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When A Billion Chinese Jump: How China Will Save Mankind -- Or Destroy It
by Jonathan S. WattsAs a young child, Jonathan Watts believed if everyone in China jumped at the same time, the earth would be shaken off its axis, annihilating mankind. Now, more than thirty years later, as a correspondent for The Guardian in Beijing, he has discovered it is not only foolish little boys who dread a planet-shaking leap by the world’s most populous nation. When a Billion Chinese Jump is a road journey into the future of our species. Traveling from the mountains of Tibet to the deserts of Inner Mongolia via the Silk Road, tiger farms, cancer villages, weather-modifying bases, and eco-cities, Watts chronicles the environmental impact of economic growth with a series of gripping stories from the country on the front line of global development. He talks to nomads and philosophers, entrepreneurs and scientists, rural farmers and urban consumers, examining how individuals are trying to adapt to one of the most spectacular bursts of change in human history, then poses a question that will affect all of our lives: Can China find a new way forward or is this giant nation doomed to magnify the mistakes that have already taken humanity to the brink of disaster?
When Autumn Falls
by Susan Swan Kelli NideyAs September fades, a new season begins. Leaves and temperatures tumble. And, as autumn falls, new colors and smells gradually replace the heat and intensity that was summer. Children love caramel-apple making and bobbing for apples. Jack-o'-lanterns appear and piles of leaves stacked high beckon. Autumn means the end of summer, but the beginning of something new and crisp and familiar.
When Beavers Flew: An Incredible True Story of Rescue and Relocation
by Kristen TracyThis fascinating picture book tells the unique, quirky, and true story of how one man in Idaho saved 76 beavers from destroying a town by parachuting them into uninhabited wetlands.In 1948, the town of McCall, Idaho was growing rapidly. World War II was over, and the little town tucked away in the mountains began to boom. There was only one problem. As the town expanded, they found beavers everywhere. A beaver here, a beaver there, and it didn&’t take long to realize that humans and beavers weren&’t great cohabitators. But one clever and resourceful Fish and Game Warden named Elmo Heter had an idea.Heter knew that the beavers were integral to the wetlands, so keeping the well-being of the beavers in mind he set out to find a way to relocate them. After a few failed attempts, he finally landed on a wild idea… parachutes. Using a surplus of parachutes left over from WWII and creating a special box with air holes designed to pop open when it hit the ground, Heter devised a way to parachute the beavers into Idaho&’s backcountry, an area that beavers hadn&’t inhabited in decades.Kirsten Tracy&’s fascinating and playful nonfiction text pairs beautifully with Luisa Uribe&’s detailed illustrations to bring this compelling true story to life.
When Birds Are Near: Dispatches from Contemporary Writers
In this dazzling literary collection, writers explore and celebrate their lives with and love for birds—detailing experiences from Alaska to Bermuda, South Dakota to Panama. In When Birds Are Near, fresh new voices as well as seasoned authors offer tales of adventure, perseverance, and fun, whether taking us on a journey down Highway 1 to see a rare California Condor, fighting the destruction of our grasslands, or simply watching the feeder from a kitchen window.But these essays are more than just field notes. The authors reflect on love, loss, and family, engaging a broad array of emotions, from wonder to amusement. As Rob Nixon writes, "Sometimes the best bird experiences are defined less by a rare sighting than by a quality of presence, some sense of overall occasion that sets in motion memories of a particular landscape, a particular light, a particular choral effect, a particular hiking partner." Or, as the poet Elizabeth Bradfield remarks, "We resonate with certain animals, I believe, because they are a physical embodiment of an answer we are seeking. A sense of ourselves in the world that is nearly inexpressible." When Birds Are Near gives us the chance to walk alongside these avid appreciators of birds and reflect on our own interactions with our winged companions.Contributors: Christina Baal, Thomas Bancroft, K. Bannerman, R. A. Behrstock, Richard Bohannon, Elizabeth Bradfield, Christine Byl, Susan Cerulean, Sara Crosby, Jenn Dean, Rachel Dickinson, Katie Fallon, Jonathan Franzen, Andrew Furman, Tim Gallagher, David Gessner, Renata Golden, Ursula Murray Husted, Eli J. Knapp, Donald Kroodsma, J. Drew Lanham, John R. Nelson, Rob Nixon, Jonathan Rosen, Alison Townsend, Alison Világ
When Camp Onanda Gives Her Call: Camp History on Canandaigua Lake
by Ray Henry Carol TruesdaleIn 1883, eleven Rochester women formed the Young Women's Association, and in 1919 they purchased Camp Onanda to provide an escape for young factory girls. The YWCA carried on that mission into the 1980s so that girls from all walks of life could experience the joys of camp. Over the decades, girls enjoyed summer activities like archery and sailing, drinking "bug juice" around the campfire and swimming lessons. They came from all over to experience the great outdoors, free from the economic hardships and social challenges of city life. In the spirit of that tradition, Onanda is now a beloved public park. Former Onanda counselor Carol Truesdale tells the story of Camp Onanda and of the many lives this camp changed.
