Round-up: Nature Books – Peachtree Publishing Company Inc.

Kid Lit Authors Speak: What Young Readers Can Do to Protect the Environment

Peachtree Publishing Company — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 16:04:12 +0000

The effects of climate change are being experienced around the world, and sometimes the negative results can feel so much bigger than any one person’s attempts to make a positive change, especially one young person. With the help of some wonderful children’s book authors, though, we hope to reverse that conclusion and demonstrate how young readers can make real changes in their community or in their lives that will affect the globe.

Hear from six kid lit authors whose books about animal habitats, human environments, and ecological changes are just one part of their expertise and one piece of their contributions to protect the earth’s environment. Each author shares their top tip on what individuals can do to combat the negative effects of climate change.

Mary Batten, author of Life in a Frozen World:

“Plastic is one of the worst environmental pollutants of both land and sea. Plastic debris has even reached Antarctica. The problem with plastic is that it is not biodegradable. Some plastic trash may last for a hundred years in the environment. Plastic that ends up in the ocean is broken down into tiny particles by sunlight and wave action. These microparticles are eaten by fish, seabirds and other marine animals and passed along in the food chain. One of the most important things you can do is to help your family reduce the amount of plastic that they use. Plastic water bottles make up a huge amount of plastic waste. Use sport water bottles instead of plastic water bottles. Take cloth bags to the grocery store. Use glass containers to store leftover food. Cover food with foil or wax paper instead of plastic wrap. Recycle plastic containers and bottles. Look for containers and food coverings made of recyclable materials.”

Melissa Stewart, author of the A Place for… series:

“A wildlife garden can provide birds, butterflies, and other small creatures in your community with everything they need to survive. The workers at a local garden center can help you choose native plants that provide cover and produce food, such as nectar, berries, and seeds, from spring to early autumn. Your garden will also need a water supply, such as a bird bath. As the garden grows, keep track of the creatures who visit it. Are there ways you can improve it to attract even more animals?”

Sandra Markle, author of Toad Weather:

“I value frogs and toads for all they do for us:

Eating lots of insects like mosquitoes and flies that would otherwise become pests.

Being food for lots of animals, such as birds, snakes, foxes, and some fish like pike and bass.

Plus they are just plain cool. Like the fact that they have a sticky tongue attached to the inside front of their mouth and it rolls out in less than a second to snag a bug. Or that to swallow their eyes sink to push food down their throat.

So how can YOU help frogs and toads? It’s easy! Join me in taking care of the Earth. Do all you can to Reduce, Recycle, and Reuse. Frogs need places to live and they need both clean land areas and clean water. So, helping to reduce the amount of land spoiled by becoming a landfill and reducing how many waste items and polluting liquids run into ponds, lakes, and streams is KEY. You can do it! YOU can make a difference. Now, HOP TO IT!”

Cathryn Sill, author of the About Habitats series:

“Many children are familiar with the 3 Rs of protecting the environment: reduce, reuse and recycle. Another thing kids can do is reduce waste by precycling. This is a way of protecting the environment by stopping waste before it happens. Some simple examples of precycling include bringing your own bags when shopping, having a reusable water bottle, using fewer disposable items, and buying items that use the least amount of packaging.”

Bill Harley, author of Night of the Spadefoot Toads:

“Young people are in the forefront of fighting to protect the environment and turn the tide, and my advice is to find some people locally active in groups like the Sunrise Movement (https://www.sunrisemovement.org/) But just as important is to get outside – find people in your community who know nature and hang out with them – teachers, Audubon Society, nature centers, etc. For me, one of the overwhelming, mysterious truths is that, despite our carelessness the planet cares for us and we become aware of that if we pay attention. Knowing the birds and trees and rivers and land around us makes us care more for the Earth. Becoming familiar with the natural world right outside your door is as important as watching a documentary. We have to feel this caring in our bodies, not just our heads. And if you’re thinking about books, get some pocket field guides of birds, trees, insects and animals you can carry with you when you step outside your door.”

Sneed Collard, author of Flash Point:

“There are so many things we can each do to help protect the planet, but one that is too often ignored is to keep all cats indoors. As adorable as they are, cats are killers. It’s not their faults. That’s just how they evolved. Bells, special collars, and other things do not work to keep them from killing birds, reptiles, and small mammals. Scientists estimate outside cats and feral cats kill between one and two billion birds each year. That is a tremendous toll—and one cat owners can easily do something about, so if you have a cat, talk to your parents about the problem, and help protect our planet’s wonderful wildlife.”

Rainy Day Reading: Board Books, Picture Books, and Chapter Books

Peachtree Publishing Company — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 19:15:16 +0000

Spring rains have been breaking up the sunshine-y days, and as we continue our social distancing practices, we want to make sure everyone has some great reads for those long rainy days. From the newest readers who are having their first Spring, to independent readers who need some novel indoor activity, we have a book for every age!

