Best of
Animals

2022

Funny Farm: My Unexpected Life with 600 Rescue Animals


Laurie Zaleski - 2022
    But from girlhood, Laurie was determined to make the dream come true. Thirty years later as a successful businesswoman, she did it, buying a 15-acre farm deep in the Pinelands of South Jersey. She was planning to relocate Annie and her caravan of ragtag rescues--horses and goats, dogs and cats, chickens and pigs--when Annie died, just two weeks before moving day. In her heartbreak, Laurie resolved to make her mother's dream her own. In 2001, she established the Funny Farm Animal Rescue outside Mays Landing, New Jersey. Today, she carries on Annie's mission to save abused and neglected animals.Funny Farm is Laurie's story: of promises kept, dreams fulfilled, and animals lost and found. It's the story of Annie McNulty, who fled a nightmarish marriage with few skills, no money and no resources, dragging three kids behind her, and accumulating hundreds of cast-off animals on the way. And lastly, it's the story of the brave, incredible, and adorable animals that were rescued.

The Fallen Stones: Chasing Blue Butterflies, Mayan Secrets, and Happily Ever After in Belize


Diana Marcum - 2022
    Before long Diana and her partner, Jack Moody—new to being a couple—have moved into a long-empty jungle house, cohabitating with bats, scorpions, toucans, iguanas, and the vulnerable but resilient butterflies. She comes to be obsessed with the array of iridescent creatures.Just ahead, although they don’t know it, are a hurricane and a global pandemic.This warm, funny tale of finding a way forward when the world seems to be falling apart is filled with the beauty of the natural world and a heartfelt cry to protect it—beginning with butterflies.

Mina


Matthew Forsythe - 2022
    Nothing ever bothers Mina, until one day, her father brings home a suspicious surprise from the woods. Should Mina trust her father—or listen to her own instincts?

Pawprints On Our Hearts: How A Few Incredible Dogs Changed One Life Forever


Kerk Murray - 2022
    Animal lovers will feel connected to Murray’s almost spiritual awakening and admire his devotion to following his heart, even in the face of tremendous sacrifice. This touching memoir OVERFLOWS WITH INTENSE EMOTION."—BookLife by Publishers WeeklyIn this unforgettable must read story, Kerk Murray beautifully shares how a few incredible dogs supported him through his experiences of being bullied, battling depression, and overcoming drug abuse. Their role in his redemption inspired him to founding The Lexi's Legacy Foundation, an animal advocacy 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, who has provided care to over five hundred abused animals to date. As a tribute to those dogs in Kerk's life, 100% of the book's proceeds will be donated toward the nonprofit's mission of ending animal suffering.From the Back CoverPawprints On Our Hearts is a soul-stirring coming-of-age memoir unpacking the journey we experience alongside the animals we love—from forging the unbreakable bonds of friendship to relishing the nostalgia of time passed too quickly. Together scaling the mountaintops of love and courageously descending into the deepest sorrows of loss. Discovering the purpose of our lives as we pause to revel in those extraordinary moments—the ones that changed us forever, leaving behind who we were so that we could arrive at who we were meant to be.You’ll laugh and cry as you reminisce, connecting once more to the joys of loving and being loved by your animal companion. More importantly, you’ll never be the same again.How could you be?Learning what it means to be human is the story of us all. But luckily, we have help along the way from these beautiful creatures who set the bar high and redefine what love ought to be.

Littered with Trouble


Eryn Scott - 2022
    She never imagined she would be a widow before the age of forty. To cope with the sudden loss of her husband, Lou moves across the country to live near her best friend in a town as cute as a button. Even though it means quitting her fancy New York editor job, she now owns the bookstore of her dreams. Well, almost. She definitely didn’t dream about a dead man showing up in her alley. Found with no identification, the police plaster the man’s face everywhere, along with the name of her bookshop, inundating Lou with negative press before she can even open. Worse, Lou was one of the last people to see him alive, and she didn’t even get his name.Worried the mystery man’s family is left without the answers she so desperately needed in her husband’s death, Lou tries to help find the man’s identity. On closer inspection, she realizes her conversation with the mystery man was full of clues. Starting with a confusing book page he left behind, Lou follows the trail. If she can solve this mystery, her bookstore might have a chance at being known for something more than murder.

The Aquanaut: A Graphic Novel


Dan Santat - 2022
    But Sophia's world is turned upside down when an "aquanaut" breaks into the park's research lab.To her amazement, Sophia discovers that the aquanaut is not what it seems -- inside lives a band of four goofy sea creatures! And when they all realize that Aqualand has evolved into something much darker than Sophia's dad had envisioned, Sophia is determined to help the aquanaut crew free the park's captive marine life before it's too late.

Gifts of the Ghost (Meowing Medium #2)


Molly Fitz - 2022
    

Cornbread & Poppy


Matthew Cordell - 2022
    Poppy does not. Cornbread ADORES preparing. Poppy does not. Cornbread IS ready for winter. Poppy...is not. But Cornbread and Poppy are the best of friends, so when Poppy is left without any food for the long winter, Cornbread volunteers to help her out. Their search leads them up, up, up Holler Mountain, where these mice might find a new friend...and an old one. Celebrating both partnership and the value of what makes us individuals, young readers will find this classic odd-couple irresistible as they encounter relatable issues with humor and heart. Publishing simultaneously in hardcover and paperback.

