A spellbinding new Nature Storybook about one of the most beautiful creatures in the world, with words by Planet Earth producer Justin Anderson and pictures by award-winning Patrick Benson. "Something moves in the rocks ahead. My hands start to tremble. My heart is beating fast. There, just a few footsteps away, is a snow leopard..." Join us on a journey high into the snowy peaks of the Himalaya, and discover the secret world of a rare and utterly majestic creature - how it has adapted to the harsh environment it lives in and how it looks after its young. Complete with an index and a conservation note, this is a wonderful addition to the series and the debut of an exciting new voice in non-fiction writing for children.

Some say all children are born with magic inside of them. Zoe Guire is about to find out if that's true. Zoe doesn't believe in ghosts. She doesn't believe in mythical creatures. And she definitely doesn't believe in magic. But it's amazing how quickly everything you think you believe can change when you're confronted by the impossible. When Zoe finds herself lost, halfway around the world, her first thought is that she needs to get back to where she came from. Fast. But her friend Zak has other ideas, and when a peculiar snake charmer directs them deep into the Himalayan Mountains in search of a mythical leopard, what began as an accident soon takes on a life of its own. Zoe isn't worried. Not at first anyhow. Sure the talking elephant is strange, and the snake charming yogi is stranger, but she's a big girl. She figures she can handle it. But then, somewhere between the living statues and the screeching monkeys, Zoe realizes that what is happening to her and Zak is no accident. It's the result of something Zoe has deep within her, an energy so powerful, yet so personal, that she alone can right a deadly wrong. But nobody said confronting an ancient evil would be easy. And Zoe and Zak will have no chance at all unless they put aside their differences and believe. Discover the magic inside of you. Join Zoe and Zak on their Himalayan adventure today. *The adventure continues. When you've finished Zoe & Zak and the Ghost Leopard, be sure to read Book Two in the Zoe & Zak Series: The Yogi's Curse, followed by Book Three, The Tiger Temple. And yes, Book Four is coming soon!

C.1 ST. AID. JR. LIBRARY GUILD. 08-25-2009. $18.00.

Zoe & Zak just wanted to tag along on their parents' trip to India. But after one bad decision they find themselves lost in a crazy city with no money, no friends, and no way home. And those are the least of their troubles. Because if they're to believe the scary-looking snake charmer sitting in the corner, they've been chosen -- chosen to protect a mythical creature called the Ghost Leopard from an ancient evil.

A stunning visual and personal journey in search of the iconic big cat, the snow leopard. The snow leopard, known as the ghost of the mountains, is an elusive predator that has captured the human imagination for eons. Yet, by nature secretive, living at altitudes of up to 19,000 feet in one of the world's harshest environments, it is notoriously difficult to see. Those lucky enough to encounter one speak of the experience as momentous, transformative, even spiritual. In this handsomely illustrated, eloquent book, published in partnership with the Snow Leopard Conservancy, world-renowned wildlife photographers, naturalists, and conservationists take the reader closer than most humans will ever get to knowing snow leopards and understanding why these beautiful big cats have for so long been considered the most mysterious of all. More than 130 breathtaking photographs—all taken in the wild, and none with camera traps—accompany personal narratives and anecdotes that convey the experience of learning to see; the patient pursuit, following the tracks and other sign for a momentary glimpse; an unexpected encounter; watching the predator hunt; a magical moment with a mother and her cubs. A special "seek and find" section challenges readers to spot the snow leopard—to discern camouflage from rock and snow. The text also relates the natural history of the snow leopard, its cultural significance and place in lore, its interactions with local peoples, and information about its conservation. Royalties from the sales of Searching for the Snow Leopard support the Snow Leopard Conservancy and its programs.

With an introduction by award-winning novelist Barbara Kingsolver In the late nineteenth century, when the great powers in Europe were tearing Africa apart and seizing ownership of land for themselves, King Leopold of Belgium took hold of the vast and mostly unexplored territory surrounding the Congo River. In his devastatingly barbarous colonization of this area, Leopold stole its rubber and ivory, pummelled its people and set up a ruthless regime that would reduce the population by half. . While he did all this, he carefully constructed an image of himself as a deeply feeling humanitarian. Winner of the Duff Cooper Prize in 1999, King Leopold’s Ghost is the true and haunting account of this man’s brutal regime and its lasting effect on a ruined nation. It is also the inspiring and deeply moving account of a handful of missionaries and other idealists who travelled to Africa and unwittingly found themselves in the middle of a gruesome holocaust. Instead of turning away, these brave few chose to stand up against Leopold. Adam Hochschild brings life to this largely untold story and, crucially, casts blame on those responsible for this atrocity.

This inspiring book tells the story of a photographer's journey to find the mysterious black leopard. There are few creatures as gorgeous and elusive as the black leopard. In Africa, these magnificent cats are so rare as to be the stuff of legend. Will Burrard-Lucas's love for leopards began during his childhood in Tanzania and propelled him into a career as a wildlife photographer. In his quest to create intimate portraits of animals, he developed innovative technology, including a remotely controlled camera buggy and a high quality camera trap system for photographing nocturnal creatures. Then, one day in 2018, he heard about sightings of a young African black leopard in Kenya and with the help of people from the local community, he succeeded in capturing a series of high-quality photographs of the elusive cat. In this compelling and visually stunning book, Burrard-Lucas tells his story of creativity, entrepreneurship, and passion for wild animals, alongside awe-inspiring images of lions, elephants, and the black leopard itself. • STAR WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER: Will Burrard-Lucas's passion for nature and expertise in camera technology have earned him coverage from National Geographic, The New York Times, and the BBC—and over 1 million fans enjoy his breathtaking work online. • NATURE'S HIDDEN WONDERS: Black leopards are individual animals in whom a gene mutation results in excess melanin and an elegant black coat. Most are found in Southeast Asia, where lush vegetation offers them camouflage. In the semiarid shrub lands of Africa, black leopards are extraordinarily rare. Burrard-Lucas's images—showing these beautiful creatures prowling their territory under cover of night—are vivid reminders of nature's hidden wonders. • INCREDIBLE STORY: This is an adventure story that takes place in remote and wild corners of Africa. It reveals Burrard-Lucas's devotion, vision, and innovation that led to him capturing photos that are not only incredibly rare, but also breathtakingly beautiful. Perfect for: • Aspiring and professional photographers • Photography buffs • Nature and animal lovers • Big cat enthusiasts • Conservationists • National Geographic readers • Fans of memoir and adventure stories • Travelers to Eastern and Southern Africa