Spring Babies
Written by Kathryn O. Galbraith
Illustrated by Adela Pons

An endearing board book with adorable babies on the go during the spring season

Spirited, rhyming text and colorful, graphic art reveal an energetic cast of babies having an action-packed day of play in the park on a cheerful spring day.

Featuring diverse characters and highlighting early concepts like shapes and repetition, books in the Babies in the Park series encourage an appreciation of nature and outdoor imaginative play.

Check out the activity sheet!

Buy Spring Babies today from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound.

In the Rain
Written by Elizabeth Spurr
Illustrated by Manelle Oliphant

Simple and evocative language and charming illustrations describe a girl’s experience on a rainy day.

In this gently rhyming board book, a young girl makes a paper boat, splashes in puddles, makes mud pies, and has other springtime fun!

Elizabeth Spurr and Manelle Oliphant together create a perfect sit-in-your-lap reading experience for toddlers.

Buy In the Rain today from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound.

Monsoon Afternoon
Written by Kashmira Sheth
Illustrated by Yoshiko Jaeggi

It is monsoon season in India. Outside, dark clouds roll in and the rain starts to fall. As animals scatter to find cover, a young boy and his dadaji (grandfather) head out into the rainy weather.

The two sail paper boats. They watch the peacocks dance in the rain, just as the colorful birds did when Dadaji was a boy. They pick mangoes and Dadaji lifts up his grandson so he can swing on the roots of the banyan tree, just as Dadaji did when he was young. Finally, when the two return home, hot tea and a loving family are waiting.

Author Kashmira Sheth’s affectionate, sensitive story provides a look into Indian life and the shared moments and memories that bind generations together. Illustrator Yoshiko Jaeggi’s colorful and fanciful watercolor illustrations recreate the lush Indian landscape during monsoon season, and capture the bond of love that unites a grandfather and his grandson.

Buy Monsoon Afternoon today from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound.

Toad Weather
Written by Sandra Markle
Illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez

Something amazing is happening in the rainy city – and with Mama’s help, Ally is going to find it.

There’s nothing to do on a rainy day – or so Ally thinks. But Mama says she’s seen something amazing, so despite Ally’s misgivings, she sets out on an adventure with her mother and grandmother. On her journey, she sees all sorts of things: dripping awnings, wet cardboard, splashing cars…but also earthworms, storm drain geysers, and oil slick patterns. And then they turn the corner, just in time to see a big crowd. What’s happening?

Lyrical text from Sandra Markle and stunning paintings from Thomas Gonzalez, New York Times best-selling illustrator of 14 Cows for America, tell the story of a remarkable, natural occurrence in an urban setting. Toad Weather is an engaging story of anticipation, curiosity, investigation, and discovery.

Check out the teacher’s guide!

Buy Toad Weather today from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound.

When Rain Falls
Written by Melissa Stewart
Illustrated by Constance R. Bergum

A colorful look at the amazing ways animals behave and interact with their environments on a rainy day

We go inside when the rain comes down, but where do animals go? This new book for young readers offers a first glimpse at how different animals in different habitats behave during a thunderstorm.

Veteran children’s book author Melissa Stewart takes a lyrical look at the behavior of animals in forests, fields, wetlands, and deserts and briefly describes how each creature interacts with its rained-soaked environment. Constance Bergum’s soft watercolor paintings colorfully depict the animals and special features of each habitat.

Check out the teacher’s guide!

Buy When Rain Falls today from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound.

Nina Soni, Sister Fixer
Written by Kashmira Sheth
Illustrated by Jenn Kocsmiersky

The second title in a humorous series featuring a charming, distractible Indian-American girl and her family and friends.

A long rainy stretch during spring break has Nina restless and hungry for a new project and aggravated with little sister Kavita’s embarrassing behavior. A fresh pile of dirt just delivered to the neighbor’s house for a landscaping project ends up being too tempting to resist. Can Nina fix Kavita and create something amazing at the same time? With her sister’s help, Nina launches a grand engineering project—with unexpected consequences.

Readers are sure to relate to author Kashmira Sheth’s endearing Nina Soni and her slightly scatter-brained efforts to manage her life with lists, definitions, and real-life math problems.

Check out the Nina Soni series discussion guide!

Buy Nina Soni, Sister Fixer today from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound.

Bird-tastic Books for Fans of Feathered Reads

Peachtree Publishing Company — Mon, 13 Apr 2020 16:00:16 +0000

Do you have a bird lover at home? Perhaps an aspiring birdwatcher, or maybe a youngster who’s a fan of all things nature? We’ve put together a list of bird-tastic fiction books just for you! Whether your kids are looking to join their own local Bird Count or follow a daring penguin on some wacky adventures, there’s a book on this list that’s sure to get your little ones and older readers excited about our feathered friends!

Peep!
by Kevin Luthardt

PEEP! A duckling hatches and immediately attaches itself to the first thing it sees—a warmhearted young boy. The duckling follows the boy home and soon the two are inseparable, but the duckling is growing up. One day when a flock of ducks flies by, the boy realizes that his friend will have to return to live among its own kind. Kevin Luthardt’s deceptively simple story poignantly and humorously demonstrates the importance of learning to let go of something you love.

