To author Stephie Morton, nature's powerful forces are a metaphor for the hardships faced by displaced children. Kids, like seeds, thrive when given a chance. Each of the three seeds in this story—a cherry seed in the Middle East, an acacia seed in Australia, and a lotus seed in Asia—survives a difficult journey through flood, fire, or drought, then sprouts (in the case of the lotus seed, a hundred years later) and flourishes. Stephie's verses and Nicole Wong's art make a picture book to treasure.

Schoolchildren learn that seeds can be dispersed by wind, water, animals, or the bursting of a pod. In Three Lost Seeds, these forces are a subtle metaphor for the hardships faced by displaced children. Each of the three seeds in this story?a cherry stone in Iran, an acacia seed in Australia, and a lotus seed in China? survives a difficult journey through flood, fire, or drought, then sprouts (in the case of the lotus seed, a hundred years later) and ultimately flourishes.Stephie Morton?s verse and Nicole Wong?s art make a picture book to treasure. Backmatter features about seed-inspired art projects and the natural history of seeds complete the book.

Poop as shields. Poop as weapons. Poop as food. These are just some of the many ways that wild animals use poop in nature.

From the singing of little wrens in spring to paper wasps building their nests in summer; from baby bats drinking mother’s milk in fall to baby possums climbing into mother’s pouch in winter, In My Backyard celebrates nature and backyard animals through the seasons. Wildlife artist Ron Broda’s detailed paper-sculpture art beautifully complements Margriet Ruurs’ lyrical text, and young readers will discover a captivating variety of animals and insects. Find the ladybug in each illustration, along with a hidden animal, which becomes featured on the next page. A detailed legend and helpful hints on how to turn your own backyard into an inviting place for animals to live make this book a must-have for wildlife and nature lovers alike.