Books published by publisher Snake Mountain Press

I have a question, a question for you! How do doctors become what they do?Want to know how you can become a doctor? Well, here’s the story of how good ol’ Dr. V made her childhood dream to become a doctor a reality. She had to work really hard in school. Sometimes it wasn’t easy, but the more she tried, the more she learned. Learn how good ol’ Dr. V also asked for help along the way, because people need help to reach their goals. With time and patience, she finally achieved her goal and became good ol’ Dr. V. Now, she takes good care of children just like you. If she can do it, then so can you!

“A gift to the worthy” is what one witch calls it, but fifteen-year-old Nolan would have to disagree. A jar filled with stars and dying planets is a poor reward for saving a woman from drowning. When the rescued woman asked him what he wanted, he never meant his answer of "the moon and the stars" to be taken literally. He just meant that the sea life he’d started fell far short of his dreams for heroic adventure. But now Nolan’s words have stopped the tides, the night sky is dark, panicked mobs are stoning witches in the street, and he’s carrying the fate of millions of people in a jar tucked under his spare shirt. If Nolan can’t find a way to get the universe back the way it was soon, the jar’s spell will kill every world trapped inside of it.No, Nolan doesn’t think he has a gift, and he’s not feeling too “worthy” either.Determined to save the people trapped in the jar before time runs out, Nolan races north to the Dawn Caves, where legends say that he’ll receive any one wish–if he lives that long. When Nolan meets Tylan and Kris, a brother and sister from one of Nolan’s captive worlds, he reluctantly decides that they’d be safer with him than on their own. Together the three journey north while struggling to hide Kris’s magical powers amidst the anti-magic religious fervor now sweeping Nolan’s world.

How could the loss of just one single species matter? Against a backdrop of dramatic and colorful artwork, this book tells the story of Dr. Robert T. Paine’s landmark research on ochre sea stars. His study revealed that the presence or absence of one single species can affect an entire ecosystem. The main story introduces readers to intertidal life along the Pacific coast while describing the steps of Paine’s research. Gradually revealing the connections that tie together the existence of many diverse species in this tumultuous ecosystem, the book clearly conveys the surprising importance of one individual species. Through the story and extensive back matter, readers learn about ecology, keystone species, and the invisible connections that exist everywhere in nature.

Anyone who has ever stopped to watch a butterfly flit across a mountain meadow or backyard garden will love Western Butterflies for Young Explorers. This beautifully illustrated guide helps children identify twenty-six butterflies of the western United States―one for each letter of the alphabet, from the Anise Swallowtail to the Zerene Fritillary. In between, young explorers will discover a wide variety of species, including such favorites as the Monarch, the Tiger Swallowtail, and the Painted Lady. Each entry presents a lovingly rendered watercolor of a specific butterfly along with a simple but thorough description of its caterpillar, it coloring, and its mature wingspan, as well as its range, habitat, and preferred host plant. In addition are fun facts about butterfly natural history. Did you know that butterflies identify their host plants by tasting them with their feet? Western Butterflies for Young Explorers is a wonder-filled guide for budding naturalists and their families to share.

I have a question, a question for you! How do doctors become what they do? Want to know how you can become a doctor? Well, here’s the story of how good ol’ Dr. V made her childhood dream to become a doctor a reality. She had to work really hard in school. Sometimes it wasn’t easy, but the more she tried, the more she learned. Learn how good ol’ Dr. V also asked for help along the way, because people need help to reach their goals. With time and patience, she finally achieved her goal and became good ol’ Dr. V. Now, she takes good care of children just like you. If she can do it, then so can you!

From the unwelcome prickle of the thistle to the generous shade of the catalpa tree, leaves come in a remarkable and surprising variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. Children will be delighted by the fourteen diverse North American plants depicted in Fiddleheads to Fir Trees, from weeping willow and cedar to cattail and poison ivy. The author introduces each plant with a poem and explains its leafy character in a nature note. The plants are organized by season, starting with the tender fiddleheads of a fern in early spring and ending with the snow-dusted needles of the balsam fir. Scientifically trained illustrator Laurie Caple deftly places insects and animals among the foliage in her beautiful watercolors, adding to their visual appeal.

These five captivating tales are real-life stories of animals who made a mark in Alaska history. Young readers will love Stikeen, the little dog who traversed glaciers with famed naturalist John Muir; Mark and Hannah, the intrepid mules who helped Judge James Wickersham attempt to scale Mt. McKinley; and Margie, a feisty malamute who became a mother on an expedition to explore the ancient volcanoes of the Aleutian Islands.?Sumptuously illustrated by award-winning artist Jon Van Zyle and peppered with historical photos, this engaging book will delight readers of all ages. Bonuses include several historical anecdotes and a list of places to visit.

Few things in nature can capture children's attention better than colorful wildflowers. Parents and teachers can make the most of this with Mountain Wildflowers for Young Explorers, a fact-filled and beautifully illustrated guide adults can share with the budding botanists in their lives. Author and artist Sharon Lamar's charming watercolor paintings depict 26 flowers common to Western mountains and valleys, one for each letter of the alphabet. This book is packed with extras. The illustrated glossary helps aspiring naturalists identify plants, a section notes each plant's traditional significance to Native peoples, and an appendix outlines a variety of wildflower activities for kids. This fun and fascinating book is sure to inspire kids and grownups alike to get outside and scour the mountainsides for beautiful buds and blossoms.

In Daughters of Two Nations, Peggy Caravantes tells the life stories of nine Native American women who brought change and unity to two cultures historically at odds. These short but well-researched biographies describe the hardships and triumphs of each of these courageous women as they spoke up, spoke out, and fought their way into history. The stories in this book span centuries, from Mary Musgrove, who used her bilingual skills to help settle the future state of Georgia in the 1700s, to Wilma Mankiller, whose education and leadership ability helped her overcome her tribe�s prejudice against women to become the first female Cherokee chief in 1985. In between are tales of dancers, teachers, storytellers, and activists who made a difference in the world�or, more precisely, in two worlds.Perfect for school or home, Daughters of Two Nations is both a valuable historical resource and an entertaining read for young and old, complete with stunning full-color illustrations by Carolyn Dee Flores.