U.S.

Fish & Wildlife Service

Naturally Wild
Read All About It

Biodiversity
The Prairie Builders: Reconstructing America’s Lost Grasslands
Written and photographed by Sneed B. Collard III Houghton Mifflin Co., 2005 Ages 7 to 12
“Sneed B. Collard III documents efforts to reclaim a piece of America’s lost landscape as he describes the
work to restore tallgrass prairie on the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Iowa.” Cooperative Children’s
Book Center

Life in the Boreal Forest

By Brenda Z. Guiberson, illustrated by Gennady Spirin Ages 8 to 12
The boreal ecosystem, covering one-third of Earth’s total forest area, is revealed in this sumptuous book. Fir
trees send warnings to one another, triggering protection against budworms, and billions of birds converge to
raise young.

Animals on the Edge: Science Races to Save Species Threatend with Extinction
By Sandra Pobst National Geographic Society Ages 9 to 12
Readers join scientists in adventures focused on learning about and saving endangered species. The text
explains causes of species endangerment and reasons to care about animals. This book has a historical
perspective, an interview with a conservation biologist, and striking photographs.

Tree of Life: the Incredible Biodiversity of Life on Earth

By Rochelle Strauss, illustrated by Margot Thompson Kids Can Press, 2004 Ages 9 to 14
“This useful, attractive, oversize volume uses its height well, employing a tree metaphor to show the Earth’s
biodiversity and how all living things, from bacteria to the largest mammals, are related. Each spread covers
one branch of the animal kingdom.” Booklist

Strange New Species: Astonishing Discoveries of Life on Earth

By Elin Kelsey Maple Tree Press, 2005 Ages 9 to 14
“This colorful, photo-filled book examines the environmentally-important issue of identifying new species.
This book does an excellent job of opening one’s eyes to the natural world in all of its diversity. Furthermore, it
engenders a feeling of excitement in the possibilities of nature, by reminding the reader that the classification
of the natural world is not finished.” Children’s Literature

Frog Rescue: Changing the Future for Endangered Wildlife

By Garry Hamilton Firefly Books, 2004 Ages 12 to 15
“Frogs are disappearing. Why are the frogs disappearing? This nonfiction text, part of the ‘Changing
the Future for Endangered Wildlife’ series, will enlighten readers about the connection between a frog’s
environment and their survival as a species.” Children’s Literature

Nature’s Yucky! 2: The Desert Southwest

By Lee Ann Landstrom and Karen I. Shragg, illustrated by Rachel Rogge Mountain Press, 2007 Ages 4 to
14
“This book provides a unique approach to sparking an interest in children and adults in the significance
of adaptations of animals of the southwestern desert. What is a ‘yucky’ fact to one is an important fact to
another…. All of these behaviors play a role in the maintenance of biodiversity in the environment of the
desert ecosystem.” Science Books and Films

Biodiversity published 2003

By Dorothy Hinshaw Patent, illustrated by William Muno Sandpiper, 2003 Ages 9 to 12
“Threads from Patent’s personal experiences in Costa Rica and North America are woven with scientific
strands to provide a perspective on the tapes tried life that shapes our planet.” School Library Journal
The Wonders of Biodiversity
By Roy A. Gallant Cavendish, 2002 Ages 10 to 14
“Gallant presents a well-balanced discussion on the importance of biodiversity and the mass extinctions that
are occurring due to habitat loss and other factors. He also discusses such topics as species interdependence
and the different ecosystems.” School Library Journal

Conservation Ethic
Miss Fox’s Class Goes Green
By Eileen Spinelli, Illustrated by Anne Kennedy Albert Whitman, 2009 Ages 6 to 8
“Spinelli and Kennedy speak to nascent environmentalists in a lighthearted tone while still stressing why it is
important to ‘go green.’” School Library Journal

I Know the River Loves me/Yo se que el rio me ama

Written and illustrated by Maya Christina Gonzalez Children’s Book Press, 2009 Ages 4 to 7
A girl expresses her love of the river that she visits, plays in, and cares for throughout the year.