Bird Count
Written by Susan Edwards Richmond
Illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman

This year, young Ava gets to record the tally in the Christmas Bird Count. Using the birding techniques she’s learned, she eagerly identifies and counts the birds she observes around the town. At the end of the day, all the teams in the area meet up for a Christmas Bird Count party, where they combine their totals and share stories about their observations. This informative book offers simple explanations of the identification methods used by birdwatchers and clear descriptions of bird habitats to introduce young readers to birdwatching, and a section in the back provides more information about the birds featured in the book and the Christmas Bird Count.

Lali’s Feather
Written by Farhana Zia
Illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman

Lali finds a little feather in the field. Is it lost? Lali sets out to find feather a home, but one bird after another rejects it. The feather is too small for Rooster, too slow for Crow, and too plain for Peacock. But as soon as Lali decides to keep the little feather and discovers all the things she can do with it, the other birds begin to recognize its value. Farhana Zia’s charming tale of identification and values employs an inventive circular structure that reveals the importance of looking beyond first impressions and thinking imaginatively. Illustrator Stephanie Fizer Coleman brings this delightful story of imagination and inspiration to life.

P. Zonka Lays an Egg
by Julie Paschkis

The other hens can’t understand why extraordinary P. Zonka never lays eggs like they do―they think she’s just plain lazy. But when P. Zonka finally decides to give egg-laying a try, the other chickens are in for a spectacular surprise! Award-winning author and illustrator Julie Paschkis is sure to delight readers with this lovely story, inspired by the Ukrainian tradition of pysanky, about enriching the imagination and appreciating the beauty of the world.

Kalinka and Grakkle
by Julie Paschkis

Kalinka’s a showy little bird with an eye for neatness, but her grumpy neighbor Grakkle doesn’t care one bit about cleaning. He just wants to relax in his favorite chair and soak his feet in a cool bucket of pickle juice. “Grakk!” he complains as Kalinka “tidies up” his messes. “You’re welcome,” she responds. They simply aren’t on the same wavelength. Can an unfortunate accident plus a little humor and empathy help an odd couple like this see eye to eye?

Penguin’s Hidden Talent
by Alex Latimer

All of Penguin’s friends are excited about the upcoming talent show, but Penguin can’t seem to figure out what his talent is. Stuck behind the scenes organizing, Penguin leaves the contest saddened, the only one who hasn’t received a medal. When his friends decide to throw him a party, but their festivities fizzle, Penguin discovers he might have some special skills after all as he sets to work planning them all the best party ever. Alex Latimer’s quirky charm and distinctive illustrations light up the pages of this entertaining picture book about finding your true talent.

Prairie Chicken Little
Written by Jackie Mims Hopkins
Illustrated by Henry Cole

Mary McBlicken the prairie chicken is sure a stampede’s a comin’! She hurries to the ranch, gathering up her friends along the way. Before the fine feathered and furry folks get to their destination, they encounter a coyote who says he knows a shortcut. Should they trust him? Will they find Cowboy Stan and Red Dog Dan in time? And where is that rumbling coming from anyway? Jackie Mims Hopkins brings readers a hilarious, prairie-style rendition of a well-loved tale, and Henry Cole’s energetic illustrations perfectly complement the hilarity and will have readers laughing out loud.

Three Hens and a Peacock
Written by Lester L. Laminack
Illustrated by Henry Cole

The Tuckers’ farm is a peaceful place. Everyone has a job and no one complains until a hapless peacock falls off the back of a passing truck and stirs things up. Soon, customers are flocking tothe farm to see what all the fuss is about. But the hens don’t like the newcomer getting attention while they do all the hard work. The wise old hound sees the problem and helps orchestrate a job swap. What follows is the hilarious tale of three hens who get in way over their feathered heads, and one very distressed peacock who just can’t figure out how to lay an egg. Lester L. Laminack has created a comical look at what happens when we underestimate the value of others’ work, and Henry Cole’s delightful illustrations will have readers of all ages laughing out loud.

Homer on the Case
by Henry Cole

Homing pigeon Homer and his parrot friend Lulu learn something is afoul when they witness four-legged criminals stealing valuables from both the animal and human communities. Homer and Lulu track down the bandits, but can they find a way to communicate with their human keepers and lead them to the culprits’ hideout to stop the thieves? Award-winning author and illustrator Henry Cole delivers a fun, action-packed middle grade novel that will keep readers turning the page to find out if the crime-solving pigeon will get his guy. A supporting cast of animal and human characters forms a community that will have every reader wishing they could join in the hunt.

