Geo Librarian

THE LONG HIKE The True Story of the First Appalachian Thru-Hike written & illustrated by Meghan McCarthy Beach Lane Books, 2026 ISBN: 978-1-6659-4994-1 Source : purchased Ages 6-10 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK Award-winning nonfiction creator Meghan McCarthy tells the story of Earl Shaffer, the first person to thru-hike all 2,000-plus miles of the Appalachian Trail in one hiking season in this empowering picture book. While serving in World War II, Earl Shaffer lost his best friend in combat. After the war ended, he returned home and set off on a hiking adventure to walk off his troubles and find solace in the beauty and “power of nature,” as he put it in his diary. Earl didn’t use a tent, preferring to sleep under the stars. He survived the cold, harsh rain, mud, blisters, steep mountaintops, and a plethora of bugs. But among the challenges, Earl also discovered wildlife, beautifu...

  THE NOISY PUDDLE: A Vernal Pool Through the Seasons written by Linda Booth Sweeney, illustrated by Miki Sato Owlkids Books, 2024 ISBN: 978-1-77147-531-0 Source: purchased Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover & summary provided by the publisher through Goodreads.com. ABOUT THE BOOK A lyrical dip into the noisy, magical world of a vernal pool. In this vibrant and poetic informational picture book, two curious siblings observe the hidden world of a vernal a special kind of puddle habitat that pops up in the spring, dries up by summer, reappears in the fall, and freezes over in the winter—only to come back again in the spring. Young naturalists and future water stewards will be encouraged to listen, watch, and wait to witness the seasonal changes of the ever-changing puddle and its inhabitants. As readers follow along with the rhythmic text, they will be fascinated to discover many familiar and not-so-familiar creatures that make up the surprising web of ...

RAISING DON The True Story of a Spunky Baby Tapir by Georgeanne Irvine San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Press, 2022 ISBN: 978-1-943198-14-6 Source: Blue Slip Media/publisher Ages 7-10 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book cover provided by Blue Slip Media. REVIEW Raising Don  tells the story of a Baird's tapir baby raised by the staff at the San Diego Zoo after his mother rejected him.  The adorable photographs really win the day in this book as the reader watches Don grow up under the tender care of the wildlife care specialists. They feed him, introduce him to water, encourage him to learn to swim, and introduce him to other animals in an effort to help the animals learn to get along.  I found it a fascinating glimpse into the work that goes on in zoos to protect and grow the populations of endangered animals. While this tale is told in picture book format, the amount of text makes it more appropriate for older readers, although anyone who loves animals is bound...

ARGYLE FOX by Marie Letourneau Tanglewood, 2017 ISBN: 978-1-939100-09-2 Ages 4-8 Source: purchased All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Argyle Fox, with his signature style, wants to play outside on a springtime day, but the wind is wreaking havoc with his fun and games. As soon as he builds a card tower, climbs into a giant spider web, or takes up his pirate sword, here comes the wind: Woosh! Mama Fox tells grumpy Argyle that if he thinks long enough, he will come up with something to do. Following his mother’s suggestion and inspired by her knitting, he works all the pieces of his day together and creates the perfect solution. The story of Argyle teaches that failure is often a path to success and celebrates perseverance, creative thinking, and an old-fashioned springtime activity. REVIEW Argyle Fox loves to play outside, but because of the wind, all the activities he tries get ruined.  Just when he's ready to give up, his mother...

WATERSONG by Tim McCanna, illustrated by Richard Smythe Simon & Schuster, 2017 ISBN: 978-1-4814-6881-7 Source: publisher for review Ages 4-8 All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK In glorious onomatopoeia, Tim McCanna takes the reader on a dazzling journey as a fox seeks shelter from a rainstorm. Drip Drop Plip Plop Pitter Patter Pat. As the rain begins, a little fox seeks shelter. But then it builds and builds into to a torrential storm. Wash! Wham! Lash! Whirl! Bash! Swirl! Hiss! Slap! Slam! Both a visual feast and a joy to read aloud, this stunning picture book showcases the power and beauty of nature. REVIEW Wow!  What a beautiful book!  Not only does the text work well for a read-a-loud during story time, but the theme of the water cycle fits into the state curriculum.  But my favorite part of the book is the gorgeous illustrations.  It was a brilliant move on the part of the illustrator to put a fox in...