Do Not Wish for a Birthday Unicorn!: A silly story about teamwork, empathy, compassion, and kindness (Silly Books for Kids!)


Sarina Siebenaler - 2022
    

The Rottweiler Howls at Midnight (Cascade Canine Club Mysteries Book 1)


Rachelle Orcelletto - 2022
    

Witches & Whiskers


Gina KincadeCorinne O'Flynn - 2022
    Something magical this way comes…Witches & Wizards, Shifters--Dragons, Bears, Wolves, Demons & Devils, Angels, Vampires, Fae, and other magical supernatural creatures lurk in the pages of this limited edition collection of paranormal romance and urban fantasy tales.Witches & Whiskers is the purrfect choice for readers who want to be ravished by sizzling heroes and seduced by sassy heroines.What are you waiting for? Get your paws on this page-turning read today and save a furry friend.Every penny made goes to facilitate the rescue of dogs & cats, and help find their furever homes!

BUTTING HEADS IN SPAIN


Diane Elliott - 2022
    What they got was a Spanish Goatherder named Antonio.When a middle-aged English couple move to rural Spain, they are blissfully unaware that their dreams of running a small pony trekking business would be scuppered within six weeks of arriving. A sun-filled future looks bleak until a neighbour takes charge.As well as embarking on a crash course in goat midwifery and veterinary care, they also learn cliff climbing, bridge building and more than a little kung-fu.Will a goat, a sheep and two dogs rescue the couple as they battle to survive?

Mushroom Rain


Laura K. Zimmermann - 2022
    But don't call them plants--mushrooms are fungi. They're more closely related to animals like you! Through lyrical text and colorful, detailed artwork, the wonderful, mysterious, and sometimes bizarre world of mushrooms is explored. Back matter includes a glossary, additional mushroom facts, and a science activity.

Bandoola: The Great Elephant Rescue


William Grill - 2022
    Working together on a teak plantation, the two develop a rare friendship, which even today set standards around elephant care and conservation.But when another war forces them to leave their home in the Burmese jungle, the two undertake a journey that will test their friendship, taking trust, understanding, and bravery to the very limit. Together, they lead a group of refugees and over 70 elephants to safety, scaling 5000 ft mountains as they cross the border from Burma into northern India.

The Social Lives of Animals


Ashley Ward - 2022
    Ants farm fungus in cooperatives. Why do we continue to believe that life in the animal kingdom is ruled by competition?  In The Social Lives of Animals, biologist Ashley Ward takes us on a wild tour across the globe as he searches for a more accurate picture of how animals build societies. Ward drops in on a termite mating ritual (while his guides snack on the subjects), visits freelance baboon goatherds, and swims with a mixed family of whales and dolphins. Along the way, Ward shows that the social impulses we’ve long thought separated humans from other animals might actually be our strongest connection to them.  Insightful, engaging, and often hilarious, The Social Lives of Animals demonstrates that you can learn more about animals by studying how they work together than by how they compete.

People Are Wild


Margaux Meganck - 2022
    They can be playful or loud or smelly or curious or cute--just like kids!People Are Wild turns the tables and asks what animals think of us. We may not always see eye to eye, but the more we understand each other, the better we're able to live in harmony.Readers who loved They All Saw a Cat or Don't Let Them Disappear will appreciate this unique perspective on the animal kingdom.

Good Eating: The Short Life of Krill


Matt Lilley - 2022
    “Hi. What are you? You appear to be an egg. You are an egg sinking. For many days, you sink. You sink a mile down, and you keep sinking down… down… until…”The unidentified narrator follows one krill among billions as it pursues its brief existence, eating and eating while metamorphosing from one thing into another and trying to avoid being eaten. Questions and advice are hurled at the krill on every page, but the krill never responds—because, after all, krill can’t talk, and this is nonfiction.  Krill are the largest animals able to catch and eat phytoplankton, and they in turn are eaten by the largest animals ever to live on earth—blue whales—as well as by seals, penguins, and a host of others. In other words, krill are really good at eating, and they make really good eating. And that makes them the most important animals in the high-latitude oceans.  As in The Whale Fall Café, Dan Tavis’s illustrations combine scientific accuracy with Nemo liveliness and humor. Our star krill is so good at gobbling up phytoplankton that he turns green, so we can pick him out from the crowd racing to escape a penguin’s beak or a blue whale’s gaping maw. The book has been reviewed and endorsed by global krill expert Dr. Stephen Nichol, and the manuscript earned an honorable mention in Minnesota’s McKnight Artist Fellowships for Writers. Helpful backmatter is included.

Edward and Annie: A Penguin Adventure


Caryn RivadeneiraCaryn Rivadeneira - 2022
    As Edward and Annie explore the unknown parts of their aquarium home and meet the other wonderfully strange creatures living there, these penguin friends discover that the world is much bigger and more interesting than they ever knew. After much excitement and many surprises, they return to the penguin habitat for the best end to any day: a cozy rest at home.