A River Ran Wild: An Environmental History

By Lynne Cherry Houghton Mifflin, 2002 Ages 6 to 9
An environmental history of the Nashua River, from its discovery by Indians through the polluting years of
the Industrial Revolution to the ambitious clean-up that revitalized it.

One Well: The Story of Water on Earth

By Rochelle Strauss, illustrated by Rosemary Woods Kids Can Press, 2007 Ages 8 and up
“The urgent conservation message in this clear, handsome, oversize picture book is rooted in the idea of One
Well, the fact that all ‘water on Earth is connected,’ and that ‘the water you drank today may have rained
down on the Amazon rainforest five years ago.” Booklist

A Place for Butterflies

By Melissa Stewart, illustrated by Higgins Bond Peachtree Publishers, 2006 Ages 4 to 8
“Each double-page spread in this fully illustrated book introduces a butterfly habitat, while a sidebar
spotlights a particular species that lives there. In each case, human intervention helped the butterfly
survive…Rich with color and detail, Bond’s paintings of varied ecosystems offer plenty for children to see
while they learn the facts about butterflies and the accessible message about conservation.” Booklist

Swan Song
By J. Patrick Lewis, woodcuts by Christopher Wormell Creative Editions, 2000 Ages 9 and up
Wood engravings combine with stirring poems to celebrate the lives and commemorate the deaths of 20 of the
hundreds of animals that have gone extinct over the last three centuries.

Places of Refuge: Our National Wildlife Refuge System

By Dorothy Hinshaw Patent, photographs by William Muñoz Clarion Books, 1992 Ages 9 to 12
Refuges in Texas, North Dakota and California and elsewhere are considered with a focus on the different
methods used to maintain a natural balance with the environment.

A Sense of Place: Teaching Children about the Environment with Picture Books
By Daniel A. Kriesberg Libraries Unlimited, 1999 For educators
Quality children’s literature and simple activities related to the five senses help cultivate a child’s sense of
wonder and joy and teach the importance of living in harmony with nature.

Birds and Birding

A Place for Birds
By Melissa Stewart, Illustrated by Higgins Bond Peachtree Publishers, 2009 Ages 5 to 10
Stewart and Bond describe ways that human behavior interferes with bird survival in specific situations and
suggest simple means of solving each problem - ‘When people create new grassy areas, birds can live and
grow’.” School Library Journal
Even an Ostrich Needs a Nest: Where Birds Begin
Written and illustrated by Irene Kelly Holiday House, 2009 Ages 5 to 9
“This book focuses on the nests of forty specific bird species across seven continents. Young bird watchers can
get actively involved in helping birds by following the directions on how to supply the birds in their own yard
with nest building materials.” Children’s Literature

Urban Roost: Where Birds Nest in the City
By Barbara Bash Sierra Club Books, 1992 Ages 9 to 12
“Finches, barn owls--and the ubiquitous pigeon--are among the many species vividly portrayed in words and
pictures in this handsome avian exploration.” Publishers Weekly

The Race to Save the Lord God Bird

By Phillip Hoose Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2004 Young Adult
“Phil Hoose uses his wonderful storytelling skills to give us the most thorough and readable account to date of
the personalities, fashions, economics, and politics that combined to bring about the demise of the Ivory-billed
Woodpecker.” David Sibley, author of The Sibley Guide to Birds

Backyard Birds: How to Identify and Attract the Top 25 Birds

By Bill Fenimore Gibbs Smith, 2009 Ages 8 and up
A full-color, full-page photo of each bird accompanies a short description of its behavior, song, habitat, nesting
habits, range and size – with silhouettes of various birds along the bottom of the page for comparison. Each
page includes map, type of foods and feeders that will attract a particular species.

Beginner’s Guide to Birdwatching

By Alicia King Rockport Publishers, 2008 Ages 12 and up
This Orvis Guide provides answers to the most-often asked questions ranging from what to wear to where to
go and how to make the best use of your binoculars, field guide, and backyard birdfeeder.