When Emily Was Small
by Lauren SoloyA joyful frolic through the garden helps a little girl feel powerful in this beautiful picture book that celebrates nature, inspired by the writings of revered artist Emily Carr.Emily feels small. Small when her mother tells her not to get her dress dirty, small when she's told to sit up straight, small when she has to sit still in school. But when she's in the garden, she becomes Small: a wild, fearless, curious and passionate soul, communing with nature and feeling one with herself. She knows there are secrets to be unlocked in nature, and she yearns to discover the mysteries before she has to go back to being small . . . for now. When Emily Was Small is at once a celebration of freedom, a playful romp through the garden and a contemplation of the mysteries of nature.
When Forests Burn: The Story of Wildfire in America
by Albert MarrinA fascinating look at the most destructive wildfires in American history, the impact of climate change, and what we're doing right and wrong to manage forest fire, from a National Book Award finalist. Perfect for young fans of disaster stories and national history.Wildfires have been part of the American landscape for thousands of years. Forests need fire--it's as necessary to their well-being as soil and sunlight. But some fires burn out of control, destroying everything and everyone in their path. In this book, you'll find out about:how and why wildfires happenhow different groups, from Native Americans to colonists, from conservationists to modern industrialists, have managed forests and firethe biggest wildfires in American history--how they began and dramatic stories of both rescue and tragedywhat we're doing today to fight forest firesChock full of dramatic stories, fascinating facts, and compelling photos, When Forests Burn teaches us about the past--and shows a better way forward in the future.
When Fracking Comes to Town: Governance, Planning, and Economic Impacts of the US Shale Boom
When Fracking Comes to Town traces the response of local communities to the shale gas revolution. Rather than cast communities as powerless to respond to oil and gas companies and their landmen, it shows that communities have adapted their local rules and regulations to meet the novel challenges accompanying unconventional gas extraction through fracking. The multidisciplinary perspectives of this volume's essays tie together insights from planners, legal scholars, political scientists, and economists. What emerges is a more nuanced perspective of shale gas development and its impacts on municipalities and residents. Unlike many political debates that cast fracking in black-and-white terms, this book's contributors embrace the complexity of local responses to fracking. States adapted legal institutions to meet the new challenges posed by this energy extraction process while under-resourced municipal officials and local planning offices found creative ways to alleviate pressure on local infrastructure and reduce harmful effects of fracking on the environment. The essays in When Fracking Comes to Town tell a story of community resilience with the rise and decline of shale gas production. Contributors: Ennio Piano, Ann M. Eisenberg, Pamela A. Mischen, Joseph T. Palka, Jr., Adelyn Hall, Carla Chifos, Teresa Córdova, Rebecca Matsco, Anna C. Osland, Carolyn G. Loh, Gavin Roberts, Sandeep Kumar Rangaraju, Frederick Tannery, Larry McCarthy, Erik R. Pages, Mark C. White, Martin Romitti, Nicholas G. McClure, Ion Simonides, Jeremy G. Weber, Max Harleman, Heidi Gorovitz Robertson
When God Made the World
by Matthew Paul TurnerFrom the author of the bestselling children's book When God Made You comes a rhythmic, whimsical journey through creation--for little readers who love science and wonder and the beginnings of all things.For spiritual parents who are looking for a different kind of creation book, Matthew Paul Turner's When God Made the World focuses on the complex way that God created our vast and scientifically operating universe, including the biodiversity of life on our planet and the intricacies of a vast solar system. Scottish illustrator Gillian Gamble brings the natural world to vibrant life with rich colors and poignant detail certain to stretch young minds and engage imaginations.Planet Earth, God made a blue and green sphere,And designed it to orbit the sun once a year.God made daytime and nighttime, climates and seasons,And all kinds of weather that vary by region.God made continents and oceans, islands and seas,A north and south pole that God put in deep freeze.God carved rivers and brooks, mountains and caves,Made beaches with sand and huge crashing waves.God made tropics and plateaus, glaciers and meadows,marshes and tundras and erupting volcanos.