Dodos Are Not Extinct


Paddy Donnelly - 2022
    Psst! Hey you! Can you keep a secret? Dodos are NOT extinct! In fact, if you look extra closely, you might be able to spot other extinct animals . . . like woolly mammoths, saber-toothed tigers, and even dinosaurs! These famous creatures are in disguise everywhere, so keep your eyes peeled! You never know who might be right under your nose. Author-illustrator Paddy Donnelly delivers a silly, animal-filled read that is perfect for story time sharing at home or for the classroom. Nonfiction back matter jam-packed with facts about the endangered and extinct animals featured in the story makes this creative book as educational as it is fun.

The Hunt for the Nightingale


Sarah Ann Juckes - 2022
    30: a nightingale song is one of the most beautiful sounds on the planet.  Ten-year-old Jasper has been waiting all spring for his beloved nightingale to return to his garden and sing.  But it's not there, and neither is his sister, Rosie.  His parents seem sad and preoccupied,  so gathering his courage, his backpack and his treasured Book of Birds, Jasper sets out alone on a walk to find them both.  The expedition takes Jasper through town and country, meeting a host of characters who are also searching for lost things. Helping his new friends, Jasper begins to see that he may not find what he is looking for when he reaches the journey's end, but even in the darkest of moments, a nightingale's song can be heard somewhere. A love letter to the natural world, Sarah Ann Juckes' stunning middle grade novel will leave you with tears in your eyes and a heart full of hope.  For fans of Pax, Wonder and Wild Child.

This Is the Boat That Ben Built


Jen Lynn Bailey - 2022
    Along the way he meets a black bear taking a swim, a moose all wobbly and slim, a goose with a gorgeous grin, and a heron all proper and prim…but things really start happening after the owl HOOs loudly on a whim.With fresh, easygoing verse from author Jenn Lynn Bailey and art full of movement and light from illustrator Maggie Zeng, This is the Boat That Ben Built is a compelling entry point for conversations about ecology, food webs, and species diversity. Ben’s excursion―watched from the shore by his mother and faithful dog―is an outdoor adventure pitched perfectly for kids who dream of independence and exploration, parents who value safety and loving supervision, and educators who seek engaging fiction enriched with information. The book concludes with an eight-page Author’s Note that spotlights facts about every animal Ben has met and invites readers to think like an ecologist about the ways in which they are all connected.

Homicide on All Hallows' Eve: A Cozy Fall Murder Mystery (Claire Andersen Murder for All Seasons Cozy Mystery Series Book 4)


Imogen Plimp - 2022
    

And a Dog Called Fig: Solitude, Connection, the Writing Life


Helen Humphreys - 2022
    An artist’s solitude is a sacred space, one to be guarded from the chaos of the world, where the sparks of inspiration can be kindled into fires of creation. But within this quiet also lie loneliness, self-doubt, the danger of collapsing too far inward. An artist needs a familiar, a companion with emotional intelligence, innate curiosity, an enthusiasm for the world beyond, but also the capacity to rest contentedly for many hours. What an artist needs, Helen Humphreys would say, is a dog. And a Dog Called Fig is a memoir of the writing life told through the dogs Humphreys has lived with and loved over a lifetime, including Fig, her new Vizsla puppy. Interspersed are stories of other writers and their own irreplaceable companions: Virginia Woolf and Grizzle, Gertrude Stein and Basket, Thomas Hardy and Wessex—who walked the dining table at dinner parties, taking whatever he liked—and many more. A love song to the dogs who come into our lives and all that they bring—sorrow, mayhem, reflection, joy—this is a book about steadfast friendship and loss, creativity and craft, and the restorative powers of nature. Every work of art is different; so too is every dog, with distinctive needs and lessons. And if we let them guide us, they will show us many worlds we would otherwise miss. Includes Black-and-White Photographs

The Gecko Without an Echo


Cheryl Denise BannermanCheryl Denise Bannerman - 2022
    Tim is happy roaming the wood with his best friend, except for one thing…when he shouts his name, he gets no reply. Find out what happens on one of their hikes into the woods and what Tim ultimately learns about communication and friendship. Available in hardcover and eBook.

Unbearably Cute


Pepper McGraw - 2022
    Determined to adopt his own kittens, Mason visits an animal shelter and is stunned when the woman in charge insists that no bears need apply. Rude! Who does this woman think she is? Especially since Mason is pretty sure she's a bear herself. Even if she does keep denying it. Either way, those kittens are his and no woman is standing in his way, no matter how sexy she is.The only way these two will ever make it to their happily ever after is if a matchmaking cat and an entire shelter full of kittens get involved.

Bunny Finds Easter


Laura SassiLaura Sassi - 2022
    Children will be introduced to the meaning of Easter through colorful illustrations and playful rhymes. Bunny Finds Easter encourages children, parents, and grandparents to: Start a conversation about the true meaning of Easter Cuddle up at bedtime or naptime to read together Enjoy memorable rhymes and adorable illustrations This inspirational board book is perfect for: Infants or children ages 0-4 Easter baskets and Easter gift-giving  Fans of Laura Sassi’s poetic picture books and board books

A Tale of 3 Witches: A Toad Witch / Stacy Justice Paranormal Mysteries Co-Production


Christiana Miller - 2022
    

Grateful Jake


Chris HardyChris Hardy - 2022
    Jake had a scary time on the streets after getting out of the yard as a puppy. Once he was rescued from the Humane Society he promised to always be grateful for as many things as possible in his life. Let Jake show you the way to being happier and more fulfilled in life by seeing all the many things for which he is grateful...and maybe you can find a few along the way as well!

