New Releases by Laurence Pringle

Follow a year in the life of Volans, a flying squirrel, as she glides in the night air to hunt for food, deftly avoids danger from a raccoon, and gives birth to three tiny pups before preparing once again for the coming winter. Emerging at night from a cozy nest high in a tree, Volans the flying squirrel glides down. Although called a “flying” squirrel, she actually doesn’t fly—she glides using fur-covered flaps. Her instincts lead her to her hidden cache of food. She is also looking for a roomier hiding place because she is ready to give birth. When her pups are born she stays close to home, giving them milk and keeping them safe from predators until they can venture out on their own. Filled with intriguing facts and gorgeous illustrations, readers will be fascinated by the story of these remarkable rodents. This latest title in the Secret Life series has been vetted by a flying squirrel expert and includes back matter with more in-depth information, a glossary, and further resources.

Learn all about wolves with this newest title in the acclaimed Strange and Wonderful series featuring careful research and exquisite illustrations. This nonfiction book takes young readers on a journey into the lives of wolves, the largest of all wild mammals who have lived in the Northern Hemisphere for millions of years. Kids will learn how wolves use their powerful jaw muscles and sharp teeth to hunt their prey, how a wolf pack forms, and the meaning of different wolf howls. This book explores every aspect of these fascinating canines and even corrects erroneous myths and lore about them.

Are kids going to love this book? Is a frog waterproof? The latest title in the popular Strange and Wonderful series delivers the awe-inspiring variety of frogs, the world''s hoppiest amphibians. Did you know that the Goliath frog is more than a foot long? Or that the tiny gold frog could sit on a dime? Some frogs have camouflage. Others wear bold colors warning their enemies that they are poisonous. Some frogs leap, others hop, one is a runner, and a few glide from tree to tree with their big, webbed hands and feet! Surprising facts and beautiful, realistic nature illustrations come together in this celebration of one of nature''s most fascinating marvels.

"Definitely the best cicada book for kids. Adults will appreciate it as well, as it is well written, factually accurate, and beautifully illustrated." —Cicadamania.com Discover why cicadas are all the buzz in the most complete, comprehensive book for kids about these noisy but harmless insects. Every year, annual cicadas emerge and pierce the air with their buzzing calls. Also every year, at least one brood of 13 or 17 year cicadas emerges in some part of the eastern or central United States. In Spring 2024, both groups will make their appearance in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Author Laurence Pringle and illustrator Meryl Henderson have created the story of this fascinating and often misunderstood insect, one that deserves to be protected.

Learn about a year in the life of a little brown bat named Otis. This gorgeous and lyrical picture book follows a year in the life of a little brown bat named Otis as he learns to be a hunter, escape predators, and find a mate. Stunning, realistic illustrations celebrate the beauty of these mysterious creatures as readers learn important facts through an engaging and fascinating story. The book also includes back matter with more in-depth information, a glossary, and further resources.

You see them feeding along the sides of roads or flying to the tops of trees. They are known as common crows, but there is nothing common about them. The familiar sound of "caw, caw, caw" is just one of at least twenty-five distinct sounds crows make in order to communicate with one another. Laurence Pringle examines these remarkable creatures in a fact-filled text that explores how crows talk, behave, and survive. With beautifully detailed illustration by Bob Marstall, young readers get a fascinating look into the world of one of the smartest birds on earth in this winner of the John Burroughs Nature Books for Young Readers Award.

Laurence Pringle takes a fascinating look at earth''s only flying mammal in this fun and informative Parents'' Choice Award book. Readers will learn how bats can pluck insects from the air, and even fish from the water. They will discover how bats help giant trees and other tropical plants to reproduce, and gobble up pesky mosquitoes. They will find out, too, how you can help to protect bats and their homes. Dozens of bats swoop through Meryl Henderson''s striking illustrations. The colorful art and clear, concise text together demonstrate that bats may be strange, but that they are wonderful too, and well worth saving.

Here is an accessible and comprehensive introduction to dolphin species from all over the world; this title is the latest installment in the popular Strange and Wonderful series and a terrific STEM choice. With fascinating facts and detailed, illuminating artwork, DOLPHINS! Strange and Wonderful introduces readers to dolphin species -- from the well-known bottlenose dolphin to several species of "blackfish" (including orcas) that most people believe are whales. Author Laurence Pringle''s clear, informative text describes dolphins'' habitats, physiology, communication, intelligence, parenting, what and how they eat, and much more. The book also discusses conservation and how dolphins can be protected from hunting, pollution, and other threats. Accompanied by Meryl Henderson''s beautiful and illuminating paintings, this book is a great STEM title that perfectly hits the mark for children interested in marine life. Includes a glossary, index, and further resources.

This latest installment in the popular Strange and Wonderful series introduces readers to spider species from all over the world—from the common garden spider to the elusive black widow. Pringle’s comprehensive, lively, and informative text includes an overview of the many thousands of species in the world and describes spiders’ habitats, physiology, mating habits, web-making, what and how they eat, and how they protect themselves from predators. It also explores why people are so frightened by spiders and shows that those fears are largely unfounded. Accompanied by Meryl Henderson’s beautiful and illuminating paintings, this book perfectly hits the mark for budding entomologists. Includes a glossary, index, and further resources.

