We Are the Keystones: Animals That Hold Habitats Together by Katy S. Duffield, illustrated by Hannah Salyer

We Are the Keystones:  Animals that Hold Habitats Together by Katy S. Duffield, illustrated by Hannah Salyer
Publisher:  Beach Lane Books/Simon & Schuster
Format Read:  Hardcover
Number of pages:   36 pages
Publishing:  September 1st, 2026
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Opening Lines: "All throughout the nature-hoods, in marshes, grasslands, water, woods, they help themselves-help others too-just by doing what they do."

We are the Keystones introduces the reader to the concept of keystone species, or the "plants, animals or other organisms that have an outsized impact on the environments around them."  Real world examples include wolves hunting elk, to alligators creating a gator hole for cooling, each featured species plays a vital role in its ecosystem.  The back matter explains that scientist Robert Paine was the first to explore how removing a keystone species can dramatically alter an environment and he coined the term.

The illustrations open with two people in a misty marsh observing a bird through binoculars, then expands into scenes of animals in their natural habitats.   I especially enjoyed the range of environments represented, marshlands, marine ecosystems, forests, and grasslands.  Eleven creatures are highlighted, and the book even includes a list of additional keystone species for curious readers to explore.  My favorites were the sea otters and hummingbirds.    

The story is told in rhyming verse paired with illustrations that show each creature at work, like a beaver gnawing down a tree to build a dam while frogs, herons, and dragonflies thrive in the pond it created.  Beneath each illustration is a brief explanation of how that species supports its habitat.  In the beaver's case, its pond provides an essential breeding ground for other animals.  

This would make a lovely read‑aloud for exploring how animals contribute to their environments and why maintaining ecosystem balance is so important. It gently reinforces the idea that every species plays a part, and that some are especially crucial for the survival of many others.