Books with author David Aikens

Children love to discover nature's wonders, and this book will encourage them to do just that. Focusing one special area the marshland of the Chesapeake and its tributaries the book presents a small number of commonly found birds, so children will not be disappointed in their search. Young birders will also see how the beauty of the marsh itself changes with the seasons. The book is not a typical field guide, but concentrates on a small number of commonly found birds, so children will not be disappointed in their search. Finding Birds in the Chesapeake Marsh can spark a lifelong appreciation for the birds and their surroundings. Grades 2-4

One morning, two frisky puppies leave the family farm for a day of play in Chesapeake country. In spite of many promising opportunities, the fun they seek always seems to be around the next corner. They meet some Chesapeake people, but they are working, and puppies can’t work. They watch some people catching crabs, but pups and crabs don’t mix. They meet some other Chesapeake creatures, but none are looking for new playmates. By the end of the day, the tired and discouraged puppies return home to find a party in their own front yard. Everyone’s having a good time—lots of food, lots of friendly folks, lots of fun. But the pups, alas, are too pooped to play. They learned a lot today, but play must wait for another day. Tomorrow, perhaps, they’ll be happy to know there really is no place like home. For ages 5-8.

Encourage children to get outside for some fresh air and exercise with this fun, illustrated book introducing the various ways that animals move about. Children often mimic the actions of their own pets; Busy Bodies expands that tendency, inviting children to pretend to be animals and hop, run, or leap like rabbits, deer, or frogs. They ll exert a lot of energy and get healthy playful exercise with thirteen different animal actions. But it s not just about exercising the body and the imagination; children will learn new words too, as each new animal introduces a new motion. Each activity is illustrated on a double-page spread, and a short rhyme provides just enough description to get the children started. The fun doesn't end with the last page. Rather, the book encourages children to explore more animal actions and invent endless and active games to play. Grades pre-K to 2.

‘From an early age, children learn about careers. They watch people working everywhere and playtime often involves dressing up and acting out imagined jobs. This ABC book helps introduce the array of career possibilities and expands a young reader's vocabulary. A selection of jobs—two for each letter of the alphabet—are presented in whimsical sketches of children at work. From astronaut to zoologist, short verses hint at a job description in a rhyming scheme that children will love to repeat. While the focus of a favorite job will change dozens of times as a child grows, one day, one of the possibilities will be reality. Ideal for the parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or educator with career-minded children.’

Double-Talk: Word Sense & Nonsense invites children to explore homophones and shows them that words can be fun. Pairs of deliberately ambiguous words are presented in rhyming verse and illustrations across thirteen double-page spreads. On each spread, the words may sound the same, but they are used to describe two very different images. Readers must study the art to see how the words relate to the pictures. Serious or silly? Sense or nonsense? Either way, the readers will learn to study words more carefully. With the simple surprises spelled out in the illustrations, the "I-get-it!" smile grows into a full-body giggle. This laughter-inducing book is ideal for young readers and the adults that love them. Picture book–ages 0-6.

Ages birth to 6 years. From an early age, children learn about careers. They watch people working everywhere and playtime often involves dressing up and acting out imagined jobs. This ABC book helps introduce the array of career possibilities and expands a young reader's vocabulary. A selection of jobs -- two for each letter of the alphabet -- are presented in whimsical sketches of children at work. From astronaut to zoologist, short verses hint at a job description in a rhyming scheme that children will love to repeat. While the focus of a favourite job will change dozens of times as a child grows, one day, one of the possibilities will be reality. Ideal for the parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or educator with career-minded children.