Early Book Review: The Snowy Owl Scientist by Mark Wilson

The Snowy Owl Scientist by Mark Wilson is currently scheduled for release on April 19 2022. Are the snowy owls in trouble? Venture into the Alaskan arctic and the summer realm of these predator birds to find out. Discover the diverse species necessary to owl survival, how climate change is affecting the landscape of their nesting site of past millennia, and what it takes to do field research in this action-packed addition to the award-winning Scientists in the Field series.

It's July on Alaska's North Slope, and scientist Denver Holt is in Utqiagvik surveying nests. Denver has been coming here since 1992, and the snowy owls he studies have been coming here much longer: thousands of years. With its mix of coastal, low-elevation tundra and a rich presence of lemmings, the North Slope is the only area in Alaska where snowy owls regularly nest. How do snowy owls decide where they will nest? How do they manage to arrive at locations where food will be abundant? What drives the success of these delicate tundra ecosystems? These are the mysteries Denver is trying to solve to help ensure a bright future for these elegant hunters.

The Snowy Owl Scientist is a visually stunning book that is clearly a passion project from the author and the research team. The information, charts and graphs, and images are very well done and organized. The information is very detailed, and might be beyond younger readers, although the pictures might well keep them turning pages if their interest in the text wanes. I think this book would be better suited to middle grade and older readers, or high interest readers, rather than the slightly younger readers the initial formatting suggested to me. The book is well written, well organized, and I liked that resources, an index, and a glossary were included in the endpages. I thought the information was valuable, and it would make for a great book for use in a research project or for readers that want a first hand account of what researching animals can really be like. 

Early Book Review: Dig, Dance, Dive: How Birds Move to Survive by Etta Kaner, June Steube

Dig, Dance, Dive: How Birds Move to Survive is a children's nonfiction book written by Etta Kaner and illustrated by June Steube. It is currently Scheduled for release on April 15 2022. Birds can do a lot more than just fly! Did you know some of them can dig, dance, dive, and dabble? Readers will learn about flightless birds like the Adélie penguin (which toboggans down hills on its belly) and the kakapo (which climbs up trees to escape danger). Even birds that fly have quirky survival behaviors—like the barred owl, which can turn its head almost all the way around, or the blue-footed booby, which dives from great heights to catch fish.

Dig, Dance, Dive: How Birds Move to Survive is a beautifully illustrated book. The watercolor artwork is very well done and the book is worth a look even before getting into the text of the book. I never thought too much about how birds moved, aside that most flew and some swam. This book gives a nice look at some of the more unusual movements of birds and how they impact the survival and lives of the birds. This is a great book for the elementary and younger set- to read alone or share with an adult or older child.

Early Book Review: Weed-Free Gardening: A Comprehensive and Organic Approach to Weed Management by Tasha Greer

Weed-Free Gardening: A Comprehensive and Organic Approach to Weed Management by Tasha Greer is currently scheduled for release on April 12 2022. It offers readers clear and easy-to-undertake methods to get weeds under control without the need for potentially harmful synthetic herbicides. The book helps readers control annual weeds by disrupting their natural lifecycle, learn the whys, hows, and whens of weed-inhibiting mulching techniques, eliminate deep-rooted perennial weeds by eradicating them at their source, meet the best and most effective weeding tools available to homeowners, discover many ways to keep weeds out of the vegetable garden while ensuring healthy and productive soil, and Implement a practical plan to gain long-term control over weeds. There are also resources for weed identification, tips for getting rid of invasive plants, useful ideas for handling areas completely overtaken by weeds, and dozens of “weed hacks” to make life in the garden so much more beautiful.

