Friends of
the Earth
Infotext books
National Parks of the USA
Take a tour of Americas great outdoors with this book that goes wild for the flaura, fauna and epic landscapes of its magestic National Parks.
You Are Home: An Ode to the National Parks
Beneath the soaring doorways of stone, / and peaks that pierce the ceiling of clouds, / from every river, star, and stone / comes the eternal refrain: / you are home.
In simple, soaring language and breathtaking art, acclaimed author-illustrator Evan Turk has created a stirring ode to nature and nation. From the rugged coast of Maine to the fiery volcanoes of Hawaii, You Are Home reminds us that every animal, plant, and person helps make this land a brilliant, beautiful sanctuary of life.
The Lost Forest
The story of a forest "lost" by a surveying error--and all the flora and fauna to be found there
A forest, of course, doesn't need a map to know where to grow. But people need a map to find it. And in 1882 when surveyors set out to map a part of Minnesota, they got confused, or tired and cold (it was November), and somehow mapped a great swath of ancient trees as a lake. For more than seventy-five years, the mistake stayed on the map, and the forest remained safe from logging--no lumber baron expects to find timber in a lake, after all.
Coral Reefs: A Journey Through an Aquatic World Full of Wonder
During an ordinary visit to the library, a girl pulls a not-so-ordinary book from the shelves. As she turns the pages in this book about coral reefs, the city around her slips away and she finds herself surrounded by the coral cities of the sea and the mysterious plants and animals that live, hunt, and hide there.
The Outdoor Scientist: The Wonder of Observing the Natural World
In this book, Dr. Temple Grandin, an inventor and world-renowned scientist, introduces readers to geologists, astrophysicists, oceanographers, and many other scientists who unlock the wonders of the natural world. She shares her childhood experiences and observations, whether on the beach, in the woods, working with horses, or gazing up at the night sky. This book explores all areas of nature and gives readers the tools to discover even more on their own.
With forty projects to give readers a deeper understanding of the world around them, from the depths of space to their own backyard, this is a perfect read for budding scientists, inventors, and creators!
The Coral Kingdom
From brightly colored corals to shimmering shoals of fish, the diversity of life on a coral reef is celebrated in this visually stunning picture book with a strong ecological message about the need to protect this most precious of environments. Through gentle rhyme and intricately etched artwork, it explores the life cycle, diversity and color of the coral reef ecosystem, as well as the threats the reef faces and what we can do to save it. With each page packed full of delightful sea creatures to discover and enjoy, this is a lyrical and engaging way to learn about the life cycle of a coral reef.
Leaf Litter Critters
For all the kids who can't resist turning over a rock, science poetry maven Leslie Bulion presents nineteen lively ecological poems in a variety of verse forms about the "brown food web" and the creatures that live there-from bacteria and rove beetles to mushrooms and millipedes, and all of the other busy recyclers in between.
Can You Hear the Trees Talking?: Discovering the Hidden Life of the Forest
Discover the secret life of trees with this nature and science book for kids: Can You Hear the Trees Talking? shares the mysteries and magic of the forest with young readers, revealing what trees feel, how they communicate, and the ways trees take care of their families. The author of The Hidden Life of Trees, Peter Wohlleben, tells kids about the forest internet, aphids who keep ants as pets, nature's water filters, and more fascinating things that happen under the canopy.
Over and Under the Pond
In Over and Under the Pond , readers will discover the plants and animals that make up the rich, interconnected ecosystem of a mountain pond. Over the pond, the water is a mirror, reflecting the sky. But under the water is a hidden world of creatures--minnows darting, beavers diving, and tadpoles growing.
These secrets and many others are waiting to be discovered over and under the pond in this sweet children's book from Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal, the latest in their beloved series that offers kids a peek into hidden ecosystems.
Rain, Rain, Rain Forest
Splitter, splat, splash! While they sleep, the forest fills with the sounds of the night creatures. Sloop! A silky anteater slurps up thousands of ants. Flap flap! A bat bites a fig. Hssss. A snake thrusts its tongue to taste the air. The air carries the taste of mouse. Everywhere night creatures with huge bright eyes slither and slurp through the darkness.
Come explore the rain forest!
Tree of Wonder: The Many Marvelous Lives of a Rainforest Tree
Deep in the forest, in the warm-wet green, 1 almendro tree grows, stretching its branches toward the sun. Who makes their homes here?
2 great green macaws, 4 keel-billed toucans, 8 howler monkeys, 16 fruit bats, 32 fer-de-lance vipers, 64 agoutis, 128 blue morpho butterflies, 256 poison dart frogs, 512 rusty wandering spiders, 1,024 leafcutter ants.
