Enter inside this picture book to join in on a day with Tucker and his friends. Enjoy a visual feast of gorgeous colors in a beautiful pond setting surrounded by tropical plants, cute animals, butterflies, and charming bugs. Your child will have many questions on all they see and learn of all the wonderful creatures we have in this enchanting world. Share their experiences as Tucker interacts with them throughout the day. Share playtime, a dip in the pond, and lunch. You will also learn how animals watch and protect one another, bringing comfort to all in their tight little ecosystem they call ‘home’. There is a joyous surprise ending as Tucker’s life changes to one with more purpose, fulfillment, and love. The day will be like no other and will become a yearly celebration. You will adore the outcome, so please venture in and celebrate this fun-filled, happy and magical day.

“The Pests that Girdle the Home of Tucker the Turtle” is a new book that makes the concept of non-native invasive species accessible to children. The star of the book is Tucker, an Eastern box turtle who was born and raised in Pendleton County, WV. Through the telling of his story, Tucker shares the changes that he has seen as non-native invasive species have spread across his home. Spring wildflowers are disappearing, trees like native hemlocks are dying, and many strange, new critters have taken up residence. Tucker shares his experiences with fifteen different invasive species including insects, plants, and even a fish!Non-native invasive species are one of the greatest threats to the biodiversity and natural resource-based economies of West Virginia. And, their numbers are increasing! Each year, more than $138 billion is spent in the United States fighting invasive species. And the list of invasive species “knocking at our door” continues to grow—snakehead fish are moving towards West Virginia from Maryland and Virginia, many pests are threatening our forests including the Asian longhorned beetle that is already in Ohio."We were inspired to write this book because we love the mountains of West Virginia and the natural wonders that they contain," said one of the authors, Cynthia Sandeno. "By sharing Tucker's story, we hope to encourage children to see the beauty that surrounds them and to become protectors of our natural places."While the book focuses on the impacts of invasive species, it also weaves in information about what can be done to slow their spread including the important messages of removing invasives from your yard, cleaning gear, and buying firewood locally. Two destructive species, the Emerald Ash Borer and the Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALHB) are featured in the book. The ALHB speaks to Tucker and says, “We've traveled around the country, hidden in a load of firewood. We shouldn't have been transported, but now we're here for good.”The book was written by the Potomac Highlands Cooperative Weed and Pest Management Area to show the reader the complex and vulnerable world that can be found right outside their doors in their yard or a nearby park or forest. The story also aims to engage you in protecting its future. Will your favorite place remain a healthy home for fish and wildlife or will it be changed forever? The illustrator, Molly Swailes, created 16 original watercolors to accompany the story. Through her creativity, Molly has allowed all of us to enter the world of Tucker the Turtle and to join forces to help make a difference in the forests, rivers, ponds, and wetlands that we love to enjoy. Molly hopes that “as kids grow up they will remember and empathize with Tucker the Turtle and take action to help the environment.”

Tucker Turtle and his friends go on a jungle safari to find out what jungle animals do when nobody is watching. It turns out there's a lot of fun going on in the jungle! Join the Safari Crew on their adventure as they discover mongooses playing video games, cobras playing hide-and-seek, spider monkeys playing soccer, and a whole lot more jungle silliness!

The idea for this story came to me as I was standing in line at a local gift store. I overheard someone talking about the recent turtle watch, where people go down to the beach where a sea turtle has laid her eggs in the sand, to watch the babies hatch. The woman said she had heard that many of the little ones dont reach the ocean because they are grabbed by seagulls as they run down to the sea. The woman she was talking to remarked that it was lucky that turtles have shells; otherwise, many predators would be able to have them for lunch. And that was it. Enjoy. Murray Rivette

Chester Cricket needs help. That's the message John Robin carries into the Times Square subway station where Harry Cat and Tucker Mouse live. Quickly, Chester's good friends set off on the long, hard journey to the Old Meadow, where all is not well. Houses are creeping closer. Bulldozers and construction are everywhere. It looks like Chester and his friends' home will be ruined and the children of the town won't have a place to play. Harry Cat and Tucker Mouse are used to the city life. Now in the country, they need to find a place to stay and good things to eat. And most of all they must think of a plan to help their friends.