Vivid. Colorful. Captivating. Nic Bishop’s nature photography is all this and more! His exciting insect and animal books, effectively designed for young readers, feature eye-popping images that satisfy children’s curiosity about the natural world. These are, quite simply, some of today’s best science books published for kids, and they’re available at your local library!

Bishop has been creating kids’ books for over 25 years, and is an experienced photographer both in the studio and in the field. Check out the trailer for his book, Spiders, for a glimpse into his creative process:

 

Animals and Insects

For preschoolers

 

Chameleon, Chameleon / story by Joy Cowley

Red-eyed Tree Frog / story by Joy Cowley

 

Scientists in the Field series

Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World's Strangest Parrot / text by Sy Montgomery (2011 Sibert Medal winner)

Mysterious Universe: Supernovae, Dark Energy, and Black Holes / text by Ellen Jackson

Quest for the Tree Kangaroo: An Expedition to the Cloud Forest of New Guinea / text by Sy Montgomery

Saving the Ghost of the Mountain: An Expedition Among Snow Leopards in Mongolia / text by Sy Montgomery

Snake Scientist / text by Sy Montgomery

Tarantula Scientist / text by Sy Montgomery

Sara Palacios, award willing children's book illustrator, is visiting the César Chávez branch of the Oakland Public Library on Saturday, August 24 at 3:30. She will share illustrations from her books and answer questions regarding how she creates her images.

Sara Palacios is the recipient of the 2012 Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor for her work on Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match/MarisolMcDonald no combina (Children's Book Press, 2011), which has been described as "vibrant" and "eclectic." A native of Mexico, Sara graduated from the Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana with a degree in Graphic Design. She also obtained an Associated Degree in Artistic Illustration from  la Universidad del Claustro de Sor Juana, and another one in Digital Graphic Techniques  from the National Institute of Fine Arts in Mexico. After graduation in Mexico, she was the recipient of a portfolio grant from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco where she earned her BFA and MFAdegrees in Illustration .  She works with several publishing houses both in Mexico and the US. She works with a variety of media such as collage, ink, and digital artwork. 

 

When kids have questions, the books of David Macaulay are a solid place to start seeking answers. Macaulay’s nonfiction explores the art, design, and mechanics of buildings, technology, the human body, and more. His books are heavily illustrated and visually engaging, with clear writing that respects the interests and abilities of children. Come to the library to browse his fascinating work for yourself!

Classic Macaulay

                  

Building Big // Castle // Cathedral // Mosque // Pyramid

The new way things work

The way we work : getting to know the amazing human body

New and exciting -- for early readers!

   

Castle: How it Works

Jet Plane: How it Works

Can’t get enough? Look for David Macaulay’s award-winning picture books on our shelves, and check out this awesome TED talk for a glimpse of his creative process: