Nature
Creep, leap, crunch! : a food chain story
Jody Jensen Shaffer
j577.16 Shaffer
Nonfiction, Picture Books, Animals, Nature
"In this nonfiction picture book, discover how the animal kingdom's food chain takes shape"--
A stone is a story
Leslie Barnard Booth
jE Barnard Booth
Picture Books, Nonfiction, Nature
"A stone is not just a stone. A stone is a story. Journey across history to see how one stone changes and transforms. Watch what happens when rain, ice, and wind mold this rock into something new, something you might even hold in your hand and imagine all that is left for the stone to become."--
Yet another fabulous picturebook nonfiction title! Gorgeous illustrations by Marc Martin highlight Leslie Barnard Booth's beautiful prose. Aspiring geologists, naturalists, and rock pocketers alike will delight in this exploration of Earth's past, present, and potential futures. -Casey
On a flake-flying day : watching winter's wonders
Buffy Silverman
j508.2 Silverman
Nonfiction, Picture Books, Animals, Nature
"With winter's arrival, plants and animals hunker down for the cold season. Eye-catching photos and rhyming text sparkle in this exploration of how creatures survive the snow" --
Rhyming text and beautiful photographs make "On a Flake-Flying Day" the perfect seasonal read-aloud! -Casey
Trees : a rooted history
Piotr Socha
j582.16 Socha
Nature, History, Nonfiction
"Part botany, part history, part cultural anthropology--Trees goes beyond the basics to tell readers everything they might want to know about this particular branch of the plant kingdom. Trees explores the important roles trees play in our ecosystem, takes an up-close-and-personal look at the parts of trees (from roots to stumps to leaves), and unpacks the cultural impact of trees from classification systems (like family trees or data trees) to long-standing myths (like the Tree of Life)."--
This book was an expired hold on the bookmobile, so I ended up "leafing" through it during a slower stop, their loss my gain! I was obsessed with the illustrations! The oversized pages offer several wonderful field guides for different types of trees, roots, seeds, endemic species, and more. I enjoyed the concise and gorgeous exploration of the use of trees as building materials throughout history. The book dives deep in the cultural significance to native trees around the world and examines religion and folklore surrounding trees. I loved the book so much I decided to buy a used copy online to enjoy again later. -Mari
Lapidarium : the secret lives of stones
Hettie Judah
553.8 /Judah
Nonfiction, Nature
"Inspired by the lapidaries of the ancient world, this book is a collection of true stories about sixty different stones that have influenced our shared history. Through the realms of art, myth, geology, philosophy, and power, the author tells the story of humanity through the minerals and materials that have allowed humans to evolve and create. Lapidarium uses the stories of these sixty stones to explore how human culture has formed stone, and the roles stone has played in forming human culture"--
This book gets my vote for prettiest cover on the new nonfiction shelves right now. It's history, mythology, and earth science packaged into smart essays that revel in humanity. -Melody
In the night garden
Carin Berger
jE Berger
Picture Books, Nature, Animals, Kids
"A collage-illustrated bedtime read about the often mysterious and always beautiful experiences to be found in nighttime spaces"--
Yet another gorgeous picture book title from Carin Berger! Pair with Ashley Wolff's "Only The Cat Saw" for a fabulous nighttime cat-themed storytime. -Casey
The hidden world of gnomes
Lauren Soloy
jE Soloy
Picture Books, Nature, Fantasy
"A delightful collection of gnome facts, featuring Lauren Soloy's gnome wisdom and gorgeous artwork."--
The Hidden World of Gnomes is stunning! A long-form picture book without chapters, this is an excellent choice for newly independent or graphic novel exclusive readers and confident lap-sitters. Pair with Phoebe Wahl's Little Witch Hazel for a magical long-form storytime. -Casey
Over and under the waves
Kate Messner
jE Messner
Picture Books, Nonfiction, Nature
"A girl and her parents paddle into the bay. Over the water pelicans fly; under the water all kinds of sealife go through their daily life. Discover the magical depths of the kelp forest and all the fascinating creatures living just over and under the waves."--
This series is a storytime favorite! I'm excited to add this to our program collection and take it to preschool classes soon. If you like the other titles in Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal's Over and Under series, check this one out! -Casey
Traditional Wicca : a seeker's guide
Thorn Mooney
133.43 /Mooney
Nature, Religion
"A description of the structure, hierarchy, and training of a Traditional Wiccan coven, focusing on guidance for those seeking to join one"--
A great introduction into the magic and practices by someone who is very experienced. -Mykle
Zap! clap! boom! : the story of a thunderstorm
Laura Purdie Salas
jE Salas
Picture Books, Nonfiction, Nature
What starts as a blue-sky day begins to turn into rolling thunder as a storm brews.
I've been sharing "Zap! Clap! Boom!" with outreach sites this month, and it is a HIT! This nonfiction picture book is gorgeously illustrated, features a fabulous rhyme scheme, and includes a fun repeating phrase for storytime enjoyment. Calling all aspiring meteorologists and their caregivers, this one's for you! -Casey
Fabulous illustrations by Christopher Silas Neal accompany this cumulative food chain text. "Creep, Leap, Crunch!" is great for sensitive youngsters with alternate endings for each of the animals offered, reminding readers that predators are not always successful. A lovely glossary adds more information about the animals and temperate setting as well. Add this to the picture book nonfiction shelf! -Casey