Turtles Have Secret Ears: A light-hearted book on the different types of sounds turtles can hear (Awesome Animals)


Kelly Tills - 2022
    Turtles Have Secret Ears is perfect for home or for classroom read alouds. Kids love shouting out the answers to silly questions like "Can a turtle wear earrings?" This call and response format is a time-tested method for keeping kids engaged and interacting, instead of just chewing on the pages.

Big as a Giant Snail


Jess Keating - 2022
    . . but others will take you by surprise. The giant snail, for instance, or the ginormous Atlas moth. Like Pink Is for Blobfish and Cute as an Axolotl, Big as a Giant Snail will cover a wide variety of species, while subtly delving into misconceptions and stereotypes associated with size. Best of all? These tall tales are totally true!Awe-inspiring... This work fits into so many lessons, from endangered species to climate change and habitat preservation, that it's hard to imagine a collection that would not benefit from having it on its shelves. --School Library Journal

Barking for Business (Sharp Investigations, Cozy Canine Chronicles #1)


E.N. Crane - 2022
    Winnifred Pupperson, K-9, have retired. The Army sent them home to Sweet Pea, OH where they plan to rest and recover from four years of being a walking disaster. Now she's caught up in a mystery and revolving trips to the ER while fighting the urge to devour her former K-9 training Sgt, who seems to have followed her home.You'll laugh, cringe and wonder when you can visit Sweet Pea again.

You See a Zoo, I See . . .


Mike Downs - 2022
    The crocodile is protecting her babies, and the chimpanzees are learning by trying new things. Animals protect, play, bathe, and communicate in different ways. Even the zookeeper isn't just a zookeeper. . .she's the narrator's mom!A picture book that challenges kids to think beyond their first impressions--in a warm and eye-opening read perfect for storytime.

Not a Cat: A Memoir


Winter Miller - 2022
    His identity is his alone to describe and determine. With the help of Danica Novgorodoff’s laugh-out-loud illustrations, he takes us on a tour of his adventures, accomplishments, and daily activities that makes mincemeat of our first impressions. He wears a sweater and a leash, so is he a dog? He runs in pastures, so is he a horse? He likes flowers, so is he a bee? He swims, so is he a duck? He has flown in airplanes and ridden in subways, so is he a person? Maybe he’s all those things, but what he truly is, he wants us to know, is Gato.To underline the story’s message of empowerment and self-identity, the back cover and backmatter include photos of the real Gato (Winter Miller’s cat) doing everything he claims and more. Signs on walls, headlines in newspapers, New Yorker cartoon homages, and sight gags on every page reward repeated readings and will make this book the first one that parents reach for at bedtime.

A Cat Called Waverley


Debi Gliori - 2022
    When Donald is sent away to fight in a far-off war-zone, the cat waits for him to return, at Edinburgh's Waverley Station. And waits … Travelers and railway staff name him Waverley, and look after him. But he is waiting for Donald. Years go by, until one day at last he hears a voice he knows. Warfare has drastically changed Donald's life, but when the lonely cat and the forgotten man are reunited, their world suddenly seems a brighter and more hopeful place. This is a groundbreaking picture story that introduces important social issues of homelessness, post-traumatic stress disorder, and underlines the value of pets.

Cindi's Chocolate Valentine


Beverley Reichman - 2022
    She wants to meet him, but not like this! Have you ever changed your mind about something? In this outrageously funny story, meet some of Cindi's fur-friends and find out if she changes her mind about Valentine's Day.

Hometown Hero (Kellersburg series Book 5)


Merrillee Whren - 2022
    He’s trying to get his life back on track by helping with a charitable endeavor.Maisey Norberg’s life is turned upside down when she learns that Zach is back in town. She’s been his biggest fan since she was six and he was fourteen. Are her feelings the remnants of a childhood crush on the boy down the street or something grown up?Zach and Maisey are thrown together for The Twelve Dogs of Christmas documentary as they help a philanthropist give deserving children a dog. Will this shared experience help them find true love?

