This first novel introduces Ossie, the runt of a litter of swamp rats who survives a snake attack and is adopted by the legendary crocodile, Uncle Will, who teaches him about their swamp world.

This first novel introduces Ossie, the runt of a litter of swamp rats who survives a snake attack and is adopted by the legendary crocodile, Uncle Will, who teaches him about their swamp world.

Guided by an ancient alligator, a silent young rat learns to find his own way in the drought-stricken swamp, despite having been orphaned under circumstances that sometimes cause other animals to reject him.

Theodore G. Manno traces the history of nutria from their natural range in South America to their status as an invasive species known for destroying the environmentally and economically important wetlands along the Gulf Coast. In this definitive book on “swamp rats,” Manno vividly recounts western expansion and the explosion of the American fur industry. Then he details an apocalyptic turn—to replace an overhunted beaver population in North America, humans introduced nutria. With an eclectic repertoire of true stories that read like fiction and are played out by larger-than-life characters, Manno conveys the legend of empire-seeking fur trappers, the bizarre miscommunications that led to nutria releases, and the sadness that comes with killing millions of nutria whose ancestors were never meant to leave their South American habitat. He tells of disastrous interactions among hungry nutria, storm surges from Hurricane Katrina, and major oil spills. His extensively researched and epic narrative, accompanied by more than thirty photographs and entertaining interviews with biologists, historians, fashion designers, and chefs, weaves a poignant tale of empire, conquest, fortune, and even Tabasco Sauce. Manno provides a full overview of what is currently known about nutria—a species now aggressively hunted with a bounty program because of their reputation for wetland destruction.

A secluded pond is the setting for magic to unfurl in unexpected and delightful ways. What happens when the water is still, the moon is full and the stars are aligned? When the stage is set and music is in the air someone or something must be dancing somewhere. Prepare to be delighted by what you find as the creatures of the pond come together for a performance like no other.

Don Garlits' Swamp Rat 1 is considered by many as the greatest drag race car in history. This is the story of her life from when she blasted on the scene with that world record run in December of 1957 through her greatest triumph, December 1959 at Riverside, CA. Detailed by someone who was there every inch of the way - the car herself!Don't you think its time we heard it from the cars point of view! Beautifully illustrated with cartoons and drawings plus photographs never seen before. 60 pages 8 1⁄2 x 11 in full color.