Nature Fest: Wildlife

Become a Wildlife Detective! Spotting animals in the wild is tricky, but they leave plenty of clues behind―especially tracks.

• Examine the evidence.
• Study the animal tracks.
• See if you can guess “Whose track is that?”
• Then turn the page to discover the answer!

This interactive and entertaining picture book features the full-color photography of Stan Tekiela, a professional naturalist and award-winning author. With every reading, children get more familiar with a variety of North American critters. They might soon start seeing animal tracks on every outing! Click here to reserve this title in the library catalog!

An introduction to horned lizards including a description of their appearance and information on where they live, what they eat, how they produce young, and the dangers that horned lizards face. Click here to reserve this title in the library catalog!

The world of nature awaits you right in your own backyard. Mischievous Raccoons can be found snooping through gardens and sheds. While on safari, learn how to identify and observe these extraordinary creatures and discover their interesting behaviors, life cycle, anatomy, enemies, and defenses. Click here to reserve this title in the library catalog!

A basic exploration of the appearance, behavior, and habitat of armadillos, the distinctively armored American mammals. Also included is a story from folklore explaining how armadillos became musical. Click here to reserve this title in the library catalog!

This latest installment in the popular Strange and Wonderful series by Laurence Pringle is an easy-to-read and comprehensive introduction to owl species from all over the world. Stuffed with scintillating science facts and large, colored illustrations from Meryl Henderson, this great educational book is sure to resonate with young animal lovers seeking to learn more about these elusive ghost birds. From the tiny elf owl that weighs less than two ounces to the Eurasian eagle owl that can have a wing span of over five feet, each individual species is described and masterfully pictured in vivid detail through clear, informative text with accompanying artwork. Various facets of the owls' lives are discussed, including their habitats, diet, mating habits, vision, physiology, digestion, and parenting. This miniature encyclopedia, complete with a glossary, index, and further resources, offers a wealth of knowledge to aspiring avian enthusiasts and contains enough factoids to allow even fledgling readers to soar to new heights. Click here to reserve this title in the library catalog!

In Opossums, beginning readers follow an opossum as it hunts for food, defends itself against a predator, and raises its young. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text engage young readers as they learn all about this nocturnal animal. Click here to reserve this title in the library catalog!

When Molly first settled in Palo Duro Canyon in Texas in the late 1800s, millions of buffalo roamed the land. Molly lived and worked to their music. She stirred the fire to the huff-huff of buffalo breath clouding the chill dawn, swept the dugout to the thunder of hooves. Then different sounds filled the air—the boom and blast of rifles. Before long, the buffalo were gone. But Molly, as stubborn as the buffalo themselves, found a way to save the species. She adopted and raised orphaned calves, and gradually grew her own herd. Some were sent to Yellowstone National Park, where their descendants still roam today; others stayed in the canyon, where Molly could once again hear the music of the clatter of clashing horns, the bellowing of bulls, and the muffled thud of hooves. An evocative story of determination, conservation, and the ability of one person to make a difference. Click here to reserve this title in the library catalog!

Everyone knows the story of the three little pigs, but now you're going to meet the three little javelinas (pronounced ha-ve-LEE-nas)-loveable, wild, southwestern cousins of pigs. Living in homes built out of tumbleweeds and saguaro ribs (from the fallen giant cacti), the first two javelinas are soon running from the hungry coyote, who had hoped to eat them with red chile sauce. And where do they go for shelter? Why, to their wise sister's house, made strong with adobe bricks. This clever and humorous tale is sure to delight children of all ages, especially those familiar with the Southwest. Dressed in cowboy duds and prepared for life in the rugged desert, these characters are more than any coyote bargained for. Click here to reserve this title in the library catalog!

When Molly Mockingbird enters the Texas State Bird Pageant, the other birds call her a "copy-bird"....Molly discovers her own true voice and finds courage to sing her own original song! Click here to reserve this title in the library catalog!

Rumm . . . rumm . . . rumm. A male bullfrog sings. A female bullfrog likes his song. And a life cycle begins. Eggs hatch and become tadpoles. The tadpoles nibble plants. They grow legs and start to breathe. Now they are little bullfrogs. They eat flies, fish, and spiders. In the winter they hibernate. And after three years, they are adult bullfrogs. Rumm . . . rumm . . . rumm. Lyrical prose and elegant art depict the life cycle of a bullfrog in this nonfiction picture book by an award-winning poet-biologist. A Bank Street Best Book of the Year Click here to reserve this title in the library catalog!

Learn about a year in the life of a little brown bat named Otis. This gorgeous and lyrical picture book follows a year in the life of a little brown bat named Otis as he learns to be a hunter, escape predators, and find a mate. Stunning, realistic illustrations celebrate the beauty of these mysterious creatures as readers learn important facts through an engaging and fascinating story. The book also includes back matter with more in-depth information, a glossary, and further resources. Click here to reserve this title in the library catalog!

This text is a fun adaptation of the classic playground song. Help Skunk solve the mystery as he asks each of his animal friends, Mouse, Raven, Squirrel, Rabbit, Turtle, Raccoon, Snake, Beaver, and Frog, who took the cookie from the cookie jar? Click here to reserve this title in the library catalog!