Courage Hats


Kate Hoefler - 2022
    But if you can't find it there, you can wear it on your head at first.Mae is a girl.Bear is a bear.But over the course of one life-changing, slightly nerve-racking train ride, they find out that this might be the only thing they don't have in common.Kate Hoefler's signature lyricism and Jessixa Bagley's sweetly wry art combine for a gently whimsical, people (and bear) pleaser of a story about the fear of being different, the ways we overcome this fear, and the fact that often what's different is a lot more familiar than we might think. With courage, determination, and a dash of friendship, Mae and Bear discover all the humor, warmth, and beauty found in togetherness and in the unknown.IMPORTANT THEMES: This sweet, moving story about new experiences is just right for kids facing the first day of school or a big move, but it's also more broadly about the importance of courage, trying things that scare you, making new friends, the beauty and importance of diversity, and dealing with the feeling of being an outsider.TEACHES KINDNESS AND EMPATHY: This book emphasizes the importance of kindness, courage, empathy, and friendship. It's a perfect classroom or library read-aloud, as kids will be excited to share their own experiences of trying new things and discussing things that scare them.BE BRAVE: It's all too common for kids to feel like outsiders at school, at camp, or anywhere else. This book shows it's okay to be different—and that trying new things is worth it, even when they seem scary or unfamiliar.SWEET ILLUSTRATIONS: Fall in love with these adorable characters, portrayed with humor and sweetness by illustrator Jessixa Bagley!Perfect for:• Parents and caregivers• Teachers and librarians• Anyone looking for an empathy read• Kids moving to new schools or houses• Parents encouraging kids to be brave in the face of new experiences• Fans of unlikely friendship stories

The Song of the Nightingale


Tanya Landman - 2022
    She dabs dots on ladybugs and spots on butterflies, stripes on zebras and pentagons on giraffes. Finally, she comes to the very last creature—a patient beetle—and uses her special pot of gold paint. The painter is about to pack up to go home when a little gray bird flies out of the forest. The paint box is empty, but on the tip of the painter’s brush remains a tiny bit of gold, which she drops at the back of the bird’s throat. And when the painter asks the bird to sing, golden notes tumble from its beak. This timeless tale, with its stylish and striking illustrations, will appeal to children and adults alike.

It's Up to Us: Building a Brighter Future for Nature, People & Planet


Christopher Lloyd - 2022
    More than 400 corporations have already signed on, agreeing to put the health of Nature, People & Planet at the heart of their activities. Now it’s up to all of us to make sure our leaders keep their promises.This book has been developed in partnership with The Prince’s Foundation, a charity established by HRH The Prince of Wales to demonstrate how Nature can be put at the heart of human activities. Half of all the proceeds from sales will go directly to the work of the charity, based at Dumfries House in Scotland, UK.Printed in Canada on 30% recycled FSC paper with vegetable inks, and all carbon impacts of the production have been offset through sustainable forestry programs.

Chasing Dreams


A.L. Brooks - 2022
    Worse, Ruby had some grand, beautiful dream to turn it into an animal shelter.Claire couldn’t look more like a villain in her new town if she tried. Now she has to find a way to make peace with the locals, as Ruby furiously works out a Plan B for her animal shelter.But even as the hot-headed women keep clashing, it’s hard not to notice their sizzling chemistry, and how attractive they find each other.It seems unlikely they’ll even manage to be friends at this rate. And being more than friends…that would be just ridiculous! Right?

Bitch: On the Female of the Species


Lucy Cooke - 2022
    Not because she loved spiders or would root around in animal feces: all her friends shared the same curious kinks. The problem was her sex. Being female meant she was, by nature, a loser. Since Charles Darwin, evolutionary biologists have been convinced that the males of the animal kingdom are the interesting ones—dominating and promiscuous, while females are dull, passive, and devoted. In Bitch, Cooke tells a new story. Whether investigating same-sex female albatross couples that raise chicks, murderous mother meerkats, or the titanic battle of the sexes waged by ducks, Cooke shows us a new evolutionary biology, one where females can be as dynamic as any male. This isn‘t your grandfather’s evolutionary biology. It’s more inclusive, truer to life, and simply more fun.

Golly-Oodle-Lolly!: One Fine Day with a Rascally Pup (Rascally Pup Learns & Grows, #2)


Tammy H. Kersey - 2022
    But if he REALLY listens…WOW! There’s so much more to say. Golly-Oodle-Lolly! Come along with Dickens on his rollicking boardwalk adventure. Meet roller skating Eddie with a mound of spaghetti, and Molly as she shops for a huge lollipop. Who knows what may be around the next corner! No need for a bumbershoot on this splendiferous day! You and your little ones will be gobsmacked by the kaleidoscope of fantastical words that are all around you every day…if you just listen. This endearing book with its engaging illustrations and surprising words will spark your child’s curiosity and love for language. Perfect for Pre-K through early elementary school aged children, but don’t be surprised if it grabs the attention of older siblings too. Golly-Oodle-Lolly! Don’t miss a minute of fun…come and explore with Dickens today!

The Very True Legend of the Mongolian Death Worms


Sandra Fay - 2022
    Reported sightings claim that their skin is blood red; their fangs razor sharp. The worms are supposedly poisonous and electrifying . . . or are they? In this funny story, we meet the Mongolian Death Worm family: Beverly, Trevor, Neville and Kevin. In spite of their deadly reputation, they’re determined to make nice and win over the other animals. Their overtures of friendship are . . . not reciprocated. But when disaster strikes, it’s the Mongolian Death Worm family to the rescue! With additional information about the legend, this book is perfect for storytime and discussions of legends and science. Perfect for fans of Ben Clanton, Sandra Fay's The Very True Legend of the Mongolian Death Worms will leave readers of all ages laughing and heartwarmed!

