The world needs all kinds of people with all kinds of interests. You have the power to open all kinds of doors of interest for children by reading books on a wide variety of subjects. After all, it’s hard to know one has an interest in something without knowing it exists.

The books reviewed today explore a variety of ecological ideas, both through fiction and fact. From the fascinating nonfiction story of the hardworking seabird, the warbled Murrelet, to the novel about orca whales that deftly intersperses ecological issues such as global warming and pollution, and finally a thoughtful reflection on a tiger in the wild, these books present ideas that are important and entertaining on several platforms.

Open doors and plant some seeds with new ideas and information: read.

Books to borrow

The following book is available at many public libraries.

“Seabird in the Forest: The Mystery of the Warbled Murrelet” written and illustrated by Joan Dunning, Boyds Mills Press, 32 pages

Read aloud: age 5 and older.

Read yourself: age 8 – 9.

On the Pacific Ocean, the small warbled murrelet lives most of its life bobbing on the surface of the water and diving for small silver fish. But warbled murrelets can’t lay their eggs in the water, and until a couple of decades ago, scientists didn’t know where these seabirds nested.

Scientists now know the birds fly as far as 50 miles from their ocean home to the canopy of upper branches of ancient trees, approximately 320 feet off the ground. It is here that the female lays her one, single egg, and the female and male take turns keeping the egg warm and safe for one month while the other flies back and forth for fish.

When the chick hatches, the male and female continue to bring fish for the chick for another month until the young bird is ready to fly for the first time, all the way back to the ocean.

A fascinating tale of a unique bird, this selection is bound to intrigue readers. Beautifully written and illustrated, “Seabird in the Forest” is a stellar contribution to children’s nonfiction and natural history.

Librarian’s choice

Library: Wernersville Public Library, 100 N. Reber St., Wernersville

Library director: Leigh-Anne Yacovelli

Youth services coordinator: Tara Gouldey

Choices this week: “The Tea Party in the Woods” by Akiko Miyakoshi; “Float” by Daniel Miyares; “Rain Reign” by Ann M. Martin

Books to buy

The following books are available at favorite bookstores.

“A Whale of the Wild” by Rosanne Parry, illustrated by Lindsay Moore, Greenwillow, 2020, 240 pages, $17.99 hardcover

Read aloud: age 8 – 12.

Read yourself: age 9 – 12.

A young orca whale named Vega and her pod are searching for their primary food source — salmon — but they seem to have all but vanished. Vega is learning to be a salmon finder and will one day be the matriarch of her pod. But when an earthquake and resulting tsunami devastate their habitat and render their seascape unrecognizable, Vega and her younger brother Deneb become separated from their pod. It is now up to Vega to do everything she can to keep them safe and find her loved ones against seemingly insurmountable odds.

Richly imagined, beautifully illustrated and subtly weaving ecological issues into the text, “A Whale of the Wild” is a riveting novel that will have readers and listeners spellbound.

“The Last Tiger” written and illustrated by Petr Horacek, Eerdmans, 2020, 36 pages, $17.99 hardcover

Read aloud: age 4 – 8.

Read yourself: age 6 – 8.

Deep in the jungle, a tiger was fearless and confident that he was the strongest, most powerful animal. When hunters came to the jungle one day, all of the animals tried to hide except for the tiger. The hunters spotted the tiger and decided if they could catch it they would become the strongest and most powerful. The hunters hatched a plan, brought reinforcements, and were able to achieve their goal — they overpowered and captured the tiger.

Now, trapped in a cage and put on display in a city, the tiger began to realize that his strength and power were meaningless; he longed only for his freedom. But would he be able to achieve it?

“The Last Tiger” is a quiet and powerful reflection on several levels: how pride can be dangerous; the cruelty of keeping wild animals in captivity; and the importance of freedom for animals and humans alike. A cautionary tale beautifully illustrated, this choice will have readers and listeners contemplating in many significant ways.

Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children’s literature. She can be reached at kendal@sunlink.net and kendal.rautzhan27@gmail.com.