Arboretum Library: Curbside Pickup or Browse in the Library: Selected New Children's Books in the Arboretum Library

The follow-up to Heyday's best-selling  A Is for Acorn takes young readers to a Native California Big Time, with Coyote as their guide. Counting from one clapperstick up to ten stars twinkling above the gathering, Coyote explores indigenous cultural traditions, including songs, dances, hand games, art--and, of course, delicious food. Lyn Risling's beautiful illustrations depict the diversity of traditions that continue to thrive throughout the state. At once a fun introduction to numbers and a celebration of community, this lively counting book shows babies and toddlers how to take in the beautiful world around them.

Winner of the 2021 Caldecott Medal #1 New York Times Bestseller Inspired by the many Indigenous-led movements across North America, We Are Water Protectors issues an urgent rallying cry to safeguard the Earth's water from harm and corruption--a bold and lyrical picture book written by Carole Lindstrom and vibrantly illustrated by Michaela Goade. Water is the first medicine. It affects and connects us all . . . When a black snake threatens to destroy the Earth And poison her people's water, one young water protector takes a stand to defend Earth's most sacred resource.

A young artist explores the urban forest near his home, art supplies in tow, interpreting what he sees in a variety of artistic media. He is a keen observer who uses poetic, rhythmic language to describe the diversity he finds all around him through the seasons - his forest is both 'fluffy' and 'prickly,' 'crispy' and 'soft.' He is inspired to make charcoal rubbings, rock art, sponge painting, and more, in order to explore and interpret the beauty around him. This is a book to inspire and delight, sure to awaken the nature artist in every child.

An ALSC Notable Children's Book. A wonderful introduction to one of the most beautiful connections between mathematics and the natural world-the Fibonacci sequence-through a series of stunning nature photographs. Discover the biggest mathematical mystery in nature--Fibonacci numbers! Named after a famous mathematician, the number pattern is simple and starts with: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13. Each number in the sequence comes from adding the two numbers before it. What's the mystery? The pattern crops up in the most unexpected places. You'll find it in the disk of a sunflower, the skin of a pineapple, and the spiral of a nautilus shell. This book brings math alive, celebrates science, and will inspire kids to see nature through new eyes.

You can learn a lot about science by observing the natural world. And you don't need fancy lab equipment, computer software, or other technology to do it! You can do experiments in nature or inspired by nature with some household items and a bit of curiosity. Helpful photos and step-by-step instructions guide readers through projects that introduce them to the science of nature. While making a volcano or a thermometer, readers will learn about light, temperature, and more.

A living tree is home to many different creatures. When the tree dies, a different group of animals and plants move in. A Dead Log describes the diverse kinds of insects, plants and animals that live on and under a dead tree's bark as well as inside the log itself.

This portable companion is guaranteed to get kids excited about exploring nature. It is a durable guide is with a hands-on introduction to cool, common critters, trees, flowers, and rocks found in the woods all over North America. The book only includes flora and fauna that children are most likely to encounter on a walk in the woods--from chipmunks to chickadees to maple trees (which they would learn to recognize from the shape of the leaves). Section introductions teach kids how to be good observers and explorers. And throughout the book are suggestions for engaging kids in their outdoor adventures--a guide to edible berries; charts of animal tracks, homes, and droppings; how-to projects such as pressing flowers, rubbing leaves, and even climbing trees!

So begins this lyrical tribute to the bugs, bees, and birds that make the garden such a busy place. With each turned page, more visitors appear, and all the while the "surprise"--a chrysalis--changes unnoticed until, on the last page, a butterfly emerges and flies away across the garden's well-tended borders. Back-of-book notes about the natural histories of the garden's denizens complete this lovely and lively portrait of backyard nature, which is also a gentle meditation on the rewards of paying attention. A chipmunk hides on every page to divert and engage young readers.Fountas & Pinnell Level O

This new book from Sara Levine features a cantankerous talking cactus as a narrator, revealing to readers the significance of different colors of flowers in terms of which pollinators (bees, bats, birds, etc.) different colors "talk" to. A fun nonfiction presentation of science info that may be new to many kids--and adults!

See how bees and butterflies settle on spring flowers, how buds blossom and flower into fruit, and how sunflowers turn to face the sun.