When Hurricane Katrina Hit Home
by Gail Langer KarwoskiChazz Cohen lives with his grandmom in the Garden District of New Orleans. In his family, money is no problem. But money won't buy Chazz what he wants--a "real" home with his mom. Across town in the Ninth Ward, Lyric Talbert wishes her mom didn't expect so much from her, especially when her little brother gets sick. It seemed like the storm would blow over as so many had. But Katrina burst the levees, and the world turned to chaos for Chazz and Lyric and their families. They quickly learn that, though their worlds were different before the storm, it was their courage and compassion that would help them make it through. Through the alternating stories of Chazz and Lyric, acclaimed children's author Gail Langer Karwoski chronicles the disaster that forever changed New Orleans and its people.
When I was Young in the Mountains
by Cynthia RylantA story about the childhood reminiscences of growing up in the Appalachian Mountains & the pleasures in life.
When It All Burns: Fighting Fire in a Transformed World
by Jordan ThomasA hotshot firefighter&’s gripping firsthand account of a record-setting fire seasonEighteen of California&’s largest wildfires on record have burned in the past two decades. Scientists recently invented the term &“megafire&” to describe wildfires that behave in ways that would have been nearly impossible just a generation ago, burning through winter, exploding in the night, and devastating landscapes historically impervious to incendiary destruction.In When It All Burns, wildland firefighter and anthropologist Jordan Thomas recounts a single, brutal six-month fire season with the Los Padres Hotshots—the special forces of America&’s firefighters. Being a hotshot is among the most difficult jobs on earth. Thomas viscerally renders his crew&’s attempts to battle flames that are often too destructive to contain. He uncovers the hidden cultural history of megafires, revealing how humanity&’s symbiotic relationship with wildfire became a war—and what can be done to change it back. Thomas weaves ecology and the history of Indigenous peoples' oppression, federal forestry, and the growth of the fire industrial complex into a riveting narrative about a new phase in the climate crisis. It's an immersive story of community in the most perilous of circumstances, told with humor, humility, and affection.
