Animals

Birds of prey of the Midwest book cover

Birds of prey of the Midwest

Stan, Tekiela

598.90977 /Tekiela
Nonfiction, Animals, Nature

Learn to identify raptors, and make bird-watching even more enjoyable. With Stan Tekiela’s famous field guide, bird identification is simple and informative. This book features 34 species―including every species of raptor found in the Midwest. For ease of use, the guide is organized by group: hawks, eagles, falcons, kites, vultures, and owls. So when you see a bird of prey, you can determine its group by common visual characteristics. Then turn to the corresponding section to find out what it is! Book Features: Only Midwestern birds of prey: every raptor species found in the Midwest Organized for efficient use: species organized by group, then size from smallest to largest Fact-filled information: accessible for beginners but informative for more experienced birders Stunning photos: professional-quality sharpness and detail Stan’s Notes: naturalist information and interesting facts not found in other guides Quick-Compare section: sketches, silhouettes, and photos for side-by-side comparisons

Melody's picture

It is almost June and we are entering prime hiking and nature walk season. Whether it's a stroll along the paths at Terry Trueblood or a secluded trek through local preserves or parks, keep an ear out for the birdsongs that carry you along. And keep an eye out for birds of prey. This pocket-sized field guide will be your best friend when your smartphone signal is weak. I even wish I had something like this while at the dog park sometimes. Is that a Cooper's Hawk or a Merlin? With this book, I can find out. -Melody

Moon bear book cover

Moon bear

Clare Helen Welsh

jE Welsh
Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Picture Books, Animals, Art / Art History

"In this enchantingly illustrated, almost wordless picture book, a story of courage and creativity unfolds when a girl who is afraid of the dark meets a magical moon bear who is afraid of the light."

Casey's picture

This ursa is majorly gorgeous! Carolina T. Godina's picture book illustrator debut is a stunner. -Casey

Mornings without Mii book cover

Mornings without Mii

Inaba, Mayumi, 1950-2014, author.

ON ORDER BOOK
Nonfiction, Animals, Literary Nonfiction, Memoir

"A beloved Japanese modern classic that chronicles the author's twenty-year bond with her cat, meditating on solitude, independence, and the writing life"--

Candice's picture

One review states that this book is a "striking evocation of the way we meld our lives and hearts with a beloved creature" while another says that it's "a must-read for pet lovers with sturdy hearts." You've been warned. -Candice

We leap together book cover

We leap together

Christopher Silas Neal

jE Neal
Kids, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Animals, Nature

"An awe-inspiring nonfiction picture book, perfect for animal lovers, that reveals how a mama whale and a mama person care for their young in remarkably similar ways, from the illustrator of Over and Under the Snow. A little boy and his mother set off on a day trip, meanwhile, a mama whale and her calf swim towards the bay. On the way, both sing, blow bubbles, get lost--and found! Through it all, mama always stays close. The human pair board a sightseeing boat, and as the whales reach the harbor, they all converge in one spectacular scene! With lyrical text and absolutely magnificent art, here's a book that celebrates our connection to animals, and to each other"--

Casey's picture

Beautiful illustrations and minimal text make for perfect storytime sharing! Curious readers will find backmatter that sheds more light on the comparison Neal draws between humans and whales. -Casey

Don't trust fish book cover

Don't trust fish

Neil Sharpson

jE Sharpson
Picture Books, Animals

Why, dear reader, must you NEVER EVER trust fish? 1) They spend all their time in the water where we can't see them. 2) Some are as big as a bus--that is not okay. 3) We don't know what they're teaching in their "schools." 4) They are likely plotting our doom. This nature-guide-gone-wrong is a hilarious, off-the-rails exploration of the seemingly innocent animals that live in the water.

