Desert Giant: The World of the Saguaro Cactus

The venerable saguaro cactus stands like a statue in the Sonoran desert landscape, its armlike branches reaching fifty feet into the air. From a distance it appears quiet and solitary - but appearances can be deceptive. In fact, the saguaro is alive with activity, providing homes for woodpeckers owls and hawks, and food for bats, birds, coyotes and the indigenous people of the desert world.

"Captures the majesty of the desert environment and illuminates the ecological importance of this impressive giant." — Kirkus, pointer review
1990 Reading Rainbow Featured Book
l990 Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List
l989 Booklist Editor's Choice

Tree of Life: The World of the African Baobab

On the hot, dry Savannahs of Africa, the baobab stands silent and ancient. The branches of this venerated giant look so much like gnarled roots, legend has it the tree was originally planted upside down! Leafless and bare for most of the year, the baobab might be mistaken for dead. But this fascinating tree, which the African people call " Mother", is very much alive, providing shelter and food for bushbabies, bats, antelope, birds, insects, baboons, elephants and humans.

"A subject rarely treated in picture book format, this is a beautiful introduction to the African ecosystem." — Booklist, starred review 
"The illustrations are breathtaking." — Kirkus, pointer review 

Urban Roosts: Where Birds Nest in the City

Sparrows take up residence in traffic lights, pigeons roost under train trestles, barn owls prefer highway overpasses and peregrine falcons raise families on skyscraper platforms. To a bird the city is a landscape of high stone cliffs and deep broad canyons. As humans rush about with their eyes to the ground, birds are finding food and nesting sites in the most unusual places. Urban Roosts reminds us all to raise our sights and notice the natural world around us - right in the center of the city!

"Vivid and detailed, the paintings present the birds and their city homes with dramatic perspective and a refreshing variety of focus . . . An informative delight." — Booklist, starred review

1990 A CBC-NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book for Children
1990 John Burroughs List of Nature Books for Young Readers
1991 Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List
l992 Reading Rainbow Featured Book
IRA Teachers' Choice

Shadows of Night: The Hidden World of a Little Brown Bat

Following a year in the life of a Little Brown Bat, readers will be fascinated to learn how bats give birth, raise their young, fly, hunt with echolocation (catching 600 mosquitoes in an hour!) and gather at bat "conventions" before going into hibernation deep inside caves and emerging in the spring. A fascinating study of a often misunderstood mammal.

"Bash brings her sensitivity to natural history and design to the life cycle of a common North American bat. An artist's eye is apparent in each dramatic spread. Beautiful and informative." — Kirkus, pointer review
l993 Best Books School Library Journal 
l993 Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List

Ancient Ones: The World of the Old Growth Douglas Fir

A detailed exploration of the old growth forests of the Pacific Northwest, from the moss laden tree top canopy to the vast network of passages deep down in the roots. Readers will witness the widening diversity of creatures that live within the tree as it grows and then dies, topples over and slowly decomposes back into earth. Centuries later, in the aftermath of a forest fire, tiny saplings sprout in the sunlight and the long cycle begins.

"A wondrous walk through an old-growth forest. Reading Ancient Ones is truly the next best thing to being there." — School Library Journal, starred review
NSTA-CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book for Children 
Hungry Mind Review Children's Books of Distinction

To order a signed book, contact barbarabash@gmail.com

In the Heart of the Village: The World of the Indian Banyan Tree

In the center of a small village in India, an enormous banyan tree grows, extending over several acres. Considered sacred to the villagers, the banyan is home to many spirits. In the Heart of the Village examines the life that thrives in and around this amazing tree through the course of a single day - from the villagers who barter, play and rest in its shade, to the egrets, spotted owls, langur monkeys and flying foxes that live throughout its branches.

A fascinating look at the social, spiritual, and ecological significance of the banyan tree in the life of an Indian village." — Kirkus, pointer review 

"At once a work of inspired botanical lore and a portrait of the ageless rhythms of the subcontinent." — Smithsonian
Skipping Stones Magazine Honor Award 
NCSS-CBC Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies
An American Bookseller Pick of the Lists

To order a signed book, contact barbarabash@gmail.com

Phantom of the Prairie: Year of the Black-footed Ferret
Written by Jonathan London

It is spring on the high prairie and deep within an abandoned prairie dog burrow, four black-footed ferret kits are born. In this world of waving grasses a delicate and complex web of predators and prey live out their lives. Readers get a rare glimpse of the mysterious black-footed ferret, the most endangered mammal in North America, as they share Phantom's adventures through a full cycle of seasons.

