Coming Fall 2021

Back to School Pick!

Amara’s Farm

by JaNay Brown-Wood
illustrated by Samara Hardy

A young girl searches for pumpkins on her farm in this joyful celebration of cool-weather fruits and vegetables, from the new Where in the Garden? series.

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?

Author JaNay Brown-Wood uses simple, playful text to guide young readers through Amara’s farm, exploring the unique characteristics of the apples, cauliflower, eggplant, okra, persimmons, and more that grow there.

Little gardeners will compare, contrast, and hunt for visual clues that eventually lead to the pumpkins and a fun potluck with Amara, her grandparents, and her diverse group of friends. Artist Samara Hardy brings this multi-layered story to life with vivid, cheerful illustrations created from layers of hand painted ink and watercolor texture. Back matter includes yummy molasses pumpkin bread recipe for little chefs to try.

Amara’s Farm is the first entry in the Where in the Garden? series from author JaNay Brown-Wood and illustrator Samara Hardy. Featuring a diverse cast of characters, the books explore gardening and farming during every season of the year. Perfect for early childhood and elementary education units on agriculture, farming, gardening, and healthy eating.

Curious About Fish

Part of Discovering Nature

by Cathryn Sill
illustrated by John Sill

A simple, realistic first glimpse into the natural world of fish. From the Discovering Nature board book series by Cathryn and John Sill.

Award-winning educator and author Cathryn Sill introduces toddlers and preschoolers to basic facts about fish with the help of colorful, detailed, realistic art from noted wildlife illustrator John Sill.

Simple, clear descriptions of how fish look, where they live, what they eat, and how they move around make this fourth title in the Discovering Nature series a dependable and informative resource for budding oceanographers as well as for early childhood education units on animals, environments, fish, oceans, and pets. Also perfect for a first trip to the aquarium!

In addition to the Discovering Nature series, Cathryn and John Sill are the author and illustrator team behind the award-winning About… and About Habitats series.

Also by Cathryn and John Sill:
About… series
About Habitats series
Curious About Birds
Curious About Insects
Curious About Mammals

Coming Fall 2021

About Habitats: Tundras

Part of About Habitats

by Cathryn Sill
illustrated by John Sill

This beginner’s guide to tundras explores the unique attributes of this cold habitat, showcasing its beauty and plant and animal diversity. From Cathryn and John Sill.

Former educator and author Cathryn Sill uses simple, easy-to-understand language to teach children what tundras are, what kinds of animals and plants live there, and how certain species have adapted to the unique, harsh environment. The book covers the characteristics of Arctic, Antarctic, and alpine tundras. John Sill’s detailed, realistic paintings reflect the beauty and diversity of the habitat. A glossary and afterword provide more detail for further exploration.

Ideal for early childhood and elementary education units on biomes and environments, geography, habitats, and nature.

The award-winning About Habitats series introduces children to specific habitats and their living and nonliving components. Each book in the series provides information about the nature and characteristics of the habitat while the full-page illustrations expand on that information.

Also available by Cathryn and John Sill:
About Habitats: Deserts
About Habitats: Forests
About Habitats: Grasslands
About Habitats: Mountains About Habitats: Oceans
About Habitats: Polar Regions
About Habitats: Rivers and Streams
About Habitats: Seashores
About Habitats: Wetlands

Bird Show

by Susan Stockdale

Welcome to the Bird Show! Award-winning author-illustrator Susan Stockdale offers a front-row seat to a vibrant fashion show starring the world’s most diverse and spectacular birds.

★ “Stunning… Wonderful for reading aloud and sharing.” —School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

Stockdale’s background as a textile designer and award-winning nonfiction author-illustrator are immediately evident in this energetic, rhyming celebration of pattern, color, and nature.

Bird Show features a variety of fashionable feathered creatures—from the Mandarin Duck and the Grey-Crowned Crane to the Royal Flycatcher and Golden Pheasant. Their feathers may be simple and solid or speckled, striped, or spotted. They may “wear” a jacket, a scarf, an apron, a headdress. And just like people, each one contributes to our beautiful world, made more vibrant by their diversity.

Little ornithologists and fashionistas will marvel at the book’s color and style, and an afterword provides more information about each species as well as an entertaining pattern matching game.

Also by Susan Stockdale:
Bring on the Birds
Carry Me! Animal Babies on the Move
Fabulous Fishes
Fantastic Flowers
Spectacular Spots
Stripes of All Types

Curious About Insects

Part of Discovering Nature

by Cathryn Sill
illustrated by John Sill

Attention little bug buffs: Get a first glimpse into the natural world of insects! Part of the Discovering Nature series from Cathryn and John Sill.

Award-winning educator and author Cathryn Sill introduces little insect hounds to basic facts about bugs—from beetles and butterflies to silverfish and moths—while realistic, detailed watercolor art from noted wildlife illustrator John Sill brings this diverse group of animals to life.

Simple and clear descriptions of how insects look, where they live, what they eat, and how they move make this third title in the Discovering Nature series a dependable and informative beginning resource on insects and the wonders of the natural world.

Also by Cathryn and John Sill:
Curious About Birds
Curious About Mammals

About Insects
About Insects/Sobre los insectos (bilingual)
Sobre los insectos

Mars Is

Stark Slopes, Silvery Snow, and Startling Surprises

by Suzanne Slade

Award-winning author and NASA rocket engineer Suzanne Slade (Countdown, A Computer Called Katherine) explores the diverse magnificence of Mars in this photo-packed extravaganza.

For young readers eagerly following NASA’s Mars Exploration Program!

