Fran Hodgkins – författare

A lyrical narrative voice (the voice of the Milky Way galaxy itself) is augmented by sidebars filled with amazing facts and insights about our galaxy, and by extension, our universe.

David Antenborough narrates this picture-book send-up of a nature documentary, sounding just like the real-life David but with more gesticulations, since he has six limbs at his disposal. Director Stephen Spielbug tries to keep the cast of characters on task, but it’s worse than herding cats: The orb-weaving spider would like to eat one or two other actors; the grasshopper is a diva; the worm is too busy munching dirt to emerge from the ground on cue; the robin has joined a union and declines to show up for the predation scene; and the slug is too embarrassed by his slime to perform. As David and Stephen near the wrap-up, filming is interrupted by a whuffling noise and then a foul-smelling hurricane, and Fido the dog sniffs his way through the grass and onto their set. The panicked actors flee at top speed (which is not very fast in the slug’s case), but the intrepid Antenborough continues narrating, Spielbug keeps directing, and they bring the film to a dramatic conclusion. Despite the chaos—or maybe because of it—we learn some things about these animals, and backmatter nature facts give us more.

Inspired by Tilbury House’s award-winning, Kirkus-starred book The Secret Pool (2013).A lyrical narrative voice (the voice of the Milky Way galaxy itself) is augmented by sidebars filled with amazing facts and insights about our galaxy, and by extension, our universe.Features Mike Taylor’s extraordinary night sky photography and breathtaking NASA images of the births and deaths of stars and galaxies.Combines a read-aloud bedtime story with accessible, scientifically accurate sidebar features.The perfect book for a budding stargazer or astronomer.The Tilbury House Nature Book series brings the natural world to life for young readers. Each book aims for the highest standards of scientific accuracy and storytelling magic.

Sometimes, just sometimes, a human being and a wild animal make a special connection that changes both of their lives. So it was with Rockport, Maine's Harry Goodridge and the harbor seal pup he named Andre. The two became inseparable, though the seal was free to come and go as he pleased. (His floating enclosure in the harbor simply minimized his presence in skiffs owned by yachtsmen, who complained about his sunbathing in their dinghies.)

In this fun-filled and informative book, we take a winter walk with a rambunctious golden retriever Willy. Of course he leaves his paw prints in the snow. But there are other tracks, too, and none of them matches his. One by one, we find out what animals they belong to: a cat, a gull, a raccoon, a snowshoe hare, a bear, a moose, and-uh oh!-a skunk!

Little Loon traces the birth and first summer of a loon chick on a New England lake, ending with the loon’s migration for the winter. Readers follow along as the baby loon grows and discovers the world around her. Along the way, they’ll learn that loons are so perfectly adapted to life in the water that it’s very difficult for them to walk on land. They only come out of the water to lay eggs, so their nests are built are very close to shore and are very susceptible to flooding in heavy rains. Readers will also discover that the biggest threats to loons come from people—boats, pollution, and fishing tackle. Lavishly illustrated in full color, the book closes with a page of pertinent loon facts and ways for children to help protect this beloved waterfowl.

A fun, informative read for kids of all agesThis entertaining and informative book gives serious answers to questions such as Do seals ever sleep?, Do they have ears?, Do seals have fur?

Puffins are funny. With their round little bodies and stubby wings, combined with a brightly colored beak, they are one of the most appealing birds. Just looking at a puffin can make you happy.For whatever reason, puffins appeal to practically everybody.This entertaining and informative book tells you everything you really want to know about puffins, answering the kinds of questions kids always ask, such as Do puffins have teeth?; Do they always have such colorful beaks?; Are they related to penguins?; and Why are they called puffins, anyway? .

In 2019, Maine native and NASA astronaut Jessica Meir participated in the first all-female spacewalk, an historic honor she'd been preparing for since first grade, when she drew a picture of an astronaut standing on the moon. This book for young readers follows Meir's career as a marine biologist, physiologist, and astronaut. Filled with stunning photography from earth and beyond, it is an inspiration for girls (and boys) enthralled by science and exploration.