Sneed B. Collard III's Most Fun Book Ever
About Lizards Sneed B. Collard III (Author) Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 48 pages Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing (February 1, 2012) ISBN-10: 1580893244 ISBN-13:978-1580893244

Won the 2003 ASPCA Henry Bergh
Children's Book Award for illustration

B Is for Big Sky Country: A Montana Alphabet (Discover America State by State. Alphabet Series)

by Sneed B. Collard, III Joanna Yardley (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 4-8 Edition: Hardcover: 40 pages; Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press; (October 2003) 
ISBN: 1585360988  

"The sky in Montana somehow seems bigger, bluer, and more spectacular than in any other state. " Author Sneed B. Collard, III writes, "it's simply because our sky stretches over such an abundance of beauty." In "B is for Big Sky Country" readers will find out where the Going-to-the-Sun Road really takes you and what city the copper dome calls home.

 by Sneed B. Collard, III (author),  Greg C. Wenzell (Illustrator), Reading level: Ages 9-12 Edition: School Library Binding 32 pages; Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing; (February 2003)
ISBN: 1570914028  

 


One of the great frontiers of scientific discovery in recent years has been the deep-sea floor. In a brief, lucid account illustrated with many watercolor paintings, Collard explains the basics of oceanic geology, including crustal plates, abyssal plains, and trenches; the sonar technology and deep-sea submersibles that have made exploration possible; and the sometimes exotic-looking varieties of wildlife that have been observed. The short section on deep-sea vents and cold seeps offers a simple explanation of chemosynthesis and points out that not all life on Earth relies on photosynthesis. This section is a good example of highlighting a change in scientific knowledge that contradicts statements made in many older books that are still in classrooms and libraries. Wenzel's watercolors are equally effective in picturing the strange, deep-sea environment and in illustrating the specifics of geology, biology, and technology referred to in Collard's informative text. A list of recommended books and Web sites will lead children to more about this alien, undersea world. A glossary is appended. Carolyn Phelan Copyright American Library Association. All rights reserved  by Sneed B. Collard, III, Paul Kratter (Illustrator), Reading level: Ages 4-8 Edition: School & Library Binding Publisher: Holiday House; March 2002
ISBN: 0823416070;  



Butterfly fans will flutter happily about this tale of a child joining the annual nationwide butterfly census in hopes of spotting a once-common, now-rare regal fritillary. Identification guide in hand, Amy floats through the fields of wildflowers and high grasses that used to be her great-great-grandmother Nora Belle's farm, and is now run by a prairie reclamation project. She sees mourning cloaks and monarchs, painted ladies, red admirals, and black swallowtails-but not the fritillary that was Nora Belle's favorite. To Amy's evocative roll call, Kratter (A World Above the Clouds, not reviewed, etc.) adds naturalistic watercolor portraits, both in leafy natural settings and in a final section of captioned close-ups. Collard (A Firefly Biologist at Work, not reviewed, etc.) brings Amy's quest to a satisfying end in the old family plot where Nora Belle is buried-one of the few patches of prairie that has never been plowed. He adds more about the yearly Fourth of July Butterfly Count at the end, along with safety-conscious advice for young naturalists interested in attracting and observing these flighty wonders.

When Amy's great-great-grandmother, Nora Belle, farmed the prairie, the regal fritillary was her favorite butterfly. Once one of North America's largest and most widespread butterflies, the regal fritillary vanished with its plowed prairie habitat. Nora Belle now lies buried near her farm, which she gave over to prairie restoration in hopes that the regal fritillary would someday return. It is to this restored prairie that Amy and others come on the Fourth of July to participate in an annual butterfly count. In startlingly realistic detail, Kratter paints the prairie fauna sheltered by and flitting among the indigenous grasses and flowers. His watercolors also convey the welcome shade from the summer sun, where Amy rests and awakens to spy, near Nora Belle's grave, the long-awaited regal fritillary. The various butterflies depicted in the art are pictured again and described at book's end, creating a mini field guide for readers. Amy's age (she's pictured as an older child) extends this story beyond its picture-book format, making the book well suited to children who can read and enjoy the story on their own. Ellen Mandel Copyright American Library Association. All rights reserved

