Just imagine all of nature—mountains, prairies, oceans, and all—lying on your bed as a patchwork quilt. Take flora and fauna in their unique habitats, fold them up and you have a book, this book. Earth’s major habitats are spread before you, ready to be examined. Here in this beautiful package are revealed the key concepts of natural science. This patchwork quilt of nature covers the whole Earth to learn about, to enjoy, to care for, and to love.

Just imagine—you are a young orca whale. Your special friends are two cousins and your 100 year-old great grandmother, the clan leader. You learn to play with them, face danger with them, hunt with them—and even go people-watching with them. Based on actual orca, or killer whale, research, this book combines science with the real story of how family, friendship, and a grandmother’s love are helping this magnificent but endangered orca clan to survive.

Old MacDonald had a … pond? Come along with Jo MacDonald and learn about the wild creatures at the farm pond, including fish, frogs and ducks – and a few surprises. This riff on “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” introduces youngsters to the concept of ecosystems. Author Mary Quattlebaum engages little ones with rhythm, repetition, wordplay, and onomatopoeia, while illustrator Laura Bryant charms them with lively watercolors of a pond community. A resource section in the back features both outdoor and indoor activities and games sure to encourage young naturalists at home and school. Jo MacDonald’s pond discoveries closely resemble those that Mary discovered, too, when she grew up in the country with fields, gardens and ponds.

Arrow-shaped footprints lead a young backyard naturalist to a flock of funny-looking birds with big strong feet: Wild Turkeys. Once nearly extinct, these comical critters now gobble their way across North America. Follow Jenny through a year of enchantment as she shares her discovery of these wonderful birds. Gobble, gobble! Jenny wrote a journal, too, with lots of fascinating stuff about a distinctly American bird. Although it once numbered in the millions, wild turkeys nearly disappeared with over-hunting and habitat destruction, but are now making a comeback. The unique illustrations are block prints over collages. The collages are made from cut and torn paper plus all sorts of things from nature – bark, leaves, feathers, even wasp nests. Author Cathryn Falwell also offers tips for children to make their own cut-paper pictures and how to keep a nature journal. Also available in Hard Cover.

In the third book in the popular Blues Go Birding series, the adventurous Blues are filled with amazement as they discover the world’s most extreme birds—the fastest-diving, deepest-diving, highest-flying, keenest-hearing—and many more. It’s a fast-paced romp around the world with solid information about birds to inspire a future generation of birders. Written by Carol L. Malnor and Sandy F. Fuller, illustrated by Louise Schroeder. 36 pages. Also available in hardback ($16.95).

This new picture book by Marianne Berkes introduces children to some of the unique and interesting animals of Australia.  This new book is partnered after Berkes’ award-winning books Over in the Ocean, Over in the Jungle and Over in the Arctic. Illustrated by Jill Dubin. 32 pages long. Also available in hardback ($16.95).

Years after a big old tree tumbles to the ground and is rotting, is it really dead? In a new picture book for children, author Anthony Fredericks invites children to take a closer look. Roly-polies and daddy longlegs and velvet mites prowl here and there, while salamanders and chipmunks dash everywhere. Old logs offer a wonderful opportunity for a low-cost field trip. There might be one in your own backyard. Tons of small creatures live there, so often overlooked. A letter from roly-poly to the reader introduces this “neighborhood,” saying, “I have lots of weird neighbors, and remember, weird is interesting.” With a blend of science and rhyming text, Fredericks and illustrator Jennifer DiRubbio have created a lighthearted yet educational picture book. To further whet the appetite of nature-loving kids, Fredericks provides “field notes” and “fantastic facts” about the animals at the back of the book. And as a courtesy to teachers and parents, he provides an extensive description of projects and activities to do based on the book, ranging from simple finger play to readers theater. This is the sixth book in a series by the same author/illustrator team. Previous titles include Under One Rock; In One Tidepool; Around One Cactus; Near One Cattail; and On One Flower. Also available in hardback ($16.95).

This third and final volume of the "Earth Heroes" books features the youth and careers of eight of the world’s greatest environmentalists who championed the protection of wildlife. It includes the historic and contemporary figures of William Hornaday (saved the bison from extinction), Ding Darling ("A Duck’s Best Friend"), Rachel Carson (author of Silent Spring), Roger Tory Peterson ("Inventor of the Modern Field Guide"), R.D. Lawrence ("Storyteller for Wolves"), E.O. Wilson ("Lord of the Ants"), Jane Goodall ("Champion for Chimps"), and Iain and Saba Douglas-Hamilton ("Saving the Elephants"). This highly readable volume with illustrations and photographs calls attention to the waves of influence that spread from the ideas and actions of these heroes for the Earth.
Awards: 2010 Mom's Choice Award - Gold Medal

In this second of the BLUES Go Birding series, five adorable cartoon bluebirds go on another bird watching adventure. This time they follow in the footsteps of the famed Roger Tory Peterson, and see birds on every coastline of America. Filled with both information and entertainment, the BLUES are a delightful introduction to birdwatching and the major shorebird species for children.

By air, land, and sea, migrating animals are "going home." Salmon, turtles, whales and manatees travel by sea. Hummingbirds, butterflies and geese fly with determination. And caribou thunder across vast plains. Both illustrations and text capture a sense of movement and purpose, plus a sense of mystery and amazement. This is an "educational book about why animals migrate [and] how they find their way home, and lets you discover the journey along the way," Sandy Philpott, Director of Marketing, Dawn Publications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2010.

