Plants and Animals

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

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 

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.

An adorable, STEM-themed picture book for kids 4 to 8 that reveals the wisdom mushrooms have to teach us.

Mushrooms always wear their thinking caps. They know so many things. This vibrant and informative book shares the fascinating lessons that fungi can teach us: that small can be mighty, being unique is a reason to celebrate—and staying connected is key. Sara Gillingham’s lively art and Kallie George’s charming text captures the wondrous world of mushrooms, and everything we can learn from it.

Featuring over fifty kinds of mushrooms, Mushrooms Know shares:

• Engaging informational side bars with wild facts about mushrooms (such as how some are so strong they can grow through cement, and others can glow in the dark!)
• Backmatter that dives further into the science
• Important life lessons (including how to help each other and keep our homes clean)

For budding mycologists and forest adventurers alike, this is a must-have addition to the science and nature bookshelf.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Curriculum Connections: Nature and the Environment / Ecosystems / Life Cycles / Interdependence / STEM

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

Small but mighty. Learn about the importance of seeds and how saving and conserving them for the future is key to sustaining healthy life on the planet.

Seeds are essential to all life on the planet. They provide us with food, clothing and other materials we need and use every day. Without seeds, the planet wouldn't have as many species of plants as we do now. Without plants, there wouldn't be oxygen to breathe and there would be less food for all life on Earth. But today seeds are under threat, mostly from human activity. The climate crisis and food insecurity mean protecting our seeds is more important than ever. In Save Our Seeds, young readers will hear from experts in the field and learn how to take action to preserve seeds for the future.

Reviews
“The latest volume in the well-regarded Orca Footprints series presents a broad array of information about seeds…Exploring seeds more broadly than most children’s books on the topic, this volume encourages readers to collect, plant, and share seeds—a small, yet powerful resource.”- Booklist

“Author and master gardener Sheryl Normandeau… emphasizes the importance of saving and conserving seeds for the future in order to sustain healthy life on Earth. Highly Recommended.”- CM: Canadian Review of Materials

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: 1040L
Guided Reading Level: X

Additional Information
48 pages | 8.00" x 9.50" | Includes 60 colour photographs, 1 index, 1 bibliography | Hardcover

This lyrical, stunningly illustrated book explores the sea wolf—an apex marine mammal evolved from the gray wolf—as it navigates the coastline, eats seafood, and lives its extraordinary, unusual life.

Sea Wolves: Keepers of the Rainforest is the astonishing story of a wolf species that calls the shores of western Canada and southeastern Alaska home. Here, wolves crack clams, feast on fish roe, swipe salmon from rivers, and swim miles between islands—as long observed by the First Nations communities that have lived alongside them for thousands of years.

However, with the rise of industrial logging, pipeline projects, and other threats, sea wolves face a troubled future. Wildlife experts and First Nations members agree: these majestic creatures are a vital part of the ecosystem and need to be protected.

Through beautiful verse and striking illustrations, Sea Wolves captures the fascinating life of an animal with great cultural and scientific significance—one that will inspire awe in young readers.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Story Locale: Coast of western Canada and southeastern Alaska; British Columbia; First Nations territory

Additional Information
32 pages | 11.31" x 9.81" | Hardcover 

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 9 to 12.

This book is part of the Mother of Xsan series, which uses striking illustration and lyrical language to bring the poetry of the Xsan ecosystem to life. It is the seventh book in the series.

Reading Level: Fountas & Pinnell T
Lexile® Framework for Reading: 1140L

Recommended in the Indigenous Books for Schools catalogue as a valuable resource for English Language Arts and Science in grades 2 to 6.

Themes: Animals, Land, Language, Sustainability, Life Cycles, Biodiversity, Interdependence, Seasons 

Additional Information
32 pages | 6.50" x 10.00" | Hardcover 

This is a book for anyone, of any age, who cares about rivers.

This story of the Columbia River is unique. Told from the river’s perspective, it is an immersive, empathetic portrait of a once-wild river and of the Sinixt, a First People who lived on the mainstem of this great western river for thousands of years and continue to do so even though Canada declared them “extinct” in 1956.

The book’s re-release comes at a critical time for natural systems and for reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples across North America. The Colville Confederated Tribes, representing over 3,000 Sinixt People, recently won a precedent-setting case in the Supreme Court of Canada affirming that Aboriginal Rights do not stop at the border. The important story of the Sinixt weaves together with the ongoing ecological impact of hydropower development on the Columbia and its tributaries.