A gentle family story with an environmental message. Amy and her mother are taking part in the Fourth of July butterfly count on a stretch of land that belonged to the girl's great-great-grandmother and was turned over to a conservation group for a prairie restoration project. Nora Belle's favorite butterfly, a regal fritillary, is now rarely seen, but is the one that Amy is hoping to find. With the help of a field guide, she lists the numerous species she encounters and finally spots the elusive species in the family's burial plot, which stands on "the last patch of prairie in the county that was never plowed." Soft watercolor illustrations of prairie grasses, plants, and butterflies quietly illuminate this tranquil tale. Information about and portraits of 14 butterflies are offered at the end of the book, along with details on how to take part in the North American Butterfly Count and how to obtain a guide for planting a butterfly garden. - Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

written by Sneed B. Collard III, Robin Brickman, Illustrator. Charlesbridge Press, Fall 2002, Reading level:ages 4-8 Edition: School & Library Binding Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing; ; (July 2002)
ISBN: 1570913870  
Paperback ISBN: 1570913889  



A worthwhile resource for libraries and classrooms. Barbara L. McMullin, Casita Center for Technology, Science & Math, Vista, CA Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
This brightly illustrated, large-format volume invites children to consider the varying physical qualities and purposes of different birds' beaks . . . Focusing on the narrow topics of beaks allows Collard to be quite specific, but it also offers opportunities to introduce more general principles such as evolution. Carolyn Phelan Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
by Joan Dunning (Illustrator), Sneed B. Collard, III, Reading level: Ages 4-8 Hardcover - 32 pages (March 25, 2002) Houghton Mifflin Co (Juv);
ISBN: 0618114548  
We all “leave the nest” eventually, and animals do, too. Here we follow different creatures from all sorts of environments as they leave home and venture off to make their own place in the natural world. Some walk (jaguars), some crawl (crabs), some swim (sharks). Some leave as soon as they’re born (salamanders), and others leave after several years (elephants). Albatrosses fly across oceans while hedgehogs walk only a short distance away. And songbirds even come back.


(Sept./Oct.)
"All living creatures grow up and leave home to start life on their own, each on its unique timetable. This book provides readers with good scientific information on the habits, behavior and instinctual patterns of a wide variety of animals, birds, insects, ect. The book is well designed, visually attractive, written in sensitive, and, at times, almost poignant language. A book to appreciate on many levels, it should appeal to a wide age range..."

Ideally, a parent or teacher would read this generously illustrated science book aloud twice: once for the brief, large-print text that runs, phrase by phrase, along the tops of the pages, and again for the more detailed paragraphs that appear below the pictures. Beginning "Sooner or later, we all leave home," the book explores how different animals accomplish this journey (walking, crawling, flying, swimming, floating on the wind), whether they know where they're going; whether they travel alone or with others, going near or far. In a series of richly colored watercolor paintings, Dunning portrays a wide array of species inhabiting a variety of habitats. Occasionally children might wish for a closer view of the animal under discussion, such as the coral larvae described as looking like space aliens, but most of the lively paintings are well designed to display the traits mentioned. Collard explores the concept imaginatively, writing with admirable simplicity in the short text, introducing children to more complex thoughts and vocabulary in the longer one. Carolyn Phelan Copyright American Library Association. All rights reserved

This natural-history picture book takes a look at animal maturation. After a pictureless first page stating "Sooner or later, we all leave home," the top of each subsequent page features a large-type simple text telling the many ways animals do this. Watercolor paintings of the animals fill the middle of the pages and along the bottom smaller typeface text gives more detailed information about the creatures, including why and when they depart. Thus, the text along the top may have one word such as "hop," with an illustration depicting a rabbit family while the bottom text tells about rabbit reproduction and the differing ways males and females leave home. Occasional points are stretched to fit the theme; for example, wildebeests don't really leave home, they migrate with their herds. The chambered nautilus hatches, which is not leaving home in the way the other animals in the book do. Dunning's large, striking watercolors show each creature in its habitat in a manner that doesn't aim for photographic realism yet manages to include just enough detail to be informative as well. To underscore the theme, most of the animals are pictured breaking through into the pastel border that frames each illustration. This handsome book works both as a concept picture book ideal for a storytime and as an informational source.Louise L. Sherman, formerly at Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, NJ Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.