Weed-Free Gardening is a well written and organized book. I found that it could stand up well to reading cover to cover or by reading the sections you need most or want to study up on. I like that the suggestions and explanations are realistic and understandable. I liked that the author acknowledged that no solution is perfect, because nature is amazing and every yard, region, and gardener is a little different. However, I loved that the history, science, and personal stories are woven in together to give readers the best foundation of information to figure out what they want to try, what is most likely to suit their needs, and how to adjust as they try things. I thought the information was clearly worded, easy to follow and understand, and paired with images that brought it all together. I was just planning this year's garden, and this book has given me some great ideas and helped to shift some of my gardening notions that just might have been part of my weed issues. I look forward to trying out some of the new tips and tricks that are now part of my knowledge base.  I wish I had more room on my gardening bookshelf so I could add it to my collection. I just might splurge on a copy even though I am out of room. 

Early Book Review: Into the Forest: The Secret Language of Trees by Susan Tyler Hitchcock

I received a sample of Into the Forest: The Secret Language of Trees by Susan Tyler Hitchcock, which is currently scheduled for release on April 5 2022. This review is based on the sample rather than the complete book. 

For millennia, trees have offered renewal and inspiration. They have provided for humanity on every level, from spiritual sanctuary to the raw material for our homes, books, and food. In this beautiful and revealing book, National Geographic combines photography with  science to illuminate how trees influence the life of planet Earth; from our personal lives to the weather cycle. Illustrated essays tell the stories of the world’s most remarkable trees; from Tane Mahura in New Zealand, the ancient Maori "lord of the forest," to Pando, a single aspen spreading over 100 acres: Earth’s largest living thing. You’ll also discover how an astronaut carried tree seeds to the moon and back; the reason "microdosing" on tree gas is a sure way to boost your immune system; and why playing in the dirt boosts serotonin, happiness hormone.

Into the Forest: The Secret Language of Trees grabbed my attention first because of the photography. I found the chosen photographs to be stunning in their own right. When combined with the information about the trees themselves, and how amazing they are in the grand scheme of things the images took on even more beauty and importance.  I really enjoyed the sample I received of this book, and I anticipate enjoying the final product as well, both visually and intellectually. I look forward to getting my hands on a print copy, and would recommend it for library collections and those that are interested in the subject matter and photography.  

Early Book Review: Octopus, Seahorse, Jellyfish by David Liittschwager

I received a sample of Octopus, Seahorse, Jellyfish by David Liittschwager, which is scheduled for release on April 5 2022. My review is based on that sample, not the full book.  

This is a book of photography that reveals the unnerving beauty of three notoriously mysterious sea creatures--the jellyfish, octopus, and seahorse--and how they perceive the world. The jellyfish, the octopus, and the seahorse are among the most wondrous species on Earth--as well as some of the most difficult to document using traditional photography methods. This collection showcases 200 of Liittschwager’s most revealing photographs, paired with penetrating essays that explain how a creature without a brain or without bones perceives the world. Bestselling science writers Elizabeth Kolbert, Jennifer Holland, and Olivia Judson explain the biology and advanced cognitive abilities of these spineless denizens of the deep, exquisitely evoking their unnerving yet undeniable charisma. In these pages, you’ll glimpse a seahorse only half an inch tall, a moon jelly spinning off a snowflake-shaped clone, and the blinking comb jelly, which may be the most ancient living animal on Earth. Both enlightening and profound, this book documents the expanding frontiers of marine science, creating a powerful testament to the value and beauty of these little-seen--and endangered--species.

Octopus, Seahorse, Jellyfish is a book that captured and kept my attention with the stunning photography. I was amazed by the images on the page, and then glad to see the information about each of the creatures on the page. While jellyfish might not be my favorite swimming partner, I have always been fascinated by their movements and grace in the water. The brilliance of the octopus and the fragility and size of the seahorse have always captured my attention as well. Getting to see them all in such stunning photographs with some information about their nature that I have not known before made this book a must read for me. I am eager to see it in bookstores and libraries. I think this will be a great book for anyone interested in the subject matter and the photography.  