Wayward Creatures


Dayna Lorentz - 2022
    Twelve-year-old Gabe doesn’t know where he belongs anymore. His family is caught up in their own lives and his friends barely have time for him now that they’re stars on the soccer team. In a desperate plea for attention to impress his friends after school, Gabe sets off fireworks in the woods near his house and causes a small forest fire that destroys several acres of land. In the chaos of the destruction, a coyote named Rill—tired of her family and longing for adventure—finds herself far from home. Already on animal control’s watch for wandering into a backyard and snapping at a child, Rill crawls into a cave, where she nurses her wounds alone.   Gabe and Rill’s paths irrevocably cross when Gabe is tasked with cleaning up the forest through the court's restorative justice program. The damage to the land and both their lives is beyond what the two can imagine. But together, they discover that sometimes it only takes one friend to find the place where you belong.

Meg and Merlin


Tanya Landman - 2022
    But on the morning of her tenth birthday, Meg looks out the window to an unbelievable sight … a pony standing in the front garden. Have all of Meg’s wishes come true?

Solitary Animals: Introverts of the Wild


Joshua David Stein - 2022
    That splash and crash is a pod of whales, sounding.Behold, a fever of stingrays gliding by.But what do you call a group of octopuses?A tangle of octopuses? A chandelier of octopuses? A multipus of octopuses? No, octopuses prefer to be alone. The octopus is a solitary animal.This lyrical, nonfiction text honors animals who live in solitude, in contrast to others who live in groups. Against a backdrop of the specific names of various animal tribes (a parade of elephants, a tower of giraffes, a dazzle of zebras), Stein shines a spotlight on those animals who go through life on their own. With nature at his back, Stein invites readers to draw strength and comfort from the behaviors of fellow mammals. Perfect for children who tend to be alone, and their parents...as well as all children, who will be encouraged to respect the natural choices of their peers.

Song of the River


Gill Lewis - 2022
    A violent storm has flooded the valley where they live, destroying their home and café business.Things seem bleak – but hope appears in the form of a plan to reintroduce beavers into the area, as the changes that these amazing animals make to the waterways might prevent another flood.Cari knows that she has to get involved. But with the project facing resistance from locals, can she convince them to give the beavers a chance – and will it be enough to save her home from being destroyed for a second time?

Bumblebee Grumblebee


David Elliot - 2022
    In this delightful board book built on wordplay, toddlers will recognize each activity―getting dressed, playing, painting (including themselves), having a bath―and see how the animal makes the mischievous most of it.The bumblebee breaks its toy―bumblebee grumblebee!The cockatoo is getting dressed―cockatoo sockatoo!The pelican tries out the potty―pelican smellican!What will turtle do? Everybody gathers for the final squirtle.Each scene twists the animals' names into funny new words to share and delight in how they feel and sound.Bumblebee Grumblebee is for toddlers and adults to have fun experimenting with the way words are put together.

My Otter Half


Michelle Schusterman - 2022
    In an effort to show his bravery, he swims into Puget Sound where all the ships and humans are. That’s when disaster strikes: An oil spill threatens the local wildlife -- and it traps Oliver in the harbor!Franklin, an excitable dachshund puppy, is also lost. He's been separated from his owner, Lucy, and he has no idea how to get back to her. Now Oliver and Franklin must journey through the Pacific Northwest wilderness in search of their families.Along the way, they’ll discover exciting adventures and meet new friends—but will they be able to find their way home?

Bobcat Prowling


Maria Gianferrari - 2022
    Amidst the harsh winds and icy chill of winter, Yearling travels between the deep wilderness and suburbia, hunting for prey as he goes. He tracks hare, squirrel, pheasant…Watching. Waiting. LEAP!But each time, he is foiled by the resident predator. Will Yearling find a territory to call his own?

My Big Book of Outdoors


Tim Hopgood - 2022
    During the chilly months, they can discover why birds fly south in winter, search for animal footprints in the snow, or learn to make the perfect paper snowflake. As the sun grows stronger, they're invited to weave a daisy chain, find a feather, or try their hand at growing a sunflower. Full of activities, poetry, fun facts to explore, and amazing things to see and do outside, this brightly illustrated book makes a delightful gift for all seasons.

Drawn to Nature: Gilbert White and the Artists


Simon Martin - 2022
    From Thomas Bewick to Eric Ravilious and Clare Leighton, many artists' depictions of animals, birds and wildlife have illustrated White’s celebrated book, together providing a microcosm of natural history illustration from the eighteenth century until today. In Drawn to Nature, Simon Martin has gathered joyful and beautiful images of the extraordinary array of wildlife described by White, providing an insight into the continuing appeal and relevance of the Natural History.   This fascinating account takes us from some of the earliest published depictions of birds and animals, to pioneering nature photography, the revival of wood-engraving in the 1920s and 30s, and responses to White’s message about the natural world by contemporary illustrators such as Angie Lewin and Emily Sutton. The book also includes an introduction to the life of Gilbert White by Sir David Attenborough, an essay by Virginia Woolf, poems by modern and contemporary poets, and a jacket design by Mark Hearld.

Hidden Animal Colors


Jane Park - 2022
    A lizard is brown. A hippo is gray. But wait! The lizard has a blue tongue to scare predators, and the hippo has pink "sweat" that protects it from the sun! Brilliant photos accompany author Jane Park's rhyming nonfiction text in this playful exploration of animals' hidden colors.