For centuries, people have been intrigued by Mars, and over time, scientists have made exciting discoveries, such as the planet’s Earth-like weather and seasons. But curious earthlings want to know more about the Red Planet. Does Mars have deserts? Volcanos? Or signs of life? Could people live there someday?

Scientists decided to take a closer look. They built a powerful camera called the HiRISE (High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment) and loaded it onto a rocket. The rocket blasted off on August 12, 2005, and seven months later, the camera began orbiting Mars. It sent back surprising, revealing photos showing the world what Mars really is. Now, the world’s space community and NASA have renewed their exploration efforts, and interest in the Red Planet is in high gear.

With elegant, spare prose, award-winning nonfiction author and rocket engineer Suzanne Slade leads readers through some of the stunning photos taken by the most advanced camera ever sent to another planet. A visual feast for space enthusiasts and STEAM fans. Features remarkable full-color photography throughout.

Also by Suzanne Slade:
Countdown: 2979 Days to the Moon
Dangerous Jane

Spi-ku

A Clutter of Short Verse on Eight Legs

by Leslie Bulion
illustrated by Robert Meganck

Leslie Bulion, award-winning educator favorite and master of science poetry, is back with a humorous exploration of the silk-spinning, bungee-jumping, hunting, trapping, trick-filled world of spiders!

★ “ Engaging and information rich, this is wonderfully well woven.” —Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

Meet spiders that spit silk, roll like wheels, scuba dive, hide under trap doors, strum tunes, and so much more. 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 short poems and humorously accurate illustrations celebrating the amazing attributes of Araneae.

The book is also packed with helpful sidebars, call-outs, and backmatter, including a glossary of science terms, a description of the poetic forms, a list of common and scientific names, a spider-hunting adventure how-to, resources for further study, and a relative-size chart. A feast for science and animal fans!

Also available:
Amphibian Acrobats
At the Sea Floor Café
Leaf Litter Critters
Random Body Parts
Superlative Birds

Sobre los anfibios

Una guía para niños

English Edition: About Amphibians

by Cathryn Sill
illustrated by John Sill

Now in Spanish, this award-winning book offers a first glimpse into the natural world of amphibians. From Cathryn and John Sill’s About… series.

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

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

Beautifully detailed, realistic paintings by noted wildlife illustrator John Sill illuminate a variety of amphibians (from frogs and toads to salamanders and more), and an afterword provides details on the animals featured, inspiring readers to learn more.

Sobre los anfibios is part of the award-winning About… series. Ideal for casual exploration as well as for early childhood and elementary science and animal life units.

Also available from Cathryn and John Sill:
About Amphibians
About Amphibians / Sobre los anfibios: A Guide for Children / Una guía para niños (English/Spanish Bilingual Edition)

About Reptiles
About Reptiles / Sobre los reptiles: A Guide for Children / Una guía para niños (English/Spanish Bilingual Edition)
Sobre los reptiles

Sobre los reptiles

Una guía para niños

English Edition: About Reptiles

by Cathryn Sill
illustrated by John Sill

Now in Spanish, this beginner’s guide offers a first glimpse into the natural world of reptiles. From the award-winning About… series team of Cathryn and John Sill.

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

Educator and author Cathryn Sill uses simple, easy-to-understand language to explain the basic characteristics of reptiles, while offering a look at the variety of animals that fall into this category.

Noted wildlife illustrator John Sill offers beautifully detailed, realistic paintings of reptiles that shine a spotlight on their features and habitats, and an afterword provides details on the animals featured.

Part of the of the award-winning About… series. Ideal for casual exploration as well as for early childhood and elementary science and animal life units.

Also available from Cathryn and John Sill:
About Amphibians
About Amphibians / Sobre los anfibios: A Guide for Children / Una guía para niños (English/Spanish Bilingual Edition)
Sobre los anfibios

About Reptiles
About Reptiles / Sobre los reptiles: A Guide for Children / Una guía para niños (English/Spanish Bilingual Edition)

Life in a Frozen World

Wildlife of Antarctica

by Mary Batten
illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez

Award-winning nature writer Mary Batten uncovers the climate change mysteries of our planet’s coldest, most extreme environment—Antarctica. With magnificent illustrations from Thomas Gonzalez.

★ “Informative…fascinating…. A superb choice for students who are studying animal adaptation and how climate change impacts Antarctica. The well-researched text and captivating illustrations work well to convey the importance of conservation.” —School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

Did you know that Antarctica could be the key to long-standing questions about the Earth and climate change? Though it seems very far away from us at the bottom of the world, this frozen continent affects weather, ocean currents, and sea levels all over the Earth. Its wildlife survives—and even thrives—on ice. And in the long run, so do we.

From award-winning, experienced nature writer Mary Batten comes a remarkable nonfiction picture book that plumbs the mysteries of one of the most hostile environments on the planet. With clear, engaging language, Batten explores fascinating questions that scientists the world over have been researching, such as:

• In the intensely cold, windy, and dry environment of Antarctica, how does a wide variety of wildlife survive?
• How do some species of Antarctic fishes make a natural antifreeze that prevents their blood from freezing solid?
• How does a forest of giant seaweed flourish under the sea when no other trees grow on the continent?
• Antarctica’s creatures are exquisitely adapted to their extreme habitat, but can they survive warmer waters and atmosphere?

New York Times bestselling illustrator Thomas Gonzalez (14 Cows for America) brings Batten’s text to life with detailed, realistic paintings that leap off the page.

An ideal resource for young science lovers and educators, this informative volume is perfect for classroom units on climate change, conservation, ecology, environment, nature, oceanography, and more.

Also by Mary Batten:
Aliens from Earth
Hey Daddy! Animal Fathers and Their Babies
Please Don’t Wake the Animals
Who Has a Belly Button?