Central to the story is the joyous spirit of salmon, once a free swimmer in the Columbia’s currents north of the border but now blocked from ancestral spawning grounds by Grand Coulee and other dams. Restoring migratory fish indigenous to the Upper Columbia will require transboundary cooperation. With Indigenous Nations on both sides of the US–Canada border now leading the way, many are hopeful that the fish will return.

Lavishly illustrated by Nelson, BC, designer Nichola Lytle, this portrait of a globally significant river will inspire anyone who reads it to care about the future of the salmon, a fish that unites all of us in its quest for freedom and possibility.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Additional Information
96 pages | 9.50" x 8.50" | Paperback

Through the Squamish language and cultural traditions, learn about Indigenous plant relationships and how we are all connected to nature through plant-based foods, medicines, and materials. 

The best way to learn about plants is through observing and interacting with living examples. Join Held by the Land author Leigh Joseph and her children in The Land Knows Me, an educational, hands-on journey to discover all the wonderful uses and gifts of the plants around us. Through the Indigenous traditions of Squamish culture you’ll learn how to ground yourself on the land, how to introduce yourself in the Squamish language to your plant relatives, and the many teachings about plants, cultural stories, and learnings related to the flora seen on your walk.

This essential and colorful introduction to Indigenous plant knowledge includes informative sidebars, reflection questions, and plant names in both Squamish and English so children can learn a new language. 

The Land Knows Me concludes with a 15 plant profile directory featuring detailed plant illustrations and kid-friendly botanical drawings to aid in learning about the many great uses for plants and the native history behind them. You’ll meet plants like:

• Ḵwiĺayus (kw-ill-eye-os), Red-Flowering Currant, Ribes sanguineum
• Ḵ’emeláý (k-em-ill-eye), Bigleaf Maple, Acer macrophyllum
• Séliýaý (s-elle-ee-eye), Oregon Grape, Mahonia nervosa
• Xápaýay (hey-pie-eye), Western Red Cedar, Thuja plicata
• Ḵwe7úpaý (kw-oh-pa-eye), Pacific Crabapple, Malus fusca
• And more!

The directory also includes important safety and proper harvesting information for parents who are looking for more opportunities to educate and engage with kids while getting to know the secrets of the land around us. Including mindfulness activities, how-to crafts, and yummy treats, The Land Knows Me calls you back again and again to learn something new with each engaging read!

Follow the stream, cross the field, and step into a forest full of rich, botanical diversity rooted in history and tradition.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

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

This bestselling, innovative picture book introduces readers to the concept of Etuaptmumk—or Two-Eyed Seeing, the gift of multiple perspectives in the Mi’kmaw language—as we follow a group of young children connecting to nature as their teacher.

A poetic, joyful celebration of the Lands and Waters as spring unfolds: we watch for Robin's return, listen for Frog's croaking, and wonder at maple tree's gift of sap. Grounded in Etuaptmumk, also known as Two-Eyed Seeing—which braids together the strengths of Indigenous and non-Indigenous ways of knowing—and the Mi’kmaq concept of Netukulimk—meaning to protect Mother Earth for the ancestors, present, and future generations—Walking Together nurtures respectful, reciprocal, responsible relationships with the Land and Water, plant-life, animals and other-than-human beings for the benefit of all.

Reviews
"Walking Together is a poetic celebration grounded in Etuaptmumk (Two-Eyed Seeing) that weaves together the strengths of Indigenous and non-Indigenous ways of knowing. The story explores respectful, reciprocal, responsible relationships between the land, water, plants, animals, and humans." - The Dalai Lama Center

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 7.

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

This book is available in a bilingual format: Walking Together / Menaqaj Pemwije’tulti’k

Additional Information
36 pages | 8.90" x 8.90" | Paperback

We all know animals are affected by the climate crisis. But did you know the climate crisis is also affected by animals?

From whales to dung beetles, What Poo Can Do explores how animals big and small are helping the planet every time they do a number two. Come on a journey to different parts of the world to see how animals are fertilizing plants, storing carbon, preventing fires, reducing methane and even creating color-coded maps—all through their feces! Readers will discover how animal defecation makes a difference when it comes to the climate crisis. It's time to embrace the power of poo!

Reviews
“Well-organized and sustains the reader’s interest…Highly recommended.”— CM: Canadian Review of Materials

“While most environmental titles for children focus on how humans can protect and care for the planet, this book focuses on animals who are already assisting the cause—with poop!”— Booklist

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: 1090L
Guided Reading Level: X

Big Ideas & Themes: Environmental Awareness, Climate Change, Environmental Conservation & Protection, Green Issues, Sustainability, Wildlife

Additional Information
48 pages | 8.00" x 9.50" | Includes 41 colour photographs, 1 diagram, 1 index, 1 bibliography | Hardcover