Heroes and Careers

Hello Fish: Visiting the Coral Reef
By Sylvia Earle, photographs by Wolcott Henry National Geographic, 1999 Ages 4 to 8
An underwater explorer and conservation hero herself, Earle takes a tour of the ocean and introduces such
fish as the damselfish, red lipped batfish and brown goby.

Earth Heroes: Champions of the Wilderness

By Bruce and Carol L. Malnor, Illustrated by Anisa Claire Hovemann Dawn Publications, 2009 Ages 12
and up
Each of the eight people profiled in this book was once a curious child who grew up with a love of nature and
a calling to preserve and protect our environment - Henry David Thoreau, John Muir, Theodore Roosevelt,
Aldo Leopold, Richard St. Barbe Baker, Margaret Murie, David Suzuki, and Wangari Maathai.
Also note:
Earth Heroes: Champions of the Ocean – 2009 - Jacques Cousteau, William Beebe, Sylvia Earle
Earth Heroes: Champions of Wild Animals – September 2010 - William Hornaday, J.N. “Ding” Darling,
Rachel Carson, Roger Tory Peterson, R.D. Lawrence, E.O. Wilson, Jane Goodall, Ian and Saba Douglas-
Hamilton

Scientist in the Field series

Various authors, topics Houghton Mifflin, 1999 – ongoing Ages 8 and up
The Scientists in the Field series, initiated by award-winning nonfiction author Sy Montgomery and
photographer Nic Bishop, shows people immersed in the unpredictable and dynamic natural world, making
science more accessible, relevant and exciting to young readers. Series includes scientists who work with
tarantulas, snakes, wolves, microscopic animals, sharks, bugs and more.

John Muir: America’s First Environmentalist

by Kathryn Lasky, illustrated by Stan Fellows Candlewick Press, 2006 Ages 6 to 10
This is the life story of the man who, moved by a commitment to wilderness everywhere, founded the Sierra
Club in 1892, a conservation group that carries on his work to this day.
Listening to Crickets: A Story about Rachel Carson
By Candice F. Ransom, illustrated by Shelly O. Haas Carolrhoda, 1993 Ages 12 and up
“This fluid account of Carlson’s live brings out the warmth of her personality and her passion for learning…
and the difficulties of being a female marine biologist in the early ‘50s.” School Library Journal

Managing Green Spaces: Careers in Wilderness and Wildlife Management

By Suzy Gazlay Crabtree Publishing Ages 8 to 11
“Each of the five chapters is designed to introduce a wide variety of careers in areas as diverse as parks,
wilderness territories, field or laboratory research, forests, and animal sanctuaries….Back matter includes
suggestions for projects youngsters can try and Web pages that can be investigated for more information.”
Children’s Literature

Saving Birds: Heroes Around the World

By Pete Salmansohn and Stephen W. Kress Tilbury House, 2003 Ages 8 to 12
Profiles adults and children working in six habitats around the world to save wild birds, some of which are on
the brink of extinction.

Aldo Leopold: Protector of the Wild

By Della Yannuzzi Millbrook Press, 2002 Ages 9 to 12
Aldo Leopold grew up experiencing nature firsthand with his father and grandfather before becoming one of
the nation’s leading conservationists.

Heroes of the Environment: True Stories of People Who Are Helping to Protect Our Planet
By Harriet Rohmer, illustrated by Julie McLaughlin Chronicle Books, 2009 Ages 12 and up
True stories of 12 people from across North America who have done great things for the environment: a
teenage girl who figured out how to remove an industrial pollutant from the Ohio River, a Mexican superstar
wrestler who works to protect turtles and whales, and a teenage boy from Rhode Island who helped develop
effective e-waste recycling programs.

This booklist was prepared in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Conservation
Training Center Library. For more information on the National Wildlife Refuge System, visit www.fws.gov/
refuges.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish,
wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and
trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and
natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

http://www.fws.gov

June 2010