The White House Cat


Cylin Busby - 2022
    But what about the first cat?Follow along on this very special tour of the People's House--you'll see who really runs things around here. . . .With detailed illustrations and chock-full of fun facts about this historic residence--and the real first cats--this picture book is the perfect way to introduce children to the White House.

For Laika: The Dog Who Learned the Names of the Stars


Kai Cheng Thom - 2022
    Laika is an orphaned stray dog who lives in the streets of Moscow in the then Soviet Union. Although she is loved by her pack, Laika longs one day to learn the names of the stars, since she knows that all dogs become stars when they die—including her parents. One day, a Russian scientist named Vlad offers Laika the chance to travel to the stars by helping him with an important experiment, an event that will change the entire world.Part fable, part dog story, part history lesson, young and older readers alike will find themselves captivated by Laika’s brave and loving heart, and by her story, which holds important lessons about world peace, science, and the deep bonds between humans and every other creature with whom we share the planet.

Pig and Horse and the Something Scary


Zoey Abbott - 2022
    I’m trying to ignore it.”    Pig can’t stop thinking about something that is bothering her. Try as Horse might to get her mind off of it—with bike rides, swims, and silly hats—it's no use. But maybe if Pig shares the something with her friend, they can talk about it and figure out how to face the something together. With charming illustrations, subtle whimsy, and a gentle approach to serious themes, Pig and Horse and the Something Scary acknowledges the fears and worries that children can feel in their bodies and minds. It encourages heartfelt conversations about emotional challenges, while also exploring the power of a supportive, caring friend.

Only Birds Above


Portland Jones - 2022
    He returns without his horse, a man forever changed by what he has seen and suffered. Years later, Arthur’s children Ruth and Tom are still feeling the effects of the first war when Tom is sent by his father to work in Sumatra. Tom Watkins is there in 1942 when the Japanese invade and is taken prisoner. This is the story of two wars that divide and unite a father and son, and all the years that lie in between.

Sea Turtles to Sidewinders: A Guide to the Most Fascinating Reptiles and Amphibians of the West


Charles Hood - 2022
    This user-friendly guide contains descriptions and photographs of the most interesting and likely-to-be-encountered lizards, snakes, turtles, and amphibians native to Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Idaho, and Washington, plus the western parts of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.Whether you are a dedicated herper or simply have a keen interest in wildlife and natural history, Sea Turtles to Sidewinders will help you appreciate and celebrate the amazing diversity represented by reptiles and amphibians of the West.

Lickie & Barkie Meet a Friend


T.J. Gustaffersson - 2022
    This is a fun way to add technology learning into a child's reading time. The book may be read with, or without, accessing the videos. They are simply a bonus!

Raccoon Gangs, Pigeons Gone Bad, and Other Animal Adventures: A Wildlife Rehabber's Tale of Birds and Beasts


Trish Ann Konieczny - 2022
    Since the Raccoon Gang first dropped in, her life has been energized by a passion to share God’s love for all creatures by rescuing birds and beasts alike. Now Trish shares her most unique encounters with her needy new friends and how they’ve each provided a window into the animal kingdom God has created for us to care for and enjoy. You’ll find enchanting stories from her time at Lion’s Den Rehab, like those of…Spark: an abandoned baby squirrel nursed back to health and eventual freedomGeorge: a homely, headstrong pigeon who loved rehab so much he wouldn’t leaveBunny: an adorable but high-risk rescue rabbit determined to survive and thrive Filled with heartwarming antics and up close looks at life in animal rescue, this book will delight every lover of furry and feathered babies—and reveal incredible insights into our relationship with God’s magnificent creation.

Housecat Trouble: (A Graphic Novel)


Mason Dickerson - 2022
    This new middle-grade graphic novel series is filled with silly jokes, adventure, and a whole lot of fun. One house, three cats, and a lot of trouble! Buster has only one job: keep the house safe. Too bad he is a massive scaredy-cat. When his owner goes away and he suddenly finds his home filled with monsters, Buster has the biggest challenge he's ever faced. Can he learn to be brave before his owner gets back? In the first volume of a hijinks-filled graphic novel series, the colorful artwork and hilarious characters will keep you laughing until the very end.

No Nibbling!


Beth Ferry - 2022
    Kang comes a tale filled with fantastic word play that will have kids laughing and insisting, "No nibbling!"One warm spring day, Derwood the goat planted a garden and patiently tended it as it grew. On that very same day, he noticed a dandelion puff--it was too early in the season, but Derwood was taking no chances. Growing a garden is risky business, after all. But as Derwood inspected the dandelion, he realized it wasn't a weed. It was a bunny! With Tabitha, a precocious bunny who is very interested in all the tasty vegetables, hopping on the scene, what ensues is a pun-filled tale that will leave you saying, "No nibbling!"

