Washoe County Library System

"In this astonishing book from the author of the bestselling memoir The Good Good Pig, Sy Montgomery explores the emotional and physical world of the octopus--a surprisingly complex, intelligent, and spirited creature--and the remarkable connections it makes with humans. Sy Montgomery's popular 2011 Orion magazine piece, "Deep Intellect," about her friendship with a sensitive, sweet-natured octopus named Athena and the grief she felt at her death,...

A grandmother explains to her granddaughter how the arrival of winter brings changes in nature and the earth's creatures, and how the return of spring and summer will bring more changes.

As night falls, a trio of siblings stumble upon some of nature's hidden nighttime beauty, including timid fawns, blossoming lavender, silent owls, and many more wonders of the night.

When the little green thing is dropped from the mouth of a bird, it finds an unexpected home--on the back of a bear. The little green thing just needs to convince the bear to let it stay. You might not think a little green thing has a lot to say, but this one does! It offers to provide great conversation, act as a gentle fan and protect the bear from intruders. In exchange, the little green thing receives warmth and safety. But when the seasons change,...

A small pine that is earth's northernmost tree experiences a year's worth of Arctic sights, changes, and hardships, including the aurora borealis, vast animal migrations, and brutal cold.

Science and art come together in this colorful and empowering picture book about a strong minded girl scientist and her artist family. Is it possible for science and art to really mix? Georgia wants to be a scientist, and a great one at that. But in order become a great scientist, she must first create her own, unique experiment. Her mother, father, grandma, and brother all want to help, but they're artists. How could they possibly help her with science?...

We humans take our domination of the planet for granted, but sometimes nature reminds us that this is an illusion. Tectonics rip open the earth, vast waves sweep away coastal towns, magma spews from volcanoes and hurricanes lay waste to entire countries. This book explores nature at its most destructive. Clear, coherent explanations break down the science behind phenomena including hurricanes, tornadoes, avalanches, earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanoes,...

When Helen Macdonald's father died suddenly on a London street, she was devastated. An experienced falconer—Helen had been captivated by hawks since childhood—she'd never before been tempted to train one of the most vicious predators, the goshawk. But in her grief, she saw that the goshawk's fierce and feral temperament mirrored her own. Resolving to purchase and raise the deadly creature as a means to cope with her loss, she adopted Mabel, and...

"A revolutionary new theory and call to action on animal rights, ethics, and law from the renowned philosopher Martha C. Nussbaum. Animals are in trouble all over the world. Whether through the cruelties of the factory meat industry, poaching and game hunting, habitat destruction, or neglect of the companion animals that people purport to love, animals suffer injustice and horrors at our hands every day. The world needs an ethical awakening, a consciousness-raising...