Gramelda the Grasshopper has barely become an adult when she finds she may no longer have enough to eat in her Tallgrass Prairie because a drought is causing the dwindling of available food. Then Gramelda meets Lodan, a Red Legged Grasshopper like her, who tells her he is leaving the prairie. Together they venture off to a distant glade in search of a reliable food source. The reader finds a beautifully illustrated world of determination, love, and the natural obstacles found in nature on an animal's journey through the circle of life. The story culminates in the new species of Lichen grasshopper being born in the glade.
This book is designed to educate children (and adults) by depicting many facets of Tallgrass Prairies and Glades of Missouri, animals and plants that live there, and their roles and importance in their ecological communities. Illustrations and descriptions in the end matter include an index of animals and plants described in the text. It also includes a glossary of certain terms associated with stages of life of many insects, and food sources for life forms portrayed that relate to the "Web of Life." Also included is a Teacher and Reading Group Guide with an activity section which includes Studies of the ecosystems, drawing exercises, and coloring pages. Pages "keyed" with a cameo of Gramelda indicate their inclusion in free downloadable activity pages that can be found at the internet address provided in the book.