"Bash's vibrant artwork convey much information about the life cycle and habits of this rarest of North American mammals. They also emphasize the interrelationships among other species in the high prairie ecosystem. This makes a fine introduction for primary science units. " — Booklist

To order a signed book, contact barbarabash@gmail.com

Tiger Lilies and Other Beastly Plants
Written by Elizabeth Ring Illustrated by Barbara Bash

Are pussy willows as soft as newborn kittens? Do snake gourds twist and writhe in the trees? Does skunk cabbage make you want to hold your nose? 

All spring and summer strange "animals" grow in fields, gardens, and woods. The next time you're out for a walk, you may meet "tigers" . "elephants", "foxes" and other "beastly" creatures - all of them plants. Here is a real "menagerie" waiting to be discovered.

Dig, Wait, Listen: A Desert Toad's Tale
Written by April Pulley Sayre Pictures by Barbara Bash
Greenwillow Books

The desert is full of sounds. Skitter, skitter, scratch . . . a scorpion is crawling. Pop. pop. pop. . . a kangaroo rat is hopping. Tsk, tsk, tsk. . . a rattlesnake is shaking its tail. But the spadefoot toad is quiet in her underground burrow, listening for one sound in particular. . .

Follow the amazing life cycle of the spadefoot toad who waits, buried deep down, for the sound of rain. Then, in a flurry of energetic activity, the toad emerges, finds a mate, and lays eggs. In only two weeks, before the puddles dry up, all the tadpoles must hatch and transform into toads. Soon they all dig down again to wait and wait - sometimes as long as a year - for that wonderful sound of rain.

"Expressive and detailed illustrations capture the desert's denizens in motion, complementing the aurality of the text and contrasting with the ever-patient toad, which they invest with a remarkable amount of personality. This is top-notch nonfiction for the very young." — Kirkus Review

What’s Up, Whats Down?
Written by Lola Schaefer Illustrated by Barbara Bash
Greenwillow Books A Selection of the Junior Library Guild

Ever wonder what's up from the perspective of a mole? Or what's down if you're the moon? Here are the answers - and then some - in this innovative picture book. As they turn the pages, readers are invited to let their eyes and imaginations travel from the watery depths to the twinkling heights of our multi-layered universe. As they consider the unique perspective of everything from sea urchins to clouds to wildflowers, they may be inspired to come up with their own questions and answers about what's up, what's down, and what lies between. This book is designed in an unusual format that changes one's orientation to what's up and what's down as the journey progresses.

"A fascinating combination of poetic text and artistic illustrations that clearly explains the organization of nature in our physical world. This is high art and a scientific classification that can be easily understood by young children. With its melodic descriptive text and brilliant artwork this expertly crafted book will be enjoyed over and over again." — School Library Journal, starred review
Texas Library Association "2003 2x2 reading List"
Bank Street "The Best Children's Books of the Year"
Pennsylvania's "2003 Keystone to Reading Book Award" Masterlist

To order a signed book, contact barbarabash@gmail.com

Discover My World Series
Written by Ron Hirschi Illustrated by Barbara Bash

Four books that explore the animals who live in the Forest, Mountain, Desert and Ocean regions of the world, challenging readers to guess the identity of each animal and providing additional information at the end.

To order a signed book, contact Barbara Bash.
Hardbound and paperback available

Barbara Bash's School Programs include:

• Talking about the process of creating her books and telling stories about her research travels.

• Drawing on big sheets of paper, bringing images from her books alive on the page. 

• Showing slides of sketchbook pages and artwork in process as well as involving students in discussions about ecosystems, biodiversity, and symbiotic relationships in nature. 

• Barbara Bash is also available for autographing books and meeting with teachers. 

• Her presentations can be tailored to kindergarten through fifth grade audiences.

Contact me for more information about School Programs