Nature

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 

A stunning account of the Sacred Stone Camp's first day, where Indigenous activist LaDonna BraveBull Allard gathered water protectors to protest the Dakota Access Pipeline

The land is sacred to the people. The people are sacred to the land.

As Water Protectors gather to defend the water and protect the land against a black snake that threatens the rivers that millions of people depend on, a young girl looks to her Unci LaDonna and Lala Miles who are leading the way to the camp.

Although she’s nervous about what might happen next, she finds strength from her family and the strangers all coming together to stand up for what’s right.

Written with love by Rae Rose, who shares many memories with LaDonna, this is a deeply moving tribute to LaDonna’s work and impact with stunning watercolor illustrations by Aly McKnight.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 5 to 9.

Additional Information
40 pages | 11.00" x 8.50" | 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

Perfect for nature-loving young readers who want to expand their knowledge of Arctic animals beyond polar bears and walruses!

Animals Illustrated 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 about Arctic animals.

Each volume contains first-hand accounts from authors who live in the Arctic, along with interesting facts on the behaviours and biology of each animal. In this book, kids will learn what ravens eat, where they live, how they raise their babies, and other interesting facts, like the fact that ravens have one of the biggest brains of any bird and that they can use tools!

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

This book is available in French: Corbeau.

Additional Information 
28 pages | 6.50" x 9.00" | Hardcover

Discover the power of poetry in this simple, modern introduction to Indigenous poet Alexander Posey, featuring an ode to autumn and the changing seasons

Autumn depicts a dreamy fall day full of jaybird songs and scarlet leaves dancing through the air. In this poem, Muscogee poet Alexander Posey celebrates the changing of the seasons as the golden sun sets on summer and the world prepares for a time of rest. With stunning illustrations from Salish artist Paige Pettibon and interactive back matter that encourages young readers to create their own poetry, this accessible picture book is a joy for young poets and their parents alike.

Reviews
"A dreamy, succinct poem across many pages that all together encapsulates the sense of fall. A strong first purchase. The poem and artwork, which create an exquisite sense of a child’s joy in playing on an autumn afternoon, will appeal to all ages." — School Library Journal

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

Additional Information
24 pages | 8.00" x 8.00" | Hardcover 

For kids ages 6 to 10, this nature activity guide is the perfect companion for every child’s next outdoor adventure, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Hidden Life of Trees and Can You Hear the Trees Talking?

An excellent resource for parents, teachers, and curriculums ranging from outdoor education to homeschool and forest school.

Whether you are in the forest, in your own backyard, or in the city, there are so many exciting ways to engage with nature—and forester Peter Wohlleben has the best ideas for doing so. With Be A Nature Explorer!, kids will learn how to press flowers, harvest algae, skip stones, observe spiders, and even how to build their own tiny sailboat.

This ultimate kids' nature book features:

- 52 short, fun, and hands-on activities to help kids explore and discover the outdoors—one for each week of the year.

- Portable format: This lightweight paperback is designed to easily throw in a backpack and refer to on adventures.

- STEM learning and outdoor skill development: Kids will learn how to decode nature’s messages, identify plants and animal tracks, record and preserve their finds, and more.

Packed with activities that will fill kids with wonder and confidence in the outdoors, readers will be dipping in and out of Be A Nature Explorer! all year round.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 10.

Curriculum Connections: Nature and the Environment, Outdoor Learning

Published in partnership with the David Suzuki Institute.

Additional Information
100 pages | 6.00" x 8.00" | Paperback

Our people believe spirit lives in everything.

Mountain, river, wind, tree.

Come, take a walk with me.

What do we learn from plants when we listen to them speaking? Indigenous plantsman Nicholas Hummingbird calls on the legacy of his great-grandparents to remember how one drop of rain, one seed, one plant can renew a cycle of hope and connection—for him and for each of us.

Perfect for readers of Sy Montgomery, debut authors Nicholas Hummingbird and Julia Wasson joyfully proclaim even the youngest person can be an earth protector. With gorgeous illustrations from Rock Your Mocs artist Madelyn Goodnight, Can You Hear the Plants Speak? encourages us to engage with the natural world.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

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

From popping off a tail to rolling around in dung to farting to send a message, this funny and informative nonfiction picture book shows the many unusual ways animals adapt to their surroundings!

Animals survive and thrive in astounding ways: they trick, trap, and fry predators; feed on other animals’ poop and skin; and use electric zaps, slime, and other unexpected methods to communicate.