The author of Monteverde: Science and Scientists in a Costa Rican Cloud Forest (1997) turns to another threatened habitat that is being studied, a reef community at Lizard Island Research Station. Collard profiles 17 individuals who work or have worked there, giving glimpses not only of the scientists' diverse backgrounds but also of the sorts of mysteries they hope to understand--from the behavior of parasites to the spectacular annual "spawn-a-thon," during which as many as 1,356 species of coral release eggs and sperm at once. The author ends with an ominous account of the tragic destruction of many of the world's coral reefs and a direct plea for more ecologically responsible behavior. ...... this is a readable, enthusiastic visit with the practicing scientists in the field; pair it with books like Mary Cerullo's Coral Reef: A City That N ever Sleeps (1996), which has eye-popping underwater photos. GraceAnne DeCandido Copyright American Library Association. All rights reserved
by Sneed B. Collard III, Reading level: Ages 9-12 School & . Library Binding - 48 pages (September 2000) Franklin Watts, Incorporated;
Hardback ISBN: 0531117863
Paperback ISBN: 0531165264 


- Collard describes the work of marine biologist John Calambokidis, who began studying humpback whales off the California coast but expanded his investigations to include blue whales as he discovered their presence among the humpbacks. Although the focus is on the nature of the scientist's work, basic information about these creatures is also included. The different techniques of identifying individual whales are described and illustrated, and readers are given a chance to test their own powers of observation. Scientific descriptions are punctuated by memorable phrases such as whale breaths sounding like "heaving gasps of a steam locomotive." The full-color photos include exhilarating looks at breaching and other shots of humpbacks and blues. This clearly written title will be of interest to animal lovers, environmentalists, and children considering career choices.-Frances E. Millhouser, Chantilly Regional Library, VA
  by Michael Rothman (Illustrator), Sneed B.Collard III, Reading level: Ages 4-8 School & Library Binding - 32 pages (July 2000) Charlesbridge Publishing;  
ISBN: 088106985X  
Take a trip to a unique habitat--the cloud forests of Central America! In his previous journey, Sneed Collard introduced the water habitats of Our Wet World--a "Reading Rainbow " selection and an NSTA/CBC Notable book. Now he takes the reader to the mountains of Costa Rica to see the glorious resplendent quetzal, the fierce margay, the slow-moving two-toed sloth, the startling harlequin frog, and dozens of other colorful and secretive animals. They inhabit a very special place, a rain forest of the mountains--the cloud forest. This lavishly illustrated book takes the reader on an incredible journey to this habitat, warns of the threats to it, and suggests what readers can do to help or to learn more. A glossary, a list of suggested websites and books, and a map are included.

Awards:

Named to the 2001 IRA Teachers Choice List Finalist for the 2001 ASPCA Henry Bergh Award for children's literature Named as one of Booklist's Top Ten Books for Chldren and Outstanding Science Trade Book for Children by NSTA/CBC

This colorful book introduces Costa Rica's Monteverde Cloud Forest, which Collard discussed for somewhat older readers in Monteverde: Science and Scientists in a Costa Rican Cloud Forest (1997). Stretching across the double-page spreads, Rothman's beautifully textured acrylic paintings offer close-up views of some of the animals and plants living in this rich and complex ecosystem. Collard's text is as focused and colorful as the illustrations. Commenting on the forest itself as well as individual creatures that live there, he gives a clear sense of the diversity of life to be found in a cloud forest and the need to protect it. The book ends with a glossary, a map showing cloud forests in Costa Rica, and lists of organizations, books, and Web sites related to cloud forests, rain forests, and conservation. Carolyn Phelan Copyright American Library Association. All rights reserved 
by Sneed B.Collard III, Steve Jenkins (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 4-8 Hardcover - 32 pages (April 24, 2000) Houghton Mifflin Co (Juv);
 ISBN: 0395953170

In this accessible and informative picture book, take a journey throughout the animal kingdom and explore the many ways animal babies are created. From sea sponges, to frogs, to tigers and dolphins, look at the ways animals find and attract mates and how the reproductive process works.


"Good books for young children about reproduction are a rarity and are eagerly sought by libraries and parents alike. This is one of them. The dual text (one very simple sentence for the child and another more complex explanation for the adult that will help answer inevitable questions) keeps perfect step with Jenkins's eye-catching, colorful cut-paper collage illustrations. A variety of asexual reproductive methods, such as budding and fission, and sexual behaviors are described and depicted, as are embryo development and birth. "Human animals" are not mentioned. Some purists may carp at the term "babies," but it is perfect for the intended audience. An attractive, informative, approachable look at a delicate subject."

