Nature Trail Books for Children: Home

Cathryn Sill uses simple, easy-to-understand language to teach children what marsupials are, how they look, how they move, what they eat, and where they live. In this latest book in the acclaimed About...series, educator and author Cathryn Sill uses simple, easy-to-understand language to teach children what marsupials are, how they look, how they move, what they eat, and where they live. Illustrator John Sill introduces readers to a variety of marsupials, from the well-known koala and kangaroo to the less familiar cuscus and quoll. An afterword provides details on the animals featured and inspires young readers to learn more.

Photographed in full color . Take a close-up look at the first vertebrates to conquer land--from familiar bullfrogs and toads to unusual legless caecilians and eel-like sirens. Explore their anatomy, behavior, and pivotal place on the evolutionary time line.  

Discusses the characteristics, eating habits, and offspring of amphibians, one of the main groups in the animal kingdom.

Children will leap through the pages of this fascinating guide to frogs, tadpoles, and other amazing amphibians. Three books in one, this guide is an informative introduction to the natural science of coldblooded vertebrates, a field guide to the amphibians of North America, and a listing of resources for further study.

A fascinating opportunity for children to learn how to attract birds to their own backyards. Backyard Bird Watching for Kids is filled with entertaining and fulfilling projects that allow children to interact with nature while learning about the needs and behaviors of wild birds. "Mr. Backyard Bird Watcher" himself, celebrated naturalist-author George H. Harrison provides informative text and appealing photos for children from 8 to 14 years. Young readers will learn how to lure a multitude of birds within easy viewing range by providing appealing backyard habitats including feeders, birdhouses and birdbaths. Backyard Bird Watching for Kids will kindle in children a healthy, enduring interest in birds and other wild animals.

Hovering, gliding, diving -- how do birds do it? BIRDS: NATURE'S MAGNIFICENT FLYING MACHINES looks at how feathers, body structure, and wings vary from bird to bird. Readers will learn the mechanics of bird flight from takeoff to landing and discover how wing types meet the survival needs of each species. Popular science writer Caroline Arnold infuses this informative look at avian flight with her love of birds. Patricia J. Wynne's exquisitely detailed illustrations show these amazing creatures in action.

A fun, informative take-along guide that will help children identify 15 birds. Kid will also learn how and where birds build their homes and all about their young. Plus the guide features activities that are fun and easy to do. There's also a seven-page scrapbook for drawings and notes.Invites young naturalists to spot wildlife. Safety tips are provided and interesting activities are sugested. Color illustrations enhance the presentation. ---HORN BOOKS (Tracks, Scats and Signs)

A day in the life of a box turtle is rendered carefully in words and lifelike illustrations with a text that respects its subject.

We live on a bug planet. Not only are insects the most numerous species on Earth, they've survived for 400 million years and show no signs of slowing down. Take a look outside: little creatures are creeping, jumping and flying everywhere. Did someone say little? Not in this book. In these eye-popping, oversized pages, bugs say cheese big time! Through Paul Davidson's powerful camera lens, see a fly the size of a man's shoe, the 30,000-odd lenses in a dragonfly's eyes, the hair on a bee's legs and much more. Bug-loving science writer Diane Swanson delivers fascinating info about buggy lives, buggy eating and lots of buggy bits, such as antennae, wings and weapons, that help make insects the most widespread animals on Earth.

Discover in close-up the enchanting and secret life of butterflies and moths.

Discover the hidden world of the meadow in this unique combination of poetry riddles and science wisdom. Beginning with the rising sun and ending with twilight, this book takes us on a tour through the fields, encouraging us to watch for a nest of rabbits, a foamy spittlebug, a leaping grasshopper, bright milkweed, a quick fox, and a cruising hawk.

One late afternoon in early September, Jilly sees something. It looks like its raining black pepper from a clear blue sky. Then the black rain becomes a wispy mist. And then a spooky orange cloud. What can it be? Jilly and Mom set out to identify the mysterious orange cloud. Illustrations.

Large numbers of honeybees are disappearing every year...and no one knows why. In this real-life science mystery, scientists and beekeepers are working to answer these questions?and save the world's honeybees before it's too late.

