“A great resource… An excellent introductory guide to amphibians; recommended for Spanish nonfiction collections for children.” —School Library Journal

Cathryn Sill, a graduate of Western Carolina University, was an elementary school teacher for thirty years. She lives in North Carolina.

John Sill holds a BS in wildlife biology from North Carolina State University. Combining his knowledge of wildlife and artistic skill, John has achieved an impressive reputation as a wildlife artist and received several awards. He lives in North Carolina. You can visit his website here.

“Well designed for classroom use, or as a browsing book for children fascinated by reptiles.” ―Booklist

“[This] book’s main strength is its attractive, realistic portraits of the animals in their natural surroundings.” ―School Library Journal

Cathryn Sill, a graduate of Western Carolina University, was an elementary school teacher for thirty years. She lives in North Carolina.

John Sill holds a BS in wildlife biology from North Carolina State University. Combining his knowledge of wildlife and artistic skill, John has achieved an impressive reputation as a wildlife artist and received several awards. He lives in North Carolina. You can visit his website here.

“The uncluttered format…will be appealing to young audiences.” —Booklist Online

“Sill’s artwork enhances the text… The detailed illustrations are engaging and informative…. This serviceable guide to seabirds contains straightforward language and colorful illustrations. Recommended for most public and school libraries.” —School Library Journal

Cathryn Sill, a graduate of Western Carolina University, was an elementary school teacher for thirty years. She lives in North Carolina.

John Sill holds a BS in wildlife biology from North Carolina State University. Combining his knowledge of wildlife and artistic skill, John has achieved an impressive reputation as a wildlife artist and received several awards. He lives in North Carolina. You can visit his website here.

“Another successful entry in their early science ‘About…’ series. As in the other titles in the series, the realistic full-bleed illustrations will mesmerize readers, while the text provides easy-to-follow information….engaging information about the multifaceted ecosystem of fish. A serviceable addition to any STEAM curriculum.” —School Library Journal

Cathryn Sill, a graduate of Western Carolina University, was an elementary school teacher for thirty years. She lives in North Carolina.

John Sill holds a BS in wildlife biology from North Carolina State University. Combining his knowledge of wildlife and artistic skill, John has achieved an impressive reputation as a wildlife artist and received several awards. He lives in North Carolina. You can visit his website here.

“The text uses clear, concise language and draws in the young scientist a sentence at a time. The translation of the original English text facilitates the reader’s exploration and is easy to follow. The author and illustrator present a seamless collaboration as they expose the natural world to curious minds. The author, a former teacher, provides bite-sized facts….well-composed images depict a snapshot of an insect’s life and help generate a form of respect for these oftentimes misunderstood creatures…. This recommended beginner’s foray into the world of insects would be a welcome component to any STEAM curriculum—especially if paired with the English edition for bilingual language enrichment.” —School Library Journal

Cathryn Sill, a graduate of Western Carolina University, was an elementary school teacher for thirty years. She lives in North Carolina.

John Sill holds a BS in wildlife biology from North Carolina State University. Combining his knowledge of wildlife and artistic skill, John has achieved an impressive reputation as a wildlife artist and received several awards. He lives in North Carolina. You can visit his website here.

“The paintings draw viewers in with their warmth, charm, and accuracy…. This is ideal for storytimes…” ―School Library Journal

“Pre-school and primary-grade teachers will find this an attractive choice for units on mammals.” ―Booklist

“A quality book for introducing mammals, it is also well bound and worthy of addition to the young reader’s library.” ―NSTA Recommends

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“This is a successful book and is to be recommended for all children’s collections.” ―Science Books & Films

“I find this series to be a wonderful go to for boys and girls to get them more involved with nature and wildlife.” ―It’s About Time, MaMaw

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Cathryn Sill, a graduate of Western Carolina University, was an elementary school teacher for thirty years. She lives in North Carolina.

John Sill holds a BS in wildlife biology from North Carolina State University. Combining his knowledge of wildlife and artistic skill, John has achieved an impressive reputation as a wildlife artist and received several awards. He lives in North Carolina. You can visit his website here.

