Sooper Yooper facts for kids
Sooper Yooper is a cool series of children's books! They were created by writer Mark Newman and artist Mark Heckman. These books tell the exciting stories of an environmental superhero named Billy Cooper. His mission? To protect the amazing Great Lakes from harmful invasive species. Billy's secret headquarters are in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. People who live there are called Yoopers, which is a fun nickname for "U.P.-ers"!
Contents
Who is Sooper Yooper?
Sooper Yooper, also known as Billy Cooper, is a brave superhero dedicated to keeping our natural world safe. He focuses on the Great Lakes, which are a huge and important group of freshwater lakes in North America. Billy's adventures teach kids about the environment and how to protect it.
Sooper Yooper's Mission: Protecting the Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are home to many plants and animals. They are also a source of drinking water and a place for fun activities like swimming and boating. But sometimes, new plants and animals arrive that don't belong there. These are called invasive species. Sooper Yooper works hard to stop them from causing trouble.
What are Invasive Species?
Imagine a new kid joining your class who causes problems for everyone else. That's a bit like an invasive species! These are plants, animals, or tiny organisms that are brought into a new area, often by accident. They can harm the local environment because they don't have natural enemies there. They might eat too much food, spread diseases, or take over habitats. This can hurt the native plants and animals that naturally live in the Great Lakes.
Some examples of invasive species that Sooper Yooper helps fight include:
- Sea lamprey: These are like eels that attach to fish and harm them.
- Zebra mussel: Tiny mussels that stick to surfaces and clog pipes.
- Eurasian watermilfoil: A plant that grows very fast and chokes out native plants.
- Rusty crayfish: A type of crayfish that outcompetes native crayfish for food.
- Emerald ash borer: A beetle that destroys ash trees.
- Spiny water fleas: Tiny creatures that eat the food of young fish.
Learning with the Author: Mark Newman's School Visits
Since the first book came out in 2010, the writer Mark Newman has traveled a lot! He visits schools in states around the Great Lakes, like Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. He also visits schools in Ontario, Canada.
During his visits, Mark Newman talks to students about environmental protection. He even brings real examples of invasive species to show everyone! It's a great way for kids to learn about science and how they can help protect the environment too. So far, he has talked to over 135,000 students at more than 500 schools!
The Sooper Yooper Book Series
Want to read about Billy Cooper's adventures? Here are the books in the Sooper Yooper series:
- Super Yooper: Environmental Defender (2010)
- Super Yooper: The Quest of the Blue Crew (2012)