Early Book Review: Sky Wolf's Call: The Gift of Indigenous Knowledge by Eldon Yellowhorn, Kathy Lowinger

Sky Wolf's Call: The Gift of Indigenous Knowledge by Eldon Yellowhorn and Kathy Lowinger is currently scheduled for release on April 5 2021. How do knowledge systems get passed down over generations? Through the knowledge inherited from their Elders and ancestors, Indigenous Peoples throughout North America have observed, practiced, experimented, and interacted with plants, animals, the sky, and the waters over millennia. Knowledge keepers have shared their wisdom with younger people through oral history, stories, ceremonies, and records that took many forms. In Sky Wolf’s Call, award-winning author team of Eldon Yellowhorn and Kathy Lowinger reveal how Indigenous knowledge comes from centuries of practices, experiences, and ideas gathered by people who have a long history with the natural world. Indigenous knowledge is explored through the use of fire and water, the acquisition of food, the study of astronomy, and healing practices.

Sky Wolf’s Call is a wonderful and enlightening look at the perspective and knowledge held by the Indigenous Peoples of North America. I enjoyed getting a better understanding of the variety of stories and beliefs, and the vast array of knowledge they hold. I found the writing to be accessible and compelling. The images and page formatting were well done, keeping the eye and attention of the reader focused on the pages. I think this book is a great addition to classroom, school, and personal libraries. It is a valuable resource on several levels and importantly reminds us all how easily stories, culture, knowledge, and history can be lost. I think I will take a second look at some sections, because there is simply so much that I did not know and I feel like I might have missed or forgotten details because of interruptions while I was reading or the sheer volume of information I want to remember. I really love that the authors included a glossary, index, and (my favorite) websites and books for further reading. This makes me happy every time.

Early Book Review: The World of Coral Reefs: Explore and Protect the Natural Wonders of the Sea by Erin Spencer

The World of Coral Reefs: Explore and Protect the Natural Wonders of the Sea by Erin Spencer is currently scheduled for release on March 29 2022. Coral reefs occupy less than 1% of the ocean floor, but they support 25% of all marine species with food and shelter. In this illustrated book for ages 7 to 10, marine ecologist and underwater explorer Erin Spencer provides information including details about the types of coral, their anatomy and life cycle, where they live, how reefs develop, and the incredible diversity of marine animals that live among them, including aquarium favorites like clownfish, royal blue tangs, and sea turtles. Kids learn about the interdependent relationships of people and reefs and how human behavior puts reefs in danger, promising conservation work that scientists are undertaking, and solution-oriented ways kids and families can help in the effort. 

The World of Coral Reefs is an accessible book, with a great deal of information that in interesting and engaging. I learned a few new things, and thought the text was well written and balanced with the illustrations. The format made it easy to stay focused on the subject matter and engaged with the book. I thought the illustrations were good, but I have to admit to being spoiled with great illustrations in the books I have been reading lately. There was nothing wrong with the artwork, it was well done and I could see the talent and work that went into it- however with such a brilliant subject matter I was admittedly hoping for something more realistic. The issue was with my sky high expectations. I was thrilled to see the endpages, including a glossary and fairly extensive list of resources to dive deeper into the subject matter. This makes me especially happy with children's nonfiction, because you never know when you might be inspiring a scientist or activist with these books and those resources might be the start of something world changing. 

Book Review: Hidden Animal Colors by Jane Park

Hidden Animal Colors by Jane Park is nonfiction picturebook. Why should the bright and flashy animals get all of the attention? If you look closely at some seemingly ordinary animals, you may find a colorful surprise. 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.

Hidden Animal Colors is a great book for reading alone or together. The page design with photographs of animals and text placement worked very well to capture and keep the attention of readers of all ages. I loved the idea of showing young readers that even the most ordinary creatures could be hiding some interesting features, and that even the less exciting feature do have a purpose that can help animals survive and thrive in the wild. This is a great book for all readers, even if they just want to look at some great pictures and enjoy the book on that level alone. 

