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Books in Peterson First Guide series

  • Peterson First Guide to Clouds and Weather

    Vincent J. Schaefer, Roger Tory Peterson

    Paperback (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Feb. 20, 1998)
    This Peterson First guide contains easy-to-understand answers to questions about the weather, such as why the sky is blue, what makes it rain, and what causes rainbows. The book also features 116 color photographs that show how to identify clouds, with explanations of what each cloud type tells about the weather to come.
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  • Peterson First Guide to Birds of North America

    Roger Tory Peterson

    Paperback (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Feb. 20, 1998)
    Peterson First Guides are the first books the beginning naturalist needs. Condensed versions of the famous Peterson Field Guides, the First Guides focus on the animals, plants, and other natural things you are most likely to see. They make it fun to get into the field and easy to progress to the full-fledged Peterson Guides.
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  • Peterson First Guide to Insects of North America

    Christopher Leahy, Roger Tory Peterson, Richard E. White

    Paperback (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Feb. 20, 1998)
    A simplified version of the full-sized field guides makes it easy and fun to get started in the field. Peterson First Guides are the first books the beginning naturalist needs. Condensed versions of the famous Peterson Field Guides, the First Guides focus on the animals, plants, and other natural things you are most likely to see. They make it fun to get into the field and easy to progress to the full-fledged Peterson Guides.
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  • Peterson Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes

    Lawrence M. Page, Brooks M. Burr, Eugene C. Beckham, Justin Sipiorski, Joseph Tomelleri, John P. Sherrod

    Paperback (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, April 21, 2011)
    There are nearly 1,000 species of freshwater fishes in North America alone, and identifying them can sometimes be a daunting task. In fact, in just the twenty years since publication of the first edition of the Peterson Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes, the number of species has risen by almost 150, including 19 marine invaders and 16 newly established nonnative species. This second edition incorporates all of these new species, plus all-new maps and a collection of new and revised plates. Some of the species can be told apart only by minute differences in coloration or shape, and these beautifully illustrated plates reveal exactly how to distinguish each species. The guide includes detailed maps and information showing where to locate each species of fish—whether that species can be found in miles-long stretches of river or small pools that cover only dozens of square feet. The ichthyologic world of the twenty-first century is not the same as it was in the twentieth, and this brand-new edition of the definitive field guide to freshwater fishes reflects these many changes.
  • Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America

    Robert Powell, Roger Conant, Joseph T. Collins

    Paperback (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, April 12, 2016)
    A completely updated edition, including 122 newly recognized or recently established non-native species of reptiles and amphibians. The new edition of this definitive guide reflects 25 years’ worth of changes in our knowledge of reptiles and amphibians. It includes descriptions of 122 newly recognized or recently established non-native species, updated maps, and new figures and photos. Color illustrations and drawings show key details for accurate identification. More than 100 color photographs and 322 color distribution maps accompany the species descriptions. Clear and concise species accounts provide key characteristics, similar species, habitats, and ranges, as well as subspecies, voice descriptions, and conservation status. This edition will be a crucial resource for professional and amateur herpetologists, naturalists, outdoor enthusiasts, and students.
  • The Young Birder's Guide to Birds of North America

    Bill Thompson III

    Paperback (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, April 24, 2012)
    Covering 300 of the most common birds in all of the United States and Canada, The Young Birder’s Guide to Birds of North America is loaded with color photographs, drawings showing typical behaviors, range maps, an easy-to-use checklist, fun facts, and authoritative information about each bird, its vocalizations, and its habitat. While other field guides might overwhelm kids who are new to birding, The Young Birder’s Guide to Birds of North America was created with help from kids. Bill Thompson’s own son and daughter and their elementary school classes helped select the content. Kid tested, kid approved!
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  • Peterson First Guide to Trees

    George A. Petrides, Roger Tory Peterson, Janet Wehr, Olivia Petrides

    Paperback (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, May 15, 1998)
    Now there is a guidebook to trees--one of the most popular subjects in the Peterson Field Guide series--for the beginning naturalist. The 243 trees are grouped into six categories by leaf type and arrangement, making it easier for the beginner to identify unknown species. 200 color illustrations.
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  • Peterson First Guide to Shells of North America

    Roger Tory Peterson, Jackie Leatherbury Douglass, John Douglass

    Paperback (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, May 15, 1998)
    Peterson First Guides are the first books the beginning naturalist needs. Condensed versions of the famous Peterson Field Guides, the First Guides focus on the animals, plants, and other natural things you are most likely to see. They make it fun to get into the field and easy to progress to the full-fledged Peterson Guides.
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  • Peterson First Guide to Caterpillars of North America

    Amy Bartlett Wright, Roger Tory Peterson

    Paperback (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, May 15, 1998)
    Here is the first and only guide to a subject of great interest to gardeners, small children, and lepidopterists: caterpillars, the immature form of butterflies and moths. This guide describes 120 common species of these fuzzy creatures. All the caterpillars, their adult forms and many of their host plants are illustrated.
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  • Peterson First Guide to Butterflies and Moths

    Paul A. Opler, Roger Tory Peterson, Amy Bartlett Wright

    Paperback (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Feb. 20, 1998)
    Peterson First Guides are the first books the beginning naturalist needs. Condensed versions of the famous Peterson Field Guides, the First Guides focus on the animals, plants, and other natural things you are most likely to see. They make it fun to get into the field and easy to progress to the full-fledged Peterson Guides.
  • Peterson First Guide to Fishes of North America

    Roger Tory Peterson, Sarah B. Landry, Michael Filisky

    Paperback (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, May 15, 1998)
    The PETERSON FIRST GUIDE TO FISHES features 220 common and conspicuous fishes of North America, with full-color illustrations and a clear, precise description of each. The Peterson Identification System uses arrows on the illustrations and italics in the descriptions to make identifying the fish easy. Peterson First Guides are ideal for beginners.
  • Peterson First Guide to Astronomy

    Jay M. Pasachoff Professor of Astronomy

    Paperback (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Sept. 2, 2014)
    The Peterson First Guide to Astronomy provides an introduction to astronomy for beginners, featuring photographs taken from the MESSENGER spacecraft and predictions for meteor showers, comets, and eclipses. The book encourages readers to go out into the field, using the maps that show the positions of the stars throughout the year as a guide. This edition maintains the easy-to-use condensed format of the original, and makes it easy to proceed to the full-fledged Peterson Field Guide to Stars and Planets for more in-depth information.