“Exceptionally detailed and uniformly accurate…the Sills succeed admirably.” ―School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

“Fifteen exquisite, scrupulously accurate watercolors of birds in their habitats are captioned by a deceptively simple text…An excellent concept book that takes its young audience seriously while skillfully providing the basics of an important subject.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“The full-color illustrations by wildlife artist John Sill are so lifelike that one almost expects the birds to fly off the pages…a wonderful visual introduction…” ―Booklist

“An age-appropriate amount of text on each page is accompanied by beautiful, watercolor illustrations of each bird. More advanced readers and their mentors might appreciate the afterword, containing more detailed information on the birds depicted in the main body of the book.” ―NSTA Recommends

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“Older readers and parents will appreciate the four fact-filled pages at the back…” ―Ithaca Child

“Lovely picture books open the eyes, then the heart, and then the mind of the young child. This series takes the child up close to creatures and brings in words and illustrations, facts and knowledge while helping the child to gain an appreciation of the creature…I highly recommend these books…” ―Chat with Vera

“This is a gorgeous introduction to birds for readers 4 and up, with extra information for older readers contained in a handy and fascinating Afterward. The watercolor illustrations are accurate, vivacious and full of revealing details about the birds…Children will return again and again to this book and it will inspire them to look skyward.” ―My Daily Find

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Cathryn Sill, a graduate of Western Carolina University, was an elementary school teacher for thirty years. She lives in North Carolina.

John Sill holds a BS in wildlife biology from North Carolina State University. Combining his knowledge of wildlife and artistic skill, John has achieved an impressive reputation as a wildlife artist and received several awards. He lives in North Carolina. You can visit his website here.

“The Sills’ latest nature book offers interesting facts about woodpeckers as well as images of many varieties… A handsome addition to the dependable About series.” ―Booklist Online

Cathryn Sill, a graduate of Western Carolina University, was an elementary school teacher for thirty years. She lives in North Carolina.

John Sill holds a BS in wildlife biology from North Carolina State University. Combining his knowledge of wildlife and artistic skill, John has achieved an impressive reputation as a wildlife artist and received several awards. He lives in North Carolina. You can visit his website here.

“The author offers solid material, including food for thought about the pet parrot industry and the risk of disappearing habitats. The watercolor paintings are real showstoppers — the parrots stand out like jewels against muted landscapes.” ―School Library Journal

“Uniquely attractive work with which to round out the bird section…an appealing and comprehensive introduction.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“This book presents basic information along with varied, beautiful watercolor paintings. A colorful addition to the long-running About… series.” ―Booklist

“An excellent reader selection for the young student.” ―NSTA Recommends

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“Not only is the art is gorgeous, but kids (and adults, too) are sure to learn a lot about these charismatic birds.” ―The Birder’s Library

“The beauty and diversity of parrots as well as the heightening need to protect parrots’ and other birds and animals’ habitats are strongly emphasized in this excellent educational nature series.” ―Midwest Book Review

“John Sill is no John James Audubon, but he’s pretty darn good. This book has wonderful paintings of a variety of parrots and interesting facts about them. It’s a coffee table book, only it’s aimed at kids, so say it’s a chocolate milk table book. […] I’ve been through it with pleasure a number of times.” ―Daniel Pinkwater, The Bob Edwards Show

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NSTA Recommends – National Science Teachers Association, 2014

Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 ― National Science Teachers Association, Children’s Book Council, 2015

Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Primary) ―Kansas National Education Association, 2015

Cathryn Sill, a graduate of Western Carolina University, was an elementary school teacher for thirty years. She lives in North Carolina.

John Sill holds a BS in wildlife biology from North Carolina State University. Combining his knowledge of wildlife and artistic skill, John has achieved an impressive reputation as a wildlife artist and received several awards. He lives in North Carolina. You can visit his website here.

“A fine entry in the Sills’s series and is perfect for collections that are looking for quality nonfiction about a resilient family that is so much more than mice and rats.” ―School Library Journal

“Beautifully illustrated with clear, well-composed paintings of animals, this book shows respect for its audience as well as its subject.” ―Booklist

“The husband and wife team, Cathryn and John Sill are also doing fine work in the field of informational science picture books.” ―The Carroll News

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“It is a great book for younger readers as well as older ones…” ―New Mexico Kids!

“A Keeper.” ―Virginian-Pilot

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Best Children’s Books of the Year ― Bank Street College of Education, 2009

Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Primary) ― Kansas National Education Association, 2009

North Carolina Author Awards (Nominee, AAUW Award for Juvenile Literature) ― North Carolina Literary and Historical Association, 2009

Cathryn Sill, a graduate of Western Carolina University, was an elementary school teacher for thirty years. She lives in North Carolina.

John Sill holds a BS in wildlife biology from North Carolina State University. Combining his knowledge of wildlife and artistic skill, John has achieved an impressive reputation as a wildlife artist and received several awards. He lives in North Carolina. You can visit his website here.