This informative book takes readers through the animal kingdom and explains the myriad ways in which animal babies are created. It starts with simple water organisms that bud or split from the parent, or simply break off on their own. Collard then explains that most animals procreate by sexual reproduction and discusses how the sperm and egg are brought together to make the next generation. The book discusses the mating process, explaining that chameleons show bright colors to attract a partner, walruses fight with their tusks, birds build elaborate structures to impress a partner, and fireflies light up the sky. Spectacular three-dimensional collage illustrations bring the book to life. Especially noteworthy are pictures of a developing chimpanzee embryo and of a cat giving birth. There is a helpful glossary at the end of the book. Making Animal Babies is a follow-up to the acclaimed Animal Dads. Reviewed by Julie Steinberg. Copyright 2000 Children's Literature Reviews. All Rights Reserved.
by Sneed B. Collard III, Carl Dennis Buell (Illustrator) Paperback (January 2000) Heyday Books;
 ISBN: 1890771244  
What Young People Around the World Are Doing to Protect the Environment Pollution, overcrowding, global warming, species extinction--everyone knows the Earth is in trouble. Is there anything we can do?  Acting for Nature tells the remarkable stories of 15 young people from around the world who didn't get discouraged. They saw environmental problems in their communities and found ways to solve them.

Award: Named to the 2001 New York Public Library"s BEST BOOK FOR THE TEEN AGE LIST

"The young people in this book are shining examples of what others, all over the world, can do." -- Jane Goodall, Director of the Jane Goodall Institute for Wildlife Research, Education, and Conservation
"The stories in this book transcend geographical, political, and religious boundaries. The achievements of these young people will inspire not only other youngsters, but adults, too." -- David Brower, Founder of Friends of the Earth and Founder and Chair of Earth Island Institute

"By telling real life stories, this book demonstrates how each of us can play a part. It is both amazing and inspiring what some young people have achieved." -- David Bellamy, Founder of the Conservation Foundation

by Sneed B. Collard III, Jonathan Hunt (Illustrator) Hardcover, 1st ed., 32pp. Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company Pub. Date: September 1999
ISBN: 0395908663

Describes events and cultural developments all over the world 1,000 years ago, including the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia.

At the dawn of the third millennium we know more about our amazing planet than ever before. But what did the world look like one thousand years ago? This eye-opening book takes readers back a thousand years in time to discover what was happening in twelve incredibly different civilizations at the turn of the first millennium. Travel to Central America to explore the great pyramid at Chichen Itza, witness the acts of the bloodthirsty and adventurous Vikings in northern Europe, and learn about the fascinating innovations of the Chinese during the Song Dynasty. This fascinating flashback describes how the planet has changed over the centuries and helps readers imagine what the future may be like.
As the third millennium A.D. approaches, kids may wonder what was happening on earth at the turn of the second. This book does a fine job of introducing that information, beginning with a list of facts (population, language, etc.) and going on to survey what was happening in various parts of the world. Each two-page spread begins " 1,000 years ago in . . ." and goes on to chronicle in a bar of text what was happening in civilizations in various parts of the world. Among the areas chronicled are the Americas, Central and Southern Europe, Northern Europe, England, China, India, the Middle East, Africa, and Australia. The pictures ... add a solid visual dimension to the historical developments. The last page updates the fact list initially presented. Kids will see there has been tremendous progress in some ways, but not all. Ilene Cooper Copyright 1999, American Library Association. All rights reserved

 
'' ..... Collard captures the essence of a culture in a few brief paragraphs. .... this is a good introduction that will encourage more exploration.

 by Sneed B. Collard III Reading level: Ages 9-12 School & Library Binding - 64 pages (September 1999) Franklin Watts, Incorporated;
 hardback ISBN: 0531203638 
 paperback ISBN 0531164195

Discusses the physical features and behavior of daytime raptors, including eagles, harriers, kites, Old World vultures, caracaras, and falcons.



by Sneed B. Collard III, Charlesbridge Publishing, 1998
ISBN # 0-88106-267-7 (hardcover)
ISBN# 0-88106-268-5 (paperback)

"The magic of the underwater world comes alive in this pleasant children's book. From streams and
rivers through marshes to the shore, each ecosystem is carefully described in clear terms..."--Independent Publisher, May/June, 1998

OUR WET WORLD was named a 1998 Outstanding Science trade Book by CBC/NSTA and was a 1998 Reading Rainbow review book.

by Sneed B. Collard III, Reading level: Ages 9-12 School & Library Binding - 64 pages (September 1998) Franklin Watts, Incorporated
hardback ISBN: 053120362X

paperback ISBN 0531159183

A fun look at the many roles of bright colors in nature. Features stunning color photographs.  