Early Book Review: The Atlas of Migrating Plants and Animals by Matt Sewell, Megan Lee

The Atlas of Migrating Plants and Animals by Matt Sewell and Megan Lee is a children's nonfiction book currently scheduled for release on March 8 2022. This informative collection featuring mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, insects, and plants from all continents and nearly all oceans will teach young nature lovers about migration in its many forms. Grade-school children will discover how creatures navigate the planet when they encounter climate change, sun, chemicals, the Earth’s magnetic field, and the changing seasons in this illustrated reference book. Follow flocks of arctic terns on their annual 24,855-mile journey between the Earth’s poles. Join the monarch butterflies on their famous pilgrimage, upwards of 3,000 miles, from Canada to Mexico. Marvel at wildebeests, humpback whales, salmon, dragonflies, and more, as they travel around the globe and battle the Earth’s toughest conditions to survive.

The Atlas of Migrating Plants and Animals is an interesting and accessible read that covers the migration style of over sixty living creatures. I thought the text was easy to follow, written in a conversational tone with some humor and interesting facts to keeps readers engaged. Each of the creature profiles includes one or most watercolor style illustrations of the subject matter. I think I would have preferred photographs, as the quality of those illustrations seemed to vary through out the book with some being near perfect and others feeling a little childish to me. The maps that are included are well done and help give a scope of some of the distances covered, but I do not think there are enough maps to really call this an atlas. I liked the information shared and think the book had great potential and intent, but fell short of what I was expecting from the title.

The Atlas of Migrating Plants and Animals is a well written and interesting read that could be helpful in the classroom. However, it fell short of being a true atlas for me. 

Early Book Review: Sexus Animalis: There Is Nothing Unnatural in Nature by Emmanuelle Pouydebat

Sexus Animalis: There Is Nothing Unnatural in Nature by Emmanuelle Pouydebat is an illustrated guide to the amazingly multifarious sex lives of animals, from elephants and bonobos to butterflies and bedbugs.It is currently scheduled for release on March 8 2022. 

There may be nothing unnatural in nature, but nature still encompasses much that seems fantastically strange—the amazingly multifarious sex lives of animals, for example. Sexus Animalis tells us everything we never dreamed we wanted to know about the reproductive systems, genital organs, and sexual practices of animals, from elephants (who masturbate with their trunks) to fruit flies (who produce spermatozoa twenty times their size). In the animal kingdom we find heterosexual, lesbian, gay, and bisexual behavior, as well as monogamy, polygamy, and polyandry, not to mention fellatio and many varieties of erections and orgasms. Emmanuelle Pouydebat, a natural history researcher, tells us about gutter penises, double penises, detachable penises, and corkscrew-shaped penises, as well as vaginas built for storage and clitorises with thorns. (Perhaps unsurprisingly, there’s more data about animal penises than animal vaginas and clitorises.) She explains how the ostrich achieves an erection, describes the courtship of pygmy chameleons, and recounts how the female short-beaked echidna chooses a partner. She reports on sexual assault among animals—there’s evidence that half of female mallards are sexually assaulted—and explains how masturbation helps squirrels avoid sexually transmitted diseases. It seems that animals have been composing their own Kama Sutra throughout the ages. Striking color illustrations accompany the text.

Sexus Animalis is a book that offers exactly what is promises, fascinated information that I never knew I wanted to know about the anatomy and mechanisms of sex for a wide variety of animals and how evolution and natural selection could play their part in all of it. I found the writing style to be accessible with some humor and straight forward information that I never thought about exploring previously. I thought the information included was well researched and organized, and pointed out the gaps in our understanding and how much work there is still to do. I thought the frank and honest explanations were peppered with a nice dose of humor and wit to add another level of interest and entertainment to the read without lessening the credibility of the text. I thought that the illustrations were tasteful and very well done, and helped give readers a more informed awareness of the size and particularities of what is being described in text. I was very interested in the implications of how evolution and other factors have made so many variations on the sex lives of creatures of all shapes and sizes. I never thought much about it, and think there are many people that likewise never considered the complexity and sometimes straight up strangeness of the world around us. This read entertained, informed, and got me thinking a little more about the complexities of the world around us. 

