Best of
Earth

2020

All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis


Ayana Elizabeth JohnsonCamille T Dungy - 2020
    While it's clear that women and girls are vital voices and agents of change for this planet, they are too often missing from the proverbial table. More than a problem of bias, it's a dynamic that sets us up for failure. To change everything, we need everyone.All We Can Save illuminates the expertise and insights of dozens of diverse women leading on climate in the United States--scientists, journalists, farmers, lawyers, teachers, activists, innovators, wonks, and designers, across generations, geographies, and race--and aims to advance a more representative, nuanced, and solution-oriented public conversation on the climate crisis. These women offer a spectrum of ideas and insights for how we can rapidly, radically reshape society.Intermixing essays with poetry and art, this book is both a balm and a guide for knowing and holding what has been done to the world, while bolstering our resolve never to give up on one another or our collective future. We must summon truth, courage, and solutions to turn away from the brink and toward life-giving possibility. Curated by two climate leaders, the book is a collection and celebration of visionaries who are leading us on a path toward all we can save. With essays and poems by: Emily Atkin • Xiye Bastida • Ellen Bass • Colette Pichon Battle • Jainey K. Bavishi • Janine Benyus • adrienne maree brown • Régine Clément • Abigail Dillen • Camille T. Dungy • Rhiana Gunn-Wright • Joy Harjo • Katharine Hayhoe • Mary Annaïse Heglar • Jane Hirshfield • Mary Anne Hitt • Ailish Hopper • Tara Houska, Zhaabowekwe • Emily N. Johnston • Joan Naviyuk Kane • Naomi Klein • Kate Knuth • Ada Limón • Louise Maher-Johnson • Kate Marvel • Gina McCarthy • Anne Haven McDonnell • Sarah Miller • Sherri Mitchell, Weh’na Ha’mu Kwasset • Susanne C. Moser • Lynna Odel • Sharon Olds • Mary Oliver • Kate Orff • Jacqui Patterson • Leah Penniman • Catherine Pierce • Marge Piercy • Kendra Pierre-Louis • Varshini Prakash • Janisse Ray • Christine E. Nieves Rodriguez • Favianna Rodriguez • Cameron Russell • Ash Sanders • Judith D. Schwartz • Patricia Smith • Emily Stengel • Sarah Stillman • Leah Cardamore Stokes • Amanda Sturgeon • Maggie Thomas • Heather McTeer Toney • Alexandria Villaseñor • Alice Walker • Amy Westervelt • Jane Zelikova

Field Guide to the Haunted Forest


Jarod K. Anderson - 2020
    Poet and podcaster Jarod K. Anderson (creator of The CryptoNaturalist Podcast) has built a large audience of social media followers and podcast listeners with his strange, vibrant appreciations of nature. Ranging from contemplations of mortality to appreciations of single-celled organisms, the poems in this collection highlight our connection to a living universe and affirm our place in a wilderness worthy of our love.

One Little Bag: An Amazing Journey


Henry Cole - 2020
    In a three-generation family, the bag is transporter of objects and keeper of memories. And when Grandfather comes to the end of his life, the family finds a meaningful new way for the battered, but much-loved brown bag to continue its journey in the circle of life.

Sacred Cow: The Case for (Better) Meat: Why Well-Raised Meat Is Good for You and Good for the Planet


Diana Rodgers - 2020
    That beef is bad for us and cattle farming is horrible for the environment. But science says otherwise. Beef is framed as the most environmentally destructive and least healthy of meats. We’re often told that the only solution is to reduce or quit red meat entirely. But despite what anti-meat groups, vegan celebrities, and some health experts say, plant-based agriculture is far from a perfect solution. In Sacred Cow, registered dietitian Diana Rodgers and former research biochemist and New York Times bestselling author Robb Wolf explore the quandaries we face in raising and eating animals—focusing on the largest (and most maligned) of farmed animals, the cow.Taking a critical look at the assumptions and misinformation about meat, Sacred Cow points out the flaws in our current food system and in the proposed “solutions.” Inside, Rodgers and Wolf reveal contrarian but science-based findings, such as: Meat and animal fat are essential for our bodies. A sustainable food system cannot exist without animals. A vegan diet may destroy more life than sustainable cattle farming. Regenerative cattle ranching is one of our best tools at mitigating climate change. You’ll also find practical guidance on how to support sustainable farms and a 30-day challenge to help you transition to a healthful and conscientious diet. With scientific rigor, deep compassion, and wit, Rodgers and Wolf argue unequivocally that meat (done right) should have a place on the table. It’s not the cow, it’s the how!