Whispers (A Cats Tale Book 1 of 1)


H.G. Hicks - 2022
    Away from other people, alone with just her thoughts and the forest.Well, I don’t have to imagine what that was like for too long, because I’ll experience it myself. Nana has left the home toMom, and we are moving there as soon as possible.Apparently, the house will be worth a lot of money once the logging companies are back up and running. I still don’t know why they mysteriously stopped…I’m excited to move, but I am also very wary.No one seems to have been able to explain how Nana died—or even find her body for that matter.There are definitely some spooky and unusual things happening in those woods, and I intend to get to the bottom of them.I hope I don’t get mixed up in anything dangerous…

The Wacky Animal Alphabet


Amy Koze - 2022
    Have fun finding out if you can remember all their names!

Little Bear: An Inuit Folktale


Dawn Casey - 2022
    When a lonely old woman finds a polar bear cub with no mother of his own, she adopts him, and cares for him as he grows. The bear cub rides in her hood and sleeps by her side. But when he is wounded by hunters from another village, the old woman begins to understand that bears belong in the wild. A tender story of loving and learning to let go, Little Bear celebrates the relationship between a human being and a wild animal and will touch the hearts of readers young and old.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #114


Sholly Fisch - 2022
    The Coolsville police station is being haunted by a monstrous mobster and his ghostly goons! Is it a cover for a jailbreak? A distraction to keep the police too busy to stop a daring crime elsewhere in the city? Or could the monsters be real? It’s up to Scooby and the gang to unravel the clues and crack the mystery-that is, if they can ever get out of the cell they’ve accidentally locked themselves in!

Neither: A Story About Being Who You Are


Airlie Anderson - 2022
    But one day a funny green egg hatches, and a little creature that's not quite a bird and not quite a bunny pops out. It's neither!Neither tries hard to fit in, but its bird legs aren't good for jumping like the other bunnies, and its fluffy tail isn't good for flapping like the other birds. It sets out to find a new home and discovers a very different place, one with endless colors and shapes and creatures of all kinds. But when a blue bunny and a yellow bird with some hidden differences of their own arrive, it's up to Neither to decide if they are welcome in the Land of All.This thoughtful story promotes diversity and offers a valuable lesson to the youngest of audiences: it is our differences that unite us.

The Living Deserts of Southern Africa


Barry Gordon Lovegrove - 2022
    They teem with life - from ants to elephants, stone plants and colorful daisies to the curious welwitschia, dainty dik-diks to towering gemsbok, and cart-wheeling spiders to fog-basking beetles, all survive against the odds in the fragile desert ecosystem. How do they cope with scarce resources, unpredictable rainfall and extreme temperatures, and how do they protect themselves against predators while also ensuring species survival?In this fully revised and updated edition, Barry Lovegrove unravels many of the mysteries associated with life in the region's four desert biomes: Desert, Arid Savanna, Succulent Karoo and Nama-Karoo. He explains how and why such a great diversity of plants and insects, mammals, reptiles and birds successfully exist in these regions, illustrating many of his examples with spectacular photographs, supported by diagrams and maps.Drawing on the latest scientific research, the text is designed and presented in a highly readable style, and accessible to both the serious student and academic as well as the interested nature lover. The book is as much a plea for sensible management of these sensitive areas as it is a fount of fascinating information.

Wombat Underground: A Wildfire Survival Story


Sarah L. Thomson - 2022
    Skink slips into the shade. Echidna hides in grass as dry as tinder. Under the hill, Wombat carves out a cave that’s all his own. Then—KABOOM!—lightning strikes.Written in simple and concise language perfect for a read aloud, award-winning author Sarah L. Thomson invites readers to see through the eyes of a wombat as a fire rages through Australian outback. Nearly 3 billion animals were affected by the Australian wildfires of 2019-2020, and wombats played a crucial part in allowing their homes to transform as safe havens for other animals whose homes were destroyed in the fires. Paired with stunning and richly layered art by Charles Santoso, Wombat Underground teaches us that the time of greatest danger is also the time to open our door to those in the greatest need.

One Camel Called Doug: the perfect countdown to bedtime!


Lu Fraser - 2022
      Doug the camel is all alone and sometimes he wonders whether one is enough (it makes playing hide and seek terribly tough…). So when at first one, then two, then three, then four more camels turn up (followed by a whole camel herd), Doug delights in the possibilities all these new friends bring. But when Doug is ‘all camelled out’ from all the excitement and it's time to count down to bedtime, he takes just as much pleasure from the peace of being alone once again.   Lu Fraser’s warm, funny text is a delight to read out loud and is brilliantly illustrated by Sarah Warburton in the first book from this exciting new picture book partnership.   By Lu Fraser & Kate Hindley:The Littlest Yak

Star Fishing


Sang-Keun Kim - 2022
       “Oh, I see a light!Is somebody awake?”     Brimming with wonder and enchantment, award-winning author-illustrator Sang-Keun Kim’s Star Fishing imagines who else might be awake on a sleepless night—taking young readers and listeners on an adventure through the stars and into sweet dreams.

Myrtle The Turtle


Chris Jones - 2022
    Narrated through perfect rhyme, Myrtle's story blends positivity with a dose of realism.Climate change is something none of us can ignore. Yet the story of Myrtle does not seek to scare or intimidate young minds. Rather, the message is of hope and inspiration.Explore this beautiful and heart-warming story that champions the beauty of our normal world and wonders of conservation.The recommended age group is 3-9.