Book Review: Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden, Second Edition: A Natural Approach to Pest Control by Jessica Walliser

Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden, Second Edition: A Natural Approach to Pest Control by Jessica Walliser is updated with new research, insights, and voices in order to teach readers how to create a healthy, balanced, and diverse garden capable of supporting a hard-working crew of beneficial pest-eating insects and eliminate the need for synthetic chemical pesticides. After an introduction to the predator and prey cycle and its importance to both wild ecosystems and home gardens, you'll meet dozens of pest-munching beneficial insects (the predators) that feast on garden pests (their prey). From ladybugs and lacewings to parasitic wasps and syrphid flies, these good guys of the bug world keep the natural system of checks and balances in prime working order. They help limit pest damage and also serve a valuable role in the garden's food web. With a hearty population of beneficial insects present in your garden, you'll say goodbye to common garden pests like aphids, cabbage worms, bean beetles, leafhoppers, and hornworms, without reaching for a spray can. To encourage these good guys to stick around and do their important work, you'll learn how to create a welcoming habitat and fill your garden with the best plants to support them.

Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden is a valuable resource for gardeners that would prefer to avoid using chemicals on their lawn, garden, or landscape in general. I like that the author includes personal experience as well as the science and benefits of this approach.I like that interviews with entomologists and detailed information on the lives of  some of the specific insects and plants talked about are included. I found the tips on creating a space that encourages beneficial insects to call home to be valuable and interesting. Information on companion planting, and how various plants and insects interact was thoroughly explained and I definitely learned a great deal from this book. I found the content to be well organized, which makes it good for reading straight through of focusing on a specific topic of interest when you need it. I thought it could be a valuable resource for new and experienced gardeners. The information is accessible, but still provides a great depth of information. I also liked that there is a usable index and recommended resources included at the end of the book. This always makes me happy. Perhaps, with this newfound knowledge, I can manage to solve the issues I have with a particular corner of my yard. 

Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden would be a valuable addition to a gardener's personal library as well as in public libraries. 

Book Review: Who Lives near a Glacier? Alaska Animals in the Wild by Susi Gregg Fowler, Jim Fowler

Who Lives near a Glacier? Alaska Animals in the Wild is a children's book written by Susi Gregg Fowler and illustrated by Jim Fowler. Whether towering high above the water's surface, or spreading out as a massive ice field in an open plain, glaciers slowly shape the environments and ecosystems that they move through. And while the size, scale, and temperatures may seem extreme, there is a vibrant community of wildlife living in and around these massive flows of ice. Through poems paired with information about each animal, Who Lives near a Glacier? celebrates the creatures that thrive alongside the shifting landscape. From enormous whales swimming alongside ice walls rising out of the ocean, to the tiniest of ice worms that make their homes inside glaciers, readers will learn about a variety of local wildlife.

Who Lives near a Glacier? is a combination of rhyming poetry, nature paintings, and factoids. The illustrations are done like paintings, and pair nicely with the poetry and chosen facts. I thought they were well done, but I think I might have preferred actually photographs to the artwork when possible.  This is not to say they were not quality, but comes down to my personal preference. I was impressed with the wildlife chosen for inclusion, especially that plants were included.  Too often the less flashy plants and animals are ignored in favor of better known, cuter, or dramatic creatures. Here we get a look at a variety of far more expected and common animals. I like that the information of glacier formation is included as well. 

Who Lives near a Glacier? is a book that will appeal to interested readers, and could be useful in discussions about nature, climate, and Alaska with young readers.  

