New Releases by John Himmelman

Are bananas yellow . . . or is yellow a banana? Learn all about yellow—and other colorful things—in this rollicking picture book from John Himmelman, author of the Bunjitsu Bunny series u200bApproaching the concept of color, and the creative ways in which young children assign names to things in the world around them, with a fun, playful tone, this picture book is perfect for group or individual read-aloud story times. That yellow is a banana. No, a banana is yellow. These purples are grapes. No, these grapes are purple! This orange is a pumpkin. No, that pumpkin is orange! And this orange is . . . orange? With two charming siblings and a fresh, limited palette that allows each featured color to really shine, young readers will learn as they laugh in this side-splittingly funny, unique picture book.

From the venerable John Himmelman comes something new—a collection of story poems perfect for fans of Shel Silverstein. Ivo lived in a great big shell. That floated in the sea. He wrote stories to make the time pass. Millions and millions of stories. More than a shell could hold. More than a boy’s life could hold. A boy named Ivo lives in a giant moon snail shell on a beach. One day, a wave carries him out to sea. While he waits to be rescued, he makes the best of his time writing story poems on the walls inside the shell. In his poems, Ivo introduces you to characters such as dolphin, the nicest creature in the ocean who brings him a crayon when he needs a new one. Crab who takes over when Ivo sleeps and writes crabby poems. There’s carrot boy who eats so many carrots that he turns into a rabbit. And two sibling pups taken in by different owners and can’t stop looking for each other. John Himmelman’s masterful collection of poems—each illustrated in full-color art—is filled with unforgettable characters and begs to be read time and time again.

In lively, accessible prose, John Himmelman explains the intricacy of moths'' life cycle, their importance in nature, and how just a tiny handful of the many moth species are truly pests to humans. He tells how to attract moths with lights and bait, when and where to observe them, and how best to photograph these tiny subjects. Entertaining personal anecdotes and short profiles of some of the country''s foremost moth-ers add human interest. This new edition updates photos and information while focusing on states east of the Mississippi.

On a dig in a Spanish desert, archeologist, Jennifer Moore uncovers the skeleton of a young Neanderthal, a prehistoric branch of humans that mysteriously vanished. In its hand is a bone flute. But Neanderthals were not known to create music. 40,000 years earlier, Skeetu, one of the last remaining Neanderthals, finds a flute. This leads her to a small band of Homo sapiens-our ancestors. With her Woolly Rhino, Bulo, they travel together in search of more of their kind. Saber-toothed tigers, monstrous hyenas, cave bears, wolves, and winter storms challenge their survival. Forward to present time: Jennifer is racing backwards through her dreams; seeing through the eyes of one ancestor to the next. Could it have something to do with the flute she stole from the dig site? Neandergirl is in essence a time travel story, joining family across the span of 40,000 years, and plays with the challenges of companionship-not between two races, but two different species of human beings.

Have you ever wondered how some of nature''s smallest creatures spend their days? Here''s your chance to take a scientifically accurate peek into the life of the slug (Limax). Striking illustrations and lively storyline capture the real life changes for this small animal as it hunts for food, faces its enemies, and interacts with humans. Slugs are closely related to snails. They both have shells, but a slug''s shell is small, and hidden under its skin. Land slugs live in moist places. They spend the day under stones and logs and come out at night to feed. Slugs eat a variety of plants and mushrooms. There is no such thing as a male or female slug. Every slug is a hermaphrodite (her-maf-fro-dyte)-sometimes it plays the role of male, and sometimes female. All slugs can lay eggs. As slugs move from place to place, they leave behind a slimy trail. The slime is similar to the mucus that runs down the back of your throat when you have a cold. The thick, slippery slime is produced by a gland in the slug''s foot. The slime makes it easier for the slug to glide along the ground. The next time you spot a slug''s slime trail, see if you can follow it to its hideout. Other books in this series: ♦ A Hummingbird''s Life ♦ A Luna Moth''s Life ♦ A Wood Frog''s Life ♦ A Mealworm''s Life ♦ A Mouse''s Life

Have you ever wondered how some of nature''s smallest creatures spend their days? Here''s your chance to take a scientifically accurate peek into the life of a mealworm, (Tenebrio molitar), beginning with egg-laying. Striking illustrations and a lively storyline capture the real life challenges of the mealworm. Perfect to read to young children.

Blah! Mr. Raisin is a bit of a grump. He lives all alone in a little house, and he likes it that way just fine. One day, a mysterious basket appears on Mr. Raisin’s doorstep. When he opens it up, it seems there’s nothing inside . . . until he notices a floating dog bobbing along his ceiling. What follows is a heartwarming, hilarious tale about embracing the unexpected—and finding friendship that takes you to new heights, in John Himmelman''s Floaty.

Beetles fly, frogs hop, and slugs slide over the pages of this book, made to be read by a child while lying on the grass. Children interact with the book, with a tip, tap, and turn of the book, moving the critters along. The critters even interact with each other in surprising ways. John Himmelman brings together his expertise as both a naturalist and an artist to encourage children to explore nature in their own backyard

No one likes getting caught out in the rain! One drizzly day on the farm, a cow overhears a cat meowing to be let into the house. When the kind old lady inside opens the door, the cow gets an idea--one that spirals out of control! Minimal text and maximum hilarity make for a zany, fun-filled tale as we find out what happens when the cow says meow.