Butterflies are all around us. It's hard to believe these majestic insects with impressive wingspans and beautifully coloured and patterned wings were once creepy crawly caterpillars. How in the world does this transformation happen? This Level 1 Reader gives kids an up-close look at exactly how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly. With bonus information including different types of butterflies and poisonous caterpillars, this reader is one of a kind. This Level 1 Reader gives kids an up-close look at exactly how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly. With bonus information including different types of butterflies and poisonous caterpillars, this reader is one of a kind. This high-interest, educationally vetted series of beginning readers features the magnificent images of National Geographic, accompanied by texts written by experienced, skilled children's book authors. The inside back cover of the paperback edition is an interactive feature based upon the book. Level 1 books reinforce the content of the book with a kinaesthetic learning activity. In Level 2 books readers complete a Cloze letter, or fun fill-in, with vocabulary words. National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources. Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.

Anyone can get involved in gathering data for ongoing, actual scientific studies such as the Audubon Bird Count and FrogWatch USA. Just get out into a field, urban park, or your own backyard. You can put your nose to a monarch pupa or listen for raucous frog calls. You can tally woodpeckers or sweep the grass for ladybugs. This book, full of engaging photos and useful tips, will show you how.

True or False? You can tell how old a male deer is by the number of points on its antlers. (check The Deer Family for the answer.) Antlers not only protect a deer in a fight, but also help cool its body. Kids will be glad to learn, too, that losing antlers is totally painless. Zoobooks is packed with current scientific facts, striking photography, beautiful illustrations and unique activities that teach children about animals and the habitats in which they live.

Describes some of the different species of North American deer, their characteristics and habits, and how to go about observing them.

The desert Southwest is full of sounds. Skitter, skitter, scratch. A scorpion is crawling. Pop, pop, pop. kangaroo rat is hopping. Tsk, tsk, tsk. A rattlesnake is shaking its tail. But the spadefoot toad is quiet in her underground burrow, listening for one sound in particular... What is that sound? And what will the spadefoot toad do when she hears it?

This new title in the Bugbook series offers the young reader a close-up look at Dragonflies. Large, beautiful photos combine with simple text and sidebars to explore the bug's appearance, behaviors, and life cycle.

Inspired by the Eyewitness lexigraphic approach, this definitive text, detailed captions. and labels combine with many full-color graphics, photos, and 3-D models to show the landmark experiments, the complex equipment, procedures and concepts in the field of ecology.

An introductory camping guide that belongs in the backpack of every adventurer and budding environmentalist. Have you ever hung a bear bag? Predicted the weather by examining pine cones and dandelions? Counted a cricket's chirps to calculate the temperature? Whether you're an expert camper or just a beginner, this informative book, with its innovative approach and design, is chock-full of camping ideas that will add spice to your next journey through the woods.

This exciting book about the predator/prey relationship teaches readers about food webs.

Tracks and sounds are used as clues to identify such familiar creatures as a woodpecker, rabbit, deer, raccoon, bear, and skunk.

One summer day Toad was unhappy. He had lost the white, fourholed, big, round, thick button from his jacket. Who helped him look for it? His best friend, Frog. Another day, Frog was unhappy. He was sick in bed and looking green. Who gave him some tea and told him a story? His best friend, Toad. From the first enchanting story to the last, these five adventures of two best friends are packed with excitement, gaiety, and tender affection. Children will find this book delightful to read and beautiful to look at, either story by story, or from cover to cover.

An interesting assortment of reptiles and amphibians in picture-book format.

Describes the physical characteristics and habitats of a variety of differentrogs, toads, and turtles. Includes related activities and scrapbook pages.

Describes and compares the physical characteristics, habitat, behavior, life cycle, diet, and reproduction of these amazing amphibians

Harris was a very small hare with very big feet. "Why do I have such enormous feet, Grandad?" he sighed. "All hares have big feet, young Harris," said Grandad. And so begins a beautiful and remarkable story about a child's journey to independence. With help from his grandfather, Harris learns how to use his enormous feet to hop high into the sky. He climbs to the tops of mountains and runs really fast until suddenly he is on his own. Gorgeous and highly imaginative watercolors illustrate how Harris not only learns about the world around him, but also discovers the importance of finding his own feet. From the author and illustrator of Augustus and His Smile, winner of one of Child Magazine's Best Children's Book Awards.

Mouse, Hedgehog, Rabbit, Squirrel, and Snake are friends. But one day Mouse hears from Skunk (who heard it from Fox) that snakes are dangerous, especially to mice. Oh, dear! Can friendship survive gossip? Should friends stick together, no matter what? And what do friends do when a friend is in trouble? Or when a friend has hurt feelings? Do you know the answers? Mouse and Snake need your help!