Early Book Review: Blowholes, Book Gills, and Butt-Breathers: The Strange Ways Animals Get Oxygen by Doug Wechsler

Blowholes, Book Gills, and Butt-Breathers: The Strange Ways Animals Get Oxygen by Doug Wechsler is currently scheduled for release on December 7 2021. This is the latest installment of the How Nature Works series. 

Explores a question unasked by any other book for young readers: What can we learn about nature and evolution from the bizarre and exotic ways some animals have evolved to get life-giving oxygen? It is an inquiry-based book designed to stimulate active minds; a STEM offering from a celebrated nature photographer and writer, featuring some spectacular nature photography. Weird and wonderful, as only nature can be!

Blowholes, Book Gills, and Butt-Breathers is more straightforward and scientifically presented that I expected from the title and illustrated cover. I was expecting more  puns and jokes about the more unusual ways animals get their needed oxygen. I started the book expecting it to be an easy, fluffy read, and was happily surprised to see some detailed explanations about how bodies use oxygen, and just why it is such an important part of life on this planet. I found the information to be well written and accessible to the middle grade and older crowd. There are moments that might give readers the giggles, because of the subject matter. I found the photographs to be extremely well done, and their placement helps keep the reader's focus and attention on the subject matter. I loved that the author included a glossary and list of materials foe further reading. That always makes my geeky little heart happy.

Book Review: Ocean Planet: Animals of the Sea and Shore by Ben Rothery

Ocean Planet: Animals of the Sea and Shore by Ben Rothery explores ocean life.  Pacific walrus, king penguin, narwhal, great white shark, squid, seahorse, moray eel, humpback whale, manta ray, orca, and many more are rendered in great detail on the pages of the book. It includes shore dwellers who depend on the sea: Polar bears and otters of course, but also ring-tailed lemurs, Bengal tigers, and British Columbia wolves. It also explores extreme ocean environments: Tropical reefs and polar seas, islands and open oceans, surface waters and the ocean abyss, kelp forests and mangroves.

Ocean Planet is a visually fascinating book that had me looking closer at many images to be certain they were not photographs. The illustrations are highly detailed and of wonderful quality. The artistry, skill, and attention to detail is evident on every single page, regardless of the general size or popularity of the subject. It is well structured and organized, helping to make the book engaging and accessible to readers.  I liked the information that was given about the included subjects, and the clear message that the ocean and it's health is key to our planet. I think this book is wonderful for library, school, and personal collections. Nature and animal lovers will want a copy, and artists and art lovers might want a copy to study and enjoy as well. 

Book Review: America the Beautiful Cross Stitch: 30 Patterns of America’s Most Iconic National Parks and Monuments from becker&mayer! books

America the Beautiful Cross Stitch: 30 Patterns of America’s Most Iconic National Parks and Monuments from becker&mayer! books  contains 30 original cross stitch patterns, an introduction to each park or monument, and instructions on cross stitching techniques and suggested materials. The patterns include: Yellowstone National Park, Statue of Liberty, Great Smokey Mountains, Washington Monument, Arches National Park, Yosemite National Park, Appalachian Trail, Haleakala Volcano, and many more. The finished projects can be used to commemorate your favorite vacations or to personalize household items like tea towels, pillowcases, and backpacks.

America the Beautiful Cross Stitch offers readers exactly what the title promises. As someone that has always been a crafter, but has only picked up my cross stitch tools again after several years, I have to say I stumbled across this book at the exact right moment. I was able to look at the patterns and instructions both as someone that knows the terminology and sometimes needs a reminder of technique and tips. I thought that the chosen patterns were beautiful, and the information provided about the tools and techniques needed was accessible by all skill levels, but it might be a bit daunting for those new to the skills. I liked that the book also included information and pictures about the parks the patterns portray. This was a great touch to bring a bit more of the heart of those scenes into the final product, and maybe inspire another trip. I cannot get started on these after I finish my current project. 

