Our family recently returned from a weeklong vacation in Yellowstone National Park. It was a trip of a lifetime for us, most notably so because of one particular animal species.

My biologist-hubby wanted to observe bison in close proximity. He’d dreamed of a trip to Yellowstone to see the massive herd of mammals. In fact, the American bison is the largest land mammal in North America. Closely related to cattle because of their hooves, the American bison serves as the national mammal of the United States.

Often mistakenly called “buffalo,” the American bison is unrelated to the African buffalo though their appearances are similar. Yet, calling a bison a “buffalo” is incorrect.

The large furry mammals fascinated us. We watched calves prance and play, males spar and shove, and both sexes send clouds of dirt airborne with their seemingly-enjoyable dust baths.

Today, there are only three free-ranging bison herds in the United States. A large herd of approximately 3500 bison roaming Yellowstone Park, and a smaller herd of about 500 bison wandering in mountains and cliffs of southern Utah.

But years ago, at least 30 million bison roamed the Great Plains of Montana and western prairie habitats. Decades of overexploitation, habit lass, and conflict with humans diminished bison populations drastically over the years.

Fortunately, organizations like the National Wildlife Federation and various Native American tribal groups have worked tirelessly to save the remaining mammals and repopulate America with these magnificent animals.

Our family felt a renewed responsibility to do our part to take care of God’s amazing creations. For fun this month, I decided to share a selection of books about bison (and some mistakenly called “buffalo”) as a reminder to care for God’s beautiful animal kingdom masterpieces.

 Bison Books to Enjoy with the Family

Bryson the Brave Bison: Finding the Courage to Face the Storm by Nate Davenport. Zonderkidz, 2023

Be the Buffalo by Rory Vaden. Mission Driven Press, 2023

Bison: Fascinating Animal Facts for Kids by Tyler Grady. Dylanna Press, 2025

The Buffalo Are Back by Jean Craighead George. Dutton Books for Young Readers, 2010

Buddy Bison’s Yellowstone Adventure by Ilona E. Holland. National Geographic Kids, 2016

The Bison and the Butterfly: An Ecosystem Story by Alice Hemming. Ivy Kids Eco, 2024

Ranger Rick: I Wish I Was a Bison by Jennifer Bove. HarperCollins, 2019

Gotta Go, Buffalo by Haily Meyers. BabyLit, 2017

My Bison by Gaya Wisniewski. Princeton Architectural Press, 2020

Buffalo Fluffalo by Bess Kalb. Random House Studio, 2024

Buffalo Fluffalo and Puffalo by Bess Kalb. Random House Studio, 2025

Brave Like the Buffalo by Melissa Allan. Rocky Mountain Books, 2023

B is for Buffalo: Yellowstone from A-Z by Katy Brown. Pig’s Paw Publishing, 2019

Teach Your Buffalo to Play Drums by Audrey Vernick. HarperCollins, 2011

Post by Julie Lavender

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