A boy, his dad, and his dog are out for a drive on a beautiful sunny day. Unfortunately, a hapless toad is trying to make its way across the very same road. Talk about bad timing. Is there any hope of avoiding toad-al disaster? Maybe. See what a sharp-witted and caring boy can do to save the day. Storyteller Jane Yolen has written a deceptively simple tale that's fun, exciting, and perfect for reading aloud again and again. Illustrator Karen Lee Schmidt has created an irresistible creature--and everyone who meets this toad will root for a happy ending!

A small green inchworm is proud of his skill at measuring anything. Then one day a nightingale threatens to eat him if he cannot measure his song. Children will enjoy the clever inchworm's solution and delight in finding the tiny hero on every page.

If you were a fuzzy caterpillar crawling through the tall, tall grass on a sunny afternoon, what would you see? To find out, just follow the tiny tour guide as he inches his way through the pages of this book.

A totally unique field guide to cool yet common critters, trees and flowers, this portable companion is guaranteed to get kids excited about exploring nature. This portable, durable guide is a unique, hands-on introduction to cool, common critters, trees, flowers, and rocks found in the woods all over North America.

Vivid photographs document the life of a honeybee. A simple symbol showing its age changes on each spread as it advances through the stages in its growth and life cycle. A photographic life summary is included.

Following earthworms from birth to maturity, The Life Cycle of an Earthworm explains the stages of development these ancient annelids undergo before they reach adulthood. Children will be surprised to discover the enormous impact earthworms have on the environment.

LIVING SUNLIGHT shows children, teachers, and parents the remarkable magic of what makes us human.This informative yet dramatic book will mesmerize readers and help further a child's understanding of the energy we share with all living things in nature. We are all dancing sunlight. The book is co-authored by award-winning M.I.T. professor Penny Chisholm, a leading expert on ocean science. A perfect addition to any library!

Through the simple yet dramatic story of a tree's life, death, and decomposition, this book introduces the cycle of life and illustrates the interdependence of living creatures.

Nature lovers of all ages will appreciate the amazing photography and gentle words which weave a tale about a young fawn waiting for her mother's return. From a red-winged blackbird to a hissing goose, woodland creatures keep watch over a young fawn they believe is lost in the woods.

The exacting prose and jewel-toned illustrations echo the harmony of monarch and milkweed in this carefully researched book, explaining one of nature's most spectacular displays in a refreshingly simple manner.

Tippy, tippy, tippy, Pat! That's the sound three hungry bunnies make when the sun goes down and the moon comes up and Mr. McGreely's garden smells yum, yum, yummy. While he's dreaming of his mouth-watering carrots, the bunnies are diving over fences and swimming trenches to get the veggies first! Hammer, hammer, hammer, Saw! That's the sound Mr. McGreely makes when the sun comes up and the moon goes down and he sees what those twitch-whiskers have done....Nibbled leaves! Empty stalks! Mr. McGreely will build something bigger and better, sure to keep even pesky puff-tails away. Children will cheer for the bunnies -- or for Mr. McGreely -- as they delight in Candace Fleming's clever sound effects and G. Brian Karas's vibrant, funny illustrations.

Kids see plants, flowers, and trees around them everyday. In this lively and educational reader, they'll learn how those plants grow. Kids will take this magical journey from seed pollination to plant growth, learning about what plants need to thrive and grow with the same careful text, and brilliant photographs

How do beavers build a dam? What goes on inside a beehive? Why is rain forest preservation important? Answers to these and many more questions will be found inside this amazing cross-section book, which offers an original, exciting, and unique look into the natural world. Full color.

Two children walk through the woods with a guide, exploring trails and observing nature around them.

Originally published in 1959, five delightful poems by Margaret Wise Brown capture the simple eloquence of the natural world and illuminate the whimsy of bunnies at play. Now the charming paintings of award-winning naturalist artist Wendell Minor will nibble nibble nibble their way into the hearts of a whole new generation of Margaret Wise Brown readers.

Looking for a place to spend the winter, the Wooly Bear Caterpillar finds out where the other forest creatures are spending the winter months. What he transforms into will delight readers.

