Become a keen nature observer: an observologist! Cartoon-like illustrations and open text resemble a journal, inviting readers to look closely at the small things around them.
The Observologist
Handsome graphics accompany crisp text in this thorough exploration of insects, their sizes, and fascinating facts about them. The suggestions on what to do to protect insects are doable. Additional resources and an author’s note are included.
Insectorama: The Marvelous World of Insects
Imagination and science combine in gloriously detailed illustrations and descriptive poems for a unique look at what various creatures call home. Additional information about the animals and other resources conclude this memorable book.
Home
As a girl, Rachel Carson did not realize that she would influence so many to respect and protect the natural world. Lyrical verse, gracefully illustrated, fictionalizes Carson’s life and relationships with her family and others.
Force of Nature: A Novel of Rachel Carson
Many animals are extinct — but not only is there a great deal that can be done to stop continued extinction, new creatures continue to be discovered. Handsome, detailed illustrations combine with brief narrations just right for dipping in and out. Done in collaboration with the Smithsonian, the book includes additional information and resources.
Extinctopedia
Although two-thirds of the world is covered by oceans, a mere five percent of them have been explored. Readers are invited into the history of diving through engaging, realistic illustrations and informative narration, from ancient times to the present. An author’s note and additional backmatter conclude this attractive book.
Dive! The Story of Breathing Underwater
They’re beautiful in so many ways, tall or small, leafy or spiky, and can be found around the world. Short, varied poems introduce a range of trees from across the globe, encouraging readers to care for them. Colorful illustrations will help young readers to identify specific trees.
Tree Whispers
Short, poetic lines are accompanied by lush watercolor illustrations depict the many animals that live in it to eat, explore, and more. “It’s shelter from a storm. / The forest is… / home.”
Forest
A prickly hotel? Plants and animals thrive because of the cactus and its spring flowers, seeds, et al! The simple text describing this environment and the lives it supports provides an intriguing introduction to the desert ecosystem.
Welcome to the Cactus Hotel
Singing, playing, and talking to the seed didn’t help it bloom, but when the children listened to nature — placing the seed in a bed of soil — it flowered all summer. In autumn, the plant left them the gift of more seeds to plant next year. Child-like illustrations complement the straightforward text.
We Found a Seed
Lola and her mother visit Zora, a beekeeper, where Lola learns about bees and the work of a beekeeper. Lola then decides to plant seeds at home to help bees, in this informative addition to the series.
Lola Meets the Bees
From polar bears to owls, animals introduce shapes in one book (Hello Hello Shapes (opens in a new window)) while an axolotl to a zebra present color in another book (Hello Hello Colors (opens in a new window)). All animals — many endangered — are identified at the end of each sturdy book.
Hello Hello Shapes
Have you ever considered how long a tree lives? Or where chocolate comes from? Comical illustrations add jauntiness to this playful but informative book sure to intrigue young readers.
What Things Come From Nature?
A rhyming text and detailed illustrations combine to reveal bees’ activity, culminating in a large gatefold to reveal a lush garden. Backmatter provides information about types of bees and their role in pollination.
It Starts with a Bee
What do you see while taking a walk on a sunny spring day? Join Maisy as she and her friends closely observe what is all around from the smallest ant to larger animals in the park. Cousins’ signature child-like illustrations are colorful and appealing.
Maisy Goes on a Nature Walk
The golden puppy joins his girl while she works in the community garden. The young dog winds up being a helpful companion to others also working there in this short, easy to read addition to the series.
Biscuit and Friends Visit the Community Garden
This warmly-told story teaches us that love really does grow everywhere, in all shapes, forms, and sizes. Through gentle, rhyming text and vibrant illustrations, feel the love in a close-knit family who grow plants and sell them in their local market, and discover the types of love that exist in the many homes of their diverse community. There are kisses from Dad, songs with Grandma, charity from neighbors and playtime with friends. There’s old love, new love and everything in between! But there’s a new kid who is not quite so sure… Can the gardeners’ daughter be brave and extend the love to him?
Love Grows Everywhere
The title says it all! Brief but accessible information about a range of topics is ideal to dip into or spend hours poring over.
Absolutely Everything! A History of Earth, Dinosaurs, Rulers, Robots, and Other Things too Numerous to Mention
Brother and sister Zara and Zeeshan accompany their parents to Key West where their pediatrician mother will be honored. They struggle to get along with each other during the trip, but their bickering ends when they discover a loggerhead turtle in distress that they name Sunshine. Together the siblings figure out how to help Sunshine return to the sea while gaining a new respect for each other, in this gently humorous graphic novel.
Saving Sunshine
Wrap-around stories are used to present fascinating information in an inviting, accessible, and authoritative way. This title from the Science Comics series provides information about commonplace creatures now at risk. Another book, World War II: Fight on the Home Front (opens in a new window) (from the History Comics series), provides a look at the impact of the last century’s war on those not engaged on the frontline.
Frogs: Awesome Amphibians
Are the creatures in this lighthearted look at dangerous animals out to get humans or are they just doing what they need to survive and thrive? Common names as well as Latin names are presented alongside a humorous illustration and an invented name for the critter’s survival mechanism.
The World’s Most Atrocious Animals
An expert presents information about how plants can combat some of the world’s biggest problems. Colorful illustrations and solid text features (including a glossary) create a hopeful look at combating climate change.
Plants to the Rescue!
The moving story of the Anishinaabe woman who became louder when water — the source of life — was being ignored, is revealed in lyrical language and bold illustrations. A forward by Autumn Peltier, begins this powerful plea for continued action.
Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior
On its long migration to Antarctica, an Arctic tern sees whales, geese, and more on its journey. Luminous illustrations show what the tern sees from above sometimes in panels, sometimes on full-page spreads. Backmatter provides a bit of information about the animals seen on the tern’s journey.