Two best friends, Peter and Tommy, spend their summer finishing their Discovery Journal, a chronicle of all the wildlife they’ve come across in their native Florida. Can Peter help the manatee they discover in a nearby canal as well as help take care of his grandfather like he promised? The poignant story is both fast-paced and believable, with likeable and relatable characters.
Manatee Summer
Lush illustrations in a nearly wordless graphic novel narrate a child’s vacation with Lao Lao, her much-loved grandmother. The story Lao Lao tells the girl about a flamingo connects them in a fantastic and a totally fulfilling conclusion after the girl returns home.
The Flamingo
This handsome presentation for sophisticated readers about the Northern Mockingbird combines history and science along with traditional beliefs about the birds and their role with humans. Readable and fully sourced, this is sure to intrigue budding naturalists and historians.
Duet: Our Journey in Song with the Northern Mockingbird
When squirrels Norma and Belly grew tired of acorns, they decided to try pizza from the new shop in town. As with their other food adventures (Donut Feed the Squirrels (opens in a new window) and Apple of My Pie (opens in a new window)), success is always questionable. Jaunty illustrations in a lively, easy graphic format makes each escapade a tasty treat.
Pizza My Heart
Their cattle were being killed by lions, but Richard Turere’s inspired invention solved a problem that had plagued the Maasai people — with only limited resources but much creativity. Illustrations vividly portray the African landscape near Nairobi National Park where the lions live. Additional information about the inventor and his invention is included.
Lion Lights: My Invention That Made Peace with Lions
Jo and Alex go on an adventure to find a mate for the last Rainbow Bird, meeting other birds of varying sizes along the way. Colorful and jaunty illustrations chronicle their fantastic journey with its satisfying and hopeful conclusion.
The Last Rainbow Bird
How did a polar bear wind up fishing in London’s Thames River? Historians tell us that the Norwegian king gave one to England’s Henry III. Illustrations evoke medieval illuminated manuscripts in a touching and informative look at a unique bit of history. Backmatter includes additional sources plus notes from both author and illustrator.
A Bear Far from Home
A small bear wonders why one plant isn’t flowering, but he takes excellent care of it nonetheless. Little does he know what is going on underneath the ground: a group of rabbits are feasting on the growing carrot! Readers will appreciate the dual narratives, one by the above-ground gardener, the other a visual narrative of rabbits’ activities.
Upside Down
What can a hole in a tree be? It can be a home, a hideout, or simply a place to read. Textured, stylized illustrations and text that can be read on two levels provide a glimpse at the variety of natural life that make tree holes their homes. Additional information about the tree hole dwellers is included.
Tree Hole Homes: Daytime Dens and Nighttime Nooks
How a small black-and-white kitten brings a community together is told through gentle illustration and a gently rhyming, cumulative text. Richly-hued illustrations depict a diverse neighborhood whose residents come together to help a small kitten. The satisfying book is sure to make a heartwarming read aloud.
This Story Is Not About a Kitten
Two beavers do what beavers do best: build. Finely-lined black-and-white illustrations with touches of color chronicle the beavers’ activities, from creating their nest, having offspring, protecting them, and wintering in their home.
Building
A realistic illustration and the titular question and a couple of hints ask readers to guess what came from the pictured egg. A page turn reveals the animal along with brief information about them. “Eggcellent” facts are included.
Whose Egg Is That?
There are all kinds of babies in the world. They can be big, small, short, or tall. Rhythmic language and simple illustrations with clean lines and bright colors on each page ends with a mirror — a surprise baby to conclude this charming book.
Sometimes Babies
On Monday, a small mouse notices a fluffy snowflake and wonders how high it will go. On successive days of the week, snow accumulates, covering animals one-by-one. Lyrical language creates a rhythmic pattern accompanied by softly-hued illustrations — first covering, then uncovering them — as the snow melts.
So Much Snow
Lift an acorn to discover a squirrel peeking out of a hole and more. Small hands will delight in the crinkling noise when soft flaps are lifted to see what forest surprise is hidden beneath. Find more surprises in this companion book about ocean inhabitants, Peekaboo Ocean (opens in a new window).
Peekaboo Forest
It’s Deepawali, the Festival of Lights in Nepal, and today is the day to honor dogs! Brothers Alu and Bhalu wander the streets of Kathmandu, passing by twirling kites and bamboo swings, looking for a dog to feed. But as night falls, their task begins to feel hopeless, until they spot a small black dog who is in need of a friend. This gentle story told in verse presents an important Hindu holiday (also called Diwali in India) through the eyes of two young boys.
A Dog Named Haku: A Holiday Story from Nepal
Through rhyming text, learn about the evolutionary link between million-year-old dinosaurs and modern-day birds.
Dinosaur Feathers
Young readers will explore the evolving terrain and animals of the Galápagos in this nonfiction picture book. Charles Darwin first visited the Galápagos Islands almost 200 years ago, only to discover a land filled with plants and animals that could not be found anywhere else on earth. How did they come to inhabit the island? How long will they remain? Thoroughly researched and filled with intricate and beautiful paintings by award-winning author and artist Jason Chin.
Island: A Story of the Galápagos
Three animals did indeed go up in a hot-air balloon in the 18th century, but not quite the talented sheep, rooster, and duck who propel this funny and clever tale forward. Fact and fiction, cameo appearances by historical figures, and lots of illustrations are used. An author’s note reveals the history, effectively separating real from imagined.
The Sheep, the Rooster, and the Duck
A cyber-enhanced cat is sent into space to stop rats from eating the moon. Absurd humor propels this outlandish tale through the galaxy with unending gags, sure to make readers laugh aloud. It’s the first in a series which was inspired by Instagram video shorts created during the pandemic.
The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza
Everyone knows their five senses — sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing — right? But there are two more: proprioception (letting you touch your nose with your finger without seeing either body part) and the vestibular system (in charge of balance). Informal language and lighthearted illustration add a touch of humor in the presentation of solid information, sure to engage.
Cat Eyes and Dog Whistles: The [Five] Seven Senses of Humans and Other Animals
Twenty years after being injured, rehabilitated, and living in a South African aquarium, Yoshi traveled home. The true story of the loggerhead sea turtle’s 1003-day journey was tracked by scientists around the world as he traveled 25,000 miles to Australia. Dramatic illustrations and complete backmatter create a book that can be shared on many levels.
Yoshi and the Ocean: A Sea Turtle’s Incredible Journey
Follow a bowhead whale over her very long life in the Arctic. The world’s longest living mammal starts over 200 years ago and continues to today in an ever-changing sea. Accessible text and evocative illustrations conclude with additional information and further resources.The author is a Smithsonian marine specialist.
The Whale Who Swam Through Time: A 200-Year Journey in the Arctic
Sharks have been around since prehistoric times. Discover the well-researched history of these ocean-dwelling creatures (and some of the scientists who study them), presented in a large, heavily illustrated format just right to dip into or to read cover to cover.