The Mr. Penguin Series
by Alex T. Smith

Meet Mr. Penguin: adventurer (and penguin)! He has a dashing hat. He has a battered satchel. He has a packed lunch of fish finger sandwiches. Now he just needs an adventure! Follow along as Mr. Penguin and his trusty spider sidekick Colin swing into action, whether they’re on the hunt for some treasure that’s gone missing from the Museum of Extraordinary Objects, searching for the source of strange noises coming from an old, ruined fortress, or boarding a luxury cruise ship for some much-needed rest and relaxation. This humorous, page-turning series from Alex T. Smith, the author-illustrator of the popular Claude series, is sure to thrill young readers looking for a good adventure.

Gaff
by Shan Correa

Paul Silva lives in a paradise―a little farm high in the hills of a lush, green island in Hawaii―where his disabled father makes a living by raising, training, and caring for roosters. But Paul has been sheltered from the harsh reality of the ties between the family business and the underworld of cockfighting. When a friend’s older brother decides to initiate Paul into this culture, Paul is shocked by what he sees. Illegal drugs. Gambling. But worst of all is the spectacle in the cockpit. With razor-sharp blades―gaffs―attached to their heels, the birds ruthlessly attack each other in a bloody fight to the death. Sickened by the brutal scene, Paul vows to find a way to get his family out of the business altogether. As he struggles to understand his family’s livelihood, he learns that being a man has nothing to do with wielding the power to hurt people and animals.

Flash Point
by Sneed B. Collard III

The town of Heartwood, Montana is burning out of control. Stoked by nearby wildfires, long-standing disputes over forestry policies have been reignited, pitting out-of-work local residents against environmentalists and state wildlife managers. At the center of the heated dispute is high school sophomore Luther Wright. Luther used to be just like all his friends, but now he spends his time helping the local veterinarian Kay rehabilitate injured raptors. Against the backdrop of Montana’s worst wildfire season in years, Luther begins questioning many of the community’s basic precepts, and in doing so faces alienation. But when someone starts shooting Kay’s birds and suspicious fires start breaking out, Luther is drawn into a situation far more dangerous than he could have ever imagined, and he must learn to navigate a difficult course between standing up for what he believes and maintaining loyalty to his family and friends.

Leslie Bulion’s Science Poetry: Beautifully Illustrated Poems About Every Sort of Critter

Peachtree Publishing Company — Fri, 03 Apr 2020 16:00:29 +0000

In preparation for National Poetry Month, we jumped at the chance to gather all the science poetry you love! Check out Leslie Bulion’s fun and informative approach to nonfiction learning, featuring some silk-spinning spiders, acrobatic amphibians, tiny critters dwelling in the leaf litter layer, odd undersea creatures, and more! So dive, soar, float, or crawl right into this animal- and nature-filled list of poetry books.

Spi-KuA Clutter of Short Verse on Eight Legs
Written by Leslie Bulion
Illustrated by Robert Meganck

Welcome to the silk-spinning, bungee-jumping, hunting, trapping, trick-filled world of spiders! Watch as they find mates, find prey…or find mates that become prey! Award-winning poet Leslie Bulion and illustrator Robert Meganck team up again for this clutter (a collective noun for spiders) of Haiku and other short poems and humorously accurate illustrations that celebrate the amazing attributes of Araneae. A feast for science and animal fans and a bonanza for teachers and students interested in cross-curricular studies!

Looking for more information about these rolling, diving, web-weaving creatures? Check out this teacher’s guide for spider-themed fun in the classroom!

Order Spi-Ku from Bookshop.org, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble just in time for some at-home poetry month celebration.

Amphibian Acrobats
Written by Leslie Bulion
Illustrated by Robert Meganck

Step right up and learn all about the lively participants in the Amphibian Acrobat show—from the agile Wallace’s flying frog to the bouncing Venezuelan pebble toad to the tricky yellow-eyed ensatina. These show-stopping creatures hail from around the world and your own backyard! Come along and get to know all about these lively denizens with this entertaining collection of science verses from author Leslie Bulion. Illustrator Robert Meganck’s witty drawings add another layer of fun to this humorous and informative exhibition.

Can’t get enough of these talented critters? Check out this teacher’s guide for more amphibian learning fun!

Order Amphibian Acrobats from Bookshop.org, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble just in time for some at-home poetry month celebration.

Superlative Birds
Written by Leslie Bulion
Illustrated by Robert Meganck

Explore the fascinating world of superlative birds―from the bee hummingbird, the tiniest bird in the world, to the peregrine falcon, the fastest creature on Earth. Get to know all about the best and brightest―and smelliest!―denizens of the bird world with this collection of nonfiction science verses. You won’t need your binoculars to observe the superlative characteristics of these avian wonders. Author Leslie Bulion’s science glossary, notes on poetry forms, and resources for information about these extraordinary birds, and Robert Meganck’s enjoyable illustrations make this an informative and humorous gallery of the world’s most accomplished birds.

Fly further into the wonderful world of birds with this teacher’s guide!

Order Superlative Birds from Bookshop.org, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble just in time for some at-home poetry month celebration.

