Nature & Ecology

The Mincing Mockingbird: Guide to Troubled Birds
The Mincing Mockingbird: Guide to Troubled Birds

Review:Cute presentation, but language is foul (not fowl). Of course, I'm an old prude. This is NOT a book that can be read in front of grandma, the preacher, the kids... Not worth the money for the author to show off his potty-mouth. I don't often trash a book, but this one's leaving my library before it gets in. Also not going to be part of anyone else's library. Read more

The Cloud Collector's Handbook
The Cloud Collector's Handbook

Review:A lot of lovely pictures! Spectacular! Some even ominous and scary! And the little clouds in some of the pictures are so cute! This book is great for an artist, but unfortunately not for someone who is still in school. Some things could lead a student astray and cause him to learn some things wrong in preparation for an exam.

Here are some things that could use some improvement:

(1). The section on Stratocumulus opens with a photo of scattered tall Cumulus clouds (Cumulus con... Read more

A Sand County Almanac (Outdoor Essays & Reflections)
A Sand County Almanac (Outdoor Essays & Reflections)

Review:A very important book for our times. Leopold's message is to this day still being ignored by this country's power-brokers.
Beautifully written classic. A must-read for high school students and should be part of the curriculum. Read more

Desert Solitaire
Desert Solitaire

Review:Although I have not spent much time in the desert, I feel like I want to after reading Desert Solitaire. If you enjoy reading beautiful descriptions of nature and incredible storytelling, interspersed with thoughtful comments about humankind (and how we have a tendency to mess up nature) this book is for you. I place Abbey's writing with that of Thoreau and Steinbeck - he is that good. Read more

Cry Wolf (Alpha and Omega, Book 1)
Cry Wolf (Alpha and Omega, Book 1)

Review:Good start to the Alpha and Omega series of books. I'm glad I read the prequel before this novel, it gives more insight into how Anna became a wolf and how she was hurt by her first pack.
Cry Wolf explores Anna and Charles' relationship. This is not a "she falls in love and all her past hurts are forgotten" type of book. Anna particularly has problems that anyone with a traumatic past would have with new intimacy, especially since it is their Wolves who have chosen each other before their hum... Read more

All About Dinosaurs (Cat in the Hat's Learning Library)
All About Dinosaurs (Cat in the Hat's Learning Library)

Review:My son loved dinosaurs, and I loved Dr Seuss books! This was a perfect book for both of us(even if written by Bonnie Worth). The added bonus was that I never got corrected by my 6-year-old for mispronouncing dino names b/c of the phonetic assistance provided by the story. I bought this most recent copy for a friend's dinosaur loving daughter. They also report to loving the book. Read more

100 Common Birds of Eastern and Western North America (Sibley Birds)
100 Common Birds of Eastern and Western North America (Sibley Birds)

Review:I bought these for our homeschool and all our kids just love them! The cards are high quality, although I did laminate them for longevity. My 7 & 8 year old boys actually memorized all 100 birds by sight. Wow. My 5 and 3 year olds also enjoy playing with these and have memorized many of them! Read more

Creative Haven Autumn Scenes Coloring Book (Adult Coloring)
Creative Haven Autumn Scenes Coloring Book (Adult Coloring)

Review:I am delighted with this coloring book as well as with her previous books. Besides Autumn Scenes I have Winter Wonderland, Spring Scenes, and the Pretty Princess. Her animal drawings often have a humorous expression. There are cute little hedgehogs on two pages in this book, which, while not what you'd see in North America, are adorable. Read more

How House Cats Tamed Us and Took Over the World - The Lion in the Living Room
How House Cats Tamed Us and Took Over the World - The Lion in the Living Room

Review:Well-researched and packed with information, yet also lively and engaging thanks to the writer's wry voice. I think this book will appeal not merely to "cat people," but to anyone who is interested in science, history, and how humans relate to other species. I still prefer dogs, but I have a new respect for cats now! Read more

and the Deep Origins of Consciousness - The Octopus
and the Deep Origins of Consciousness - The Octopus

Review:hardly any info on Octopi. Just old views on western consciousness. The author should go sit a 10 day silent meditation vipassana course and explore his own consciousness. Was seriously bummed out, but maybe I had really high expectations because I've always wondered about Octopi Read more

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