A unique guide to the extraordinary world of plants, from the smallest seeds to the tallest trees. Packed with more than 1,000 incredible images and full of fascinating facts, this beautiful children's book takes you on an exciting adventure through the wonders of the plant kingdom. Explore the incredible world of plants, from the smallest seeds to the tallest trees. Find out about the weirdest, smelliest, and deadliest flowers. Which plants eat insects? How do cacti store water? What flower looks like a bee? Where is the tallest tree in the world? Trees, Leaves, Flowers & Seeds explores the mysterious world of plants to find the answers to these and many more questions. Each type of plant - such as a flowering plant, a tree, a grass, or cactus - is examined close-up, with examples shown from all angles and in cross-section. Picture-filled galleries also show the wonderful variety of plants on different themes, from the habitats they grow in to the plants that supply us with our staple foods. But Trees, Leaves, Flowers & Seeds also takes a fun, more sideways look at some truly strange plants, such as trees with fruit like gigantic fingers, orchids that look like a monkey's face, seeds that spin like helicopters, and trees that drip poison. So open this amazing book and find out more about the world of trees, leaves, flowers, and seeds.

Scientist. Artist. Rule-breaker. The vibrant and daring life of Marianne North by the award-winning author of Super Women and Rachel Carson and Her Book That Changed the World. In 1882, Marianne North showed the gray city of London paintings of jaw-dropping greenery like they'd never seen before. As a self-taught artist and scientist, Marianne North subverted Victorian gender roles and advanced the field of botanical illustration. Her technique of painting specimens in their natural environment was groundbreaking. The legendary Charles Darwin was among her many supporters. Laurie Lawlor deftly chronicles North's life, from her restrictive childhood to her wild world travels to the opening of the Marianne North Gallery at Kew Gardens to her death in 1890. The North gallery at Kew Gardens remains open to the public today. Becca Stadtlander's award-winning lush, verdant artwork pairs wonderfully with the natural themes. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Showcases the splendor of the eastern North American woodlands and offers clues to nature's annual springtime floral show as we walk in our parks and wilderness areas, or even in shade gardens around our homes.

Leaves carry out a vital job for all flowering plants, they enable plants to make food. This book provides readers with a complete and comprehensive understanding of the role of leaves, their structure and how they are brilliantly designed to do this job. Clear diagrams, engaging text, and stunning photographs are used to explain what leaves are for, photosynthesis and how leaves work, the role they play in the movement of water around the plant, how shapes and styles of leaves vary, and why leaves are so important to us. A wide range of examples present readers with leaves they will be familiar with plus spectacular and unusual examples from around the world. These demonstrate what leaves have in common and some incredible adaptations that allow plants to survive in different conditions and habitats. Two simple experiments help stimulate thought, reinforce learning, and bring the concepts to life.

What do cacti, roses, and succulents have in common? They're all plants that poke. This book explores these plant species and more, providing an in-depth look at this important plant defense. Readers learn about the function of thorns and burs, and how they're successful in keeping enemies and predators away. Written to support elementary science curriculua, this volume covers concepts that are important for young science students, including survival and adaptation, ecosystems, and life cycles. Age-appropriate text and detailed photographs make it fun and accessible to learn about science.

Trees are essential. They provide water, shelter, and food for millions of plant and animal species, including humans. They deliver proven health benefits, and they capture and store carbon, which combats climate change. Yet trees are in trouble. Forests are struggling to adapt to climate change, and deforestation is a major threat. Recently, researchers and citizen scientists made the surprising revelation that trees communicate with each other through an underground system of soil fungi and other methods. Complex social networks help trees survive and thrive by transferring resources to each other, sending defense signals, communicating with their kin, and more. Meet the tree scientists and learn more of their fascinating discoveries.

15 fun and fact-filled poems about soil--what makes it and who lives in it! This book unearths some of the glorious mysteries that lie beneath our feet! Dirt! It's made of chipped rocks, rotting plants, decaying animals, fungi, and germs. It's food for plants and home to animals of all kinds. 15 poems explore the underground lives of earthworms, spiders, ants, chipmunks, and more. Chipmunk, for such a little squirt you sure do move a lot of dirt, you sure do dig your tunnels deep, you sure do find some nuts to keep, you sure do know your underground. Chipmunk, you sure do get around. Spectacular art is oriented for an extra long view to better depict life down deep. Table of Contents--Dirt Recipe At the Roots of Things, Doodlebug- One Way Ride, Trap Door Spider- The Waiting Game, Earthworm- Dirty Work, Ant- City Builder, Grub- Grass Killer, Mouse- Nightfall Calls, Bumblebee- Planning for Spring, Yellow Jacket Wasp- Warning! Warning! Warning!, Mole- Worm Search, Toad- Bedtime, Chipmunk- Busy, Busy, Busy!, Gopher Tortoise- The Innkeeper, And Now We Know, Author Notes This is David L. Harrison and Kate Cosgrove's second nature book together after And the Bullfrogs Sing. This book has been vetted by an expert. It includes back matter and a bibliography.