Leaf Litter Critters
Written by Leslie Bulion
Illustrated by Robert Meganck

Have fun on this poetic tour through the leaf litter layer and dig into the fascinating facts about the tiny critters who live there. Nineteen poems in a variety of verse forms with accompanying science notes take readers on a decomposer safari through the “brown food web,” from bacteria through tardigrades and on to rove beetle predators. Glossary, hands-on investigations, and resources are included in the back matter.

Check out this teacher’s guide, and dive deeper into the leaf litter layer.

Order Leaf Litter Critters from Bookshop.org, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble just in time for some at-home poetry month celebration.

Random Body Parts
Written by Leslie Bulion
Illustrated by Mike Lowery

Take a free-form trip though the human body with these humorous riddle poems. In these pages you will discover the astonishing answers to these questions such as, “Which body parts would wrap four times around the equator?” or “Which body part, if spread out flat, would cover a tennis court?” Put your cerebral cortex to work. Follow the anatomical, poetic, and visual clues to make a guess, then read the science notes to check your powers of riddle reasoning. You’ll even find hints from the greatest poet of them all―William Shakespeare!

Want to learn more about human anatomy? Download the free teacher’s guide.

Order Random Body Parts from Bookshop.org, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble just in time for some at-home poetry month celebration.

At the Sea Floor Café
Odd Ocean Critter Poems
Written by Leslie Bulion
Illustrated by Leslie Evans

Witty poems and elegant artwork introduce what’s on the menu for some unusual undersea creatures. The ocean is Earth’s largest ecosystem, and this clever collection of poems for kids describes the devious and surprising methods ocean denizens use to forage for food, capture prey, and trick predators. The poems bobble and swim effortlessly from page to page, leading readers from the snailshell home of the jeweled anemone crab to a raft of violet snails hanging upside down in their bubble houses. In addition to helpful resources included in the back matter, striking linoleum prints round out this title, which can be used across the curriculum.

Order At the Sea Floor Café from Bookshop.org, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble just in time for some at-home poetry month celebration.

11 Children’s Books about Gardens and Gardening

Peachtree Publishing Company — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 17:00:00 +0000

For all the budding naturalists, environmentalists, and gardeners, we have picture books that explore plants and gardens from every angle. From a simple board book introduction, to picture books about beautiful urban gardens and naturally wild gardens, you’ll love sharing this list with your little ones and watching their appreciation of nature grow.

In the Garden

by Elizabeth Spurr

illustrated by Manelle Oliphant

In this gently rhyming board book, a young boy creates a garden one small action at a time. First, he digs in the dirt and plants seeds, then he adds soil, water, and some patience. With time, the seeds grow and the boy excitedly discovers what he has helped to make. This book provides a perfect sit-in-your-lap reading experience for toddlers.

Fantastic Flowers

by Susan Stockdale

With engaging rhymes and bright, bold images, award-winning author and illustrator Susan Stockdale introduces young readers to 17 different flowers from around the world—a dazzling display of beautiful blooms with colors and shapes that resemble actual things, from ballerinas to kissing lips to wild baboons, and more! Back matter tells a little bit more about each flower (including color photographs) and describes the pollination process.

Amara’s Farm
by JaNay Brown-Wood
illustrated by Samara Hardy

Amara is hosting a potluck for friends on her farm, and her snacks won’t be complete without pumpkins. She’s searched and searched, but she’s grown so many plants that she needs help finding them. What do we know about pumpkins? They’re large, round, and orange—and, wait a minute, is that a pumpkin? No, that’s an apple. Where, oh, where could those pumpkins be? Simple, playful text guides young readers through Amara’s farm, exploring the unique characteristics of the apples, cauliflower, eggplant, okra, persimmons, and more that grow there.

The King of Bees

by Lester Laminack

illustrated by Jim LaMarche

As he observes his Aunt Lilla work with the beehives on their Lowcountry farm, Henry can’t wait until he can have a bee-suit of his own so he can help with the sister bees. This stunning picture book introduces readers to the world of bees, beekeeping, and bee habitats through a gentle fiction story of a boy whose curiosity will be mirrored by every young reader. This gentle story will be a new favorite for both long-time and new fans of Lester Laminack.

A Tree for Emmy

by Mary Ann Rodman

illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss

Emmy loves trees. She loves oak trees with acorns. She loves pine trees with cones, and willow trees with swishy branches. But best of all, Emmy loves the mimosa tree that grows in her grandmother’s pasture. So when Emmy decides she wants a mimosa tree of her own for her birthday, she is dismayed to find that many garden stores don’t sell them. Emmy is crushed—until she discovers that the answer to her problem is growing right before her eyes! Mary Ann Rodman’s joyful story will help readers appreciate the natural world around them.

