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Since the day that Ano was born, her heart has been connected to her home. But, this adventurous child has a lot to learn! When Ano begins to dance hula — a storytelling dance form that carries the knowledge, history, and folklore of the Hawaiian people — Ano comes to understand the true meaning of aloha. In this exciting adventure, you’ll encounter mighty canoes crashing over ocean waves, regal hawks soaring high above the clouds, and brilliant lizards jumping nimbly through forest trees! Most importantly, you’ll meet a courageous young girl named Ano who learns, grows, and comes to love her island home with all her heart. The beautiful poetry — weaving its way through every page — artfully blends 25 Hawaiian words into the English prose and provides a thoughtful exploration of the meaning of aloha in relation to the land, the people, and the lore. 

After a natural death, a whale provides continued life for numerous sea and land creatures for many years. Follow one 90-year-old whale in its environment and after its life has ended, through accessible language and highly informative illustrations in this stunning book.

A dandelion on the playground grows and grows, captivating children who appreciate its beauty. Not so the adults who rip the flower from the ground, dismaying the students. But dandelions are resilient and so are children in this oversized, slightly subversive tale.

Follow an arctic tern as it grows from egg to migrating bird. In another book from the same Start Small, Think Big series, Little Brown Nut (opens in a new window), watch a small nut grow into a huge tree with a little help from the agoutis. Each book unfolds in text and illustration that can be shared at different levels. Both titles include a large, informative foldout. 

The countdown to the change in season begins with one red fox “stalking winter” to 12 excited children “happily meeting spring.” Bold scratchboard illustrations evoke the frozen Alaskan landscape, inspired by the author’s time in Fairbanks.

A lonely child saves his beloved woods in this magical, highly imaginative tale. Follow the unfolding tale told entirely through gorgeous illustrations.

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.

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”  

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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?

The title says it all!  Brief but accessible information about a range of topics is ideal to dip into or spend hours poring over.