Canadian Wildlife

A middle-grade-friendly introduction to flora of the Great Lakes Region, with outdoor activities, games and quizzes that make learning about nature fun! Great for families and educators.

Get dirty digging up roots. Crouch down to look closely at a carnivorous sundew dissolving a dragonfly. Make an elderberry concoction. Test your plant ID skills with a winter twig quiz. Make a soothing plantain salve to treat an itch. Learn which berries you can eat and which to avoid.

Time spent outdoors encourages children’s self-confidence and independence, increases attention span and physical well-being, and fosters care for the environment. With the increasing intrusion of technology into daily life, and the challenges of climate chaos, it has never been more essential for parents and educators to encourage kids to engage with the natural environment. Plants are everywhere, even in urban areas where parks, empty lots and backyards offer the opportunity to learn from and connect to nature.

Drawing on their years of experience as outdoor educators, co-authors Philippa Joly and Danielle Gehl Hagel feature fifty richly illustrated plant profiles, including information on identification and ecology, cultural uses, and fun activities—all in a way that is accessible and interesting to readers of all ages.

Educator Information
Juvenile Nonfiction.

Additional Information
224 pages | 8.50" x 8.50" | Paperback

A lyrical informational picture book about how open-net pen fish farms impact wild salmon and their ecosystems

Salmon are central to their ecosystem and the lives of many Indigenous Nations, but the rapid rise of open net-pen fish farming has threatened these longstanding connections. Salmon have followed the same migration routes for thousands of years, but the fish farming industry has had a deadly impact on their annual journey. Open-net pen farms release harmful waste into the ocean that is lethal to the wild salmon forced to swim through it. Now, the salmon must battle against the human-made destruction of their habitat, and many Nations are advocating for change and creating calls of action to protect salmon for future generations.

As the young salmon journey from their gravel nests to the open ocean, readers learn about the life cycle of wild salmon, the effects of open-net pen fish farms, and the role of salmon as a keystone species.

Boldly illustrated with gorgeous Northwest Coast formline art, rhythmic poetry combines with supportive nonfiction content to illuminate the struggles faced by wild salmon populations.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 5 to 8.

Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient: J 
Lexile measure: 980L

Additional Information
40 pages | 10.00" x 8.50" | Hardcover 

Discover the history of the endangered Ojibwe horse and the daring intervention of the Lac La Croix First Nation in this celebration of community, tradition, courage, and hope.

It’s a cold, snowy night at Lac La Croix First Nation, and two siblings are too excited to fall asleep. The horses are coming tonight! Amid the buzz of aunties and uncles and cousins, Nookomis tells a story that began many years ago, when their people shared the land with herds of wild ponies. In a symbiotic relationship, the people provided the horses with food and shelter, while the horses helped them run traplines and travel. But after many years had passed, and the herd had dwindled to four, the government threatened to shoot them. It was time to move the remaining horses to safety—but getting them there would be harder than they thought! Follow the true story of a “heist across the ice” from Ontario to Minnesota and learn how a small herd of hardy, indigenous horses returned years later to their native land. Rich illustrations honor the life of the Ojibwe people over time, as well as the land and living things that have survived under their stewardship.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 7.

Additional Information
32 pages | 9.62" x 10.62" | Hardcover 

Learn about the southernmost community of Nunavut in this educational picture book.

Did you know that Sanikiluaq, Nunavut is named after a great hunter and leader? Or that it is the most southern community in Nunavut? You can even see wildlife like polar bears, eider ducks, foxes, and more nearby. Discover the many reasons that people in Sanikiluaq love their home in this bilingual picture book.

Reviews
"This book is written in Inuktitut and English, explaining Sanikiluaq, the southernmost community in Nunavut. It describes the history of the community, the animals that live in the area and introduces Inuit food acquisition practices such as whaling, fishing, hunting, and gathering. Cultural activities such as making carvings, baskets, and clothing are also explored. For younger students, the information is helpful for learning about Inuit culture as well as the importance of the Inuit and places before the land was settled and given non-Inuktitut names, such as the Belcher Islands." - Alethea S., Elementary School Teacher, Indigenous Books for Schools

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

Dual-language: English and Inuktitut

This book is part of the Community Connections series.

This title is included in the Indigenous Books for Schools database from the Association of Book Publishers of BC as a recommended resource for K to 5 English Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies. 