My Friend Earth


Patricia MacLachlan - 2020
    She pours down summer rain and autumn leaves. She sprinkles whisper-white snow and protects the tiny seeds waiting for spring. Readers of all ages will pore over the pages of this spectacular book. Its enticing die-cut pages encourage exploration as its poetic text celebrates everything Earth does for us, all the while reminding us to be a good friend in return.• Interactive format and kid-friendly art will engage both toddlers and young readers.• A celebration of the natural world and rallying cry for positive action for Planet Earth• Great opportunities to share life science concepts and amazing facts about the environment with childrenThis beautiful and innovative ode to our natural world will appeal to readers of Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth, The Poet's Dog, and Thank You, Earth.• Read aloud books for kids ages 3-5• Earth books for kids• Climate change books for kidsPatricia MacLachlan is an acclaimed author who has written dozens of books—from picture books to novels—including the Newbery Medal winner Sarah, Plain and Tall and the Barkus series, also published by Chronicle Books. She lives in western Massachusetts.Francesca Sanna grew up on the Italian island of Sardinia. She studied illustration at the School of Visual Arts in New York and the Academy of Art and Design in Lucerne. Her book The Journey received five starred reviews and was lauded by the New York Times and the Guardian. Francesca currently lives in Zurich, but you can visit her at francescasanna.com.

The Mysteries of the Universe: Discover the Best-Kept Secrets of Space


D.K. Publishing - 2020
    From planets and asteroids to black holes and galaxies, every page of this captivating book reveals the secrets behind more than 100 celestial objects. Get ready to explore fun facts and exciting new scientific discoveries!For centuries, the mysteries of space have captured our imaginations. This picture book will illuminate imaginations and spark curious minds to explore the vastness of space.Take your little astronaut on a journey from our planet out into the furthest reaches of the universe! Filled with gorgeous illustrations and incredible photography, young readers will be intrigued by the detailed close-up images of each celestial body.The engaging storybook-style descriptions and simple text shed a light on facts, myths, and key discoveries about the universe. Explore the wonders of our solar system and beyond. This educational book also includes reference pages packed with fascinating information.Journey Through the Vastness of SpaceJoin us on an adventure across the universe, as we rocket to the stars! Discover 100 objects from the universe, arranged from the closest to our planet to the ones the furthest away. Storybook-style text and out-of-this-world pictures make this book perfect for an astronomical bedtime. It's also a fantastic gift for children who can't get enough of space.Grab your spacesuit and put your helmet on! Inside the pages of this adventure book, you'll find:- Beautiful illustrations and incredible photography that showcase the mysteries of space. - Discover 100 remarkable objects in the cosmos. - Engaging storybook-style descriptions that explain key discoveries about the universe.More to ExploreOnce you've discovered The Mysteries of the Universe, dive into the companion titles from this series from DK Books! The Wonders of Nature explores more than 100 items from the natural world and An Anthology of Intriguing Animals showcases animals around the world.

Old Rock (Is Not Boring)


Deb Pilutti - 2020
    Spotted Beetle, Tall Pine, and Hummingbird think just sitting there must be boring, but they are in for a wonderful surprise. Fabulous tales of adventurous travel, exotic scenery, entertaining neighbors, and more from Old Rock's life prove it has been anything but boring.Great storytellers come in all shapes, sizes, and ages, and Old Rock's stories are sure to inspire questions that lead to wonderful conversations about the past and the natural world.

The Leaf Detective: How Margaret Lowman Uncovered Secrets in the Rainforest


Heather Lang - 2020
    Meg's perseverance and creativity allowed her to achieve this goal, but when this fantastic ecosystem started to disappear, Meg needed to act quickly.Meg Lowman was always fascinated by the natural world above her head. The colors, the branches, and, most of all, the leaves and mysterious organisms living there. As a scientist, Meg set out to climb up and investigate the rain forest tree canopies-- and to be the first scientist to do so. But she encountered challenge after challenge. Male teachers would not let her into their classrooms, the high canopy was difficult to get to, and worst of all, people were logging and clearing the forests. Meg never gave up or gave in. She studied, invented, and persevered, not only creating a future for herself as a scientist, but making sure that the rainforests had a future as well. Working closely with Meg Lowman, author Heather Lang and artist Jana Christy beautifully capture Meg's world in the treetops.

