Follow photographer Richard Sobol into the rainforests of Uganda, where he observes (and captures on camera) a troop of mountain gorillas having their morning meal. His detailed descriptions of the endangered gorillas—fewer than 700 remain in the wild—and their habitat are a fascinating and fact-filled complement to his amazing photographs. Sobol succeeds in teaching about these gentle giants and, with the help of an afterword by actor and environmental activist Leonardo DiCaprio, in inspiring readers to spread awareness about the gorillas' plight. 

Dolphins on the Sand
Written and illustrated by Jim Arnosky
New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2008
32 pages; $16.99 hardcover; ages 4 and up

When a family of dolphins becomes stranded on a beach, they are lucky to be spotted by a passing kayaker. Soon, a rescue is in full force, with volunteers working to keep the dolphins comfortable until the tide comes back in and takes them out to sea. Based on an actual event the author witnessed, Arnosky's gentle prose and radiant, lifelike artwork give an up-close glimpse into the quiet drama of dolphin rescue.

Finding Home
Written by Sandra Markle
Illustrated by Alan Marks
Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge, 2008
32 pages; $15.95 hardcover; ages 4 and up

Fleeing a devastating forest fire, a koala and her baby are forced to leave their familiar habitat and look for a new home. As their search for food brings them closer and closer to people, the koalas are faced with new and potentially dangerous situations. Just when it looks like they will never find a suitable home, they find it in the most unlikely of places. The evocative text and watercolor paintings offer subtle lessons in the natural history of koalas and their native Australia, while also demonstrating that peaceful coexistence between humans and their wild neighbors is not only possible—it can even be positive for all involved.

First Dog Fala
Written by Elizabeth Van Steenwyk
Illustrated by Michael G. Montgomery
Atlanta: Peachtree Publishers, 2008
32 pages; $16.95 hardcover; ages 4 and up

The American public has long been fascinated with presidential pets, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s loyal dog Fala was no exception. Fala came to the White House at the start of Roosevelt's third term and became his constant companion. He rode along with the president in his wheelchair, dined with him in the evening, attended important meetings, and even traveled with the president to faraway places. Many kids will relate to the close bond shared by the president and his pup, making this a perfect choice for teachers who want to grab students' interest for a unit on Presidents Day or 20th-century history.

It’s Raining Cats and Cats!
Written by Jeanne Prevost
Illustrated by Amelia Hansen
Edina, MN: The Gryphon Press, 2008
24 pages; $15.95 hardcover; ages 5 and up

Jim can’t understand why his cat, Molly, needs to be spayed. After all, who wouldn’t want a litter of cute, cuddly, playful kittens? Along with his mom, Jim imagines what it would be like if Molly had kittens—and her kittens had kittens, and their kittens had kittens, and so on! Readers will learn, along with Jim, that you can have too much of a good thing. This fun, whimsical story paints a vivid picture of pet overpopulation in a way that even young children will easily understand, and also emphasizes the one simple step we can all take to prevent it: having our pets spayed and neutered.

Night of the Spadefoot Toads
Written by Bill Harley
Atlanta: Peachtree Publishers, 2008
218 pages; $15.95 hardcover; ages 9-12

Ben loves the desert landscape and interesting wildlife of Arizona, so he's less than thrilled to move to cold, rainy Massachusetts. With the help of his science teacher, Ben begins to appreciate his new surroundings—especially the woods behind his house, home to a whole new cast of captivating creatures. Among them is the threatened spadefoot toad, a species that depends on the area's vernal pools (temporary water pools that are present only in the spring) to reproduce. When he learns that the forest is in danger of being cleared for a housing development, he jumps into action. Will he be able to save the spadefoot toads before it is too late? Ben learns that no matter where you live, the environment and its wild inhabitants are worth defending—and that you're never too young to speak up for those who can't speak for themselves.

Editor's Note: As part of a school project, Ben brings a frog to school in a terrarium. Although it's made clear that the frog will be returned to his wild home the next day, it's best to not remove wild animals from their natural habitats at all. This provides an opportunity to discuss with students the 4 L's of wildlife observation: Look. Listen. Learn about them. Leave them alone.

The Nine Lives of Travis Keating
Written by Jill MacLean
Brighton, MA: Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2008
214 pages; $11.95 paperback; ages 9-12

Travis Keating is miserable when, after his mother’s death, he and his father relocate to a new town. When the friendless and lonely Travis comes across a colony of feral cats, he is unable to ignore their sad situation. He throws himself into helping the cats, despite the fact that they’re in a forbidden part of town. While risking his father’s trust to care for the cats, Travis must also contend with the town bully (a character who is not, Travis finds, totally undeserving of sympathy). As Travis slowly makes friends and enlists them to help, it becomes clear that not only are he and his new friends making the cats' lives better, the cats are also doing the same for them.

Skylar
Written by Mary Cuffe-Perez
New York: Philomel Books, 2008
138 pages; $14.99 hardcover; ages 9-12

As a young Canada goose, Skylar once made the long migration for which birds of his kind are known. Since then, however, he has become a "pond goose," staying in one place year-round. He and his pondmates wistfully watch as other flocks fly overhead, but they never follow their instinct to make the journey themselves. When a lost heron needs their help, they decide to heed the call and, with Skylar in the lead, attempt to bring the heron to his destination. Facing excitement and danger they’ve never known before, the geese embark on the journey of their lifetimes. Young readers will find themselves immersed in the story, and just may emerge with a new appreciation for these fascinating, and sometimes maligned, feathered friends.

The Wolves Are Back
Written by Jean Craighead George
Illustrated by Wendell Minor
New York: Dutton Children’s Books, 2008
32 pages; $16.99 hardcover; ages 4 and up

Prolific author Jean Craighead George is at it again in this stunning take on the plight of the wolves of Yellowstone National Park. Her simple yet elegant text documents the decline and rise of Yellowstone's wolf population and highlights how wolves are an integral part of the ecosystem, while Wendell Minor’s authentic paintings bring Yellowstone’s beauty to life. Though George’s tale ends on a high note, the fight is not yet over for these wolves. They are about to lose their protections under the Endangered Species Act, the very protections that helped bring wolves back to Yellowstone. Readers can visit humanesociety.org to follow their continuing fight for survival and to learn how they can help ensure that the ending to this story remains a happy one.