Provides a wide range of scientific, historical and cultural information about the animal world. Covers careers in the animal sciences in addition to biological concepts, the history of zoology, biographies of scientists, and ethical issues such as the practice of animal experimentation. Includes illustrations, sidebars, charts, a glossary, bibliographies, filmographies and the addresses of institutions devoted to the protection and study of wild and domesticated animals.

Congratulations to Katherine Applegate and her book, The One and Only Ivan, for winning the 2013 Newbery Medal an award given to the best children's novel of that year.  Based on a true story, Applegate's tale focuses on a gorilla whose home is a shopping mall. "He must be the loneliest gorilla in the world,"  one little boy says.  It's true.  Ivan is lonely.  Luckily, he does have Bob the dog and Stella the elephant to keep him company.  Oh, and he has his art. Ivan is an artist.  And so his days pass...One day almost the same as the next.  Then Ruby arrives at the Big Top Mall and everything changes.  Though he has no idea how he'll do it, Ivan makes a promise to protect this little baby elephant.  He is an unlikely hero, but your whole family will cheer for Ivan as he becomes the magnificent silverback gorilla he was always meant to be. This award-winner begs to be read aloud and shared with the ones you love.  If your family is wild about animal stories, check out more titles below.  Happy Reading!

This resource book offers broad, comprehensive coverage of the animal kingdom, ranging from the simple -- sponges and corals -- to the complex -- mammals. Animals are grouped by major classifications: sponges; corals; jellyfishes; segmented worms; crustaceans and mollusks; insects; fishes; amphibians; reptiles; birds; and mammals.

Love animals, but can't make it to the zoo? Picture books let you explore the zoo or visit the aquarium anytime - from home! Check out some of our books and get ready to roar like a lion and swim with the fish. Also, take a look at these great web cams to see zoo and aquarium animals up close.

Yesterday morning I had a new experience---feeding baby birds. Carolina Wildlife Care center has been overwhelmed by 70 baby songbirds rescued from the limbs of trees trimmed without regard for the birds nesting there. Caring for so many nestlings has placed a tremendous burden on the regular staff and volunteers. The birds were housed in temporary cages constructed from cardboard boxes, netting, and electrical tape. There were several cages of finches and grackles, and one of bluebirds. There were wrens and a brown thrasher---and they were all hungry! Joanna Weitzel gave me a tour of the birds and basic instructions on feeding and cleaning the cages even as she continued feeding the nestlings herself. I began to replace the soiled papers that covered the floor of each box. Other volunteers were hand-feeding in a seemingly endless rotation.