If You Come to Earth


Sophie Blackall - 2020
    . . We live in all kinds of places. In all kinds of homes. In all kinds of families. Each of us is different. But all of us are amazing. And, together, we share one beautiful planet. This masterful and moving picture book is a visually comprehensive guide to the earth, imbued with warmth and humor. • Ideal for children ages 3 to 5 years old• Resonates year-round as a go-to gift for birthdays, holidays, and more• A great pick for teachers looking for a crowd-pleasing picture book about the world for little students• Perfect for parents, grandparents, and caregivers• Add it to the shelf with books like The Travel Book by Lonely Planet Kids, Atlas of Adventures by Rachel Williams, and If You Lived Here: Houses of the World by Giles Laroche.

The New Parisienne: The Women & Ideas Shaping Paris


Lindsey Tramuta - 2020
    Lifting the veil on the mythologized Parisian woman—white, lithe, ever fashionable—Lindsey Tramuta demystifies this oversimplified archetype and recasts the women of Paris as they truly are, in all their complexity. Featuring 50 activists, creators, educators, visionaries, and disruptors—like Leïla Slimani, Lauren Bastide, and Mayor Anne Hidalgo—the book reveals Paris as a blossoming cultural center of feminine power. Both the featured women and Tramuta herself offer up favorite destinations and women-owned businesses, including beloved shops, artistic venues, bistros, and more. The New Parisienne showcases “Parisianness” in all its multiplicity, highlighting those who are bucking tradition, making names for themselves, and transforming the city.

How the Stars Came To Be


Poonam Mistry - 2020
    But when the moon disappeared for a few nights each month, she worried about her father and how he would find his way home from the sea in the deep darkness. When the sun finds her sobbing one night, he takes one of his rays and shatters it onto the ground, creating the stars and giving the girl the task of putting them into the dark night sky. This beautifully illustrated story gives us a new folk tale, and a new way to look up at the night sky.

The Earth in Her Hands: 75 Extraordinary Women Working in the World of Plants


Jennifer Jewell - 2020
    Working in wide-reaching fields that include botany, floral design, landscape architecture, farming, herbalism, and food justice, these influencers are creating change from the ground up. Profiled women include flower farmer Erin Benzakein; codirector of Soul Fire Farm Leah Penniman; plantswoman Flora Grubb; edible and cultural landscape designer Leslie Bennett; Caribbean-American writer and gardener Jamaica Kincaid; soil scientist Elaine Ingham; landscape designer Ariella Chezar; floral designer Amy Merrick, and many more. Rich with personal stories and insights, Jewell’s portraits reveal a devotion that transcends age, locale, and background, reminding us of the profound role of green growing things in our world—and our lives.

The Radiant Lives of Animals


Linda Hogan - 2020
    From her modest forest home in Colorado, and venturing throughout the region, especially to her beloved Oklahoma, she introduces us to horses, packrats, snakes, mountain lions, elks, wolves, bees, and so many others whose presence has changed her life. In this illuminating collection of essays and poems, lightly sprinkled with elegant drawings, Hogan draws on many Native nations' ancient stories and spiritual traditions to show us that the soul exists in those delicate places where the natural world extends into human consciousness--in the mist of morning, the grass that grew a little through the night, the first warmth of this morning's sunlight. Altogether, this beautifully packaged gift is a reverential reminder for all of us to witness and appreciate the radiant lives of animals.

Dear Earth…From Your Friends in Room 5


Erin Dealey - 2020
    This beautiful picture book is a celebration of every child’s ability to connect with the environment and make a positive impact .A monthly exchange of ideas between the kids and Earth becomes a lasting friendship in this affectionate story about how to be an Earth Hero, lyrically written by Erin Dealey and gorgeously illustrated by Dilys Evans Founder Award-winning illustrator Luisa Uribe.Young readers will learn about environmental conservation, along with simple things they can do to help care for the planet—like recycling and reducing energy consumption. There is even a reversible jacket cover that features a poster printed on the inside with twelve months of Earth Hero activities. These fun and interactive activities will encourage children to help protect our planet year-round. Dear Room 5, Your letter arrived on the wind. A whisper of hope in the night. I’m thankful for helpers who care for their planet…

Captain Green and the Tree Machine


Evelyn Bookless - 2020
    As he fine-tunes his invention, disaster strikes. Hornbill’s tree has been chopped down and there’s tree trouble for Elephant and Orangutan too. Captain Green scrambles to finish his invention — a TREE MACHINE — and zooms to the rescue! ZAP! ZOOP! ZINK! Trees pop up everywhere until… BANG! Oh no! How will Captain Green save the animals now?