This gorgeous and lyrical picture book follows a year in the life of a red fox named Vixen. Kids will learn about a common backyard neighbor as they read how Vixen finds food, hunts, escapes threats, finds a mate, and raises her kits—all the way to the day that she and her mate watch their kits head off to lead their own secret lives. Stunning, realistic illustrations celebrate the beauty of these mysterious creatures as readers learn important facts through an engaging and fascinating story. The book also includes back matter with more in-depth information, a glossary, and further resources.

Did you know that octopuses can eject ink in the shape of a ghostly octopus or detach a wiggling arm while jetting away to safety? Or that their skin can change color for camouflage? Octopuses are the subject of this latest installment of the successful Strange and Wonderful series. Covering the entire life cycle of these mysterious ocean dwellers and their anatomical details and behavioral quirks, Laurence Pringle''s investigation of octopuses is both a comprehensive and accessible introduction and resource.

Kids often spot woolly bear caterpillars creeping across the ground in fall, but these furry-looking creatures seem to disappear as quicklyas they pop up. Where do they come from in autumn, and where do theygo? In fact, they live throughout North America all year long. In vividstorytelling style, Laurence Pringle uncovers the secret life of the woollybear caterpillar, following one caterpillar as she feasts, tiny and hidden, inthe tall summer grass; molts and grows; then sets off on the fall journeywhere she''s most likely to be seen. Packed with surprising details (did you know that woolly bears can survive freezing temperatures by producinga natural antifreeze?), this book will appeal to every child who''s been luck yenough to spy one of these beloved caterpillars—and to anyone who''d like to.

Discover the glorious, unexpected variety that exists in one of nature''s most remarkable birds. Here is an extraordinary introduction to all seventeen species of penguins, whose habitats range from frigid Antarctica to the green forests of southern

Think of a world without cold drinks, ice cream, and frozen foods. Believe it or not, such a world DID exist! Learn all about this fascinating history in this nonfiction book. In the early 1800s, people began to harvest ice, store it in ways that limited melting, and transport it to homes and businesses. Eventually, almost everyone had an icebox, and a huge, vital ice business grew. In this riveting book, acclaimed writer Laurence Pringle describes the key inventions and ideas that helped the ice business flourish. He points to the many sources of ice throughout the East and Midwest and spotlights Rockland Lake, "the icebox of New York City," to offer a close-up look at the ice business in action. Pringle worked closely with experts and relied on primary documents, including archival photographs, postcards, prints, and drawings, to capture the times when everyone waited for the ice man and his wagon to deliver those precious blocks of ice.

Whales are among the world''s most captivating creatures. The humpback whale can grow up to fifty feet in length. The blue whale is a giant that can grow to a length of one hundred feet. Its tongue weighs as much as an elephant! Yet all whales aren''t enormous, and there are many kinds, from the beluga, with its white skin, to the narwhal, with its seven-foot-long tusk. Join Laurence Pringle as he introduces a variety of whales and describes efforts to save these magnificent creatures from extinction. With bold, realistic illustrations by Meryl Henderson, this journey to the undersea world unveils the mysterious world of these mammals in the ocean.

The dinosaurs were outlived by crocodile-like predators. today, their descendants are found on five continents. These animals are strange and wonderful indeed.

From the tiny cookiecutter to the great white, the world''s oceans are home to hundreds of species of marvelous and mysterious sharks. There''s the giant whale shark - longer than two school buses but gentle enough to swim with humans; and the swell shark, which can wedge itself into a hideout and then swell so that it cannot be pulled out. There are sharks that lay eggs and sharks that have live babies. Some are small enough to fit into the palm of your hand, and some have teeth bigger than your fist. Join acclaimed author Laurence Pringle on a fascinating exploration of the wide variety of fish classified as sharks. Together with Meryl Henderson''s beautiful and realistic illustrations, young readers will be taken on an unforgettable journey deep under the sea.

Relates myths about dragons from different countries and from different time periods, including dragon lore from Egypt, Greece, England, and China.

Snakes come in all sizes and abilities.

With its lively text and exuberant illustrations, "Bear Hug" celebrates a special outing shared by children and their father. Full color.

Describes the sense of touch, how it works, and why it is important, discussing such related phenomena as goose bumps and phantom limbs, and examining this sense in a variety of animals.

Describes the parts of the eye and how they work and discusses such topics as colorblindness, visual perception, eye care, and more.

Describes the parts of the mouth and how they function and discusses why things taste different to different people, the relationship between smell and taste, the sense of taste in animals, and more.

Discusses human life before birth and, hence, the reason for the bellybutton.

Describes the history of alcohol, its effects on the body and personality, how to deal with peer pressure to drink, and how to get help for alcoholism.

A prominent children''s books author shares his life, his daily activities, and his creative process, showing how all are intertwined.

When Mom goes out for the evening, Becky and Jesse start to bicker. But then Dad gives them an octopus hug, and the house is soon rocking with laughter. An octopus hug is just one of the silly games in Larry Pringle''s story that celebrates the special delight children feel when they engage in horseplay with their dads. Kate Salley Palmer''s energetic text illustrations, practically reach out and draw the reader into the fun. Here''s a book the whole family can enjoy.

Explores coral reef systems and their relationship to fish and other ocean life.

Depicts, in text and illustrations, the stages of fire and regrowth in a Western lodgepole pine forest over a period of three hundred years. Also discusses the fire cycle and the role of fire in forest ecology.

A photographic account of the work of a wildlife biologist who specializes in scorpions.