When Mountain Lions Are Neighbors: People and Wildlife Working It Out in California
by Beth Pratt-Bergstrom“This delightful book details our ever-evolving relationship with Earth’s wildest creatures, promising that peaceful coexistence is possible.” —Jennifer Holland, New York Times–bestselling authorWildness beats in the heart of California’s urban areas. In Los Angeles, residents are rallying to build one of the largest wildlife crossings in the world because of the plight of one lonely mountain lion named P-22. Porpoises cavort in San Francisco Bay again because of a grassroots effort to clean up a waterway that was once a toxic mess. And on the Facebook campus in Silicon Valley, Mark Zuckerberg and his staff have provided a home for an endearing family of wild gray foxes. Through actions as sweeping as citizen science initiatives and as instantaneous as social media posts, a movement of diverse individuals and communities is taking action to recast nature as an integral part of our everyday lives. When Mountain Lions Are Neighbors explores this evolving dynamic between humans and animals, including remarkable stories like the journey of the wolf OR-7 and how Californians are welcoming wolves back to the state after a ninety-year absence, how park staff and millions of visitors rallied to keep Yosemite’s famed bears wild, and many more tales from across the state. Written by Beth Pratt-Bergstrom of the National Wildlife Federation, these inspiring stories celebrate a new paradigm for wildlife conservation: coexistence.“A contemporary and exciting view of conservation that we all can celebrate.” —Ed Begley Jr.“When Mountain Lions Are Neighbors focuses on a serious problem by presenting meaningful solutions, and is as enjoyable to read as it is informative.” —Foreword Reviews
When Mountain Lions Are Neighbors: People and Wildlife Working It Out in California (With a New Preface)
by Beth PrattNow updated with a new preface: a full-color celebration of coexistence with California's iconic wildlife.Wildness beats in the heart of California's urban areas, and across the state Californians are taking action to recast wildlife as an integral part of our everyday lives. In Los Angeles, residents rallied to build one of the largest wildlife crossings in the world because of the plight of one lonely mountain lion named P-22. Porpoises cavort in San Francisco Bay again because of a grassroots effort to clean up a waterway that was once a toxic mess. Yosemite's park staff and millions of visitors have mobilized to keep its famed bears wild. And after a near century-long absence, Californians are welcoming wolves back to the state, inspired by the remarkable journey of the wolf OR-7. When Mountain Lions Are Neighbors explores this evolving dynamic between humans and animals. Now updated with a new preface, these inspiring stories celebrate a new model for wildlife conservation: coexistence.
When Mountain Lions are Neighbors: People and Wildlife Working It Out in California
by Beth Pratt-BergstromWildness beats in the heart of California's urban areas. In Los Angeles, residents are rallying to build one of the largest wildlife crossings in the world because of the plight of one lonely mountain lion named P-22. Porpoises cavort in San Francisco Bay again because of a grassroots effort to clean up a waterway that was once a toxic mess. And on the Facebook campus in Silicon Valley, Mark Zuckerberg and his staff have provided a home for an endearing family of wild gray foxes. Through actions as sweeping as citizen science initiatives and as instantaneous as social media posts, a movement of diverse individuals and communities is taking action to recast nature as an integral part of our everyday lives. When Mountain Lions Are Neighbors explores this evolving dynamic between humans and animals, including remarkable stories like the journey of the wolf OR-7 and how Californians are welcoming wolves back to the state after a ninety-year absence, how park staff and millions of visitors rallied to keep Yosemite's famed bears wild, and many more tales from across the state. Written by Beth Pratt-Bergstrom of the National Wildlife Federation, these inspiring stories celebrate a new paradigm for wildlife conservation: coexistence.
When Night Became Day
by Jules MillerThe moon is bored with his humdrum nightly duties. He is always around the same old stars in the same old boring sky. Where's the fun in that? The sun could use a change of scenery, too, and so the moon comes up with a brilliant solution-they will swap jobs! When the moon goes to work during the day, he does his best to shine, but he just isn't as bright as the sun. It's too chilly for people to enjoy the beach, and everything is in chaos. The sun doesn't have it any better that night. His rays make it too hot to sleep, which makes people pretty angry. Maybe this trade isn't such a bright idea after all.From author/illustrator Jules Miller comes When Night Became Day-a pleasant reminder that we are all born with unique and special abilities. Children and parents alike will enjoy pointing out all the imaginative details in Miller's modern yet folksy illustrations. Day or night, this is a wonderful book to read aloud.
When Rain Falls
by Melissa StewartA colorful look at the amazing ways animals behave and interact with their environments on a rainy day.We go inside when the rain comes down, but where do animals go? This engaging book for young readers offers a first glimpse at how different animals in different habitats behave during a thunderstorm. Acclaimed children's nonfiction author Melissa Stewart takes a lyrical look at the behavior of animals in forests, fields, wetlands, and deserts and briefly describes how each creature interacts with its rained-soaked environment. Constance Bergum's soft watercolor paintings colorfully depict the animals and special features of each habitat.