Additional Information
21 pages | 8.00" x 9.00" | Paperback

Animals Illustrated mixes fun-filled animal facts suitable for the youngest of readers with intricately detailed illustrations to create a unique and beautiful introduction to Arctic animals for young readers. This collection of material from the Animals Illustrated series gives readers a focused understanding of how land mammals survive in the Arctic, what they have in common that helps them withstand the icy cold temperatures, and how their unique behaviours and adaptations help them succeed in this habitat.

Presented in the form of an illustrated children’s encyclopedia, this book provides introductory information about mammals, predator and prey relationships, and how animals adapt to live in the Arctic, before providing detailed spreads with facts about each of the following animals: polar bears, Arctic wolves, Arctic foxes, muskoxen, caribou, wolverines, lemmings, and Arctic hares.

Educator & Series Information 
Recommended Ages: 6-8

This book is part of the non-fiction Animals Illustrated series, which mixes fun-filled animal facts suitable for the youngest of readers with intricately detailed illustrations to create a unique and beautiful collection of children’s non-fiction books on Arctic animals. Each volume contains firsthand accounts from authors who live in the Arctic, along with interesting facts on the behaviours and biology of each animal.

Reading Levels
Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient: P 
Guided Reading Level: P

Additional Information 
48 pages | 8.00" x 11.00" | Hardcover 

Bison are North America’s largest land animals.

Some 170,000 wood bison once roamed northern regions, while at least 30 million plains bison trekked across the rest of the continent. Almost driven to extinction in the 1800s by decades of slaughter and hunting, this ecological and cultural keystone species supports biodiversity and strengthens the ecosystems around it. Bison: Community Builders and Grassland Caretakers celebrates the traditions and teachings of Indigenous Peoples and looks at how bison lovers of all backgrounds came together to save these iconic animals. Learn about the places where bison are regaining a hoof-hold and meet some of the young people who are welcoming bison back home.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 9 to 12.

This book is part of the Orca Wild series that examines the intricacies of animals, ecosystems, humans and our relationships to each other.

This STEAM title examines the biology and habitat of bison, their role as a keystone species, their importance to Indigenous cultures, conservation efforts, and how kids can take action to protect bison in the future.

Reading Levels:
Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient: W
Lexile measure: 1020L
Guided Reading Level: W

Contains some Indigenous content, such as a contribution from Kaleya Blackbird Runns from the Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation in Saskatchewan, as well as information on the bison's importance to many Indigenous cultures in North America.

Additional Information
96 pages | 7.50" x 9.00" | 96 colour photographs, 2 maps, 1 index, 1 bibliography | Hardcover

For young readers, an inspiring story about a river, a successful Native-led movement for environmental justice, and the making of a scientist.

Growing up in the Yurok and Karuk Tribes, Brook Thompson learned to care for the fish that nurtured her and her family. She knew that along the Klamath River in Northern California, salmon and lampreys are a needed part of life. But she also saw how these fish were in danger. People had built dams along the Klamath River, making it very hard for salmon and lampreys to live. Tribal people and their friends organized to have four of the dams removed, and they won. In I Love Salmon and Lampreys, Thompson tells this inspiring tale, and she shares how it motivated her to become a scientist. Featuring adorable illustrations by Anastasia Khmelevska, as well as fun facts about salmon and lampreys, this is a stirring story about stewarding nature for the generations to come.

Reviews
"[Brook Thompson] compares these salmon transitions to her own life, sharing how she left her family to go out to university to learn how to protect salmon and lampreys and then came home to fight for conservation rights as an engineer and scientist. Maps, back matter, and fun facts enhance this satisfying, engaging story." —Booklist

"A powerful story about protesting for positive changes that protect the environment." —Kids Bookshelf

"The book not only celebrates the resilience of the Klamath River and its inhabitants but also highlights the profound impact of environmental justice on the lives of individuals and communities. It is a powerful reminder that we all have a role to play in protecting our planet and ensuring a healthy future for generations to come." —Mama Likes This

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Additional Information
32 pages | 9.00" x 9.00" | Hardcover 

Sam has always dreamed about being an orca, while Crystal discovers she hopes to grow up and study orcas as a marine biologist. When the siblings head to the Pacific coast to visit their aunt and uncle, they are in for a treat! Aunt Kate is a marine biologist, and she has all kinds of interesting facts to share about the Resident orca pods.