Planting the Wild Garden

by Kathryn O. Galbraith

illustrated by Wendy Anderson Halperin

Eloquent and lyrical prose combined with stunning illustrations explore the many ways seeds are distributed and show how elements work together to create and sustain a wild meadow. In the wild garden, many seeds are planted, but not by farmers’ hands. Different kinds of animals transport seeds, often without knowing it. Sometimes rain washes seeds away to a new location. And sometimes something extraordinary occurs, like when the pods of Scotch broom burst open explosively in the summer heat, scattering seeds everywhere like popcorn.

Feast of Peas

by Kashmira Sheth

illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler

Every morning, Jiva works in his garden until the sun turns as red as a bride’s sari. He plants peas and beans, potatoes and tomatoes, eggplants and okra in his vegetable patch. When his friend Ruvji admires his plants Jiva sings,

Plump peas, sweet peas,
Lined-up-in-the-shell peas.
Peas to munch, peas to crunch,
I want a feast of peas for lunch.

But each time Jiva is ready to pick the peas for his feast, they’re already gone. What has happened? This original story from the award-winning author and illustrator team behind Tiger in My Soup features a deliciously amusing mystery about gardening, anticipation, hard work, and generosity.

Seed Magic

by Jane Buchanan

illustrated by Charlotte Riley-Webb

One day, Birdman, who sits in his wheelchair all day feeding seeds to the pigeons, fills Rose’s hands with slick, black seeds. He tells her they are magic—if she plants them outside her window they will grow a garden. Her brothers don’t believe, but Rose sets the seeds out and waits. Soon, like Birdman promised, a garden appears before her eyes—a musical flurry of red and yellow and blue, drawn to Rose’s window by seed magic even in the midst of the barren, gray city.

A Place for Butterflies

by Melissa Stewart

illustrated by Higgins Bond

In this informative nonfiction picture book, author Melissa Stewart shares the basic facts about butterflies and introduces young readers to some of the ways human action or inaction can affect butterfly populations. The book also provides pointers on how youngsters can help butterflies thrive in their own neighborhood and will open readers’ minds to a wide range of environmental issues.

Nina Soni, Master of the Garden
by Kashmira Sheth
illustrated by Jenn Kocsmiersky

It’s Take Your Child to Work Day, and Nina, Kavita, and Jay are all going to work with Mom, a landscape architect, to learn how to start a garden. Naturally that’s not enough for Nina, who quickly develops big plans for a business selling the vegetables she plans to grow. But her plans don’t include managing the problems that inevitably arise, including rabbits, slugs, mosquitos, and more! A great read for STEAM enthusiasts.

Grow: A Novel in Verse

by Juanita Havill

illustrated by Stanislawa Kodman

Award-winning author Juanita Havill brings to life the story of a community garden in an urban neighborhood and the mismatched people who carefully tend it. Told through the eyes of an impressionable girl, the series of richly detailed prose poems delivers a powerful story of the extraordinary magic that occurs every day when ordinary people work together. The result is an affecting, lasting portrait of community life and the power of shared commitment and hope.

Find these books and more at your local library, indie bookstore, or Barnes & Noble!

10 Ocean and Beach Books to Read this Summer

Peachtree Publishing Company — Fri, 21 Jun 2019 16:00:02 +0000

It’s the first day of summer!

In case you don’t already have plans to celebrate, or you plan to spend the day relaxing by the pool or on the beach, we have some great titles for you to enjoy. So put your feet up, open one of these 10 awesome books, and celebrate the summer solstice with us!

At the Beach
by Elizabeth Spurr
illustrated by Manelle Oliphant

In this gently rhyming board book about a visit to the beach, a young boy digs in the sand and makes a sand birthday cake, then loses it to the waves. However, his mother distracts him with a picnic, and he falls asleep at the end of a full and happy day.

Fabulous Fishes
by Susan Stockdale

From the spiky lionfish and the brightly colored clownfish to lanternfishes and hatchetfishes that flash lights so they can find each other in the deepest, darkest parts of the ocean, children will be fascinated by the breadth of sea life depicted by author-illustrator Susan Stockdale’s richly textured illustrations. Check out the afterword for fascinating facts and a closer look at each fish.

Little Whale
by Jo Weaver

Voyage through the warm, southern seas with a new whale calf and its mother. Together, Little Whale and Gray Whale swim under midnight skies and through coral reefs teeming with life as they migrate to the cool, rich waters of the north to feed. Gray Whale gently guides her baby along the way, keeping Little Whale safe from passing ships and dangerous predators. At long last, the echo of a whale song calls to them through icy water and they know . . . they are home.

About Habitats: Seashores
by Cathryn Sill
illustrated by John Sill

In this addition to the About Habitats series, award-winning author Cathryn Sill uses simple, easy-to-understand language to teach children about seashores and what kinds of animals and plants live there. John Sill’s detailed, full-color illustrations reflect the wide variety of seashore topography. A glossary and afterword provide further fascinating details about seashores to inspire readers to learn more.

Go beyond the seashore with About Habitats: Oceans, and learn even more cool facts from Cathryn Sill and John Sill!

