Paisano, the Roadrunner


Book Description

The author describes her experiences with a family of roadrunners who come to live near her house.




The Real Roadrunner


Book Description

A personal, lively, in-depth account of the life and lore of the roadrunner.




Winging It


Book Description

Why are some house finches so red? How do chickadees and nuthatches survive the winter? Where does the great horned owl spend the day? Winging It answers these and other questions about bird behavior. This introductory bird book includes descriptions of forty-two species found in the Southwest, from hummingbirds to bluebirds to sharp-shinned hawks, from birds in your backyard, to birds in the mountain forest or driest desert. Every page is filled with photographs, drawings of feathers, nests, and tracks, and true stories of kids and birds. Learn how to attract birds to your yard and how to make nectar for your hummingbird feeder. Turn to any page to learn something new about a favorite bird or use the index for easy identification of one you don't recognize. "Winging It is kid-friendly and easy to read, yet the text can be enjoyed by all ages. It ought to be read by parents to their children, as children are the future when it comes to protecting birds and their habitats. I especially liked the short personal stories that accompany each chapter. These stories made me want to know more about that particular bird. My hope is that kids reading this book will pass it on to their own kids."-Ron Duffy, Audubon Society bird guide "As an avid birder and educator (5th grade teacher), I recommend this book as a must for any young naturalist. The text takes the reader a step beyond mere bird identification, introducing behavior, folklore, and habitat. Winging It is an excellent text as a field guide, but the book also lends itself to research. The accuracy of the drawings helps a reader to understand bird behavior, as well as providing vivid clues for bird identification."-Janie Chodosh, birder and elementary school teacher.




Oddball Texas


Book Description

This amusing travel guide to the Lone Star State doesn't waste travelers' time telling them where to find antiques in the Hill Country, take breathtaking hikes through Big Bend, or gaze upon the Alamo. Instead, it guides television fans to a modern replica of the Munsters's mansion, leads the nonsqueamish to the world's only Cockroach Hall of Fame, and points the curious towards a small town filled with hippo statues. Among other things, Texas is home to Goliath-sized roadside attractions, and directions are provided on how to reach the World's Largest Six-Shooter, World's Largest Rattlesnake, and World's Largest Wooden Nickel. The accompanying photographs and maps instruct visitors on how to get to these and other extraordinary spots, including the Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, the Celebrity Shoe Musuem, Alley Oop's Fantasyland, and the Birthplace of Fritos. A dose of wacky Texas history is also included with answers to questions such as "Did a UFO really crash into a windmill northwest of Fort Worth in 1897? "and "What does an Abilene Kinko's have to do with the early retirement of Dan Rather?"







The Gifted Gabaldon Sisters


Book Description

In this compelling novel from an award-winning author, four sisters with their own special gifts search for the truth behind a long-buried family secret. Having lost their mother in early childhood, the Gabaldón sisters consider Fermina, their elderly Pueblo housekeeper, their surrogate Grandmother. The mysterious Fermina love the girls as if they are her own, and promises to endow each with a "special gift" to be received upon her death. Mindful of the old woman's mystical ways, the sisters believe Fermina's gifts, bestowed based on their natural talents, magically enhance their lives. The oldest sister, Bette Davis Gabaldón, always teased for telling tales, believes her gift is the power to persuade anyone, no matter how outlandish her story. Loretta Young, who often prefers pets to people, assumes her gift is the ability to heal animals. Tough-talking tomboy, Rita Hayworth believes her gift is the ability to curse her enemies. And finally, Sophia Loren, the baby of the family, is sure her ability to make people laugh is her legacy. As the four girls grow into women they discover that Fermina's gifts come with complicated strings, and what once seemed simple can confuse over time. Together they learn the truth about their mysterious caretaker, her legacy, and the family secret that was nearly lost forever in the New Mexican desert.







Readiscover New Mexico


Book Description

Tag along with Rosita the Roadrunner on her journey to learn about the Land of Enchantment. On the trail, meet Roja & Verde (the Chile Twins), Biscochita (a Smart Cookie), Piñon Jay, Dusty the Tumbleweed, and a town full of prairie dogs who love to read. READiscover New Mexico, a recent theme for the Statewide Summer Reading Program sponsored by the New Mexico State Library, encourages the discovery of the vast cultural, natural, historical, and literary treasures found in our beautiful state. Children, adults and families experience some of these for the very first time by visiting Rosita's ultimate source for information: the library. Featured is a literal example of "poetic license," with an introduction by "Tag" the license plate. Join the fun! Children will love coloring the cast of characters and sharing the adventure with their families. Among many classroom uses, teachers can present the fun story as a bi- or tri-lingual playlet. Enrichment material includes a compilation of the programs, activities, crafts, song parodies, celebrations, and bibliographies devised by the children's librarians who brought READiscover New Mexico to life in public libraries throughout the state. Also featured are riddles, New Mexico trivia, relevant websites, an extensive booklist, several recipes for Biscochitos, instructions for making Star-O-Litos, and a large collection of reproducible artwork. Rosita's Ramble is presented in English, Spanish, and Navajo. Welcome! ¡Bienvenidos! Yá'át'ééh! Author KATHY BARCO was Youth Services Coordinator at the New Mexico State Library from 2001-2006. Currently a children's librarian with the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Public Library, she received the 2006 Leadership Award from the New Mexico Library Association. She is co-author (with Valerie Nye) of "Breakfast Santa Fe Style - A Dining Guide to Fancy, Funky and Family Friendly Restaurants." Designer/Illustrator MIKE JAYNES, a Seattle-based graphic artist, has designed and illustrated six summer reading programs for the New Mexico State Library. Both Kathy and Mike grew up in Los Alamos, New Mexico.




Lone Star Menagerie


Book Description

Adventures with Texas wildlife.




Texas


Book Description

There is a myriad of little known, often forgotten, and sometimes unbelievable events, places and people that make up the warp and woof of the Texas mystique. This book consists of intriguing facts taken from age-old legends about the people who developed and settled the state. A section called Truth is Stranger than Fiction will defy imagination. The Texas history buff is sure to enjoy Forgotten Footnotes to Texas History. Have You Ever Wondered? will supply answers to questions about certain Texas legends and folklore. Texas: Land of Legend and Lore presents the Texas of fact and fantasy that so captivates the imaginations of Texans and non-Texans alike.