When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry…
by Molly BangThree-time Caldecott Honor artist Molly Bang's award-winning book helps children and parents better understand anger.Everybody gets angry sometimes. And for children, anger can be very upsetting and frightening. In this Caldecott Honor book, children will see what Sophie does when she gets angry. Parents, teachers, and children can talk about it. People do lots of different things when they get angry. What do you do?
When Summer Ends
by Susi Gregg FowlerAs a happy summer comes to a close, it's sometimes hard to remember that every season has its virtues. "When summer ends, I will cry and cry," a little girl tells her mother. But in the dialogue that follows, she and young readers are reminded of many excitements of other seasons. A warm, convincing picture book with brilliant witty pictures by Marisabina Russo.
When Sun Rises (My Living World)
by Aida SalazarDerived from Mexican Indigenous wisdom, this is the third title in a series of poetic board books centering around establishing an authentic, heartfelt connection with nature.Using Mexican concepts, this poignantly lyrical series invites young children to pay witness to nature and the ways in which the outside world interacts with our own human rhythms. The Sun guides all life on Earth. We move to its cycles through the seasons—listening to the awakening of nature in spring, celebrating the shining warmth in summer, honoring our loved ones in autumn, and dreaming of better days ahead in winter. Its steadfastness touches and gives life to every being, showcasing the power of universal interconnectedness. Award-winning author Aida Salazar lovingly turns her attention to the youngest readers with her signature lyrical text—in English with a few Spanish words interwoven, perfectly paired with vibrant, mystical art crafted by Caribay M. Benavides. This book is a truly meaningful and formative experience for all young readers.
When Technology Fails: A Manual for Self-Reliance, Sustainability, and Surviving the Long Emergency, 2nd Edition
by Matthew SteinThere&’s never been a better time to be prepared.&“This book is an indispensable basic manual for the real-life issues that await us in the decades to come. . . [A] treasure trove of practical wisdom.&”—James Howard Kunstler, author of The Geography of NowhereMatthew Stein&’s comprehensive primer on sustainable living skills—from food and water to shelter and energy to first-aid and crisis-management skills—prepares you to embark on the path toward sustainability. But unlike any other book, Stein not only shows you how to live green in seemingly stable times, but to live in the face of potential disasters, lasting days or years, coming in the form of social upheaval, economic meltdown, or environmental catastrophe.When Technology Fails covers the gamut.Inside, you&’ll learn:The basics of installing a renewable energy system for your home or businessHow to find and sterilize water in the face of utility failureHow to keep warm if you&’ve been left temporarily homelessPractical information for dealing with water-quality issuesAlternative health and first-aid techniquesEach chapter describes skills for self-reliance in good times and bad.Chapters Include:A survey of the risks to the status quoSupplies and preparation for short- and long-term emergenciesEmergency measures for survivalPrepping water, food, shelter, and clothingFirst aid, low-tech medicine, and healingSecuring energy, heat, and powerMetalworkingUtensils and storageLow-tech chemistry engineering, machines, and materialsFully revised and expanded, When Technology Fails ends on a positive, proactive note with a chapter on &“Making the Shift to Sustainability,&” which offers practical suggestions for changing our world on personal, community and global levels."When Technology Fails is a massive project done well. First the book gives a superb presentation of WHY one should be more aware and prepared--and then HOW one should go about this. The scope of this book... is thorough."—John McPherson, author, Primitive Wilderness Living and Survival Skills
When Time Is Short: Finding Our Way in the Anthropocene
by Timothy BealWith faith, hope, and compassion, acclaimed religion scholar Timothy Beal shows us how to navigate the inevitabilities of the climate crisis and the very real—and very near—possibility of human extinctionWhat if it&’s too late to save ourselves from climate crisis? When Time is Short is a meditation for what may be a finite human future that asks how we got here to help us imagine a different relationship to the natural world.Modern capitalism, as it emerged, drew heavily upon the Christian belief in human exceptionalism and dominion over the planet, and these ideas still undergird our largely secular society. They justified the pillaging and eradication of indigenous communities and plundering the Earth&’s resources in pursuit of capital and lands.But these aren&’t the only models available to us—and they aren&’t even the only models to be found in biblical tradition. Beal re-reads key texts to anchor us in other ways of being—in humbler conceptions of humans as earth creatures, bound in ecological interdependence with the world, subjected to its larger reality. Acknowledging that any real hope must first face and grieve the realities of climate crisis, Beal makes space for us to imagine new possibilities and rediscover ancient ones. What matters most when time becomes short, he reminds us, is always what matters most.