Meet the most heroic chickens in town! On Monday, Farmer Greenstalk dropped his watch down the well. . . . On Tuesday, Mrs. Greenstalk was too tired to make dinner. . . . Who will help the poor Greenstalk family? Chickens to the rescue! The amazing chickens on the Greenstalk farm race to help various family members and farm animals every day of the week. Every day until Sunday, that is, when Emily Greenstalk has a little trouble . . . John Himmelman''s expressive illustrations are filled with the kind of hilarious details that will delight young readers. "The fun here comes from all the frenzy in the pictures, and it will take kids more than one look to see all the silliness." - Booklist

At a time when night-singing insects have slipped beyond our notice—indeed, are more likely to be heard as NatureSounds than in a backyard—John Himmelman seeks to reconnect us to creatures whose songs form a part of our own natural history. On warm summer evenings, night-singing insects produce a whirring, chirping soundscape—a calming aural tapestry celebrated by poets and naturalists for millennia. But “cricket radio” is not broadcast for the easy-listening pleasure of humans. The nocturnal songs of insects are lures and warnings, full of risks and rewards for these tiny competitive performers. What moves crickets and katydids to sing, how they produce their distinctive sounds, how they hear the songs of others, and how they vary cadence, volume, and pitch to attract potential mates, warn off competitors, and evade predators is part of the engaging story Cricket Radio tells. Himmelman’s narrative weaves together his personal experiences as an amateur naturalist in search of crickets and katydids with the stories of scientists who study these insects professionally. He also offers instructions for bringing a few of the little singers into our homes and gardens. We can, Himmelman suggests, be reawakened to these night songs that have meant so much to the human psyche. The online insect calls that accompany this colorfully illustrated narrative provide a bridge of sound to our past and to our vital connection with other species.

This book beautifully renders ocean-side wildlife and their delicate relationships with one another. Himmelman''s breathtaking watercolor paintings are coupled with rhyming text couplets that examines the delicate balance that exists on the seashore.

Crickets, katydids, shieldbacks, coneheads, trigs, and angle-wings across the northeastern United States Full-color illustrations depict each insect in extraordinary detail Enclosed audio CD features songs and calls The mysteries behind the musical chirps, buzzes, and songs of the night are revealed in this guide to night-singing insects. Includes in-depth information on the three main families of these insects-the katydids, mole crickets, and true crickets-as well as full-color illustrations showing the unique features of each species. Readers will learn where to find each species, what colors and physical attributes are important, how species compare with one another, and how various sounds can help identify a particular insect. Complete with an audio guide and CD, this package is the only resource readers will need to study these small yet amazing insects of the night.

While helping them, Tudley the turtle adopts his fellow animals'' behaviors--flying like a hummingbird, calling like a katydid, and flashing like a firefly--but learns about his own special talent when they help him out of his own trouble.

As author Himmelman can attest, people of all ages are actively learning more about frogs, toads, and salamanders. This book covers everything from amphibians'' physiology to their place in folklore and literature to possible explanations of why many populations have declined. Along the way we learn where to find them and how to identify them, how to handle them safely, how to create vernal pools and year-round pond habitats for them, and more.

What types of plants and animals live in a meadow? From spiders to weasels, spittlebugs to beetles, take an up-close look at life in a typical North American meadow.

Take a peek into an environment loaded with frogs, bugs, birds, and more. Budding naturalists can find bogs all over--maybe even in their own neighborhoods. A handy field guide in the back helps young readers identify the plants and animals illustrated throughout the book.

Depicts a house spider going about its daily life and through its entire life cycle.

Illustrations and simple text follow the daily activities of a ladybug through its life cycle, from summer to fall.

Eyeballs on the ceiling and vampires at the outhouse are only two of the reasons the Camp Badger Scouts find for getting Counselor Jim to turn the lights back on in their dark cabin.

Examines the life cycle of a Nature Upclose: A Salamander''s Life

Examines the life cycle of a Nature Upclose: A Luna Moth''s Life

Adventures await around every corner for this brave band of young nature lovers as they race off with a Wildlife Rehabilitator to rescue animals in trouble! Includes colorful illustrations, an author¿s note and a note to caregivers.

As he pursues the man in the big red hat who dropped a copper coin, Tulio accumulates an unusual following, including a chicken that lays square eggs.

When Gregory''s parents see a sign on their son''s bedroom door: "Wanted: Perfect Parents, Inquire Within", they find a "job description" that seems like a tall order for any parents--even perfect ones. When Gregory reveals the most important thing perfect parents must do, it turns out to be something they can gladly deliver. Full-color illustrations.

Simpson Snail learns to sing. Puffin Easy-To-Read Level 2.

Chaos prevails when the barnyard animals decide to live in the house with Farmer Beanbuckets and his family.

The members of the Wright family compete in growing carrots for the big Clover County contest.

The Wright family takes an exciting camping trip when Dad turns their truck into a super camper.