10 Best Nature & Ecology Books

From the author of the bestselling book 50 Things to See with a Small Telescope, this colorful edition explores the constellations with young readers, guiding them to dozens of galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters. Every page features a helpful “telescope view”, showing exactly how objects appear through a small telescope or binoculars.While a member of the Mount Diablo Astronomical Society in California, John Read taught thousands of students how to use telescopes and explore the night sky. Now, he’s sharing this knowledge with you! Even without a telescope, this introduction to the night sky is essential for every child’s collection.A new version of this book called “50 Things to See with a Telescope – A Young Stargazers Guide” will also be available September, 2018.

The bird book for birders and nonbirders alike that will excite and inspire by providing a new and deeper understanding of what common, mostly backyard, birds are doing–and why “Can birds smell?” “Is this the same cardinal that was at my feeder last year?” “Do robins ‘hear’ worms?” In What It’s Like to Be a Bird, David Sibley answers the most frequently asked questions about the birds we see most often. This special, large-format volume is geared as much to nonbirders as it is to the out-and-out obsessed, covering more than two hundred species and including more than 330 new illustrations by the author. While its focus is on familiar backyard birds–blue jays, nuthatches, chickadees–it also examines certain species that can be fairly easily observed, such as the seashore- dwelling Atlantic puffin. David Sibley’s exacting artwork and wide-ranging expertise bring observed behaviors vividly to life. (For most species, the primary illustration is reproduced life-sized.) And while the text is aimed at adults–including fascinating new scientific research on the myriad ways birds have adapted to environmental changes–it is nontechnical, making it the perfect occasion for parents and grandparents to share their love of birds with young children, who will delight in the big, full-color illustrations of birds in action. Unlike any other book he has written, What It’s Like to Be a Bird is poised to bring a whole new audience to David Sibley’s world of birds.

Journey through the fascinating world of dinosaurs with everyone’s favorite Cat in the Hat in this positively prehistoric adventure! The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library is a nonfiction picture book series that introduces beginning readers ages 5-8 to important basic concepts. Learn about how fossils are formed and found, and get an easy introduction to dinosaurs from the flying Archaeoptyerx to the spiky Ankylosaurus. (And not to fear-the Cat in the Hat will break the names down for easy pronunciation for kids and parents.) Perfect for readers who are crazy about dinosaurs (or even just dino-nuggets) and for any kid who loves learning and science. Featuring beloved characters from Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat , the Learning Library are unjacketed hardcover picture books that explore a range of nonfiction topics about the world we live in and include an index, glossary, and suggestions for further reading. “Pretty much all the stuff you need to know is in Dr. Seuss.” -President Barack Obama

Find comfort, balance, and emotional healing with crystals Discover how crystals and healing stones can help you fight stress, cope with anxiety, and more as you explore the basics of crystal energy healing with this beginner’s guide. With simple guidance, you’ll learn to curate your own crystal collection, and detailed crystal profiles will help you choose the crystal that works best for your healing. Unearth the power of healing crystals with: * Easy guidance ―Explore every facet of crystal healing, including how to use different crystals and the top 10 crystals for your collection. * Healing remedies ―Overcome negative emotions and foster positive growth with specific crystal prescriptions and healing mantras. * Comprehensive crystal profiles ―Learn to identify crystal types with 50 detailed crystal profiles that feature images of both worked and unworked versions. Harmonize and heal your body, spirit, and mind with Crystals for Beginners.

It ‘s the superstar of cat calendars, and the superstar of all calendars. Featuring the distinguished winners of the annual Cat Calendar Contest, 365 Cats has done it again! Here are America’s cutest, feistiest, and most photogenic felines in beautiful full color. A bright-eyed tabby ready for dinner. A striking Siberian–which, despite its abundant fur, makes a good pet for the allergic cat lover. Energetic Abyssinians, an exotic hairless Sphinx, and a sweet tuxedo napping in a cozy hammock. Includes breed information, health and care tips, and wise words: ” Cats never strike a pose that isn’t photogenic.”–Lillian Jackson Brown. Printed on FSC-certified paper and introducing a new eco-friendly cardboard backer.

A “remarkable” ( Los Angeles Times ), “seductive” ( The Wall Street Journal ) debut from the new cohost of Radiolab , Why Fish Don ‘t Exist is a dark and astonishing tale of love, chaos, scientific obsession, and – possibly – even murder. ​ “At one point, Miller dives into the ocean into a school of fish…comes up for air, and realizes she ‘s in love. That’s how I felt: Her book took me to strange depths I never imagined, and I was smitten.” ( The New York Times Book Review ) David Starr Jordan was a taxonomist, a man possessed with bringing order to the natural world. In time, he would be credited with discovering nearly a fifth of the fish known to humans in his day. But the more of the hidden blueprint of life he uncovered, the harder the universe seemed to try to thwart him. His specimen collections were demolished by lightning, by fire, and eventually by the 1906 San Francisco earthquake – which sent more than 1,000 discoveries, housed in fragile glass jars, plummeting to the floor. In an instant, his life’s work was shattered. Many might have given up, given in to despair. But Jordan? He surveyed the wreckage at his feet, found the first fish that he recognized, and confidently began to rebuild his collection. And this time, he introduced one clever innovation that he believed would at last protect his work against the chaos of the world. When NPR reporter Lulu Miller first heard this anecdote in passing, she took Jordan for a fool – a cautionary tale in hubris, or denial. But as her own life slowly unraveled, she began to wonder about him. Perhaps instead he was a model for how to go on when all seemed lost. What she would unearth about his life would transform her understanding of history, morality, and the world beneath her feet. Part biography, part memoir, part scientific adventure, Why Fish Don ‘t Exist is a wondrous fable about how to persevere in a world where chaos will always prevail.