Sam and Crystal learn about the different populations of orcas and their food sources, attend the Save the Salish Sea Festival with an Indigenous woman, and have their own incredible adventure with an orca pod. They come away with a new understanding about the role they play in protecting our animal friends and what it will take to ensure that the orca pods have their own vibrant, beautiful future.

Join an Orca Family with Sam and Crystal is the fourth book in the Sam and Crystal series. It weaves a wealth of factual information about the orcas of the Pacific Northwest Coast with an entertaining story and beautiful, whimsical, biologically accurate illustrations. Children will learn basic ecology concepts while exploring the Pacific coastline right alongside Sam and Crystal.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 11 and under.

This book is part of the Explore with Sam and Crystal Series.

Additional Information
64 pages | 8.50" x 11.00" | Hardcover

The newest book in the Little Explorers series takes young readers from the seashore to the ocean floor, finding fascinating plants and animals and solving ocean mysteries along the way.

Let's meet some of the amazing sea life that calls the ocean home.

What creatures live where there is no sunlight? How do tides work? Is coral a plant or an animal? Search for the answers to these questions and more in the newest book in the Little Explorers series! With engaging text and realistic illustrations, young readers will adventure through the fascinating underwater world of our planet's oceans.

Learn why some sea creatures glow, and how sharks can be as small as a pencil or as long as a bowling lane. From the helpful kelp forests of the shallow sunlight zone to the cold depths of the abyssal zone, interesting plants and animals abound—and many mysteries too.

Let's dive in!

Educator & Series Information
Recommended Ages: 4-8

This book is part of the Little Explorers Series.

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.00" x 6.50" | Hardcover 

An engaging introduction to the wide world of wild bees

Say the word "bee," and most kids think of honeybees or bumblebees. But there are around 20,000 discovered species of bees-and most of these are wild, solitary bees that don't live in hives. Readers will discover fascinating facts about these lesser-known bee species, from mason bees and mining bees to leafcutter bees and vulture bees.

Using clear, concise language and plenty of fun word play, this introduction to wild bees describes their life cycles, habitats, and behaviors ... some of which are weirder than others! It also explains the importance of wild solitary bees to many ecosystems, the challenges these bees face, and the things we can do to be part of the solution.

Vibrant, detailed illustrations created with pencil, crayon, and watercolor provide close-up views that are buzzing with life. Full of fun facts, The Buzz on Wild Bees invites readers to celebrate and protect all the world's bees.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 7 to 10.

Additional Information
40 pages | 8.50" x 9.50" | Hardcover 

This bestselling and award-winning introduction to Etuaptmumk—the gift of multiple perspectives also known as Two-Eyed Seeing—is now available in a bilingual edition that celebrates the Mi’kmaw language and our connections to nature.

Elder Albert D. Marshall is a leading environmental voice who has brought forward the concept of Etuaptmumk, honoring and braiding both Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledges and ways of knowing for the benefit of all. Walking Together is grounded in this, as well as in the concept of Netukulimk, meaning to protect Mother Earth for the ancestors and for present and future generations. The journey in Walking Together nurtures respectful, reciprocal, responsible relationships with the Land and Water, with plant life and animals, and with other-than-human beings.

Translated by Barbara Sylliboy and Arlene Stevens, Eskasoni First Nation, Unama’ki (Cape Breton), Nova Scotia, the dual-language text in Mi’kmaw and English furthers Elder Marshall’s lifelong work preserving cultural beliefs and creating a strong vision for his people and for the future. Elder Marshall and Louise Zimanyi are working together to promote Land-based learning through storytelling, an approach that has global relevance for protecting biodiversity, climate action, and resilience. Emily Kewageshig’s evocative artwork illustrates the beauty of connecting with nature and encourages readers to strengthen their relationships to the world around them.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 7.

Introduces the concept of Two-Eyed Seeing (the gift of multiple perspectives) to young readers.

Bilingual Edition: Mi’kmaw and English.

This book is available in English: Walking Together 

Additional Information
40 pages | 9.00" x 9.00" | Hardcover 

The perfect read for exploring nature with children, this beautiful nonfiction picture book offers an awe-inspiring look at the forest’s life cycle.

