes, rabbits and more. Vacillating between the dry weather, fire and the little rain or snow, sagebrush is dramatically shown living in arid land with cracks in the soil, with limited greenery and the animals that live among it, in barren sparseness after wildfire season and in full bloom when water is available. Humans are not actively seen as a part of this habitat, other than as a camping trailer that drives through “the big empty.” Placed within the artwork are sparse poetic lines, describing the relationship between the animals and sagebrush and with connections to the ecology of the area. The book includes an appendix with information about sagebrush and a few of the native animals of the area and touches on the complications of invasive grasses.