About Mollusks
by Cathryn Sill
illustrated by John Sill

In this addition to the acclaimed About… series, Cathryn Sill teaches children what mollusks are, how they look, how they move, what they eat, and where they live. With beautifully detailed, realistic paintings, noted wildlife illustrator John Sill introduces readers to a variety of mollusks―from the small Garden Snail to the Giant Pacific Octopus. An afterword provides details on the animals featured and inspires young readers to learn more.

Want to learn about even more creatures who call the ocean their home? Check out About Fish, About Marine Mammals, and About Crustaceans!

A Place for Fish
by Melissa Stewart
illustrated by Higgins Bond

In this simple introduction to fish and ecology, Melissa Stewart shares with young readers the behavior and beauty of fish. Higgins Bond’s colorful, realistically detailed watercolor illustrations highlight the diversity of fishes and their habitats―from the Lahontan cutthroat trout in Nevada’s lakes to the spotted trunkfish native to Florida’s coral reefs. Pointers show youngsters how they can help in their own communities to protect fish and their natural habitats.

Claude at the Beach
by Alex T. Smith

Claude is no ordinary dog―he leads an extraordinary life! Claude and his best friend, Sir Bobblysock (who is both a sock and very bobbly), pack their bags and go on vacation to the beach. They rescue a man from a shark, win a sandcastle-building competition, and hunt for pirate treasure. After such a long day of adventure, will they make it back home before Mr. and Mrs. Shinyshoes come home from work?

At the Sea Floor Café
by Leslie Bulion
illustrated by Leslie Evans

Did you know the ocean covers two-thirds of our planet? It is Earth’s largest ecosystem, full of organisms living in wildly different and even extreme environments. This clever collection of poems for kids leads readers from the snailshell home of the jeweled anemone crab to a raft of violet snails hanging upside down in their bubble houses, describing the devious and surprising methods ocean denizens use to forage for food, capture prey, and trick predators.

Leo, Dog of the Sea
by Alison Hart
illustrated by Michael G. Montgomery

After three ocean voyages, Leo knows not to trust anyone but himself. But when he sets sail with Magellan on a journey to find a westward route to the Spice Islands, he develops new friendships with Magellan’s scribe, Pigafetta, and Marco, his page. Together, the three of them experience hunger and thirst, storms and doldrums, and mutinies and hostile, violent encounters. Will they ever find safe passage?

Uncharted Waters
by Leslie Bulion

Jonah Lander has secrets―lots of them―and they weigh heavily on his mind. One deception leads to another, all to avoid explaining his fear of the dark salt water to his Uncle Nate. When Sumi, a budding marine biologist, asks him to be her research assistant, he jumps at the chance to make some money. But he gets into a lot more than he bargained for. Soon he will have to face his greatest fears and give up his secrets forever.

21 Bird Books for All Ages

Peachtree Publishing Company — Fri, 04 Jan 2019 19:00:00 +0000

When it comes to bird books, Peachtree knows its stuff. From nonfiction bird books about every bird species you can imagine (and some you can’t!) to adventuring penguins and daydreaming hens. Learn something or have a good laugh with this list of the best bird books around. Let us know which is your favorite in the comments below!

Nonfiction:

Written & illustrated by Susan Stockdale
Ages 2 – 6
Formats Available: Hardcover, Board Book

From the Blue-footed Booby to the Red-billed Oxpecker, the breadth of bird life depicted in this stunning book will captivate young ornithologists. Susan Stockdale’s bold colors and crisp, clean lines can’t help but grab the reader’s attention. An afterword identifies each animal and tells a little bit about it and where it lives.

Written by Cathryn Sill
Illustrated by John Sill
Ages 3 – 7
Formats Available: Paperback

In this Spanish edition of the acclaimed About… series, educator and author Cathryn Sill uses simple, easy-to-understand language to teach children what birds are, what they do, and how they live.

Also available in English and bilingual.

Written by Cathryn Sill
Illustrated by John Sill
Ages 3 – 7
Formats Available: Hardcover

About Woodpeckers explains the basic characteristics that all woodpeckers share, while presenting a closer look at the many types of birds that fall into this diverse category. To inspire young readers to learn more, an afterword provides further detail on the woodpeckers portrayed.

Written by Cathryn Sill
Illustrated by John Sill
Ages 3 – 7
Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback

From the smallest hummingbird―the Bee Hummingbird of Cuba, to the largest―the Giant Hummingbirds of the Andes Mountains in South America, Cathryn and John Sill offer a first glimpse into the natural world of hummingbirds with this beginner’s guide.

Written by Cathryn Sill
Illustrated by John Sill
Ages 3 – 7
Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback

In this addition to the acclaimed About… series, educator and author Cathryn Sill uses simple, easy-to-understand language to teach children what penguins are, how they look, how they move, what they eat, and where they live. With beautifully detailed, realistic paintings, noted wildlife illustrator John Sill introduces readers to a variety of penguins, from the Adélie to the Rockhopper to the Emperor.