When Tree Became a Tree
by Rob HodgsonMeet Tree! Follow along as she guides us through her life cycle in this charming and humorous nonfiction picture book.Following the success of When Cloud Became a Cloud and When Moon Became the Moon comes Rob Hodgson&’s next long-form picture book about an apple tree&’s life cycle. This delightfully fun exploration of trees both informs and entertains, and helps young readers make sense of the world around them. The charming protagonist, Tree, sparsely narrates her story in ten short chapters with text bubbles and vignettes sprinkled in to provide wit, style, and humor. Young audiences will immediately connect to the colorful, whimsical art and welcome a sense of accomplishment in devouring this unexpected yet wholly accessible scientific book.
When Water Flows (My Living World)
by Aida SalazarDerived from Mexican Indigenous wisdom, this is the second title in a series of poetic board books centering around establishing an authentic, heartfelt connection with nature.Using Mexican concepts, this poignantly lyrical series invites young children to pay witness to nature, to value it, and to become a steward of the planet. Water is essential to all life on earth—it helps us grow, it feeds us, it cleanses us, and it heals us. Its fluidity touches and gives life to every being, showcasing the power of universal interconnectedness. Acclaimed middle-grade author Aida Salazar lovingly turns her attention to the youngest readers, bringing her signature lyrical text – in English with a few Spanish words interwoven. With vibrant, mystical art, this book is a truly meaningful and formative experience for all young readers.
When We Were Young
by Richard Roper'Such a warm, uplifting read. It's a celebration of the bond we have with our oldest friends, and it's so funny' Beth O'Leary'A brilliant, funny, insightful exploration of friendship, which properly made me laugh and cry' Laura Marshall---------Theo has been living in his parents' shed, nursing a broken heart and a wounded ego, convinced life can't get any worse. Then he gets evicted on his 30th birthday. Theo thinks he's done with the real world - until it shows up on his doorstep...Joel is a successful TV scriptwriter, still in love with his teenage sweetheart. A proper grown-up - and yet he's falling apart at the seams. He's headed home to reconnect with best friend Theo - except they haven't spoken since the summer they turned 16.One of them is keeping a secret, and the other is living a lie. But can the promise they once made to walk all 184 miles of the Thames Path help them find their way back to the truth - and to their friendship?A tender and funny story about wanting to go back - when you know it's time to move on.---------'An uplifting and redemptive journey' Steven Rowley'A beautifully bittersweet tale about the enduring power of friendship, reminding us how sometimes the best way to face life's biggest challenges is to take them one step at a time with your best friend by your side' Oliver Sands'An absorbing and heartfelt tale of past mistakes and friendship lost but never forgotten. A joyful summer read' Owen Nicholls---------Your favourite authors loved reading Richard Roper's uplifting first novel, Something to Live For:'A magnificent read. Tender, funny, compelling' Lucy Foley'Funny, moving and thought-provoking - I loved this' Clare Mackintosh'I adored this! It warmed my heart, broke it a little, then put it back together' Beth O'Leary'Funny, fresh and achingly tender. Richard's writing hooked me in from the very first page' Cathy Bramley'A life-affirming novel that simultaneously tweaks your funny-bone and tugs at your heartstrings. Brilliant!' Matt Dunn'It pulls you in, makes you laugh and breaks your heart' Gill Hornby