Barnes & Noble 2020 Book of the Year A Kirkus Prize Finalist for Nonfiction A Southern Book Prize Finalist An NPR Best Book of 2020 An Esquire Best Book of 2020 A BookPage Best Book of 2020 A New York Public Library Best Book of 2020 A Wall Street Journal Holiday Gift Pick for 2020 An Indie Next Pick, September 2019 A Publishers Weekly “Big Indie Book of Fall 2020” A BuzzFeed Best Book of Fall 2020 A Literary Hub “Most Anticipated Book of 2020 A Ralph Lauren Summer Reading Recommendation A Garden & Gun Summer Reading Recommendation A Bustle “Best Book of Fall 2020 Named a “Most Anticipated Book of 2020” by The Millions An Alma “Favorite Book for Fall 2020” A Literary Hub “Recommended Climate Read for September 2020” A Mpls.St.Paul Magazine Reading Recommendation for Fall 2020 From beloved, award-winning poet Aimee Nezhukumatathil comes a debut work of nonfiction ―a collection of essays about the natural world, and the way its inhabitants can teach, support, and inspire us. As a child, Nezhukumatathil called many places home: the grounds of a Kansas mental institution, where her Filipina mother was a doctor; the open skies and tall mountains of Arizona, where she hiked with her Indian father; and the chillier climes of western New York and Ohio. But no matter where she was transplanted―no matter how awkward the fit or forbidding the landscape―she was able to turn to our world’s fierce and funny creatures for guidance. “What the peacock can do,” she tells us, “is remind you of a home you will run away from and run back to all your life.” The axolotl teaches us to smile, even in the face of unkindness; the touch-me-not plant shows us how to shake off unwanted advances; the narwhal demonstrates how to survive in hostile environments. Even in the strange and the unlovely, Nezhukumatathil finds beauty and kinship. For it is this way with wonder: it requires that we are curious enough to look past the distractions in order to fully appreciate the world’s gifts. Warm, lyrical, and gorgeously illustrated by Fumi Nakamura, World of Wonders is a book of sustenance and joy.

Happy New Almanac Year! It’s time to celebrate the 229th edition of The Old Farmer’s Almanac! Long recognized as North America’s most-beloved and best- selling annual, the handy yellow book fulfills every need and expectation as a calendar of the heavens, a time capsule of the year, an essential reference that reads like a magazine. Always timely, topical, and distinctively “useful, with a pleasant degree of humor,” the Almanac is consulted daily by users from all walks of life, throughout the year. The 2021 edition contains the fun facts, predictions, and feature items that have made it a cultural icon: traditionally 80 percent-accurate weather forecasts; notable astronomical events and time-honored astrological dates; horticultural, culinary, fashion, and other trends; historical hallmarks; best fishing days; time- and money-saving garden advice; recipes for refreshment; facts on folklore, farmers, home remedies, and husbandry; amusements and contests, plus too much more to mention–all in the inimitable way that the Almanac has done since 1792. • Beloved by generations for being “useful, with a pleasant degree of humor,” The Old Farmer ‘s Almanac features everything under the Sun, including its much-in-demand long-range weather predictions, essential astronomical timetables, 2021 holidays, fascinating trends, best fishing days, valuable gardening information, tantalizing recipes, fun folklore, amusements, contests, and much more! • Exclusive: 32 reference pages, covering such popular topics as full Moon names, hurricane names, flowers that attract birds and butterflies, U.S./metric measurement conversions, and many more! • Easy-to-read edition, with crisp, white paper and larger type than the regular paperback version • Includes 112 full-color pages • Stiffer cover helps to protect the pages

The original nature calendar and a bestseller for over thirty years, the Sierra Club Wilderness Calendar once again sets the standard with its breathtaking images of America’s wild, natural beauty. Each and every spread of this monthly wall calendar features a unique, large- format photo of one of our nation’s most spectacular wild places. For 2021, these include: • A majestic mountain in an Oregon national forest • A stunning seascape off Jupiter Island in Florida • An abundant field of wildflowers on California’s Carrizo Plain • A lush red-rock desertscape in Nevada • A magnificent primeval rainforest in Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve • And so much more This is a calendar you’ll be proud to own –and proud to give. In fact, it’s the perfect holiday gift for everyone on your list, since one size fits all and it’s sure to be appreciated. Best of all, a portion of the proceeds from sales goes to support the Sierra Club’s work to preserve and protect the planet. Great care and only top-quality materials go into the production of this exceptional Sierra Club wall calendar, which is printed by one of the preeminent lithographers in the world. The deluxe “wire-o” binding allows it to lie flat against the wall–unlike stapled calendars–and the photos and grids are printed on heavy-weight, acid-free, Forest Stewardship Council®-certified paper containing a minimum of 60 percent postconsumer waste, processed chlorine free. FSC® certification guarantees that the virgin component of the paper has been sourced from forests managed in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.