Classic Nature

E.T.A. Hoffmann's The Nutcracker and the Mouse King is one of the most beloved children's stories of all time and a Christmas classic. The story is the basis for the popular ballet "The Nutcracker." In the story, a young girl named Marie is given a precious nutcracker as a Christmas present by her godfather, the enigmatic Drosselmeier. When the nutcracker is broken, Marie attempts to repair it and stays up late to tend to her new toy, but when the nursery is invaded by an army of mice, the nutcracker comes to life to both drive off the mice and escort Marie to a magical land of living dolls.

The real story of science isn’t a triumphant breakthrough. It’s messy, mysterious, and deeply human. In Lost in Curiosity, award-winning journalist Roberta Kwok pulls back the curtain on what scientific discovery actually looks like… Not a Eureka moment, but a fraught, often chaotic...

This second collection of poems from A. A. Milne includes works such as Furry Bear, Sneezles, and Buttercup Days as well as an appearance by the beloved children's character Winnie-the-Pooh. With gentle humor and whimsical lines, Now We Are Six is perfect for anyone—whether you're six or sixty-six.

Friar Tuck, a big golden Labrador, is young Helen’s inseparable companion. She still remembers the sunny day three years ago when her father dumped the fat, wriggling puppy into her surprised arms and said, “All yours, Helen.” Since then, her dog has grown into a wonderful friend for the lanky, red-haired girl. No one knows exactly when Tuck began to go blind. By the time Helen and her parents notice the symptoms, the dog is knocking over chairs and can no longer chase squirrels.

In sixteen wonderful stories, Pulitzer Prize–winning author James A. Michener burrows deep into the secret lives of animals and the hidden world of nature. Here he sheds light on nature’s most awesome and beguiling handiwork, from the sublime shaping and reshaping of earth’s lands and seas...

Clifford has a good heart, but whenever he tries to do good deeds for others, they always seem to backfire. After many failed attempts, Clifford gives up and goes home. But on the way back, he manages to save two children from a burning house, and then put out the fire. Finally, Clifford is a hero!

One of the most beloved characters in children's literature, Peter Cottontail is up to his long-whiskered nose in rib-tickling escapades in this delightful classic. With gentle charm and humor, famed storyteller Thornton W. Burgess draws young listeners into the timeless world of the Green Forest, the Smiling Pool, and the Purple Mountains.

En 1845, l'écrivain et philosophe Henry David Thoreau, se retire seul pour deux ans et deux mois, en pleine nature dans une cabane de sa confection. De cette expérience, il concevra un récit introspectif au fil des saisons qui deviendra un grand classique de la littérature américaine. "Je gagnai les bois parce que je voulais vivre suivant mûre réflexion, n'affronter que les actes essentiels de la vie, et voir si je ne pourrais apprendre ce qu'elle avait à enseigner, non pas, quand je viendrais à mourir, découvrir que je n'avais pas vécu." (Henry David Thoreau)

À son décès, un vieux meunier laisse à ses trois fils l'intégralité de ses biens. L'aîné hérite du moulin, le cadet de l'âne, et le benjamin du chat, Chouminou...

Paul Fleischman's Poems for Two Voices make for irresistable listening. Whether funny, sad, boisterous or serene, each poem is a virtuoso performance - skillfully illuminating a unique personality from the natural world.

A moving musical score helps bring to life this unforgettable story from Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book.

Peter, the naughty rabbit, helps himself to the crops from Mr. MacGregor's garden, to the dismay of all.

Animal lovers of all ages will cherish this memorable story. Perhaps the most celebrated animal story of the 19th century, Black Beauty is the suspenseful and deeply moving account of a horse's experiences at the hands of many owners - some, sensitive riders who treated him gently; others, cruel drivers who thoughtlessly inflicted lasting damage.

Eeyore’s tail is missing, and his friend Winnie the Pooh offers to find it for him. While searching, Pooh visits Owl in The Hundred Acre Wood to ask for his help. This adaptation comes from A. A. Milne’s first Winnie-the-Pooh story collection, published in 1926.

Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Nature" is perhaps the greatest original work of philosophy written by an American. This specially-prepared edition includes a foreword on the origin and significance the book.

No thanks to his naughty cat Simpkin, the tailor of Gloucester has no more twisted silk thread to finish the coat he has promised the mayor for his wedding on Christmas day. With the help of some special friends, the tailor finds that a kind favor is returned.

La maman de sept petits chevreaux s'en va chercher à manger dans la forêt. Avant de partir, elle met en garde ses petits contre le loup qui sait se déguiser, se faire passer pour ce qu'il n'est pas.

An expert on otters dives into their wild and wondrous world You’ve heard of a murder of crows and a pride of lions—but what about a romp of otters? In this informative and entertaining book, animal behaviorist Heide Island takes readers on an odyssey through otterdom, focusing on a family...

A little boy receives a toy rabbit for Christmas one year, and he and his plush plaything soon become best friends, embarking on imaginary adventures for hours at a time. When the boy and the rabbit are separated, the toy ventures out on its own to learn about this strange thing "being real". This is a heart-warming classic about the great joys of childhood and the magic of love.

"The Three Little Pigs" is a very funny and famous fairytale featuring anthropomorphic pigs who build three houses of different materials. The story begins with the title characters being sent out into the world by their mother, to "seek out their fortune". The first little pig builds a house of straw, but a wolf blows it down and eats him. The second pig builds a house of furze sticks, which the wolf also blows down and eats him. Each exchange between wolf and pig features ringing proverbial phrases, namely: "Little pig, little Pig, let me come in." "No, no, not by the hair on my chinny chin chin." "Then I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll blow your house in." The third pig builds a house of bricks. This little pig is very smart, and the end is a big surprise for everyone.