"Over in the meadow, in the sand, in the sun, Lived an old mother turtle and her little turtle one. "Dig!" said the mother. "I dig," said the one. So he dug all day, In the sand, in the sun." With Keats' vibrant collage art, the animals in this classic counting rhyme are given a brand new life.

This book explores the features of the plant cell and their life processes.

When Possum wakes up one evening and sees the full harvest moon, he decides to throw one last party before the long winter. But everyone is too busy preparing for winter and it looks as if nobody will come to Possum's party.

A cumulative tale in verse about a mysterious stranger that interrupts a family's daily routine.

Possum tricks Gator and Bear, but they get back at him when they tell him they are going to make possum stew.

Describes the physical characteristics, behavior, habitat, and life cycle of raccoons

Robins are the most familiar and beloved of all birds, found throughout North America and celebrated as one of the first signs of spring. But there's a lot about them that most people don't know! In this visually stunning picture book that features comic-book panels combined with painterly illustrations, Eileen Christelow tells the story of two young robins' first year, and reveals plenty of little-known facts that are sure to captivate young naturalists. Narratedwith humor and filled with kid-pleasing details, this fascinating account of how robins grow up includes an Author's Note, Glossary, More About Robins, and Sources.

Discusses Things That Rot And Break Down And Things That Don't, How Decomposing Things May Feed Insects Or Animals Or Help The Soil, And Talks About Recycling.

Kids often spot woolly bear caterpillars creeping across the ground in fall, but these furry-looking creatures seem to disappear as quickly as they pop up.

Seed. Soil. Sun. With these simple ingredients, nature creates our food. Noted author Cris Peterson brings both wonder and clarity to the subject of agriculture, celebrating the cycle of growth, harvest, and renewal in this American Farm Bureau Foundation's Agriculture Book of the Year.

Discover the world before The Wind in the Willows, the beloved classic by Kenneth Grahame--when the childhood adventures of best buds Ratty, Toady, Badger and Mole were just beginning! In this first tale, Archibald Toad the Third is used to having everything he wants to himself. So he's in for an unpleasant surprise when the new nanny brings her gentle son, Badger, to share in all that Toad Hall has to offer. Though Toady and Badger get off to a rocky start, they soon learn that having a true friend is worth a whole lot more than having all the toys in the world.

In this charming story, the Green family gets acquainted with an opossum living in their backyard. As the opossum gets herself in and out of trouble and meets other wildlife in the backyard, readers learn basic facts about the animal. The author and illustrator did Raccoon Next Door; this books theme is similar, but for children

A toad has a close call with a "monster."

Limpy’s family reckons humans don’t hate cane toads, but Limpy knows otherwise. He’s spotted the signs: the cross looks, the unkind comments, the way they squash cane toads with their cars. Limpy is desperate to save his species from ending up as pancakes. Somehow he must make humans see how fabulous cane toads really are. Risking everything, he sets off on a wart-tinglingly dangerous and daring journey to . . . the Olympics? This is the epic story of a slightly squashed young cane toad’s quest for the truth. From the Hardcover edition.

Have you ever wondered what your rabbit does when you're not around? Well, meet Jemima-she's going to tell you! Jemima has been left to wander the house and she's in the mood for fun! From binkying to thumping, circling to snacking, you can find out just what wild things rabbits are up to when your family are all out!

Woolly Bear quietly shuffles along looking for a place to spin her bed and dream of tiger moths, while all around her other bugs buzz, chatter, zip, and whir.

Grassland ecosystems can be found on nearly every continent. Countless animals and plants live in them. So what difference could the loss of one animal species make? Follow the chain reaction, and discover how important honey bees are.

This exciting new book explains the basic concept of the life cycle. Using fascinating examples, the book explores both plant and animal life from seed or egg through birth, growth, reproduction, and death.

The 3 main families of amphibians are introduced, with information on life cycles, respiration, locomotion, and feeding.

Discover how these creatures survive in the wild, how they raise their young, and how they are related to other species. Each title also raises important ideas about conservation by examining the animal's current status and explaining the ways humans have affected it throughout the years. Features: Discover where the animals live with the habitat map Informative text offers a clear view of the animals' role in nature Glossaries define important vocabulary specific to each book Fact file provides an easy reference for vital information about the animals' classification and basic habits www.factsfornow.scholastic.com

This reissue of the classic animal story featuring friends Toad, Mole, Rat, and Badger celebrates the book's 75th anniversary.