Desert (Sounds of the Wild) - Tapa dura

From the Grand Canyon of Arizona to Death Valley in California, the desert is a remarkable place. Though some may imagine this habitat as desolate, uninhabited, and eerily quiet, the truth is that many animals make their homes in these arid lands—and they make quite a bit of noise! Kids can meet these creatures in Sounds of the Wild: Desert. There’s Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, which is known for its stunning scenery and large diversity of birds, such as the bluebird, robin, and swallow, and their songs. In Petrified Forest National Park, kids can hear the clicks and whistles of bats, the bleats of toads, and the bark of the pronghorn, the fastest land animal in North America. And in the Rio Grande Basin, it’s the squawk and screech of the harris hawk and the hiss and growl of the ringtail cat that echo through the air.

With stunningly beautiful illustrations by acclaimed illustrator Maurice Pledger,Sounds of the Wild: Desert is the perfect book for every child curious about these unique places.

Maurice Pledger is an internationally-acclaimed artist known for his realistic and detailed illustrations of animals and wildlife. He's had no formal art training, but achieves the realism and detail in his beautiful artwork by spending hours in the field observing, sketching, and studying his subjects in their natural environment. First published at age 17, he has since had his illustrations featured on greeting cards, prints, gifts, and books. He has created several successful series, includingSounds of the Wild, Peek-and-Find, Nature Trails, and Pledger Sticker Books. He was the recipient of the 1992 Francis Williams Illustration Award for the Best Descriptive Illustration. This honor is given only once every five years by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.