3 stars A magical adventure with subtle themes of empathy and listening to friends, and the benefits of bees. Anna convinces her hesitant friend, Tess, to help her plant flowers so the bees will have food. They fall asleep waiting for the flowers to grow and wake to find they’ve been shrunk. Together, they embark…
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by Eucabeth Odhiambo Illustrated by Gillian Flint 5 stars Another fantastic She Persisted book. This one recounts the life and work of Wangari Maathai, an environmentalist and activist who founded the Green Belt Movement. The book describes Maathai’s life growing up in Kenya, her inspirations and influences, her continuing education, her work helping her community,…
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5 stars A wonderful picture book that tells the story of a big idea and a community coming together to make it happen. Amara loves bats. But when she moves to a new town, there are none in sight. With the help of the park ranger along with her new friends and neighbors, Amara helps…
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Illustrated by Charles Santoso 5 stars A new favorite from Katherine Applegate! I loved this story. A beautiful representation of how plants and animals coexist and form mutually beneficial relationships. It show demonstrates human intervention can unintendedly alter that balance with unintended consequences. A blend of eco-mystery and coming of age with a touch of…
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4 stars Another stunning picture book from Dieckmann. When a dog arrives in the peaceful valley and begins eating everything in sight, the other animals try to confront him. But when their efforts are in vain, they band together to create beauty in their own world. This fable-style story has a lovely emphasis on community…
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Finding, Collecting, Identifying, and Using the Ocean’s Most Beautiful Stones by Mary Beth Beuke 3 stars A nice resource for those already interested in sea glass and beachcombing who understand the basics. Would recommend to those who have already started a sea glass collection and are looking to learn more about what to look for…
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4 stars A stunning picture book featuring a lost polar bear, some helpful crows, and the effects of climate change. When Leaf washes up on the shore of the wild wood, the other animals fear the large, strange, dangerous-looking creature. It isn’t until they talk to him that they learn the truth of his arrival….
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by Richard LaMotte Photography by Celia Pearson 4 stars A great resource for learning more about sea glass. Provides details about the origin, history, and prevalence of different colors and types of glass. Also provides details for identification of bottles, tableware, flat glass, marbles, insulators, and more. There is also a section that breaks down…
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by Megan Wagner Lloyd 3 stars A sweet story of one cat’s determination to help the human she loves. Told through three different perspectives, Haven tells the tale of a housecat traversing the wild, making new friends, encountering new enemies, and facing the odds in an unknown world. Perfect for readers who enjoy animals, nature,…
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The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Biruté Galdikas by Jim Ottaviani, Illustrated by Maris Wicks 2 stars I really wanted to love this book. The illustrations are great, often working in details that aren’t touched on in the text. I love the focus on women in science and their extraordinary passion. However,…
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