A young frog has trouble sleeping as there are strange noises all around. His father hears them, too, and so they seek out the source of the noises before finally sleeping. The recognizable story is gently told accompanied by illustrations that evoke the nighttime pond.
Scritch Scratch Scraww Plop
A cat, now a mummy, explores the pyramid in search of his much-loved owner, they young queen, Hatshepsut. Stylized illustrations effectively present ancient Egypt, its hieroglyphics, and the affection between a pet and its owner. Back matter introduces mummies as well as to the period and place in which they were used.
Mummy Cat
While at a sleepover at Nan’s house, Lulu must keep her hamster safe from Nan’s cats – and a secret from rodent-fearing Nan. Lulu’s latest adventure can stand alone and is as gently humorous and graciously illustrated as others in the series.
Lulu and the Hamster in the Night
A girl lives in a family of snake-lovers who dispel the myths that make her dislike the often misunderstood reptile. Factual information combines with lively story illustrated in distinctly different styles to highlight the differences between them.
I Don’t Like Snakes
Animal control officer Francine Poulet has a crisis of confidence when the animal comes out on top after Francine’s first encounter with the screaming “ghost” raccoon. Humor abounds in both the story and illustrations in this rollicking and very satisfying saga.
Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Raccoon
A mother tells her child the story of the real Winne, the true story of how a young veterinarian left his native Canada to fight during the First World War. The bear cub he found became a part of his military before finding a more permanent home and inspired a childhood classic. Gentle illustrations depict the fondness between the man and bear and that shared by mother and child pictured in spot illustrations. Factual information about Harry Colebourn is included as an album. Another book about how Winnie-the-Pooh came to life is presented by Sally Walker in Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh with gentle watercolor illustrations. (2016 Caldecott Medal Winner)
Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear
Baby bear sets off to find his father, jaunting through intricate illustrations on large pages. The oversized format is sure to engage young readers time and time again as they seek and find more and more details.
Bear’s Surprise
Join National Geographic Explorer, Daniel Raven-Ellison, as he takes a comprehensive look at wolves and what individuals can do to help their survival in the wild. Handsome full color photographs are interspersed with text for an appealing format in this informative and empowering presentation.
Mission: Wolf Rescue
Kids will giggle as they count all the animals that have frightened the monkeys off the pages. Full of fun reader interactions and keeps readers guessing until the very last page!
Count the Monkeys
When a skunk first appears in the tuxedoed man’s doorway, it’s a strange but possibly harmless occurrence. But then the man finds the skunk following him, and the unlikely pair embark on an increasingly frantic chase through the city, from the streets to the opera house to the fairground. What does the skunk want? It’s not clear ― but soon the man has bought a new house in a new neighborhood to escape the little creature’s attention, only to find himself missing something …
The Skunk
Follow the crow along a stream and a long and winding road, with other animals and landmarks along the way. At the close of each journey is a small map. Each map is joined together to show the wider world and how the different parts connect.
As the Crow Flies: A First Book of Maps
A retelling of 10 fables by Aesop including “The Fox and the Crow,” “The Crow and the Water Jug,” and “The Lion and the Mouse.”
Once a Wood: Ten Tales from Aesop
Sam the zookeeper has the job of feeding the animals every day at three o’clock. Could Sam have forgotten to feed Elephant, the other zoo animals wonder. Follow Sam on his rounds — with bananas for the monkeys, red berries for the bear, a fish for the seal (“Deliciously good!” barks Seal).
Sam Who Never Forgets
Different woodpeckers swoop, slam, tap, click, and grow throughout the seasons. They are introduced in handsome collage illustrations and a rhythmic text which uses alliteration and onomatopoeia to bring the birds alive. Additional details and identification is included at the conclusion.
Woodpecker Wham!
Fourteen critters are presented here through well-placed photographs and fascinating factoids. From small (“the female tarantula lays 500 to 1000 eggs in a silken sac…”) to tall (“a giraffe’s tongue is black”), to up in the air (the hummingbird) or down in the water (a seahorse), this book is fun and informative.
Weird and Wild Animal Facts
A poetic, playful look at an orangutan family in the wild takes as they dance their way through the trees of the rainforest. A poetic form called the “tanka” combines with animated illustrations for a jaunty glimpse of these appealing primates.
Orangutanka
The octopus is not only intelligent, it can be remarkably adaptable able to change color, shape and even skin texture. This fascinating overview is illustrated with attractive watercolors and includes additional detail in back matter. For older readers (ages 9 to 12), The Octopus Scientists (opens in a new window) by Sy Montgomery with photographs by Keith Ellenbogen follows octopus scientist, Jennifer Mathers, and her international team as they learn about and try to better understand this clever creature.
Octopuses! Strange and Wonderful
From whales to wasps, glimpses into animal behavior makes for intriguing reading. A pig eating python concludes the brief, engaging book illustrated with cut and torn paper collage. Back matter includes a bit more detail about the creatures described.
How to Swallow a Pig: Step-by-Step Advice from the Animal Kingdom
The authors followed a wolf pup and his pack for six years, living in the Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho. Their observations provide readers with a look at life for a shy wolf whose life becomes better with a strong companion shared in dynamic photographs and an informal narration.
A Friend for Lakota: The Incredible True Story of a Wolf Who Braved Bullying
Meet the flightless, unkempt-looking bird, a native of Australia, in this large, handsome and informative picture book. The way the male emu is responsible for protecting the eggs and raising fledglings is engagingly presented and sure to spark further interest.
Emu
Follow three scientists as they study the osprey, a fascinating raptor, in and around Missoula, Montana. How these large birds are tracked and studied is revealed in a highly accessible well-researched text and color photos. Further information appears in sidebars and back matter.
The Call of the Osprey
Even though Magnolia assures her teacher that her large, green alligator won’t be any trouble, together girl and reptile prove the opposite. Messy, mischievous Magnolia not only gets her name on the board but three checks beside it and a trip to the principal in this rollicking tale.
If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, DON’T!
A rhyming description of a host of animals combines with crisp, colorful, and detailed illustrations encouraging readers to find matching pairs. Careful examination is needed to discern the differences in identically shaped but uniquely colored critters in this attractive game book.
Where’s the Pair? A Spotting Book
In this Magic Tree House story, Jack and Annie’s vacation in the glorious waters off Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula doesn’t turn out quite like they expect. An encounter with sharks and with a Mayan girl plus a bit of magic create another satisfying, fantastical adventure in the series. A companion book, Sharks and other Predators (opens in a new window) helps readers separate fact from fiction.