Tide Pool Secrets
At first glance, there's nothing much to see . . . but tide pools are full of secrets. What creatures can be found nestling among the rocks and hiding in the seaweed? Dive into these mysterious seashore habitats and learn how to spot the creatures concealed within. With big, easy-to-lift flaps and a glossary of the tide pool's inhabitants, Narelle Oliver's lush underwater primer introduces young readers to the wonders just waiting to be revealed in the tide pools of the world.
About Habitats: Seashores
Studying nature? Going to the beach? Dig into this classroom favorite and beginner's guide to seashores from the creators of the award-winning About Habitats series.
In this accessible introduction to a familiar locale, author and educator Cathryn Sill uses simple, easy-to-understand language to teach children about seashores and their diversity, the types of animals and plants that live there, and why they're important.
The Boreal Forest: A Year in the World’s Largest Land Biome
The vast boreal forest spans a dozen countries in the northern regions like 'a scarf around the neck of the world,' making it the planet's largest land biome. Besides providing homes for a diversity of species, this spectacular forest is also vitally important to the planet's ecosystem. This beautifully written book explores this special wilderness on a tour of the forest throughout the four seasons, from one country to another. Evocative watercolour and collage artwork provides a rare glimpse of one of the world's most magnificent places.
Glow: Animals with Their Own Night-Lights
Why be afraid of the dark when there is so much to see? Whether it's used to hunt, hide, find a friend, or escape an enemy, bioluminescence--the ability to glow--is a unique adaptation in nature. In this fun and fascinating nonfiction picture book, join world-renowned photographers and biologists on their close encounters with the curious creatures that make their own light. Author's note and bibliography included.
How Plants and Trees Work: A Hands-On Guide to the Natural World
Which plants are carnivorous? What's the smelliest plant in the world? And what is the most bizarre-looking flower? This eye-opening book explores the amazing diversity of the natural world, examining how plants grow, reproduce, defend themselves, and survive against the odds in some of the harshest climates on Earth. Packed with pop-ups, booklets, and flaps and accompanied by detailed artwork, this hands-on, fact-packed guide explains key curriculum knowledge in an accessible and fun way that's perfect for budding botanists.
It Starts With a Seed
With lyrical text, enchanting illustrations, and a beautiful fold-out scene to complete the story, this award-winning picture book takes you on a journey through the seasons and years as you follow a seed's transformation from a seedling to a sapling, then a young tree, until it becomes a large tree with its branches and roots filling the page.
As the tree grows, it is joined by well-loved woodland creatures--squirrels and rabbits, butterflies and owls--who make it their home. A rhyming poem builds page on page, echoing the rings of a growing tree. The story culminates with a foldout page showing a mature tree shedding seeds to continue the beautiful cycle of life. At the back, find the full poem and facts about the specific tree, a sycamore.
Fungarium: Welcome to the Museum
Attention all mushroom lovers! Step into the world of fungi and learn all about these strange and fascinating life-forms.
Illustrator Katie Scott returns to the Welcome to the Museum series with exquisite, detailed images of some of the most fascinating living organisms on this planet--fungi. Exploring every sort of fungi, from the kinds we see on supermarket shelves to those like penicillium that have shaped human history, this collection is the definitive introduction to what fungi are and just how vital they are to the world's ecosystem.
Secrets of the Sea
This book takes you on a journey to discover an incredible and rarely seen world. From the rock pools along the shoreline to the deepest, darkest depths of the ocean, breathtaking illustrations reveal the sea's creatures--from the microscopic and the bizarre to the fragile and the deadly--in all their startling beauty. Welcome to the secrets of the sea.
The Most Amazing Creature in the Sea
Which sea creature is the greatest? Is it the one with the most venom, the greatest diver, the one with blue blood, or the best rotating eyes? Or is it the master of disguise, the one with the best light, the most slime, or the most eggs? Fascinating facts and spectacular illustrations will inspire young readers to choose their own favorite sea creatures!
The Sea Book
The Sea Book is the coolest educational book about the sea, covering a wealth of sea animals, including mammals, fish, invertebrates, and reptiles. It explores the underwater worlds of incredible marine life and their habitats. From up on the ice, down to colorful coral reefs, underwater forests, and right down to the deepest darkest depths where the weird and wonderful lurk - it's sure to delight any ocean obsessed child.
Who Was Steve Irwin?
Steve Irwin did not have a typical childhood. Born in Melbourne, Australia, on February 22, 1962, he was raised on the wildlife park his parents owned. He cared for the animals and especially loved reptiles--he got a python for his sixth birthday! At nine years old, Steve was already helping his father wrestle small crocodiles. He became a crocodile trapper after graduating high school, catching the creatures before dangerous poachers could. Steve met his wife, Terri, at his family's park, and instead of a honeymoon, the pair filmed a wildlife documentary that led to the creation of the well-known series The Crocodile Hunter. Tragically, Steve was killed on September 4, 2006 while filming a documentary when a stingray attacked, piercing his heart. He was forty-four years old. However, his life's work obviously still strikes a chord with kids who voted him the winner of the 100th Who Was...' title.