In a unique blend of caricature and realism, five adorable cartoon bluebirds — a band in search of a different song for their upcoming concert — go birdwatching (and bird-listening) across the continent. Along the way they see remarkable (real) birds from the bald eagle in Alaska to mallard ducks in Boston, and discover the joys of birdwatching. The book is full of information about the birds, in the form of “field guide” pages, journal entries by the BLUES, and birding tips. "This book, the first in a series, is not just an imaginative travelogue — it’s also a young person’s primer to birdwatching! The book combines realistic birds with caricature birds. The BLUES offer a delightful way to introduce young children to birds and birding," Sandy Philpott, Director of Marketing, Dawn Publications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2010.

In bed at night, Amy peers from under her covers at the dark shadows on the wall. But what is that flicker of light from the window? As she discovers the source of the mysterious light in her own backyard, she also learns something important about herself. The light, like many things in life, is something to be treasured but not contained, appreciated but always free. Inspiration for the book came to Robert Nutt, author and illustrator, one summer evening when he and his wife were walking and came upon a house with a yard full of dancing, flickering firefly lights. At that moment, he knew he would write about it. The photo illustrations are his own daughter, Amy. Launch date: March 2010.

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This lively and colorful book features rhyming text that shares facts about lesser-known animals in a humorous way. It is written by Maxine Rose Schur and illustrated by Michael S. Maydak. It is also available in hard cover (MSRP: $16.95).

This book gives readers a close look at the the lives and work of honey bees, supported by rhyming verse and colorful illustrations. It is authored by Lori Mortensen and illustrated by Cris Arbo. A hardcover version is also available (MSRP $16.95).

Written by Marianne Berkes and illustrated by Jill Dubin, "Over in the Arctic," chronicles life in a land where the snow goose "honks" and the wolf "howls." Children too will joyfully honk and howl while they count the baby animals and sing to the tune of "Over in the Meadow." And the illustrations— all done in cut paper — vividly convey the austere nature of the Arctic. The book measures 10" x 9" and features 32 fully illustrated pages. Launch date: 2008. Also available in hardback ($16.95).

The book invites children to the Children’s Eternal Rainforest in Costa Rica to hear howler monkeys, see algae-covered sloths and discover the strangler figs that make great hideouts. The book is available in both paperback and hardcover editions. Launch date: Spring 2008.

The book teaches young children about the solar system and the universe. Children will learn about planet orbit, planet rotation, gravity, solar radiation, seasons and space proportions. Launch date: Spring 2008.

This age-appropriate book helps children take a look at the science behind the weather: evidence from flowers, butterflies, birds, frogs, trees, glaciers and much more, gathered by scientists from all over the world. The book is written and illustrated by children’s environmentalist Lynne Cherry and award-winning photojournalist Gary Braasch. Launch date: Spring 2008. Also available in hardback ($18.95).

Huge, soft feather beds are the perfect place to play and sleep, and one of John Denver's most popular songs brings back these favorite childhood memories. This is the fourth title in Dawn Publications' highly acclaimed John Denver & Kids picture book series, adapted and illustrated by award-winning artist Christopher Canyon. The hardback edition comes with a CD of John Denver singing this children's classic. Kids can “read and sing along with John Denver to this high-energy tune,” Richard Rodrigue of Dawn Publications told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2007.

This book offers readers a chance to go back in time to see real dinosaurs and other ancient reptiles. And if they start by giving a T-Rex a bone, things will be, well, dangerously interesting. Along the way, readers are bound to encounter many other animals from the past, creatures wild and amazing. Launch date: September 2007.

This board book edition of Forest Bright, Forest Night allows the very young to count the animals in the forest and seek who is awake ... and who is asleep. It is written by Jennifer Ward and illustrated by Jamichael Henterly. This is one of several books by Dawn Publications that “focus[es] on science and nature in a fun picture book format that engages children. Our board books start kids at a very young age so they can begin to appreciate nature and animals,” Marketing Director Julie Valin told TDmonthly. Also available in hardback ($16.95). Launch date: March 2007.

Written by Steve VanZandt and illustrated by Katherine Zecca, this 32-page book combines poetry, art and music to celebrate the diverse nature of a river. It comes with a CD featuring VanZandt and the Banana Slug String Band in a fun-filled rendition of “River Song.” Launch date: March 2007.

Written by Marianne Berkes and illustrated by Jeanette Canyon with illustrations done in polymer clay, this 32-page book allows readers to count, clap and sing among enchanting rainforest animals to the rhythm of the whimsical children’s favorite, “Over in the Meadow.” The rainforest is teeming with monkeys that hoot, ocelots that pounce and much more. Launch date: March 2007.

This remarkable evolution series, narrated by the Universe itself, concludes with Book 3, the amazing story of mammals. It picks up with the extinction of dinosaurs, and tells how tiny mammals survived and morphed into lots of new Earthlings ... horses, whales and a kind of mammal with a powerful imagination - you! It's a story of chaos, creativity and heroes ¾ the greatest adventure on Earth. And it's a personal story . . . about our bodies, our minds, and our spirits. It's our story. This book is championed by Dr. Jane Goodall, who calls it “a must for every school library.” Written by Jennifer Morgan and illustrated by Dana Lynne Andersen. Softcover. Launch date: 2006.

Two little boys find a plethora of icky insects on a single goldenrod flower. Written by Anthony D. Fredericks and illustrated by Jennifer DiRubbio, the book features a “Field Notes” section in the back, where kids can learn more about the nature discussed in the story. Dawn Publications’ mission is to “assist parents and educators to open the minds and hearts of children to the transforming influence of nature.” This fifth book in Dr. Fredericks' series on animal communities will again send kids outdoors to explore. Also available in hardback ($16.95). Launch date: 2006.