Beatrix discovers a wild bumblebee nest on her way home from school and finds herself drawn to their busy world. When her bees mysteriously disappear, Bea hatches a plan to bring them back. Can Bea inspire her school and community to save the bees? Bees provide us with valuable resources, and some types of bees are in danger of disappearing forever. But ordinary people (and kids!) can help save them. Filled with fascinating facts about bumblebees and ideas to help preserve their environment, Bea's Bees encourages kids to help protect bees and other pollinators.

Celebrating 30 years of the beloved classic Owl Moon from renowned children's book author Jane Yolen and Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator John Schoenherr! Late one winter night a little girl and her father go owling. The trees stand still as statues and the world is silent as a dream. Whoo-whoo-whoo, the father calls to the mysterious nighttime bird. But there is no answer. Wordlessly the two companions walk along, for when you go owling you don't need words. You don't need anything but hope. Sometimes there isn't an owl, but sometimes there is. Distinguished author Jane Yolen has created a gentle, poetic story that lovingly depicts the special companionship of a young child and her father as well as humankind's close relationship to the natural world. Wonderfully complemented by John Schoenherr's soft, exquisite watercolor illustrations, this is a verbal and visual treasure, perfect for reading aloud and sharing at bedtime.

Discusses the habits and characteristics of peafowls.

This playful collection of poems--peppered with an astounding variety of animal sounds--is meant to be read aloud together. These poems for two or more voices explore the myriad sounds animals make--from a frog's jug-o-rum to a fish's boom! to an elephant's bark. Laced with humor, the poems are a delight to read aloud and cover all major classes of animals- mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, insects, even a crustacean! Readers will learn how to estimate the temperature by counting a cricket's chirps and see how creatures make sounds at specific pitches and frequencies, so that they can be heard despite other noise around them. Extensive end notes provide more information on the animals and how and why they make the sounds they do. Written by noted children's poet Georgia Heard, this is an ideal collection for parents and children to share, or for a fun, interactive classroom read-aloud.

It's nice to be a mountain lion lounging in a tree; going for a little prowl with lots to learn and see! This board book introduces babies and toddlers to a very adorable animal. Playful, rhyming text takes us through a day in the life of a cougar, supplemented by fun facts for parents to share with youngsters. With plenty of photographs to coo over, this new addition to the It's Nice to Be series will charm children and parents alike.

It's nice to be a kit fox hearing all the sounds, hunting insects, catching leaves, digging in the ground! This board book introduces babies and toddlers to a very adorable animal. Playful, rhyming text takes us through a day in the life of a kit fox, supplemented by fun facts for parents to share with youngsters. With plenty of photographs to coo over, this new addition to the It's Nice to Be series will charm children and parents alike.

"Filled with wonder and sorrow and happiness." --Alison McGhee, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Someday.
A heartfelt story of a young girl seeking beauty and connection in a busy world. As the seasons change, so too does a young Hmong girl's world. She moves into a new home with her family and encounters both birth and death. As this curious girl explores life inside her house and beyond, she collects bits of the natural world. But who are her treasures for? A moving picture book debut from acclaimed Hmong American author Kao Kalia Yang.
"Full of heart. And hope. This is exactly the kind of book I want to read to my daughter, and I wish I could hand a copy to every kid. Powerful, beautiful, and transcendent."--Newberry medalist and New York Times bestselling author Matt de la Peña
"With the clear, careful, and beautiful language we've come to expect from her, Kao Kalia Yang unfurls her first children's book, a journey waiting to reward our every step. This sad but heartening work reminds us how important it is that we care for our neighbors, and in so doing, we may discover we are not so different--a message that our children need now, more than ever."--Bao Phi, author of A Different Pond "A young Hmong girl settles into her new home, and as the seasons change, so does the world around her. A Map Into the World is a beautiful and hopeful story about love and loss, family and friendship, and it belongs in every reader's hands."--Sarah Park Dahlen, Associate Professor in the MLIS Program at St. Catherine

Join Mercer Mayer's classic and beloved character, Little Critter® as he goes green in this My First I Can Read book! Little Critter learns that planting his own garden is a lot of fun and a lot of work. But the result--a green, green garden--is something he can cherish and enjoy. Little Critter: A Green, Green Garden is a My First I Can Read book, which means it's perfect for shared reading with a child.  Books at this level feature basic language, word repetition, and whimsical illustrations, ideal for sharing with emergent readers. The active, engaging stories have appealing plots and lovable characters, encouraging children to continue their reading journey.