Early Book Review: Bat's Moonlight Feast by Gordon McMillan, Carly Allen-Fletcher

Bat's Moonlight Feast is a nonfiction picturebook written by Gordon McMillan and illustrated by Carly Allen-Fletcher. It is currently scheduled for release on November 1 2021. The tube-lipped nectar bat is the pollinator of a pale, bell-shaped flower found in the Ecuadorian cloud forests. First discovered in 2005, the bat is the only known pollinator of a pale, bell shaped flower called Centropogon nigricans . Due to the length of the bloom, no other animal can reach the nectar which rests at the flower’s base. This is the story of one such bat and her nocturnal search for this rare flower whose nectar sustains her.

Bat's Moonlight Feast is an absolutely beautiful book. I thought the artwork was extremely well done and did a great job of showing the details of the subject matter. The backgrounds were just as beautiful as the work done on the bats and flowers. I looked through the images several times simply to enjoy them. I also thought the text was well done, and easy to understand without being dumbed down. I liked the additional text that gave more information on the newly discovered bat and what we have learned about it. I think young readers will love this book, and animal and nature enthusiasts of all ages will as well. 

Early Book Review: Underwater Wild: My Octopus Teacher's Extraordinary World by Craig Foster; Ross Frylinck

Underwater Wild: My Octopus Teacher's Extraordinary World by Craig Foster and Ross Frylinck is currently scheduled for release on October 19 2021. Craig Foster and Ross Frylinck regularly dive together in the awe-inspiring kelp forests off South Africa, without wetsuits or oxygen tanks. In Ross, he found a kindred spirit, someone who also embraced the ancient methods of acclimating his body to frigid waters, but whose eyes had not yet adjusted to the transcendent wonder Craig saw each time they dove. In the stories that make up this book, readers swim alongside Ross as he grows from skeptic to student of the underwater wild. And in the revelatory marine science behind the stunning photos, we learn how to track sea hares, cuttlefish, and limpets, and we witness strange new behaviors never before documented in marine biology. We realize that a whole world of wonder, and an innate wildness within us all, emerge anew when we simply observe. 

I have to admit that I picked Underwater Wild to read because of the photography. Seriously, the images are stunning and well worth a look at the book all on their own. They are simply stunning. The text is well written and talks about much more than the marine life feature. The narrative style brings readers along for the ride, showing rather than telling about what has been seen and learned. It is about marine life, exploration, family, relationships, and more. When paired with the photographs, the text gives an extra layer of wonder and heart to the book as a whole. I think this book will appeal to a wide range of readers, and some will definitely be taking more time to enjoy the pictures than the text, no mater how moving or interesting the information shared.

Early Book Review: Monkeys: Apes, Gorillas and other Primates by Tom Jackson

Monkeys: Apes, Gorillas and other Primates by Tom Jackson is currently scheduled for release on October 14 2021. As our closest relatives in the animal world, monkeys have always fascinated and amused humans in equal measure. Monkeys is an outstanding collection of photographs showing these complex, intelligent animals in their natural habitat. Arranged in chapters covering anatomy, family, behavior, feeding and young, Monkeys features a wide variety of monkeys and apes, including baboons, gorillas, orangutans, macaques, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, marmosets, gibbons, mandrills and chimpanzees. The smallest monkey is the pygmy marmoset, which can be just 117 millimetres (4.6in) in length with a 172-millimetre (6.8in) tail and weighing just over 100 grams (3.5oz); while the massive Grauer’s gorilla can weigh over 180 kilos (400lbs). With full captions explaining how the species act in a group, communicate, hunt and feed, and rear its young, Monkeys is a brilliant examination in 230 outstanding color photographs of these remarkable primates.

