Nature

West Coast Wild Babies

Illustrated by Karen Reczuch, published by Groundwood Books

It’s spring on the Pacific west coast and new life is stirring! Wild babies are being born — in the ocean, on the shore and deep inside the ancient rainforest. Meet the wolf pups, bear cubs, whale calves, eaglets and salmon fry that begin their life in the pristine wilderness of this magnificent place.

In this second book in the West Coast Wild series, readers can visit the spectacular Pacific Rim region and be introduced to a fascinating group of fourteen wild baby animals thriving in their coastal home. The beautiful illustrations are detailed and lifelike, and convey a lovely sense of warmth between the wild parents and their young.

The book includes a note about the Pacific west coast and the need to preserve its rare and awe-inspiring wilderness regions, as well as suggestions for further reading and exploration.

“A succinct and satisfying first look at some fascinating creatures.” Kirkus Reviews

“Through a superb soft palette of watercolour and coloured pencil, this book peeks into the majestic wilderness of spring on the northern Pacific Rim.” Mighty Village

“[Hodge’s] text … is poetic and perfectly accompanied by Karen Reczuch’s watercolour and coloured pencil illustrations.” CanLit for Little Canadians

Visit the Teacher’s Guide for classroom activities.

Ants

Illustrated by Julian Mulock; photographs from the Denver Museum of Nature & Science; published by Kids Can Press

With stunning photographs and simple activities, this book and (its companion Bees) will introduce budding entomologists to some remarkable insects.

Children can find out about the ant life cycle, ant bodies, and how a colony of ants lives and works together. Simple step-by-step instructions show kids how to build an ant nest out of modeling clay, or try a sense of smell experiment to learn how ants find food. (Check your library for a copy.)

• Our Choice List, starred selection, Canadian Children’s Book Centre

“A great starter series that will capture a beginning reader’s interest with its appealing presentation. Highly recommended.” Canadian Materials Magazine

“Well-designed, well thought-out, these will satisfy young listeners and encourage further research in slightly older kids.” Kirkus Reviews

“Full color close-ups bring kids literally face-to-face with bugs… A great way to bring a bit of the outdoors inside.” Booklist

Bees

Illustrated by Julian Mulock; photographs from the Denver Museum of Nature & Science; published by Kids Can Press

With stunning photographs and simple activities, this book and (its companion Ants) will introduce budding entomologists to some remarkable insects.

Children can find out about the bee life cycle and bee bodies, how bees live and work together, and how they “talk” to one another. Simple step-by-step instructions show kids how to make honeycomb prints and a model bee. (Check your library for a copy.)

• Our Choice List, starred selection, Canadian Children’s Book Centre

“A great starter series that will capture a beginning reader’s interest with its appealing presentation. Highly recommended.” Canadian Materials Magazine

“Full color close-ups bring kids literally face-to-face with bugs… A great way to bring a bit of the outdoors inside.” Booklist

“Well-designed, well thought-out, these will satisfy young listeners and encourage further research in slightly older kids.” Kirkus Reviews

West Coast Wild: A Nature Alphabet

Illustrated by Karen Reczuch, published by Groundwood Books

This book is a celebration of nature on the Pacific west coast — a magnificent area that combines an ancient rainforest, a rugged beach and a vast, open ocean, and where whales, bears, wolves, eagles and a rich variety of marine species thrive in an interconnected web of life,

• Winner, Information Book Award, Children’s Literature Roundtables of Canada
• Best Books for Kids and Teens, Canadian Children’s Book Centre
• Featured Book for Elementary Schools, 2016, Vancouver Elementary Principals and Vice Principals Association
• Silver Birch Express Award, shortlist, Ontario Library Association
• Chocolate Lily Award, shortlist

“To say the book is simply a nature alphabet is an understatement. Altogether, the 26 selections create a panoramic experience in print—East Coast dwellers will want one of their own.” Kirkus Reviews

“Hodge’s forthright narration offers details about familiar creatures like bears, cougars, and orca, but she sneaks in some surprises, too . . . [Reczuch’s] precisely drafted illustrations find majesty and beauty in the creatures, vegetation, and landscapes that make the Pacific Northwest so distinctive.” Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

Visit the Teacher’s Guide for classroom activities. Watch a storytime video with educator Noel Nicholas, from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, reading West Coast Wild for children.

Up We Grow!

 Photographs by Brian Harris; published by Kids Can Press.

This book lovingly tells the story of four seasons on a small, sustainable farm. Follow the farmers through the seasons as they plow, plant, compost, mulch, harvest and market their fruits and vegetables. Find out how these farmers are caring for our future and helping us all to grow up strong and healthy!

• Top Ten Best Environmental Book for Youth, Booklist, American Library Association
• Information Book Award, Finalist, Children’s Literature Roundtable of Canada
• Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Book Award, Finalist, BC Book Prizes
• Best Books for Children and Teens 2010, Canadian Children’s Book Centre
• The Year’s Best Books, Resource Links, 2010

“Filled with sensory descriptions, the rhythmic text gives a strong sense of life on the farm and in the field, and direct questions create interactive opportunities for adults and kids to talk about each scene together.” Booklist

“Divided into seasonal chapters this photographic picture book journey of a ‘small farm not too far from the city’ provides wonderful pictures and accessible text about the process and cycle of small-scale farming.” Youth Services Book Review, Massachusetts Librarians

Watch Me Grow!

Photographs by Brian Harris; published by Kids Can Press.

This book takes an inspiring look at the children and adults who are transforming our cities into greener, more beautiful spaces and growing earth-friendly food right where they live. Take a journey through city gardens of all shapes and sizes, see gardeners at work, and find out how to care for the earth as you plant and grow your own food. (Check your library for a copy.)

• Winner, Green Prize for Sustainable Literature, in Best Community Garden Book for Children, Santa Monica Public Library
• Best Children’s Books of the Year, 2012, Bank Street College of Education
• Best Books for Children and Teens, Canadian Children’s Book Centre
• Best Books of 2011, Resource Links
• Finalist, Green Earth Book Award, Newton Marasco Foundation

“Growing, sharing and eating food we’ve grown is an act of caring – for ourselves, for others, for our cities and for the world we live in. Who could resist the call that ends this book: ‘What will you grow?” Globe and Mail

“First reaction after reading this inviting title: I wanna move to Vancouver … at least for a summer or two! Who wouldn’t want to be part of this ‘bustling city’ depicted in these colorful, diverse, delicious pages?” Book Dragon

Deborah Hodge

Children's Author