Describes a variety of animals and insects that can be found close to home and offers tips on how to observe them.

Murder in My Backyard is the second mystery novel in the Inspector Ramsay series by Ann Cleeves, author of the Shetland and Vera Stanhope crime series. No one in Heppleburn has a bad word to say about Alice Parry . . . but here she is, murdered in her own backyard on a bitter St. David’s Eve. When detective Stephen Ramsay starts asking questions in the village, a more ambiguous picture begins to emerge. Yes, old Mrs. Parry was loved by everyone, but sometimes her kindness had caused trouble. Yes, her two nephews were devoted to her, but they didn’t really want her interfering in their rather complicated personal lives. Even among her neighbours, Alice Parry’s helpfulness had sometimes misfired; and after her death, tension tight as a clenched fist grips the uneasy village. Meanwhile, the suspects keep rolling in, and Heppleburn’s friendly neighbourhood killer continues his nasty piece of work . . . Ann Cleeves Classic Crime - engaging mysteries to savour, beloved characters to meet again

Pipsie loves everything wild--from dragonflies to oceans to tall, tall trees. She also loves solving mysteries. That's why she's a nature detective! When she and her turtle, Alfred, notice that their new friend, Frannie the caterpillar, has vanished, Pipsie is on the case. She grabs her magnifying glass, goes to her tree-house headquarters, and begins to search for clues. It's time to make this mystery history! Bursting with personality, this engaging story introduces a spunky new girl detective, a scooter-driving turtle who loves to eat, and a string of simple scientific clues that will keep kids turning the pages until the mystery is solved. Two pages of nature fun facts at the end of the story offer even more information for young nature detectives.

Once upon a time, in a world brimming with magic and wonder, there existed a seemingly ordinary garden. But within the boundaries of this unassuming patch of earth, an extraordinary adventure was about to unfold. It was a place where plants whispered secrets, flowers sang melodies, and mysteries flourished amidst the vibrant foliage. In this enchanted garden, an unlikely duo, Detective Mouse and his green-thumbed friend Blossom, embarked on a journey that would forever change their lives. Little did they know, their curious hearts and unwavering bond would lead them to discover a hidden realm where plants came to life and spoke, and where the harmony of nature danced in perfect synchrony. Join Detective Mouse and Blossom as they unravel plant-related mysteries, encounter mischievous garden gnomes, and strive to solve the riddle of a rare, elusive bloom. Together, they will embrace the magic of the garden, confront darkness, and learn the true meaning of unity and harmony. Get ready to enter "The Enchanted Garden Adventure" and let your imagination bloom in this captivating tale of friendship, discovery, and the power of nature's enchantment.

BIOLOGY IS THE STUDY OF LIFE Life is everywhere, thriving in the city and in the country, teeming in ecosystems around the planet—in deserts, oceans, and even the Arctic. And life is right outside your door! Backyard Biology invites children ages 9 and up to investigate living things—especially in yards, parks, nature areas, and playgrounds. Trivia and fun facts bring animals, plants, and microorganisms to life, in all their wonder. Readers become Nature Detectives with activities and projects that encourage children to make discoveries. Children will construct a plankton net to collect pond samples, and they’ll grow microorganisms in a Winogradsky Column. They’ll discover what mystery plants sprout from collected soil samples and build a rolypoly habitat. When children experiment with phototropism and geotropism, they'll discover the ways plants move. In Backyard Biology, children will scout out different habitats to observe and investigate—and do their part to protect them.

The Detective’s Garden: A Love Story and Meditation on Murder is set in Brooklyn in 1995. Originally from Slovenia, ex-NYPD Homicide Detective Emil Milosec, a man with a past poised to reclaim him is perennially on the outside. Elena, his beauty of a wife, has died, but she has filled pages of letters to him—which he has so far refused to read. Elena always remained elusive to him, and she still is. An ugly discovery among the leafy haven of their backyard garden unsettles the uneasy truce Emil has managed since Elena’s death. A lively cast of local characters, a dark history and an international mystery all inform the story. Underpinning events are a heat wave, the Brooklyn housing bubble underway, a gun that goes off, and a smattering of science. A little bit Sophocles, a dash of Shakespeare, and tablespoons of Old Testament go into a brew that is both contemplative and neo-noirish.