Featuring animals like Komodo dragons, bombardier beetles, and capuchin monkeys, this fact-filled book explores the surprising, exciting, and sometimes hilarious ways that animals adapt.

Reviews
"Welcome to the wonderful world of animal slime, poop, gas, vomit, and gross parenting practices. . . . [Settel] shows a knack for slipping in facts as likely to intrigue as revolt . . . . Donovan tones down the gross in her brightly hued animal portraits enough to elicit more cooing than spewing. . . . A crowd-pleasing way to deliver some substantial (info) dumps."— Kirkus Reviews, 5/1/24

"Donovan's digital art is brightly colored and does a good job depicting important points from the text, such as a giraffe's blue tongue (which acts as a sunscreen) wrapped around a branch. The gross-out factor is prominent throughout. . . . Appended with a glossary, this should intrigue borrowers and lead to further investigation."— Booklist, 5/15/24

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 7 to 10.

Additional Information
48 pages | 10.00" x 8.00" | Hardcover 

We know spending time in nature is good for us, but why? And how did people become so disconnected from the natural world, anyway?

Get Outside! How Humans Connect with Nature explores the important relationship between people and nature. It asks big questions, like Are humans part of nature or separate from it? and Do all people have equal access to nature? By discussing global issues such as the climate crisis and environmental racism, the book shows us that, by strengthening our relationship with the natural world, we can learn how to take care of the environment and to let the environment take care of us too.

Reviews
“Payne argues that humans are part of nature and should be engaging with the natural world more often and more effectively…Informative and likely to spur readers to forge a stronger bond with the natural world.”— Kirkus Reviews

“The text is visually striking…This book should appeal to readers interested in or curious about the outdoors and could lead to deeper engagement or activism.”— School Library Journal (SLJ)

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 9 to 12.

This book is part of the Orca Footprint series.

Reading Levels:
Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient: X
Lexile measure: 1030L
Guided Reading Level: X

Additional Information
48 pages | 8.00" x 9.50" | Includes 49 colour photographs, 1 index, 1 bibliography | Hardcover 

A grandfather teaches his grandson how we are all related to plants, insects, birds and animals—and that each of us has a place in the sacred web of life.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 7 to 12.

Additional Information
38 Pages

"I am the Elwha, rushing down to the sea. I am the Elwha, wild and free."

The Elwha River flows 72km (45 miles) from its source in the Olympic Mountains to the Strait of Juan de Fuca in the Pacific Northwest. Uniquely, it hosts all six salmon species (Pink, Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Steelhead, and Chum) as well as several species of trout.

In 1911, two dams were built on the river. The dams blocked the migration routes of the salmon and dramatically altered the entire river ecosystem for 100 years. In 2012, the dams were decommissioned and the world's largest dam removal and habitat restoration project began. In this lyrical and beautifully illustrated book, the author chronicles the history of the Elwha.

Narrated by the powerful voices of plants and animals that inhabit the river ecosystem, the dam builder, a worker, members of the Klallam Tribe, and the river itself, this story celebrates the ongoing rewilding of this special environment and offers a welcome to all the creatures who are coming home.

To learn more visit: www.elwha.org

Awards

• 2021 Riverby Award for Young Readers

Reviews
“I Am the Elwha is a powerful read about a powerful river and those who value and protect it." – Raina Delisle, Hakai Magazine 

Educator Information
Recommended for grades 3 to 7.

At the back of the book are three pages of cultural, scientific, and historical information that discuss the following:

• the importance and symbolism of salmon to the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and other Coastal Salish Tribes
• facts about the six species of salmon found in the Elwha River (Chinook, Pink, Chum, Sockeye, Coho, and Steelhead)
• the history of the Elwha River and its status today

Keywords / Subjects: The Elwha River, Rivers, Dams, History, Environmental Awareness, Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, Coast Salish, Native American, Culture, Washington, Animals, Salmon, First Salmon Ceremony, Plants, Nature, Settlers, Social Responsibility, Environmental Activism, Poetry.

Additional Information
32 Pages | 8.5" x 11" | ISBN: 9781771746311 | Second Edition | Paperback

Authenticity Note: This lyrical story, which chronicles the history of the Elwha River, is written by Lori Peelen. Robert Elofson, Tribal Elder and Harvest Manager in the Natural Resources Department for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribes, approved Lori's work and contributed pages of back matter at the end of the work. Lori's story was further approved by Frances Charles, the Tribal Councilwoman for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, after the entire council read and approved it.

The Canadian Content label has been applied because the illustrator of this work is Canadian.