Juvenile Nonfiction

Meet the lesser flamingo, "hero of the friendly flock," and discover other flocking birds, from the chimney swift to the starling, whose murmurations mesmerize birdwatchers from around the world. Next, get to know the Adélie penguin, "hero of the water world," and discover other birds that are more at home in the sea than the sky.

Then continue through the avian world as you meet birds with brilliant beaks, fantastic feet, wonderful wings, eye-catching colors, and more. Packed with interesting facts and extraordinary species, this book is sure to instill a love of birds among young readers.

Author David Lindo, the Urban Birder, is the perfect guide to the world of birds, bringing together an aviary of species with superhuman abilities, splendid plumage, and surprising behaviors. He also delves into the world of folklore and mythology, showing how cultures from ancient to modern have been inspired by their feathered friends.

Color illustrations by Sara Boccaccini Meadows.

In Our Nature series
Glow: A Family Guide to the Night Sky
Grow: A Family Guide to Plants and How to Grow Them

In 2021, Simone Biles shocked the world when she pulled out of the Tokyo Olympic Games after experiencing the "twisties" -- a scary feeling during which gymnasts lose control of their bodies while mid-air. Audiences had expected Simone to dominate these games. With seven Olympic medals, twenty-five World Championships medals, and four gymnastic skills named after her, she is considered to be the G.O.A.T. of women's gymnastics. That summer, however, Simone became more than just a legendary athlete. She became an advocate for mental health and protecting yourself even when the world is watching.

It's not just humans working to combat global warming. Meet the ecosystem engineers who are improving our planet's health!

In this unique look at how one animal can make a difference for the planet, Adrienne Mason, a marine biologist, reveals how whales are ecosystem engineers -- animals that create, modify or maintain a habitat or ecosystem. Whales do this by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. They store a large amount of carbon in their bodies for decades, even centuries; when they die, they sink to the ocean floor, taking their carbon with them. Whales also deposit nutrients into the ocean that help feed phytoplankton, which, in turn, draw carbon out of the atmosphere and into the ocean during photosynthesis. More carbon in the ocean means less carbon in the atmosphere -- all thanks to whales!

Using a highly visual approach and a slow build of concepts, this fascinating book explores how whales play an essential role in maintaining a healthy ocean and, by extension, a healthy and biodiverse planet. Nearly half the book provides information on whales, including types of whales, what they eat and poop and how they migrate. It then moves on to describe the consequences of a warming planet and the ways that whales can help. Kim Smith's stunning art brings the concepts to life. Part of the Ecosystem Guardians series, this book has strong STEM connections in life and environmental science, with curriculum links to biodiversity, ecosystems, food webs and animal habitats and characteristics. It contains a glossary, resources, information on how children can help and an index.