This sunny children´s book (paperback, $8.95; hardback with John Denver CD, $19.95) is a heartwarming book adapted from one of John Denver’s best-loved songs. A lovely reminder of the good, pure things in life, it celebrates friendship, sunshine and simple joy. Children and adults alike will love Christopher Canyon’s whimsical and humorous illustrations that capture the innocence of childhood. This is the first of a series of picture book adaptations of John Denver’s songs.

Ancient Rhymes, A Dolphin Lullaby (paperback, $8.95; hardback with John Denver CD, $19.95) is a book based on the John Denver song, “Ancient Rhymes,” a heartfelt lullaby celebrating the birth of a dolphin. Denver loved to swim with dolphins – intelligent, mystical animals that swim together in pods, suckle their young, and often touch and caress each other. Christopher Canyon’s illustrated adaptation of the song lovingly portrays the hope that new life brings on each page. - Vanessa VanderZanden

A lyrical, engaging ode to the creatures of a coral reef teeming with activity. Children will count and clap to the tune of "Over in the Meadow" while pufferfish "puff" and seahorses "flutter." The colorful, eye-catching artwork is constructed entirely from polymer clay-a fun invitation for children to create their own "fishy" forms!

Eliza discovers a dragonfly nymph, and alongside her bug-loving Aunt Doris visits the nearby pond to observe its curious environment. At first Eliza thinks the paperclip-sized nymph is an "awful green creature." But before long Eliza changes her tune in this story about growing up through discovery

This nature story, written by Anthony Fredericks and illustrated by Jennifer DiRubbio, introduces children to critters and bugs that abound in wetlands. This title is sold for $8.95 in paperback and $16.95 in hardback.

John Denver’s popular song, “Take Me Home” is being released into an illustrative book by Dawn Publications. The book, which is wonderfully illustrated, is about different folksy family members driving through the hills of West Virginia to get to Grandma and Grandpa’s farm for the family reunion.

This book spotlights baby animals and their loving relationships with their parents. It includes a baby duck, possum, mountain goat and human, along with other wild animals, against a natural setting. Kirkus Reviews says: "if the goal is to introduce a love of nature, this will do it."

This 36-page book by poet and musician S. Kelly Rammell is illustrated by arts educator Jeanette Canyon using still pictures of three-dimensional polymer clay formations. Truly a visual treat, the bee-boppy words are transformed into bright city scenes from a pigeon's perspective that jump off the page. Sure to entrance young readers, it's available for $8.95 in paperback and $16.95 in hardback and measures 7 3/4" by 11 3/4".

From professional storyteller Brian "Fox" Ellis, this is a tale of pond life and how all creatures are connected in the food chain. Even mosquitos that love to snack on young human flesh have their place. Detailed pictures by Michael S. Maydak complete the package, along with further information on the animals mentioned in the story at the end of the book. It's available for $8.95 in paperback and $16.95 in hardback and measures 10" by 9".

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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).

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.

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.

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).

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).

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).

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.

TDmonthly Review:

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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.

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.