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Fred is an urban beekeeper who shares the fruits of his work with neighbors. Information about beekeeping and bees is included.

The narrator (always within her mother’s sight) independently picks berries for jam. When she encounters a bee she remembers to stand still until it leaves. The same encounter is told again from the bee’s perspective for a satisfying story told in rhyme with expressive illustrations.

Changing perspectives, beginning with an up-close view of a bee, challenges readers to tell the story in this wordless book again and again. The flat forms and colors gradually reveal an unusual friendship and unique journey to be visited many times.

Have you wondered why frogs croak on the edge of streams? It all started long ago with two disobedient frog brothers who decided to obey their long-suffering mother only after her death. Humor and grimness combine for a memorable Korean pourquoi tale.
Country of origin: Korea
 

Butterflies were once thought to be “beasts of the devil.” Maria Merian, a perceptive young German naturalist, knew better. She recorded her notes and drawings on the butterflies’ transformation in secret so that she would not be accused of witchcraft and later became a famous scientist and artist who helped the rest of the world understand natural life cycles. Margarita Engle brings her extraordinary story to life, accompanied by Julie Paschkis’ gorgeous illustrations.

Tiny Little Fly sees many things and lands on something quite large: a series of bigger animals. No matter, Tiny Little Fly won’t be caught and zooms away. A large format and textured illustrations combine with a rhyming text for a simple, satisfying saga.

Each double page begins with a question, “Look very closely. What do you see?” and a partial photograph. A page turn provides the answer and the contextualized image as well as a bit more information about the rainforest plant or animal.

Snake asks to play catch with elephant and Piggie but gets beaned by the ball as he has no arms with which to catch it. The friends come up with a creative solution for them all to play catch. Cartoon illustrations are as clear as the speech bubbles in this funny addition to the series.

The unexpected occurs when two lizards — one an accomplished artist, the other a beginner — begin painting. Fast-paced and often funny, the two voices of the characters are as distinct as their individual creative process. This ingenious book works on several levels.

Owen Jester finally captures the biggest frog in the world and names him Tooley Graham, but Owen has an even bigger secret — after hearing a crash in the night, he discovers that a two-passenger submarine that has fallen off a passing train.. What Owen and his buddies along with a know-it-all girl do with that secret creates a memorable adventure, deftly told.

Known for his close-up, full-color photographs of animals in the wild, Bishop turns his lens to a variety of lizards from around the globe. The informative, striking book demonstrates that “lizards lead lives that are full of surprises.”

Would you squish an ant? What would happen if you could find out what its life was like? That’s what a boy learns as he talks to the small creature just when he’s poised to put his sneakered foot down on it. Written by a father/daughter team, the lighthearted illustrations highlight the different perspectives but leave the ending open. Music for the song is included.

Bees have been around for over 65 million years but have been in decline since early in the 21st century. This scientific mystery is better appreciated with a clearer understanding of the importance of these flying insects to humans. Mystery and background information are presented in handsome photographs and lucid text. Suggested activities are doable as is finding out more from recommended resources.

A small ant asks a bird how long a long string can be. Many varied uses are explored as the bird unwinds the string in answer until the ant decides that a “string’s just as long/as I need it to be.” The white string leads readers across textured pastel pages until we see the ant on its own small string tree swing.

Two different environments, two different authors, one goal achieved: to bring alive the process of studying and documenting a fascinating mammal and insect. Both books use the same basic format and text features, stunning photographs, and an informal voice to great effect. This is a series not to be missed. See also: Face to Face with Butterflies (opens in a new window)

A child describes his affinity for all types of bugs — from those that are “spiky spiny,” the ones that “hop and fly and crawl” and even scary, “hang-from-ceiling bugs!” Large, textured illustrations are humorous to complement and extend the animated alliterative language.

Though related, crocodiles and alligators are not the same. Learn the similarities and differences between these ancient reptiles as well as their habitats and history. With characteristic thoroughness, Gibbons presents these fascinating creatures through clear illustrations and informative text.

Winnie Finn wants to win a prize at the county fair but she is a worm farmer. Instead of winning one herself, Winnie helps others win with her prize wigglers. Simply told and comically illustrated, this engaging tale is enlightening, informative, and just plain fun.

Buzz and his pet fly, Fly Guy, like to play hide and seek but Fly Guy’s favorite place to hide is the dump. Will Buzz and Fly Guy ever be reunited in a place that’s filled with flies? The outrageous illustrations add to the humor of a bug-eyed Fly Guy and his bug-eyed buddy.

Arresting photographs and understandable text introduce a wide range of moths and butterflies. Not only will readers gain an understanding of what differentiates them, but come to appreciate them as they learn about a variety of Lepidoptera.

A batch of garden spiders hatch each spring and those who survive hungry predators release threads and wind to blow into new places to begin their cycle of eating, reproducing, and dying again. Crisp illustrations enhance the information.

Fancy Nancy is back, this time exploring in her own backyard. Photographs combine with signature illustration to introduce the wonders of real butterflies, birds, leaves, and more — that young explorers anywhere will find and appreciate.

Sound effects and dramatic reading make the humorous saga of an eight-legged hero come to life. Based on the picture book of the same name.

This worthy addition to the “scientists in the field series” is filled with information presented visually and textually about the impact of invasive plant and animal species. Their impact can be devastating and irrevocable though readers are encouraged to take action.