Victoria's picture

This book is a riot- the perfect balance of fun fish facts, dead-pan comedy and a subtle crab protagonist. I read this at impromptu storytimes for everyone in my house, including visitors, and it received rave reviews from adults, kids and teens alike. Maybe don't trust fish, but definitely don't miss this picture book! -Victoria

Otter carries on book cover

Otter carries on

Maya Tatsukawa

jE Tatsukaw
Kids, Picture Books, Animals, Nature, Philosophy, Self Help

"Otter loves floating and collecting pretty, heavy rocks all by themself. When a storm comes, Otter has so many rocks that they can't swim home -- and soon, they're lost at sea. But when a few rocks accidentally slip away, Otter feels -- lighter. And with the help of a new friend, Otter realizes that maybe they don't need to carry everything alone." --

Casey's picture

Otters, friendship, and adventures at sea! Maya Tatsukawa's latest picture book, Otter Carries On, is gorgeous and a nice conversation starter about letting things go. -Casey

The triumphant rhinoceros book cover

The triumphant rhinoceros

Jane Kurtz

j599.668 Kurtz
Kids, Nonfiction, Animals, Science, Travel

Captain Van der Meer turns an orphaned rhinocerous named Clara into a sensation, traveling all over Europe and changing how people think about her species. Based on a true story. Includes author's note.

Anne W's picture

Fascinating story with really cool illustrations about one Dutch sea captain's efforts to bring an exotic, exciting, never-before-seen rhino around to the people of Europe! -Anne W

Little Witch Hazel : a year in the forest book cover

Little Witch Hazel : a year in the forest

Phoebe Wahl

jE Wahl
Adventure, Kids, Picture Books, Animals

"Little Witch Hazel is a tiny witch who lives in the forest, helping creatures big and small. She's a midwife, an intrepid explorer, a hard worker and a kind friend. In this four-season volume, Little Witch Hazel rescues an orphaned egg, goes sailing on a raft, solves the mystery of a haunted stump and makes house calls to fellow forest dwellers. But when Little Witch Hazel needs help herself, will she get it in time? Little Witch Hazel is a beautiful ode to nature, friendship, wild things and the seasons, that only Phoebe Wahl could create: an instant classic and a book that readers will pore over time and time again."--

Violette's picture

I really love Phoebe Wahl's artwork, and this makes reading her books even more enjoyable. In this book, we follow the character Little Witch Hazel as she adventures through the forest, meeting many adorable critters in even more adorable outfits along the way! -Violette

Papilio book cover

Papilio

jE Clanton
Humor, Kids, Picture Books, Animals, Nature, Science

"Told in three parts, Papilio transforms from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly"--

Casey's picture

There's a new very hungry caterpillar in town, Papilio! This collaborative picture book has just enough information for young entomologists to gobble up and features a sweet story about finding your wings. Papilio is one big treat! -Casey

Smithsonian handbook of interesting bird nests and eggs book cover

Smithsonian handbook of interesting bird nests and eggs

Douglas G. D. Russell

598.1564 /Russell
Nonfiction, Animals, Nature

This book reveals how a simple bird's nest or egg can tell extraordinary stories about the birds behind them, help reconstruct a habitat’s flora and fauna, and offer potential answers to important evolutionary and ecological questions. From the Cape Penduline Tit nest that includes a false chamber to trick predators to the unique patterning of a Great Auk egg allowing parents to always recognize and care for their own egg, this insightful handbook peers into the brilliance and architectural skills of birds. Smithsonian Handbook of Interesting Bird Nests and Eggs is an essential read for birdwatchers and nature lovers.

Melody's picture

Natural history is so fascinating! The extent of my bird-nest knowledge ends at my backyard, where we sometimes find house finch nests in our hanging ferns. This book has hundreds of historic nests collected from all over the world. The back cover reads, "Birds are some of nature's most innovative architects." I never knew I needed to know about birds' nests until eyeing this book on the shelf. What a fun discovery! The only drawback is that this book doesn't include illustrations of the bird species that build these nests. But have a web browser handy and that drawback is easily remedied. Two talons up. -Melody