When people think of bees, they often think of the honeybee. Honeybees are important. They deserve a lot of buzz. But they are not native to America. Colonists brought the honeybee to Virginia in 1622. America’s only native bee is the bumblebee, and there are 46 different kinds of bumblebee. Our bumblebees pollinate flowers on apple, plum, pear, almond, peach, and many more plants. They work twice as fast as honeybees, and they work for free to give us the fruits and vegetables that we lov...

Hummingbirds are amazing! They can hover, fly up and down, and they are the only bird to fly backwards. Their wings flap 50 to 60 times each second creating the humming noise for which they are named. Hummingbirds are native to the Americas. They pollinate honeysuckle, the morning glory, blueberry flowers, and an array of other trumpet-shaped native plants. Native Pollinators: Hummingbirds is a good place to start learning about these energetic pollinators.

Mosquitoes bite. Their bites make us itchy. They make an annoying whining sound. Most people hate them. But mosquitoes are also pollinators. Pollinators help plants to grow. Orchids and goldenrods need pollination by mosquitoes to survive. Like butterflies, the elephant mosquito carries pollen from flower to flower. Native Pollinators: Mosquitoes is a good place to start learning about the role of mosquitoes in the life cycle of plants.

Moths are fuzzier and fatter than their butterfly cousins. A lot of moths are brown and dull looking. Butterflies get songs and poems written about them. Hardly anyone swoons over moths. But moths deserve our respect and attention. Moths are pollinators, and many are native to America. While most insect pollinators work during the day, moths take the night shift. They visit flowers that bloom under the light of the moon. Moths play a vital role in the life cycle of plants. Some are beautif...

Did you know that archaeologists discovered two trumpets in King Tut’s tomb in Egypt? That makes the trumpet one of the oldest instruments in the world. Trumpets thrill us with strong clear notes. This title is richly illustrated with large photographs, maps, and a STEM activity that provides simple instructions to help children make their own instrument. Trumpets is a reading journey that inspires and stimulates learning exploration.

Anthropologists believe that the oldest musical instrument is the human voice. There is no culture, no matter how primitive or remote, that does not sing. People can sing high and low notes, and with great emotion. This title is richly illustrated with large photographs, maps, and a STEM activity that provides simple instructions to help children make their own instrument. Voices is a reading journey that inspires and stimulates learning exploration. Also includes an activity to help child...

Did you know that archaeologists found an elephant skin drum more than 30,000 years old in ice in Antarctica? This makes the drum one of the oldest musical instruments used by humans. This title is richly illustrated with large photographs, maps, and a STEM activity that provides simple instructions to help children make their own instrument. Drums is a reading journey that inspires and stimulates learning exploration.

Stop! Don’t step on that beetle. Many beetles are pollinators. Without them, we wouldn't have magnolia flowers, palm trees, or the fruit of the pawpaw. Beetles can be pests and also helpful. Farmers use ladybug beetles to eat insects that are eating their plants. In the United States, there are more than 30,000 native beetles—and more are discovered everyday. These native pollinators are small in size but giants in the insect world. Native Pollinators: Beetles is a good place to start lear...

Flies get no respect. People shoo them. They swat them. They use bug spray to kill them. But the next time you see a fly, think twice before you strike. Flies can be annoying but helpful too. They are pollinators. Pollinators help plants produce the fruits and vegetables we love to eat. Flies pollinate pears, strawberries, and even cacao, the nut used to make chocolate. Flies work hard for us—and they do it for free! Native Pollinators: Flies is a good place to start to learn about these h...

What comes to mind when you think about bats? Creepy? Spooky? Vampires? Bats get a bad rap. They do not harm people. Many are hardworking pollinators. America is home to 45 species of bat. They are the main pollinators of desert plants like the Saguaro cactus in Arizona. Nectar-eating bats from other countries help plants to produce the fruits we love to eat, such as bananas, peaches, and mangos. Native Pollinators: Bats is a good place to learn about these nighttime pollinators.

The piano has not been around as long as some instruments, such as the flute and drum. But it is perhaps the most popular instrument of all. About 21 million Americans play the piano! This title is richly illustrated with large photographs, maps, and a STEM activity that provides simple instructions to help children make their own instrument. Pianos is a reading journey that inspires and stimulates learning exploration.

Did you know that archaeologists discovered a flute more than 40,000 years old in a cave in Germany? That makes the flute one of the oldest instruments in the world. Flutes are still played and enjoyed. Its high, clear notes soar. This title is richly illustrated with large photographs, maps, and a STEM activity that provides simple instructions to help children make their own instrument. Flutes is a reading journey that inspires and stimulates learning exploration.