AdventureKEEN

Take a month-by-month approach to stargazing with this fun and informative beginner’s guide to constellations.

Stargazing is a perfect hobby. It can be done any time of year from anywhere, and it’s easy to share with friends and family of all ages. For decades, Mike Lynch has been building telescopes, teaching classes on astronomy, and guiding tours of the stars. Let the beloved WCCO Radio meteorologist help you begin stargazing with the new edition of Stars: A Month-by-Month Tour of the Constellations. Written in Mike’s casual, friendly tone, the guide provides a monthly look at the night sky—complete with sky charts and detailed descriptions of what you can expect to see. Plus, you’ll learn all about two or three specific constellations each month.

Inside you’ll find:

• Highlights of 27 constellations that you’ll see throughout the year
• Tips for locating objects in the night sky
• The stories and myths behind the constellations
• Monthly star maps showing galaxies, nebulae, and more

Grab your lawn chair, a pair of binoculars, and head outside. With his friendly tips, warm anecdotes, and step-by-step instructions, Mike will help you “make the stars your old friends.”

Read 24 chilling stories, from two paranormal investigators, about reportedly true encounters with monsters in New England and the Northeast.

Vampires prey upon family members from beyond the grave. A monstrous dog with glowing eyes seems to vanish into thin air. A giant, red-eyed beast terrorizes homeowners while helping itself to beloved pets—for dinner. The Northeast’s history includes several unimaginable encounters with legendary creatures. This collection of “ghost stories” presents the creepiest, most surprising tales of monsters in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Authors Jessica Freeburg and Natalie Fowler are active paranormal investigators with a shared fascination for things that go bump in the night. The professional writers spent countless hours combing the region for the strangest and scariest run-ins with the unexplained.

Horror fans and history buffs will delight in these 24 terrifying tales. They’re based on reportedly true accounts, proving that the Northeast is the setting for some of the most unsettling monster tales ever told. The short stories are ideal for quick reading, and they are sure to captivate even the most reluctant of readers. Share them with friends around a campfire, or try them alone at home—if you dare.

Why settle for less? Utilize educational content tailor-made for your part of the country, and introduce children to nature in the Pacific Northwest.

National workbooks are great—but regional content is even better! Focus on the habitats, plants, and animals specifically found in the Pacific Northwest.

Written by Dr. Robert Niese, a naturalist from the West Coast, the Backyard Science & Discovery Workbook: Pacific Northwest does what other workbooks can’t: It gets specific about climate, geography, state symbols, weather, and especially birds, fungi, insects, minerals, trees, wildflowers, and so much more. With over 20 simple, fun introductions to scientific subjects—like astronomy and geology—it gets children excited about nature in their own backyard and teaches them to love and protect the great outdoors. More than a dozen activities help kids to make hypotheses, experiment, and observe. The 19 hands-on science projects—such as raising native caterpillars, making mushroom spore prints, and attracting moths with an ultraviolet light—put students in control of their own learning!

You never know what your children will uncover in their outdoor classroom. Every day is a little treasure hunt. If they keep good records and share what they find, their observations can even help scientists learn more about nature in the states of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. So get the Backyard Science & Discovery Workbook: Pacific Northwest, and get started on a lifetime of discovery.

Regional workbooks are better:

• Introduction to the Pacific Northwest’s geography, plants and animals, and biology
• Activities specific to your part of the country
• Fun hands-on projects that spark wonder
• Regionally accurate information about biomes, natural history, phenology, and more

Get this must-have guide for New York, featuring full-color photographs and information to help you identify rocks and minerals.

Identify and collect rocks and minerals with the perfect guide to the Empire State! With this famous field guide by Dan R. Lynch and Bob Lynch, field identification is simple and informative. The book features comprehensive entries for 105 rocks and minerals, from common rocks to rare finds. That means you’re more likely to identify what you’ve found. The authors know rocks and took their own full-color photographs to depict the detail needed for identification—no more guessing from line drawings. The field guide’s easy-to-use format helps you to quickly find what you need to know and where to look.

Inside you’ll find:

• 105 specimens: Only New York rocks and minerals
• Quick Identification Guide: Identify rocks and minerals by color and common characteristics
• Range/occurrence maps: See where each specimen is commonly found
• Professional photos: Crisp, stunning images

New York Rocks & Minerals includes beautiful photography, relevant information, and the authors’ expert insights. With this book in hand, identifying and collecting is fun and informative!