A tree suns and sways in the forest. She is a place to grow, to rest, and to shelter. But what happens when a tree falls? The answer will make your heart soar. In this lyrical picture book, explore how the extraordinary nurse log provides a nutrient-rich space for new seedlings, shelters small animals, hosts different plant species, and, most profoundly, nurtures a new tree in the process, renewing the cycle of life. Young readers will be amazed by the nurse log’s resilience and its powerful connection to the forest’s past, present, and future.

Perfect for:

• Kids who are interested in trees and forests
• Parents and grandparents of children who want to learn more about trees and forests
• Teachers, educators, and librarians seeking beautiful nonfiction books with STEM content
• Gift-givers looking for a distinctive present for an animal- or nature-loving child
• Anyone seeking a picture book that promotes environmental awareness

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 9.

Every organism in the forest ecosystem is connected. This fascinating picture book powerfully illustrates how the end of one life in the forest can be the beginning of another.

When a Tree Falls is a reminder of the wondrous ecosystems in our own backyards and the wild forest beauty we may discover by looking closely. It is ideal for families who enjoy being in nature.
 
The forest life is rendered with such richness and detail that it invites readers to immerse themselves in the endlessly inspiring natural world.

An excellent choice for a classroom book or as a gift for kids who love trees, spending time outdoors, and are mindful of environmental issues.

Additional Informationb

Prepare to embark on a journey rich with the wisdom of our ancestors and the secrets shared by Mother Earth.

In this children’s book, you will follow a path once tread by those before us, where the songs of the trees, the dance of the rivers, and our stories are carried by the wind. These teachings are invaluable treasures passed down through generations.

You’ll discover the language of animals, the lessons of plants, and the wisdom of the land. If you listen closely, you will hear the “Whispers of the Earth,” guiding you on this incredible adventure.

Educator Information
Recommended for kindergarten to grade 7.

Carl Sam advised on the language, and is “Ha7li” of the Bear Clan from Skookumchuck, part of St’at’icmulh Nation, sometimes referred to as the Interior Salish. Through this book, he shares elements of the Ucwalmícwts language.

Includes some words in Ucwalmícwts.

Additional Information
60 pages | 20 × 20 × 1 cm | Paperback | Printed locally on 100% post-consumer recycled paper.

Learn fun names for animal groups of the West Coast with a sturdy board book featuring the illustrations of Indigenous artist Roy Henry Vickers.

Bright blocks of colour and tactile embossed pages bring the natural world of the wild West Coast to life. Accompanied by a rhythmic, rhyming text, this board book will entertain babies, toddlers, and adults alike as they discover that orcas leap and dive in a pod, a bunch of sea lions are called a bob, geese make up a wedge, a swamp full of croaking frogs form a chorus, a jumble of jellies are called a bloom—and more!

A Flock of Gulls, a Chorus of Frogs is a vibrant addition to this bestselling, award-winning First West Coast Book series, perfect for storytime and supporting language development in babies and toddlers.

Educator & Series Information
This book is a part of the First West Coast Books series.

Recommended for ages 3 and under.

Additional Information
24 pages | 7.25" x 5.00" | Board Book

A deep dive into the minds of animals and how they think.

Wouldn't it be amazing to see inside the mind of a lion, a gorilla, an octopus or even a bee? In Animal Minds: What Are They Thinking?, author Dana L. Church looks at how scientists are doing just that. Their research shows that a wide variety of species have unique personalities, impressive memories, counting abilities, and incredible problem-solving skills.

Meet the scientists who study the minds of animals, discover the similarities and differences between the minds of different species and learn how they compare to our own. From dolphins to dung beetles, tigers to turkey vultures, Animal Minds shows that we are only beginning to scratch the surface when it comes to revealing the amazing inner worlds of the thousands of different creatures with whom we share this planet.

Reviews
“The book includes questions and answers with women scientists in the field, sidebars, and eye-catching full-page color photos. A good starting book on animal cognition for any young animal lover who has wondered if animals are more like humans than we think.”— Booklist

“Full-colour photos and illustrations are well-chosen and positioned to enhance understanding…Young readers…will find Animal Minds: What Are They Thinking? intriguing. It might help fill [a] knowledge gap and offer inspiration for further investigation. Highly recommended.”— CM: Canadian Review of Materials

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 9 to 12.

This book is part of the Orca Wild series that examines the intricacies of animals, ecosystems, humans and our relationships to each other.

Additional Information
96 pages | 7.50" x 9.00" | Hardcover