Watch all kinds of pumpkins grow in this simple introduction to autumn's favorite vegetable. This simple board book is ideal for Halloween party favors or parents who want a gift for toddlers. It features basic information on how pumpkins grow, talks about different types of pumpkins, and shows how pumpkins are enjoyed at Thanksgiving and Halloween--ending with a glowing row of jack-o-lanterns.

Fruits and vegetables both come from plants. Fruits have seeds. Vegetables do not. Let's learn more about fruits and vegetables. Paired to the fiction title Planting Seeds.

When a young boy's beloved plum tree falls in a storm, he feels like he's lost both a friend and a connection to his old home. A young boy, recently arrived from Korea, finds a glorious plum tree in his new backyard. It reminds him of a tree his family had back home, and he names it "Plumee" for the deep purple plums on its branches. Whenever the boy is homesick, he knows he can take shelter in Plumee's tall branches. And when a storm brings the old tree down, he and his friends have all kinds of adventures on its branches, as it becomes a dragon, a treehouse, and a ship in their imaginations. But soon it's time to say goodbye when the remains of the tree are taken away. Before long, a new plum tree is planted, new blossoms bloom, and a new friendship takes root. A South Korean immigrant herself, Hope Lim brings her perspective on the struggle for child immigrants to feel at home to bear through spare, poetic text, perfectly matched by soft, lyrical illustrations by Korean artist Il Sung Na. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Step into the garden and learn your ABC's with this colorful feast for the eyes! From asters and daises to roses and sunflowers, An ABC of Flowers is a colorful burst from the garden that will have little hands eager to grab. Filled with gorgeous photo illustrations, bold colors, and clever line art featuring a miniature-sized girl named Amelie, toddlers will laugh and be mezmerized by the book's vibrant pages. Perfect for the youngest readers learning their ABC's!

How does your garden grow? Book-loving Lola is inspired by a collection of garden poems that she reads with her mommy. She wants to plant her own garden of beautiful flowers, so she and Mommy go to the library to check out books about gardening. They choose their flowers and buy their seeds. They dig and plant. And then they wait. Lola finds it hard to wait for her flowers to grow, but she spends the time creating her own flower book. Soon she has a garden full of sunflowers and invites all of her friends for cakes and punch and a story amongst the flowers. Lola is a beloved character that continues to shine for young readers. Her curiosity and love of books is infectious. Parents and children love sharing Lola's stories. Rosalind Beardshaw's beautiful illustrations highlight Lola's close-knit family and how they use stories and books to interact with their world. Lola's brightly colored and growing garden is the perfect surrounding for this bright little girl.

Botanical artist and Instagram sensation Flora Forager makes her children's picture book debut with this imaginative alphabet book featuring real and imaginary animals created with natural materials gathered from her botanical foraging in wild places and from her garden. Bridget Beth Collins, known as Flora Forager on Instagram, has created her beautiful children's book debut from natural materials gathered from her botanical foraging where she makes her home in the Pacific Northwest. Children will be fascinated by her amazing botanical creations, from angel fish to zebra, and inspired to learn their ABCs.

An introduction to easy gardening so you can grow everywhere and anywhere.Whether you live in the city or the countryside, there are plenty of places you can plant and grow. For a new generation of green fingers there are different ways to bring nature into the home. Make your own pots, build balcony boxes, create your own bird feeders and even get friendly with worms! Each activity has been carefully chosen to create living, renewable and sustainable environments for kids and their families. Each activity has been carefully written by Kirsten Bradley, a leading practitioner in permaculture for kids and co-founder of Milkwood permaculture farm in Australia. The simple steps and beautiful spot illustrations make activities fun and easy to follow. The book also features non-activity spreads explaining the importance of why and how nature works. Illustrated by Aitch, a Romanian artist whose folkloric illustrations pay homage to vintage botanical books while giving each page a sense of modern magic.

