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Short, readable entries each with a date, chronicle the first year of a bluebird as told by the newly hatched narrator. Information about bluebirds’ range appears on front endpapers while a glossary is placed on back endpapers. Dramatic illustrations show the dangers faced by the young bluebirds until the following June when A. Bluebird shows off the “my beautiful chicks!”

There are approximately 5000 species found world over (with the exception of Antarctica), in different sizes, many shapes and in various colors. Open the pages of this lushly illustrated book to meet some of the frogs from around the world, many of which are now threatened. Handsomely crafted and presented, dip in or read cover-to-cover, these frogs will remain with readers long after the covers are closed.

A boy insists that they not leave until the whale accidentally caught in their fishing net is extricated. No words are needed as the tale is revealed in dramatic illustrations from various perspectives. The author cautions readers that this is more fable rather than a realistic portrait but effectively conveys the whale’s struggle and one child’s empathetic response to it.

The sea turtle, pufferfish, octopus and other sea creatures do what they do; crab bakes cakes. One day, however, there’s a huge splash and sunshine no longer reaches the bottom; crab bakes a cake. Fortified by cake, the sea critters turn the tide on polluters in a droll, dramatic, and effective tale told with visual elements of a graphic novel. Final resources include links to information about oceans and pollution.

What happens when the bees buzz off? Who will pollinate? Where could they have gone? Follow brave bugs as they work to bring the bees back. Clues and the occasional bee are hidden beneath flaps on each sturdy page. This playful story has a satisfying conclusion and is infused with information about bees and more.

Water can be found almost everywhere and in many different forms. Clear, colorful, and well placed illustrations combine with crisp language to describe water from a tear to fog, from rain to an iceberg. This handsome introduction may inspire even the youngest reader to further explore a liquid that is often taken for granted.

Watching birds requires practice, patience and an eagle eye. Young birders may want to practice on the pages of this book as the gentle, rhyming text provides clues and encouragement. Find the chickadee, wren and bluebird in the lush natural environments shown in realistic watercolors. Additional notes about birds and birding concludes this handsome introduction.

Bees buzz through the sturdy pages to introduce the activities of honeybees. With or without two bees that can be punched out of the front cover, young readers are encouraged to join the journey in this hive-shaped book.

Each month of each season is distinct because of the way the natural world responds. Colorful illustrations encircle each poem to reflect the beauty and activities of animals and the environments in which they live.

Nature comes alive in each classic haiku accompanied by an expressive, imaginative painting. The poems appear in both English and Japanese, which is also transliterated to facilitate pronunciation. 

Visiting her grandmother in Louisiana, Maddy realizes she may be only the sibling to carry on her family’s magical legacy. And when a disastrous oil leak threatens the bayou, she knows she may also be the only one who can help. A coming-of-age tale rich with folk magic. See the two other two books in the Louisiana Girls Trilogy, Ninth Ward (opens in a new window) and Sugar (opens in a new window).

Bilingual book celebrates the bond between parent and child in the animal kingdom. Babies — whether in snowy dens, warm lagoons, cozy nests, or living rooms — are carried and cuddled, nurtured and nuzzled.

A fox emerges from its burrow to find food in a snowy landscape, hunting a mouse and a hare. The fox becomes the hunted when a wolverine emerges from another lair. The small fox makes it back to its den where it can find safety and rest. Dramatic illustrations and lyrical narration effectively tell a realistic story.

In spite of a storm and with a bit of human help, a struggling but tenacious robin returns home to its mate. There it finds its Christmas bird cake and a watchful, caring young person to celebrate the reunion. Realistic illustrations chronicle the bird’s intense journey, appropriate for any time of the year.

Byx is the youngest member of her dairne pack. Believed to possess remarkable abilities, her mythical doglike species has been hunted to near extinction in the war-torn kingdom of Nedarra. After her pack is hunted down and killed, Byx fears she may be the last of her species. The Endling. So Byx sets out to find safe haven, and to see if the legends of other hidden dairnes are true.

This tale is told by a tree named Red, a red oak who is “two hundred and sixteen rings old.” Touching on bigotry and the environment, Applegate keeps the emphasis on her characters, the many animals and birds who find shelter in the tree’s branches all year round.

The Vanderbeekers are back in this standalone companion to The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street (opens in a new window). Here they help create a community garden to help a neighbor and to avoid losing parts if their neighborhood to even more development.

Billy loves snakes and since he lives with in Florida with his sister and eagle-obsessed mom, he has ready access to them. Then Billy tracks down his father and his new family in Montana. Set between the two distinct locations, the latest environmental adventure is fast-paced with broad appeal (and a few snakes).

Poetry should be shared every day just as nature should be viewed with appreciation each day. This hefty, handsome collection provides a way to combine both. The selection of poems and poets is broad both in background and style. The result is a memorable collection that not only shares well but is certain to become a family favorite.

Go ahead, dip in. There is something for everyone in this fascinating compendium of information. Organized by general topic, brief, illustrated essays are accessibly written to provide a taste of the topic. A glossary and complete index conclude the volume.

They may appear similar but can really be different. Think noodles and pasta are the same? What about a clementine and a mandarin orange? They’re similar but different. Readers will encounter seemingly same pairs and discover what makes them unique in this handsomely illustrated and fact-filled volume.

Factual information about dolphins — they “come in all sizes, shapes, and colors” and they can even whistle — combines with cartoon illustrations complete with conversation bubbles. An engaging addition to an informative series.

Fact and fiction combine in this handsomely illustrated, informative, and readable story of a small brown bat. We follow Otis over a period of time until the small brown bats hibernate. Additional information about bats, threats to them and a glossary are included.

The gorilla is fierce but a loving father. A porcupine is prickly but gentle. This handsome portrait of animals describes the most familiar trait and then relates behaviors that are very different. Soft monochromatic illustrations are juxtaposed to text that encourages readers to learn more about the animals presented and question common assumptions.