A History of Kindness


Linda Hogan - 2020
    Poems from Linda Hogan explore new and old ways of experiencing the vagaries of the body and existing in harmony with earth's living beings.

Writing Wild: Women Poets, Ramblers, and Mavericks Who Shape How We See the Natural World


Kathryn Aalto - 2020
    These inspiring wordsmiths are scholars, spiritual seekers, conservationists, scientists, novelists, and explorers. They defy easy categorization, yet they all share a bold authenticity that makes their work both distinct and universal.    Featured writers include:Dorothy Wordsworth, Susan Fenimore Cooper, Gene Stratton-Porter, Mary Austin, and Vita Sackville-WestNan Shepherd, Rachel Carson, Mary Oliver, Carolyn Merchant, and Annie DillardGretel Ehrlich, Leslie Marmon Silko, Diane Ackerman, Robin Wall Kimmerer, and Lauret SavoyRebecca Solnit, Kathleen Jamie, Carolyn Finney, Helen Macdonald, and Saci LloydAndrea Wulf, Camille T. Dungy, Elena Passarello, Amy Liptrot, and Elizabeth RushPart travel essay, literary biography, and cultural history, Writing Wild ventures into the landscapes and lives of extraordinary writers and encourages a new generation of women to pick up their pens, head outdoors, and start writing wild.

Not All Fairy Tales Have Happy Endings: The rise and fall of Sierra On-Line


Ken Williams - 2020
    The author, Ken Williams, founded Sierra On-Line Sierra with his wife Roberta who went on to create many of the company's best selling games. Sierra grew from just Ken and Roberta to over one thousand employees and a fan base that still exists today, despite the fact that the company was torn apart by criminal activities, scandal and corruption that resulted in jail sentences and the collapse of Sierra. This is the behind-the-scenes story of the rise and fall, as it could only be told by the ultimate insider.

Frontlines: Stories of Global Environmental Justice


Nick Meynen - 2020
    Revealing our ecosystems to be under a sustained attack, Nick Meynen finds causes for hope in unconventional places.

Who Killed Berta Caceres?: Dams, Death Squads, and an Indigenous Defender's Battle for the Planet


Nina Lakhani - 2020
    I want to live, but in this country there is total impunity. When they want to kill me, they will do it.’ In 2015, Cáceres won the Goldman Prize, the world’s most prestigious environmental award, for leading a campaign to stop construction of an internationally funded hydroelectric dam on a river sacred to her Lenca people. Less than a year later she was dead.Lakhani tracked Cáceres remarkable career, in which the defender doggedly pursued her work in the face of years of threats and while friends and colleagues in Honduras were exiled and killed defending basic rights. Lakhani herself endured intimidation and harassment as she investigated the murder. She was the only foreign journalist to attend the 2018 trial of Cáceres’s killers, where state security officials, employees of the dam company and hired hitmen were found guilty of murder. Many questions about who ordered and paid for the killing remain unanswered. Drawing on more than a hundred interviews, confidential legal filings, and corporate documents unearthed after years of reporting in Honduras, Lakhani paints an intimate portrait of an extraordinary woman in a state beholden to corporate powers, organised crime, and the United States.

ABC for Me: ABC Earth-Friendly Me: From Action to Zero Waste, here are 26 things a kid can do to care for the Earth!


