In this eloquent plea for compassion and respect for all species, journalist and gardener Nancy Lawson describes why and how to welcome wildlife to our backyards. Through engaging anecdotes and inspired advice, profiles of home gardeners throughout the country, and interviews with scientists and horticulturalists, Lawson applies the broader lessons of ecology to our own outdoor spaces. Detailed chapters address planting for wildlife by choosing native species; providing habitats that shelter baby animals, as well as birds, bees, and butterflies; creating safe zones in the garden; cohabiting with creatures often regarded as pests; letting nature be your garden designer; and encouraging natural processes and evolution in the garden. The Humane Gardener fills a unique niche in describing simple principles for both attracting wildlife and peacefully resolving conflicts with all the creatures that share our world.

"Introduces simple concepts about backyard animals using short sentences and repetition of words"--Provided by publisher

A shell of bony plates covers an armadillo's body. This dense Òbody armorÓ protects the animal, but it also makes swimming difficult. To avoid sinking in water, an armadillo must inflate its stomach with air! In this book, children will learn about the diet, habitat, and unique look of the armadillo.

"Developed by literacy experts for students in kindergarten through grade three, this book introduces gophers to young readers through leveled text and related photos"--Provided by publisher.

Weasels are small and furry with a face of innocent curiosity, but itÕs all a facade. They are bloodthirsty predators, and theyÕll stop at nothing to sink their teeth into prey twice their size. Kids will learn how these unexpected predators manage to survive and thrive.

Young readers will love learning about animals and their habitat with Protecting Backyard Animals. This book explores backyards, the animals that live there like birds and squirrels, and conservationists like Cesar Millan that work to protect animals. Bright, full-page photos of wildlife and easy-to-read text fill the pages of this fun title. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Applied to STEM Concepts of Learning Principles. Sandcastle is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

A conservation scientist explores the increasing intersection between humans and wild animals Fang and claw have jumped the white picket fence as encounters with cougars in Chicago, alligators in Florida, and bears virtually everywhere have become increasingly commonplace. As cities and suburbs sprawl, and conservation efforts enable wildlife populations to recover, large wild animals are encroaching on human turf. These creatures might be thrilling to see, but they can bite, scratch, and even kill, and attacks on humans will only increase as we come face to face in the man-made landscape. Author Edward R. Ricciuti explores cutting-edge research into why it’s happening, how it impacts all of us, and how to deal with it on both societal and personal levels. Readers will learn how to protect against potential dangers even as they are being thoroughly entertained by hair-raising tales of real-life encounters.