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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.

If polar bears just disappeared, the world would be very different indeed. But what can young people do? They can  change some behaviors, study, learn, write. Similar to the approach in If Sharks Disappeared (opens in a new window), this book informs as well as inspires action.

“Think you know cute?” Think again if you haven’t met a quokka, pom-pom crab, or a minute leaf chameleon. Actual photographs of a range of critters are presented with solid information with a light touch added. Additional information and glossary are included.

What connects people? Weather, animals, each other, of course! The familiar song is made fresh in jewel-toned, lively, and detailed illustrations that start with a girl and a huge ball of yarn. That yarn is shared by myriad children in various places and climates until the final double page spread with Earth depicted from afar as a yarn-tethered balloon.

The animals introduced here are not large and famous. Instead they are animals too small, too peculiar, or even too smelly to command much positive attention. But they are fascinating, presented here in lighthearted but accurate image and brief text.

Octopuses are canny characters in real life. In this adventure when Octopus escapes, he creates chaos at the aquarium and chuckles for readers. Short rhyming sentences and cartoon illustrations add to the fun and play.

Whose footprints are those? Even if you don’t know, turn the page to find out or who likes to play in water and more. Animals and insects — and even a young child — have footprints that provide clues and a touch of information. Realistic illustrations add fun and fact.

Colorful, scientifically accurate illustration is paired with understandable, energetic text in this introduction to the diversity and fundamentals of frogs. Back matter includes information on frog disappearances and conservation efforts.

Early morning and a ruffle of feathers, a shadow gliding through the backyard. High above your house Father Hawk circles, sharp eyes searching for prey. A father red-tailed hawk hunts prey for his family in a suburban neighborhood in this thrilling nonfiction picture book.

As a Galápagueña, Valentina spends her days observing the natural world around her. This bilingual story was inspired by the childhood of Valentina Cruz, whose family was one of the first permanent inhabitants of the Galápagos. Valentina is now a biologist and naturalist guide who has dedicated her life to the conservation of the islands.

Told from the perspective of a boy who witnesses the sky growing ominously purple and rushes to evacuate with his family, Hurricane! is set in Puerto Rico and based on a childhood experience of the author’s. The family huddles together in a shelter while the winds howl. They and their neighbors take solace from gently singing “Silent Night” while waiting out the storm.

When a storm is raging, David and George are glad to be inside the house, snug and safe. In this spectacular picture book by Caldecott Honor recipient David Wisener, a fallen tree becomes the threshold to the limitless voyage of the imagination, which David and George share as only true friends — and brothers — can.

Sharks often get a bad reputation from movies and television but they’re crucial to a healthy ocean. Find out more about these amazing creatures in this dramatic, engaging comic book that is well-researched and well-documented. If things technical and mechanical things are of greater interest, then try Science Comics: Robots and Drones: Past, Present, and Future (opens in a new window) by Mairghread Scott, illustrated by Jacob Chabot.

Meet nature’s recyclers, a variety of critters that contribute the “brown food web”, presented in a range of poetry and humorous illustrations. In addition to factual material throughout, this small volume concludes with additional information, a glossary, activities and experiments.

Ever wondered why or what makes you itch? There are lots of itchy answers ranging from mosquitoes to fungi among many other cringe-worth things. Find out in this fascinating, informative, well-sourced, and illustrated exploration.

Did you know that snails build “roads of slimy mucus”, other snails can follow those trails, often to eat together? That snails live everywhere on earth in all types of environments? Find out much more about these amazing — albeit slimy — creatures in this comically illustrated but fascinating glimpse at snails.