Christiane Engel - 2020
    Pairing aspects of eco-friendly living with each letter of the alphabet, ABC Earth-Friendly Me is not only perfect for teaching young children their ABCs, but also for encouraging them to be aware of the impact they have on the environment.  The content empowers young children, showing them that even their small choices make a big difference. And the engaging illustrations and simple concepts introduce children to an eco-friendly lifestyle. To help, kids can plant flowers for pollinating bees, eat more fruits and vegetables, share or swap old toys, help their parents air-dry laundry, and learn about animals and their habitats. Environmental terms throughout, such as "pollination," "biodegradable," "pollution," and "preservation," have easy-to-understand, kid-friendly definitions in the back of the book. And a spread elaborating on additional things kids can do, such as riding a bike, creating a new toy from old stuff, and hunting for a unique pre-owned item at the thrift store, are easy and fun ways to help out! ABC Earth-Friendly Me shows that every member of the family—even the smallest one—can protect our planet Earth.  This is the perfect book to inspire the next generation of eco-conscious kids, while teaching them the alphabet at the same time. Learning the ABCs has never been so green and so much fun! With endearing illustrations and mindful concepts, the ABC for Me series pairs each letter of the alphabet with words that promote big dreams and healthy living.

Scenic Science of the National Parks: An Explorer's Guide to Wildlife, Geology, and Botany


Emily Hoff - 2020
    Home to some of our most treasured species of animals and plants, as well as some of the most striking geological features--like mountains, rock arches, caves, volcanoes, and geysers--the parks are also scientific playgrounds, where visitors can learn about botany, geology, and wildlife first hand. Scenic Science of the National Parks curates and breaks down the most compelling natural science highlights of each park, from volcanic activity, glaciers, and coral reefs to ancient redwood groves, herds of bison, giant bats, and beyond. Highlighting information on the history and notable features of each park, as well as cool insider travel tips vetted by National Park Service park rangers, this book makes a fun addition to any park lover's book collection.

The World's Poorest President Speaks Out


Yoshimi Kusaba - 2020
    Paraphrasing the wisdom of the great thinker Seneca, he asked the world to question the dogma of consumption that has driven us into environmental and economic crisis. Often referred to as the worlds "poorest" president, in part because of his practice of donating 90% of his $12,000 monthly salary to charity, Jos� Mujica lived his words and proved that one need not have money to be rich. In The World's Poorest President Speaks Out, Jos� Mujica's famous speech comes to life as he asks us to remember our neighbors, our children, and the Earth.

A Dolphin's Wish


Trevor McCurdie - 2020
    But tonight, the story is about plastic rain that pollutes their underwater home, and the dangers it presents to them and other sea creatures. And this time, the story is real.Every year, 8 million metric tons of plastic end up in our oceans. Inspire your budding environmentalist and learn the importance of reducing plastic waste with this tale of hope. This beautifully illustrated story is the perfect place to start learning how to save our oceans and give marine wildlife the clean home they deserve.

Earthly Love: Stories of Intimacy and Devotion from Orion Magazine


Barry LopezDavid James Duncan - 2020
    With an introduction by Barry Lopez, the book includes fifteen personal essays and nineteen poems. A combination of new work and favorites from the Orion archive, Earthly Love covers subjects like making declarations, going to weddings, touching hands for the first time, eating the ten-thousandth meal together, queering nature, hunting, coming out, breaking up, reading the personal ads, sharing apples, salt, and blackberries, slug sex, and more.

The Ethical Omnivore: A practical guide and 60 nose-to-tail recipes for sustainable meat eating


Laura Dalrymple - 2020
    

The most radical thing you can do


Gretel Ehrlich - 2020
    

Upscaling Earth: Material, Process, Catalyst


Anna Heringer - 2020
    Upscaling Earth showcases innovative thinking about materials and the potential for earth building to replace more environmentally damaging, resource-intensive materials like concrete. What economic, environmental, and social conditions, the book asks, would be necessary for an upscaling of earth to occur? Presenting a wide range of built and unbuilt projects and outlining strategies that can be implemented to adapt the use of earth to each unique culture and context, Upscaling Earth demonstrates groundbreaking technological innovations that highlight the advantages of this material. From worldwide availability to the possibility of comprehensive recycling, from climate-neutral production to socially just implementation, the book reveals the incredible potential of earthen architecture.

Adelita, a Sea Turtle's Journey


Jenny Goebel - 2020
    As she swam and rode currents, she wandered far from the beach where she'd hatched. How far? Nobody knew for sure. In 1996, this turtle, caught in Mexico, was given a name--Adelita--and a satellite tag was attached to her shell. Then she was set free in the Pacific Ocean. Adelita's astonishing journey home led to a new understanding of sea turtles and inspired changes that have made the world a better place for them.

Pacific Flyway: Waterbird Migration from the Arctic to Tierra del Fuego


Audrey DeLella Benedict - 2020