The latest volume from the Footprints series beats the drum for the "rewilding" of urban areas with native trees and other plants, the "depaving" of some streets to create more natural areas of wildlife habitat, and the recognition that city people are healthier and happier when they have more contact with nature. Several chapters trace the development of cities from ancient times to the present, with discussions of topics such as the surprising origin of lawns and the changes brought about by bicycles and cars. The book also describes ways in which cities are encouraging plants and animals to thrive and discusses how kids can help. While Mulder approaches her topic with enthusiasm, she notes that balancing an urban ecosystem is a complex process and that not every animal makes a good neighbor. Readers intrigued by the idea of greener cities will find plenty of encouragement here, along with examples from around the world. One or two attractive color photos appear on every page. A short, persuasive introduction to the rewilding movement.

Divided into four chapters, this title explores the intersection of nature and cities: times when nature comes uninvited (e.g., coyotes, bears) and times when city planners work to bring it back (removing pavement and creating green spaces). Plenty of well-captioned, fascinating photos illustrate the accessible text. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Dependent on what they could find in nature for thousands of years, humans eventually developed agriculture and banded together into cities, but now they're looking for ways to bring the natural world into urban environments.The author of Pocket Change (2016), Trash Talk (2015), Every Last Drop (2014), and similarly eco-conscious titles continues this series with a look at urban rewilding. In four chapters, she describes the development of cities, the environments they overlaid, current examples of efforts to bring nature back, and how kids can get involved. She mentions the effects of the Industrial Revolution, efforts to disconnect indigenous peoples from their links with nature, the origin of lawns, and instances of large, wild animal visitors. Readers may have difficulty discerning the organization that underlies her argument, but they will certainly get her message: we all need a stronger connection to the natural world. She encourages young people to get outside and get their hands dirty (it's healthful!) and to get involved in citizen-science efforts. Her text is made more accessible with clear subheadings, italicized words (defined in a glossary), and plentiful photographs from around the world which include a variety of ages and races. Sidebars offer interesting "Wild Facts" and "Making Tracks," examples from her own life.Recommended for settings where others in the series have been useful. (resources, index) (Nonfiction. 8-12)