 

 

Starred Review Named by the Orbis Pictures Committee of the National Council of Teachers of English to the 1998 List of Recommended Books "Animal Dads takes a refreshing look at the natural world with fathers cast in the caregiver role... illustrated with striking, cut-paper collage figures. "--School Library Journal, June, 1997 Houghton Mifflin, Spring, 1997 (hardcover) ISBN# 0-395-83621-2	Named as one of the 20 Best Books on the Environment by the 1994 Information Please Almanac 22 of the world's strangest animals and how their "creepy" ways help them survive. Charlesbridge Publishing, 1997(hardcover) ISBN# 0-88106-837-3 ISBN# 0-88106-837-5 (paperback)	"Clear, direct writing communicates basic facts about the areas' unique features and explains how their flora and fauna have adapted to their particular climates. "-- School Library Journal, October, 1996 An introduction to the terrestrial biomes of North and South America. Charlesbridge Publishing, 1996 ISBN# 0-88106-929-9 (hardcover),  ISBN# 0-88106-928-0 (paperback)	Named a Best Book for the Teen Age by the New York Public Library, 1998. Named one of the best books on rain forests of the 1990's Booklist, Nominated as a Best Book for Young Adults by the American Library Association, 1998.
			Booklist Starred Review Franklin Watts, 1996.(hardcover) ISBN# 0-531-11369-8

Science Adventure Series
Best of the Year from Science Books and Films

Reading level: Ages 9-12 Library Binding: 43 pages Pub: Benchmark Books (September 30, 2005)  ISBN-10: 0761419535 ISBN-13: 978-0761419532

Reading level:Ages 9-12 Library Binding: 43 pages Pub: Benchmark Books  (October 2005) ISBN-10: 0761419527 ISBN-13: 978-0761419525

Library Binding: 48 pages Pub: Benchmark Books (September 30, 2005) ISBN-10: 0761419551 ISBN-13: 978-0761419556

Reading level: Ages 9-12 Library Binding: 43 pages Pub: Benchmark Books  (October 2005) ISBN-10: 0761419543 ISBN-13: 978-0761419549

American Heroes Series

Click on the images below to order from  

	Thomas Jefferson: Let Freedom Ring! (American Heroes) Sneed B. Collard Sneed B. Collard (Author) › Visit Amazon's Sneed B. Collard Page Find all the books, read about the author, and more. See search results for this author Are you an author? Learn about Author Central (Author) Reading level: Ages 9-12 Library Binding: 40 pages Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Children's Books; ( 2008) ISBN-10: 0761430679 ISBN-13: 978-0761430674		Eleanor Roosevelt: Making the World a Better Place (American Heroes) Sneed B. Collard (Author) Reading level: Ages 9-12 Library Binding: 40 pages Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Children's Books (2008) ISBN-10: 0761430695 ISBN-13: 978-0761430698

   

School Presentations

Sneed's school presentations focus on writing in the context of science for elementary and middle school students. He gives a maximum of three assembly presentations per day, giving different presentations for different grade levels. His recent talk titles include:

• A Writer's Life (My life and the story behind my books)
  
• Writing in the Deep Sea (How to do research while learning about bioluminescence)
  
• Writing in the Clouds (How to get ideas while hiking through a Costa Rican cloud forest)
  
• Rep-tales (Fun animal stories for very young readers and writers)
• Writing Workshop
• One-Hour Common Core Teacher Talk: "Common Core Canines"

LEARN MORE ABOUT A SNEED COLLARD SCHOOL VISITS BY CLICKING ON THE SCHOOL BUS 

 

Contact

Teachers and librarians interested in school talks only may phone or email Sneed at the numbers below. Because of the large volume of spam, and resulting filters, however, I strongly suggest you telephone me directly to discuss a visit.

Sneed B. Collard III My phone is (406) 721-2783 (Mountain Time) or by email at collard@bigsky.net         Please DO NOT give this information to students for any reason. Fan mail and other letters should be sent through an appropriate publisher, e.g. C/O Bucking Horse Books P.O.Box 8507 Missoula, MT 59807

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