The Perfect Introduction to Journaling and to Nature

The positive effects of journaling—especially for children—have been celebrated for decades. Journaling helps to build self-esteem while also enhancing skills in writing, drawing, and observation! Bug Log Kids is a one-of-a-kind keepsake that families will cherish forever. Created by DeAnna Ortiz Brandt and Daniel P. Brandt, the book’s 30 Log pages present simple questions that gently guide children to record and to draw their important insect and spider observations. An additional 8 Photo/Art pages are ideal for pasting pictures or creating more artwork, while 8 Coloring pages also add to the fun. Plus, a Log Tips page offers special hints for using this book, and a Life List allows kids to keep track of all the different bugs seen. So bring Bug Log Kids on your next outing. Play some games, make a craft, and try an experiment. Write about your experiences. Draw what you see. Have fun, and enjoy nature!

A Celebration of Beautiful Butterflies

More than 700 species of butterflies live in North America, and all are worthy of our admiration. Butterflies are perhaps the most beautiful and easily recognizable insects in the world. They hold our attention like none other, they capture our imaginations, and they fill us with a sense of amazement.

Jaret C. Daniels has spent more than 30 years studying and photographing butterflies across the continent—both native species and nonnative ones common at living exhibits and butterfly gardens. He has collected his knowledge and expertise in this gorgeous book, guiding you through the fascinating lives of butterflies while highlighting their most amazing characteristics. Learn about everything from the miraculous metamorphosis and intricate wing patterns to the Monarch’s epic migration and even butterfly-friendly plants that attract butterflies. The book’s photography shows the true grace and elegance of butterflies in their natural environments, while the text reveals facets of their lives that will surprise and amuse you.

Immerse yourself in the world of these winged jewels. You’ll develop a new appreciation for their beauty and strength, and you’ll never look at butterflies the same way again.

Get this handy booklet to common bees (and their look-alikes) of the eastern USA, and learn how to identify them.

Bees are beloved garden visitors and are essential to a healthy ecosystem. We welcome their arrival and celebrate their vital work as pollinators, supporting the growth of flowers, plants, and trees. If you see bees in your area, keep this convenient guide close at hand. Designed for ease of use, the booklet is organized by group for quick identification. Narrow your choices by group, and view just a few bees at a time. The professional photographs showcase 160 species—including bee look-alikes, such as beetles, hoverflies, and wasps. Written by biologist, pollinator conservationist, and award-winning author Heather Holm, Common Native Bees of the Eastern United States features species found east of the 100th meridian (from eastern North Dakota down to eastern Texas and all the way to the Atlantic Ocean).

Book Features

• Pocket-sized format—easier than laminated foldouts
• Professional photos showing key markings
• Easy-to-use information for even casual observers
• The author’s “Top 10 Things You Can Do for Bees”

Improve your identification skills and learn to make your backyard or garden a welcome place for bees, with this lightweight quick guide.

Laugh while you learn about baby animals.

From fuzzy to feathery, baby animal butts are the silliest sights in nature. This hilarious book is the perfect companion to Whose Butt?, an acclaimed picture book by award-winning wildlife photographer Stan Tekiela. Readers are shown a baby animal’s behind and asked to guess, “Whose baby butt is this?” Then it’s time to turn the page and discover the answer!

Features:

• Interactive text
• Sensational photographs

Whose Baby Butt? will have kids laughing out loud as they’re introduced to a new variety of North American critters.

Whether it’s a cabin in the woods, a cottage beside a lake, a popular resort, or a relaxing weekend at home, you want an escape from your busy life. Slow down and relax. Take in the beautiful surroundings. Simplify mealtime, and create more opportunity to enjoy life. North Country Cabin Cooking is a carefully crafted selection of recipes that are simple and delicious!

Inside You’ll Find:

• 275 savory, convenient recipes
• Make-ahead meals that minimize cooking time
• Enticing appetizers, salads, soups, and sandwiches
• Scrumptious main dishes, snacks, and desserts.

Make life a little easier with these weekend and vacation meals!

A Perfect Bedtime Story, Whether You’re Under a Roof or Under the Stars

Gather the children. Cuddle into a warm sleeping bag. It’s time to fall asleep. This gentle, calming story celebrates the wonders of the great outdoors by saying goodnight to nature. As the sun sets, the family prepares their campsite for nightfall. “Goodnight hills, and goodnight clean air. Goodnight creatures everywhere.” The soft, rhyming text complements dream-like illustrations, creating a picture book that’s just right for winding down. So spend your days playing and exploring. With Goodnight Great Outdoors, you have bedtime covered.

Whether it’s a cabin in the woods, a cottage beside a lake, a popular resort, or a relaxing weekend at home, you want an escape from your busy life. Slow down and relax. Take in the beautiful surroundings. Simplify mealtime, and create more opportunity to enjoy life. North Country Cabin Cooking is a carefully crafted selection of recipes that are simple and delicious!

Inside You’ll Find:

• 275 savory, convenient recipes
• Make-ahead meals that minimize cooking time
• Enticing appetizers, salads, soups, and sandwiches
• Scrumptious main dishes, snacks, and desserts.

Make life a little easier with these weekend and vacation meals!