New Releases by Michael Elsohn Ross

John James Audubon''s passion for birds inspired a national movement to protect birds and their habitats. As a child, John would often skip school to roam the countryside. He collected bird nests, unique stones, bits of moss, and other items of interest and developed his talent for creating dramatic bird portraits and skills for observing them in the wild. Using his abilities as an acute observer, skilled writer, and exceptional artist, Audubon wrote and illustrated a book, Birds of America. Cataloging all these creatures took enormous time and effort—but even more difficult was finding a way to publish it. To make his book a reality he had to persuade wealthy investors to support his dream. The stories of his adventures pursuing the unique birds of the America captured the imagination of audiences. Audubon became a larger-than-life figure and dubbed himself "the American Woodsman." Years after his death his artwork is still considered a major accomplishment that inspired a greater interest in American birdlife. John Audubon and the World of Birds for Kids includes 21 hands-on activities and valuable resources for budding ornithologists hiking in his footsteps.

Plantology guides young nature enthusiasts on a journey into the world of plants and the role they play in our lives. Full of colorful photos and illustrations, this fun and interactive resource presents clear, kid-friendly discussions of plant topics from the underground up—from seeds, roots, and sprouts to plant skeletons, leaves, petals, flowers, and fruits. But naturalist Michael Elsohn Ross goes beyond plant basics to explore the unknown world of common weeds, fascinating plant defense systems, the marvelous mechanisms of seed dispersal and pollination, and the history of everyday plant products in our homes. Plantology also illuminates humans'' connections with plants and the solutions they offer, from low-cost sewage treatment and toxic waste removal to providing new medical cures. With encouragement to "Try This" and "Look For," kids participate in 30 hands-on activities that promote observation and analysis, writing and drawing, math and science, and nature literacy skills. They will keep a plant journal, examine and sketch plant shapes, colors, and structures; start a seed collection, make tasty plant dishes, and more. Readers from any region will start to take notice of the plants around them—not just in parks, gardens, and woods but also around the schools, buildings, and sidewalks of their town, and in their own backyards. Useful resources include a glossary of plant terms, a list of plant and nature organizations and groups, and a teacher''s guide to initiate classroom discussion and investigation.

Portraits of brave women from the late 1800s through today—role models who are passionate about important issues A source of inspiration for young women with strong social convictions, She Takes a Stand highlights 16 extraordinary women who have fought for human rights, civil rights, workers'' rights, reproductive/sexual rights, and world peace. Among these are many who have been imprisoned, threatened, or suffered financial hardships for pursuing their missions to change the world for the better. Included are historic heroes such as anti-lynching crusader Ida B. Wells and suffragist Alice Paul, along with contemporary figures such as girls-education activist Malala Yousafzai; Sampat Pal Devi, who fights violence against Indian women; and SPARK executive director Dana Edell, who works to end the sexualization of women and girls in the media. Taking a multicultural, multinational perspective, She Takes a Stand spotlights brave women around the world with an emphasis on childhood details, motivations, and life turning points—in many cases gleaned from the author''s original interviews—and includes related sidebars, a bibliography, source notes, and a list of organizations young women can explore to get involved in changing their world.

A World of Her Own profiles 24 fascinating women from as the 1800s through today who have lived lives of exploration and adventure. These daring women represent various eras, cultures, races, and economic backgrounds but all overcome many obstacles to satisfy their curiosity, passions, and, often, drive to protect nature and cultures. Readers will meet women who face deadly weather conditions and endure leeches, days on end without showers, and questionable cuisine in the pursuit of discovery—women such as Eleanor Creesy, who lived a life at sea as a ship’s navigator in the 1800s; Kate Jackson, an insatiable investigator of venomous snakes whose work has led her to remote Africa and Latin America; and Constanza Ceruti, the world’s only female high-elevation archeologist, who carries out important excavations on some of the Earth’s highest peaks in dangerously thin air and subzero temperatures. These and 21 other remarkable women are introduced through profiles informed by not only historical research but also original interviews with many intriguing modern explorers who provide inspiration to any young woman today interested in nature, animals, science, adventure, the environment, and physical challenge. Michael Elsohn Ross is a naturalist, science educator, and award-winning author of over 40 books for children, including Salvador Dali and the Surrealists, Sandbox Scientist, and Snug As a Bug. He lives and works in Yosemite National Park.

