City Foxes. Written by Susan J. Tweit. Photographed by Wendy Shattil. Denver Museum of Natural History Alaska Northwest Books, 1997. 32 pages. The narrative relates interesting facts as it chronicles the birth, growth and adventures of six urban fox kits and their parents who live in a cemetery. Nonfiction photo-essay. Interest level: Gr. 1-4.

Hummingbird Nest: A Journal of Poems Written by Kristine O'Connell George. Illustrated by Barry Moser. Harcourt, Inc., 2004. 48 pages. Publisher's summary: For two glorious months, one lucky family gets an intimate peek at the daily activities of a mother hummingbird and her babies. Nest building, egg hatching, flying lessons--the family sees it all unfold on the back patio. Share the experience through this poignant journal of poems filled with funny observations, fascinating hummingbird facts, and unforgettable moments. Includes an author's note, a fact list, and suggestions for further reading. Interest level: Grades 3 and up.

A Loon Alone. Written by Pamela Love. Illustrated by Shannon Sycks. Down East Books, 2002. 29 pages. Chronicles a day in the life of a loon chick who finds himself separated from his mother. As he searches for his mother, he meets many frightening animals. But the courageous little chick is reunited with his parents. Additional Loon facts may be found at the end of this beautifully illustrated and interesting book. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. K-2.

A Moose's Morning. Written by Pamela Love. Illustrated by Lesia Sochor. Down East Books, 2007. 32 pages. Infused with moose facts, this book follows a young moose calf as his mother teaches him about life in the forest. Children, too, will learn a great deal. Additional moose facts are appended at the end of the narrative. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Grades 1-3.

Ookpik: The Travels of a Snowy Owl. Written and illustrated by Bruce Hiscock. Boyds Mills Press, 2008. 32 pages. The detailed and fascinating story about a male Snowy Owl that begins as he hatches and follows him through a long migratory journey as he struggles to survive. Informative and well told. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. 3-6.

A Puffin's Year. Written and illustrated by Katherine Zecca. Down East Books, 2007. 32 pages. Expertly chronicles the dangerous and exciting life of this extraordinary seabird. To learn more, visit Project Puffin where you can watch a Puffin Cam or adopt a Puffin to insure the future of Puffins on Maine's coast. Nonfiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. 2-6.

Sparrows. Written by Hans Post & Kees Heij. Illustrated by Irene Goede. Lemniscaat, 2008. 32 pages. This beautifully illustrated book will bring greater appreciation for these familiar backyard birds while imparting many fascinating facts. Nonfiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. K-3.

Visit Cornell University Lab of Ornithology's Macaulay Library to watch and listen to animal behavior recordings. Recording for more than 80 years, the library has over 160,000 recordings representing 67% of the world's birds. Videos of more than 3,000 species may be viewed for free online too.

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