Get little gardeners growing and learning with this beautifully illustrated book, packed with information and crafty stuff to do. Help them to discover that gardening can be simple and uncomplicated with very little equipment and prior knowledge needed. It often is as simple as having some seeds, a patch of soil or a container and having a go. As well as gaining a new hobby, there will be extra motivation to eat up the veggies after growing and picking them and the simple pleasure of spending time together outside. With sections based on the cycle of the seasons, the pages are packed with ideas of what to grow, how to sow seeds and useful harvesting information. Also included are tips about what wildlife you may see, raiding your recycling box to make some useful gardening accessories, and other decorative craft activities.

Hilarious and scientifically accurate, this book gives readers a bug's-eye-view of the life cycle of a stinkbug. Told in diary form, My Stinky Summer by S. Bug introduces readers to the stinkbug's life cycle and survival habits. From the day he is born, S. Bug hears the same refrain--"Ew! Stinkbug!" The stinkbug's odor is powerful protection against from predators. Perhaps too powerful. Readers will also learn about the challenges that arise when an ecosystem is pushed off-balance. Children will love poring over the bright, highly detailed illustrations and pondering ideas about ecosystems and nature. The book includes a glossary and further information in the back of the book. Both art and text have been vetted for accuracy by an expert. A Junior Library Guild Selection! Don't miss the other hilarious entries in The Nature Diary Series! Each one explores the life cycle of an animal in dated journal entries, showing young readers how they grow and change through the seasons-- and offering a few laughs, too! Brightly illustrated and vetted by experts, Paul Meisel's books are a perfect introduction to your backyard neighbors.

When a thriving forest is swallowed by wildfire the animals brace themselves, then look to new beginnings. At first, they didn't notice the spark flying above the dry treetops. But then the smoke blew from the north, and the flames began to grow... Author/illustrator Gianna Marino uses lush watercolors to explore the bitter-sweet cycle of burning and rebirth in the forest. Readers follow a lone deer as it sees its only home scorched by flame. A Northern California resident herself, Gianna witnessed the 2017 Sonoma wildfire firsthand when it came within inches of destroying her property. Her personal experience is palpably reflected through her portrayal of dignified animal silhouettes and stark, ashen landscapes in the wake of the fire. The book closes with an essay describing her encounter with the wildfire. We Will Live in This Forest Again is a great book for fans of Don't Let Them Disappear, also illustrated by Gianna and written by Chelsea Clinton. Parents and children with a soft spot for the fragile ecology of the forest will connect immediately with this book, and gain appreciation for what it takes to protect the natural world.

With playful text and vibrant art, Gabriel Alboroz's Flora's Tree House is a unique picture book about imagination for all children learning to appreciate a sibling's strengths, as well as their own. Siblings Flora and Will couldn't be more different. Flora brings epic fantasies to life in drawings and paintings, which she then hangs in her tree house. Will's adventures live in his mind as he leaps from trees and swings twigs like they're swords. Will has never been in Flora's tree house, but one day, his curiosity gets the better of him--what exactly is his sister doing up in there? In one joyful afternoon, Flora and Will's imaginations collide, and sister and brother discover that playing together is always more fun.

A treehouse is a wonderful idea, but how in the name of creation do you actually build one? In this delightfully illustrated handbook, David Stiles, the unofficial world grandmaster of the treehouse, shows how. Not assuming anything about the treehouse builder, Stiles starts with the basics: how to nail, how to buy wood, what kind of screws and nails to use. Then it's on to an A-frame design so simple that it can be built in a weekend out of four sheets of plywood, followed by lean-tos, a tree hut, and a Tarzan-style jungle hideaway. There are also forts of every description, including a 21-foot-tall lookout tower modeled on one George Washington built to keep an eye on the redcoats. Stiles also adds a design for a snowball catapult, an igloo and even a Nerf-loaded cannon. Written for children, with an adult peeking over their shoulder, Stiles's TREEHOUSES, HUTS, & FORTS is a dreamer's handbook, offering practical results.

With an emphasis on safety and adult supervision, Forest Craft presents a range of simple and fun whittling projects that children can make and enjoy hours of play with afterwards. The author, Richard Irvine, extols the virtues of exploring woodlands, getting to know the trees in your local area and learning about their characteristics and suitability for whittling. Projects include kazoo, mini furniture, duck call, rhythm sticks and elder wand. Includes a thorough guide to the basic tools and equipment that are required, the timber he recommends and would advise against for beginners, and the techniques that will be used in the projects. 20 whittling projects, with simple step-by-step instructions accompanied by photographs and useful tips. Includes a chapter on safety and safety tips throughout. Appealing to both forest school teachers and families, this is a book that can be turned to time and time again, through the different seasons and over many years. The skills learned can be treasured and passed down through generations, in time-honored traditions.