"Many people have preconceptions about biomes, especially deserts. They picture only hot, barren wastelands where nothing lives. This valuable volume teaches young Earth explorers some surprising facts about desert habitats. For example, some deserts don't have sand, and some are quite cold. They'll also learn how some resilient plants and animals survive in these arid environments. Beautiful images accompany the accessible low-ATOS text."

A bilingual poem which describes some of the sounds of nature in a desert.

From the Pinacate lava fields and expansive dunes to the shores of the Gulf of California, the Gran Desierto is one of the hottest and driest places in the Western Hemisphere. Yet this region in the state of Sonora in northwestern Mexico embraces a remarkable number of habitats with a fascinating and surprisingly rich flora. This is the heart of the Sonoran Desert, still in a largely primordial state, in juxtaposition with the ravished wetlands of the once great Río Colorado. Flora of the Gran Desierto is the culmination of more than twenty-five years of research in this magnificent desert and delta by botanist Richard Felger. This comprehensive floristic study of more than 565 species of vascular plants features original diagnostic descriptions and innovative identification keys to the families, genera, and species. Particular attention has been devoted to taxa that are poorly known. Even weeds and their histories are treated in detail. Hundreds of illustrations by such eminent botanical artists as Lucretia Brezeale Hamilton, Matt Johnson, and Bobbi Angell will aid in the identification of plants. Common names of plants are given in English, Spanish, and O'odham. While emphasizing scientific accuracy, the book is written in an accessible style. Felger's observations and knowledge of plant ecology, geographic distribution, evolution, ethnobotany, plant variation and special adaptations, and the history of the region provides botanists, naturalists, ecologists, conservationists, and anyone else celebrating the desert with readable, interesting, and important information. With two of Mexico's newest biosphere reserves—the Pinacate and the Upper Gulf of California—this region is a keystone for desert conservation efforts. Its location linking vast preserves to the north makes this book especially useful for anyone interested in borderland studies and the Sonoran Desert. Flora of the Gran Desierto represents a most creative, definitive, and enthusiastic treatment of Sonoran Desert plant life and is highly relevant to ecological restoration in deserts and wetlands in arid places worldwide.

Bilingual Books for Babies & Toddlers Who needs an oasis when you have the desert? Explore the beauty of desert plants, animals and vistas. This Discover Series book features 24 full-color images with simple titles beneath. Babies and toddlers will love the brightly colored plants and animals. Used as a jumpstart for interaction, Discover Series Picture Books are a great way to introduce new images, words and ideas to babies and toddlers. Bilingual Discover Series books feature both English and Spanish words to introduce language learners to new vocabulary. Each page features a professionally photographed object with a simple title beneath it. Libros bilingües para bebés y niños pequeños ¿Quién necesita un oasis cuando tiene el desierto? Explore la belleza de las plantas del desierto, los animales y las vistas. Este libro de Discover Series ofrece 24 imágenes a todo color con títulos simples debajo. Los bebés y los niños pequeños adorarán las plantas y los animales de colores brillantes. Utilizado como un salto para la interacción, Discover Series Picture Books son una gran manera de introducir nuevas imágenes, palabras e ideas a los bebés y niños pequeños. Los libros bilingües de Discover Series cuentan con palabras tanto en inglés como en español para introducir a los aprendices de idiomas en un nuevo vocabulario. Cada página presenta un objeto fotografiado profesionalmente con un título simple debajo de él.

A poetic depiction of the desert as the provider of comfort, food, spirit, and life.

A bilingual poem which describes some of the sounds of nature in a desert.

The acclaimed author of Blue Desert explores life on the arid borderlands of southern Arizona in this “compelling and wonderfully poetic” essay collection (Ron Hansen, New York Times Book Review). In Desierto, Charles Bowden brings his signature eye for vivid detail and penetrating insight to the Sonoran Desert. Travelling across this unforgiving terrain, he explores struggling desert villages, bitter Indian feuds, and a rich history that transcends borders. He profiles notorious predators from mountain lions to drug lords and land barons. Through it all, Bowden offers prescient visions of a future in which the region’s age-old dramas replay themselves long into the future. “In these powerful epic tales of the Sonora Desert, Bowden peoples the harsh land on both sides of the US-Mexican border with saints and sinners, but his enduring hero is the desert itself.” —Kirkus Reviews