Giant Squid
The giant squid is one of the most elusive creatures in the world. As large as whales, they hide beyond reach deep within the sea, forcing scientists to piece together their story from those clues they leave behind.
An injured whale's ring-shaped scars indicate an encounter with a giant squid. A piece of beak broken off in the whale's belly; a flash of ink dispersed as a blinding defense to allow the squid to escape-- these fragments of proof were all we had . . . until a giant squid was finally filmed in its natural habitat only two years ago.
Animalium
Animalium presents the animal kingdom in glorious detail with illustrations from Katie Scott, an unparalleled talent.
Welcome to the Museum is a series of books set on the "walls" of the printed page, showcasing the world's finest collections of objects -- from natural history to art. Open 365 days a year and unrestricted by the constraints of physical space, each title in this series is organized into galleries that display more than 200 full-color specimens accompanied by lively, informative text.
World of Birds
In World of Birds , discover these amazing habitats: rainforest of New Guinea; Himalayan Mountains; Sonoran desert; North American prairie; English woods; Antarctic ice and ocean; Lake Nakuru in Kenya; city of Paris, France; Atlantic Ocean off Africa; and Australian outback. Listen to these wonderful places come to life as you hear the: Clackety alarm call of a roadrunner as it battles a rattlesnake (Sonoran desert) Low-pitched twoo-twoo of a burrowing owl (prairie) Drumming sound of a spotted woodpecker (English forest) Chattering of emperor penguin chicks, and the longer answering call from their parents (Antarctic) Screeching call of a peregrine falcon (Paris) Loud cackling of a laughing kookaburra (Australian outback) Let your imagination take flight as your soar, perch and step with these incredible birds!
Birds of Paradise: Winged Wonders
Did you know that all birds of paradise live in one small area of the world? Nature's Children series provides young readers (Ages 8-10) with fascinating information about the planet's most incredible wildlife species. Each title offers a complete picture of the animal- from birth to adulthood- and describes its place in our world, including how humans impact it and its environment.
The Great Penguin Rescue: Saving the African Penguins
African penguins waddle around nesting colonies in lower numbers than ever before. Despite South African government efforts to protect the penguin colonies and their ocean fish supply, young penguins still struggle to survive. Fuzzy chicks waiting for food in open nests may overheat in the sun or become prey. Others simply may not get enough food to survive on their own once their parents leave. But new conservation methods, including rescuing and hand-feeding vulnerable chicks, are giving experts hope. Can volunteers and scientists help save Africa's only penguins before it's too late?
Bringing Back the Wolves: How a Predator Restored an Ecosystem
In the 1800s, hunters were paid by the American government to eliminate threats to livestock on cattle ranches near Yellowstone National Park. They did such a good job that, by 1926, no gray wolf packs were left in the park. Over the following decades, virtually every other part of the park's ecosystem was affected by the loss of the wolves -- from the animals who were their prey, to the plants that were the food for that prey, to the streams that were sheltered by those plants -- and the landscape was in distress. So, starting in 1995, in an attempt to reverse course, the government reintroduced gray wolves to the park. Over time, animal populations stabilized, waterways were restored and a healthy ecosystem was recreated across the land. It's a striking transformation, and a fascinating tale of life's complicated interdependencies.
Sea Otter Heroes: The Predators That Saved an Ecosystem
In Elkhorn Slough, an inlet on the California coast, seagrass grows healthy and strong in the shallow water. This healthy seagrass baffled marine biologist Brent Hughes. The scientist expected this estuary to be overrun with algae, causing the seagrass to die. Why was the seagrass thriving?
As Brent investigated, signs pointed to an unexpected player helping to keep the seagrass healthy: sea otters! What do these top predators have to do with an aquatic grass at the opposite end of the food chain? Brent's amazing discovery gave scientists insight into the delicate balance of ecosystems. Follow science in action as Brent conducts the research that led to this major discovery.
If Elephants Disappeared
What would happen if elephants disappeared? Trace the repercussions of a world without elephants in writer and illustrator Lily Williams' third picture book about loss and conservation. The Congolese forest is home to many types of animals. Some are strong. Some are slippery. Some are loud. And some, like the elephant, are BIG.
The elephant has become synonymous with the image of African wildlife. They can grow over 10 feet tall and eat up to 300 pounds a day. While these giants are beloved figures in movies and zoos, they also play a large role in keeping the forest ecosystem healthy. Unfortunately, poachers are hunting elephants rapidly to extinction for their ivory tusks, and that could be catastrophic to the world as we know it.
