Hidden Life of the Desert

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About Hidden Life Of The Desert

Product Description Following the Sonoran Desert of the American Southwest through its five seasons�spring, dry summer, wet summer, autumn, and winter� Hidden Life of the Desert uses stunning color photographs and clear, informative text to introduce young readers to many plants and animals that thrive in this unique ecosystem. At first glance the hot valley floors and rugged mountainsides may seem barren and inhospitable, but look closely and you may find howling mice and toads that pop out of the sand. With patience you�ll see giant centipedes, bobcats, and miniature owls. You could even catch a glimpse of a Gila monster, the only poisonous lizard in the United States. This greatly expanded edition of Hidden Life of the Desert follows in the footsteps of a Crown Books for Young Readers (1990) edition that made the John Burrough�s List of Outstanding Nature Books for Young Readers. New in the 2010 edition are expanded text, more pictures, maps, a glossary, plant and animal species lists, an index, and an annotated list of recommended books and Web sites. But perhaps most important is the addition of a thought-provoking chapter titled �Facing the Future,� which considers where water in the West comes from, how we use it, and how energy and water use are connected. From the Inside Flap The Sonoran Desert of the American Southwest is a wonderland of the strange and fascinating. At first glance the hot valley floors and rugged mountainsides may seem barren and inhospitable, but look closely and you may find howling mice and toads that pop out of the sand. With patience you’ll see giant centipedes, bobcats, and miniature owls. You could even catch a glimpse of a Gila monster, the only poisonous lizard in the United States. In Hidden Life of the Desert, author and nature photographer Thomas Wiewandt introduces young readers to many plants and animals that call the Sonoran Desert home. Following this unique ecosystem through its five seasons—spring, dry summer, wet summer, autumn, and winter—Hidden Life of the Desert uses stunning color photographs and clear, informative text to explore how life can thrive in a seemingly barren land. From the Back Cover The Sonoran Desert of the American Southwest is a wonderland of the strange and fascinating. At first glance the hot valley floors and rugged mountainsides may seem barren and inhospitable, but look closely and you may find howling mice and toads that pop out of the sand. With patience you’ll see giant centipedes, bobcats, and miniature owls. You could even catch a glimpse of a Gila monster, the only poisonous lizard in the United States. In Hidden Life of the Desert, author and nature photographer Thomas Wiewandt introduces young readers to many plants and animals that call the Sonoran Desert home. Following this unique ecosystem through its five seasons—spring, dry summer, wet summer, autumn, and winter—Hidden Life of the Desert uses stunning color photographs and clear, informative text to explore how life can thrive in a seemingly barren land. About the Author Thomas Wiewandt is a natural history photographer with a Ph.D. in ecology from Cornell. A native to the American Southwest, he has pursued a career that blends science, art, ecotourism, and publishing. Tom participated as an Artist-in-Residence at Petrified Forest National Park in 2006 and is active in wildlife conservation with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. This greatly expanded edition of Hidden Life of the Desert follows in the footsteps of a Crown (1990) edition that made the John Burrough�s List of Outstanding Nature Books for young readers.