Monkeys is a wonderful collection of primate photography. My youngest is animal obsessed, so have have seen countless books and documentaries about animals of all kinds. I have to say that I have never before seen such a wonderful collection of primate photographs. The information provided for the pictures is succinct while still being informative and interesting. The eyes and facial expressions  of the various primates run just a wide range, much like those of people. The variety of size, coloration, habitats and more just might inspire further reading and care about the damage being done to habitats where some of these amazing animals live.  This book holds up after several looks and I think those intrigued by primates and animals in general will enjoy this book. It definitely belongs in libraries, but interested collectors and various school libraries might want to add this to their collections as well. 

Early Book Review: The Strangest Thing in the Sea: And Other Curious Creatures of the Deep by Rachel Poliquin, Byron Eggenschwiler

The Strangest Thing in the Sea: And Other Curious Creatures of the Deep, written by Rachel Poliquin and illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler,  is a children's nonfiction book currently scheduled for release on October 5 2021. A look at some very strange creatures in the sea --- but which is the strangest? A feathery tutu dancing through the water? A tiptoeing rock wearing a wig? A mountain of skulls on the ocean floor? Not everything is quite as it seems in this fascinating exploration of 12 bizarre and little-known sea animals. Each creature is introduced with an imaginative first-person depiction of its appearance, accompanied by an artistic interpretation and the question, “Am I the strangest thing in the sea?” Then, open the gatefold, and an illustration and full description of the actual creature in its habitat are revealed, along with the tantalizing answer that, no, this is not the strangest thing in the sea. That is, until the last creature, which is the strangest. But what could it be?

I enjoyed The Strangest Thing in the Sea very much. I thought the artwork matched the text very well, and the detail and imagination on each page showed great skill. I thought the use of gatefolds was a good choice, and the execution was on point. The page layout, and book organization as a whole, was very good. I enjoyed the balance of whimsy in the imagined version oft he creatures balanced with solid information.  I have to admit that I was already very familiar with most of the animals featured, but I think the approach and chosen information was great.I really liked that a glossary and chart showing the different zones of the sea and where the featured animals live were included.  I learned a few new things, and I think readers of a variety of ages will be highly engaged and interested in this book. 

Audiobook Review: Bees and Their Keepers by Lotte Möller, Narrated by Julie Maisey

Bees and Their Keepers is a non fiction book written by Lotte Möller, and the audiobook is narrated by Julie Maisey. The study of bees has often been considered a divine occupation, as the creature’s attention to detail and purpose is so special and the honey they produce, almost magical. In this compelling cultural history that moves beautifully through the beekeeper’s year, Swedish beekeeper and writer Lotte Möller shares her understanding of bees and bee lore from antiquity to the present with deep knowledge and sharp wit. Möller gives insight into the activity in the hive and describes the bees’ natural order and habits. She explores the myths of the past and how and when they were replaced by fact. In stories from her travels, Möller encounters a host of colorful characters, from a trigger-happy California beekeeper raging against both killer bees and bee politics to the legendary Brother Adam of Buckfast Abbey, breeder of the Buckfast queen, now popular throughout Europe and beyond, as well a host of others as passionate as she about the complex world of apiculture both past and present.

Bees and Their Keepers is an interesting book. I learned a great deal, and thought  the stories and information shared where engaging. I have several books about bees, in particular their current plight with pesticides and other dangers they are facing. Getting a look at how people have interacted with bees through out history, both distant and more recently, has given me a more well-rounded appreciation for honey and the work that goes into beekeeping. I liked that moments from the author's adventures in researching the topic, personal explorations, and own beekeeping were included. All of the individual components were informative and interesting to listen to on my commutes back and forth to work. However, I have to admit that sometimes the topic changes or asides to give more information on a very specific topic or adventure caught me off guard and it took me a bit to switch gears. It just felt a little disjointed at times. Similarly, the end rather snuck up on me. That is not likely to happen to those reading a print copy, but in the audiobook version I was listening and expecting more on a topic, or another topic change, and then suddenly I was listening to the copyright information. It just felt a bit abrupt to me.  

Bees and Their Keepers is and interesting look at the history and world of beekeeping.