How to Talk to a Tiger... And Other Animals
Ever wanted to talk to a tiger? Or chatter with a cheetah? Or yak with a yak?
This book brings together a babble of more than 100 beasties and explores the amazing ways they talk to each other. From fish that fart to alligators that dunk to fire worms that flash, you'll discover that wildlife have the strangest ways of sending a message...
Flying Frogs And Walking Fish
A red-lipped batfish waddles across the sea floor on its fins, searching for small sea creatures to eat. Other animals may fly or glide, or jet-propel themselves to get around. These creatures come equipped with legs, wings, or tentacles, and they often move from place to place in surprising ways. In the latest eye-catching escape into the kingdom of Animalia, Caldecott Honor-winning team Jenkins and Page show how animals roll, fly, walk, leap, climb, swim and even flip! This fascinating and fun illustrated nonfiction melds science, art, biology, and the environment together in a detailed and well-researched book about how animals move in our world today.
Picture Books
The Forest
A lyrical book about the adventure of life, The Forest is also a magnificent visual work, both painterly and a technical feat of paper engineering. Here, sensory experience and the textures of the material world are rendered through die-cuts, embossing, cutouts, and two gatefolds. A beautifully considered work.
Hike
In the cool and quiet early light of morning, a father and child wake up. Today they're going on a hike. Follow the duo into the mountains as they witness the magic of the wilderness, overcome challenges, and play a small role in the survival of the forest. By the time they return home, they feel alive -- and closer than ever -- as they document their hike and take their place in family history. In detail-rich panels and textured panoramas, Pete Oswald perfectly paces this nearly wordless adventure, allowing readers to pause for subtle wonders and marvel at the views. A touching tribute to the bond between father and child, with resonant themes for Earth Day, Hike is a breath of fresh air.
Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn
As trees sway in the cool breeze, blue jays head south, and leaves change their colors, everyone knows--autumn is on its way!
Join a young girl as she takes a walk through forest and town, greeting all the signs of the coming season. In a series of conversations with every flower and creature and gust of wind, she says good-bye to summer and welcomes autumn.
Hiking Day
A young girl and her family go hiking up a nearby mountain for the very first time. As they climb up and up the path, they see everything from a friendly toad to a prickly porcupine, tall leafy trees to tiny red berries. Anne Rockwell and her daughter, artist Lizzy Rockwell, celebrate a day the little girl will never forget, especially when she reaches the mountain's summit. With simple, lyrical text and bright illustrations that jump off the page, Hiking Day brings the joys of spending an afternoon outdoors to life.
Fatima's Great Outdoors
Fatima Khazi is excited for the weekend. Her family is headed to a local state park for their first camping trip! The school week might not have gone as planned, but outdoors, Fatima can achieve anything. She sets up a tent with her father, builds a fire with her mother, and survives an eight-legged mutant spider (a daddy longlegs with an impressive shadow) with her sister. At the end of an adventurous day, the family snuggles inside one big tent, serenaded by the sounds of the forest. The thought of leaving the magic of the outdoors tugs at Fatima's heart, but her sister reminds her that they can keep the memory alive through stories--and they can always daydream about what their next camping trip will look like.
Bathing in the Forest
The little girl of the forest embraces you, takes you by the hand, and invites you to immerse yourself in her magical world. The trees surround you. You walk in peace. The light filters through the leaves, in myriad green and ochre tones. It feels as if your feet are putting down roots, connecting you with the vibrant world around you. You are surrounded by birdsong, and the sound of the wind in the treetops... You are bathing in the forest.
Bathing in the Forest
The little girl of the forest embraces you, takes you by the hand, and invites you to immerse yourself in her magical world. The trees surround you. You walk in peace. The light filters through the leaves, in myriad green and ochre tones. It feels as if your feet are putting down roots, connecting you with the vibrant world around you. You are surrounded by birdsong, and the sound of the wind in the treetops... You are bathing in the forest.
Chapter books
Run Wild
"Hey, you! Sky's blue!" a girl shouts as she runs by the window of a boy bent over his digital device. Intrigued, the boy runs out after her, leaving his shoes (and phone) behind, and into a world of sunshine, dewey grass, and warm sand. Filled with the pleasures of being alive in the natural world, Run Wild is an exquisite and kid-friendly reminder of how wonderful life can be beyond doors and screens.
Spanish Books
Galápagos Girl / Galapagueña
Valentina was born on an island formed by fire, surrounded by blue-green sea.
As a Galápagueña, Valentina spends her days observing the natural world around her. She greets sea lions splashing on the shore, scampers over lava rocks with Sally-lightfoot crabs, and swims with manta rays. But Valentina also understands the fragility of this wondrous world, and she makes a solemn promise to protect the islands and her animal friends.