Written by Cathryn Sill
Illustrated by John Sill
Ages 3 – 7
Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback

Educator and author Cathryn Sill uses simple, easy-to-understand language to teach children what the birds called raptors are, how they look, how they move, what they eat, and where they live.

Written by Cathryn Sill
Illustrated by John Sill
Ages 3 – 7
Formats Available: Hardcover

From the colorful Blue Lorikeets of the Polynesian Islands to the Rosy-faced Lovebirds of southwestern Africa. Cathryn and John Sill offer a first glimpse into the natural world of parrots with this beginner’s guide.

Written by Melissa Stewart
Illustrated by Higgins Bond
Ages 6 – 10
Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback

Stewart provides an intriguing look at birds, the ecosystems that support their survival, and the efforts of some people to save them. Glorious full-color illustrations vividly and accurately depict birds and their surroundings.

Written by Leslie Bulion
Illustrated by Robert Meganck
Ages 8 – 12
Formats Available: Hardcover

Ever wonder which bird has the loudest voice? Which one builds the biggest nest or has the most feathers? Get to know all about the best and brightest―and smelliest!―denizens of the bird world with this collection of nonfiction science verses.

Fiction:

Written & illustrated by Kevin Luthardt
Ages 2 – 6
Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback

PEEP! A duckling breaks through its shell and immediately attaches itself to the first thing it sees—a warmhearted young boy. The newly hatched duck follows the boy home and soon the two are inseparable.

Written by Judy Hindley
Illustrated by Alison Bartlett
Ages 2 – 7
Formats Available: Hardcover

One sunny morning, Mother Bird leaves her hedgerow home and sets out in search of a nice, juicy breakfast for her little ones. Follow her flight through this book, lifting the flaps as you go, and discover all the beautiful things she sees on the way.

Written & illustrated by Julie Paschkis
Ages 4 – 8
Formats Available: Hardcover

Extraordinary hen P. Zonka spends her time taking in the beauty around her: the shiny green of the grass, the buttery yellow of the dandelions, the deep blue of the sky. The other hens can’t understand why she never lays eggs like they do―they think she’s just plain lazy. But when P. Zonka finally decides to give egg-laying a try, the other chickens are in for a spectacular surprise!

Written by Pip Jones
Illustrated by Sara Ogilvie
Ages 4 – 8
Formats Available: Hardcover

When Izzy Gizmo finds a crow with a broken wing, she just has to help! Izzy tries again and again to build a new pair of wings, but nothing is working. And that makes Izzy really cross! Can Izzy overcome her failures? Or is her friend destined to live as a crow who can’t fly?

Written by Lester L. Laminack
Illustrated by Henry Cole
Ages 4 – 8
Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook

Lester L. Laminack brings readers a the laugh-out-loud tale of three hens who get in way over their feathered heads, and one very distressed peacock who just can’t figure out how to lay an egg.

Written & illustrated by Alex Latimer
Ages 4 – 8
Formats Available: Hardcover

All of Penguin’s friends are excited about the upcoming talent show, but Penguin can’t seem to figure out what his talent is. He tries juggling appliances with Bear, doing magic tricks with Rabbit, and burping the alphabet with Fox, but he doesn’t seem to be good at any of it. Author and illustrator Alex Latimer’s quirky charm lights up the pages of this entertaining picture book about finding your true talent.

Written by Jackie Mims Hopkins
Illustrated by Henry Cole
Ages 4 – 8
Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback

Mary McBlicken is sure a stampede’s a comin’! She hurries to the ranch, gathering up her friends along the way. Before the fine feathered and furry folks get to their destination, they encounter a coyote who says he knows a shortcut. Should they trust him? And where is that rumbling coming from anyway?

Also available in bilingual.

Written & illustrated by Quentin Blake
Ages 4 – 8
Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback

Following a blustery night, Angela Bowling finds a baby bird blown out of his nest. She names him Augustus, and he quickly becomes more to her than just a bird to be looked after. He’s her little Loveykins. But Augustus is growing larger and rounder and soon requires a special garden shed to house him. He seems content enough…until another night brings even stronger winds.

Written & illustrated by Alex T. Smith
Ages 8 – 12
Formats Available: Hardcover

Meet Mr. Penguin: adventurer (and penguin)! This humorous, page-turning story from Alex T. Smith, the author-illustrator of the popular Claude series, is sure to thrill young readers looking for a good adventure.

Written by Shan Correa
Ages 8 – 12
Formats Available: Hardcover, eBook

Written by Sneed B. Collard III
Ages 12 – 16
Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook

Luther Wright used to be just like all his friends, playing football and partying every chance he got. But now he spends his time helping the local veterinarian Kay rehabilitate injured raptors. Against the backdrop of Montana’s worst wildfire season in years, Luther begins questioning many of his community’s basic precepts, and in doing so faces alienation. But when someone starts shooting Kay’s birds and suspicious fires start breaking out, Luther is drawn into a situation far more dangerous than he could have ever imagined.

Pre-order these titles at your local library, indie bookstore, or Barnes & Noble.