LIFE CYLCES describes and illustrates three different types of life-to-death-to-life again cycles that occur in nature. First is the cycle of the sunflower that grows from a seed to maturity, thus producing more seeds to begin the cycle again. Next is the mushroom cycle, involving the production of spores as a means of reproducing. The third life cycle is that of the grasshopper, which produces eggs that, once fertilized, hatch into new grasshoppers. Each of these examples is a variation of the eternal circle of life and death that is characteristic of most types of plants and insects.

The body repairs and renews itself again and again – in cycles. BODY CYCLES describes and illustrates three of them. First is the cycle by which the body continually repairs itself, for examples by regrowing hair and nails. Next is the breath cycle, in which the lungs will with oxygen and release carbon dioxide over and over again. And third is the blood cycle, in which the circulatory system delivers oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body.

Celebrating the warm and loving bond between mammal mamas and their babies, this lushly illustrated book shows little ones doing what comes naturally-nursing. A perfect choice for cuddling up with a breast-feeding child or preschoolers who wonder how new babies get fed. Now available as an English/Spanish edition in both hardcover and paperback. More than 20,000 copies sold. Backmatter spread includes 20 fascinating nursing facts.

Features Mr. Whiskers and his class performing seven activities which involve playing with and learning about matter in its liquid, solid, and gaseous forms, and includes a list of materials so readers can duplicate their experiments.

Illustrations and short, rhyming verses portray bedtime rituals, from stories to goodnight kisses, of various bugs as they settle down on a branch, in an old cap, or under a rock and head to dreamland.

The Earth is round like a ball and it moves in circular motions. It changes in patterns that go round and round like the wheels of a bike. So begins EARTH CYCLES, a book that describes three of the cyclical phenomena created by the movement of Earth. Day to night to day and back again is one cycle, and the cycle of the moon gradually moving from a sliver to a giant disk and back again is another. The seasons’ never-ending cycle of spring to summer to fall to winter to spring again is the third. The book offers the scientific reason behind each of the cycles while at the same time providing an overview of the wondrous order of our planet.

Examines the lives and creative work of the surrealist artist Salvador Dali and other artists and friends who shared his new ways of exploring art.

Describes the cycle of soil decomposition and the water cycle, as well as how to develop a compost pile for recycling peapods and other garden products into compost to feed a garden.

A biography of the geologist who mapped the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon. Includes related activities.

Describes the life and career of ichthyologist Eugenie Clark, who began her research observing fresh-water acquarium fishes and moved on to the underwater study of sharks and other marine animals. Includes observation tips and and related activities.

Describes the life and work of Ann Haven Morgan, who studied, taught, and wrote about the animals of ponds and streams and the importance of an ecological approach to conservation. Includes related activities.

Describes the life and work of nature artist and Japanese American Chiura Obata. Includes tips on how readers can make their own nature art.

In this book, author Michael Elsohn Ross brings readers into the fascinating world of the caterpillar.By trying a few activities such as building a caterpillar playpark and creating a caterpillar portrait, readers will get to know more about how caterpillars live.

Describes the physical characteristics, habits, and life of ladybugs and provides instructions for finding, collecting, and keeping these beetles as pets.

Presents a biography of Charles Eastman, the Native American physician, writer, and naturalist, focusing on his study of animals and their behavior. Provides tips on how to observe neighborhood wildlife.

Make a worm park and learn to move like a worm. Photos., diags. 6-10 yrs.