Current Books

Wasps
Their Biology, Diversity, and Role as Beneficial Insects and Pollinators of Native Plants

Bees

​An Identification and Native Plant Forage Guide

Befriending Bumble Bees

A practical guide to raising local bumble bees

Pollinators of Native Plants

Attract, Observe and Identify Pollinators and Beneficial Insects with Native Plants

Forthcoming Books

Available May 2021
PAPERBACK  |  6.5" x 9.5"  | 240 pages  |  full color 
Available for Preorder
​Not unlike the wealth of wildflowers which they help to pollinate, the flower flies display a rich variety of colors and forms: from tiny ant-sized flies to large, brightly-colored mimics of wasps and hornets. This colorful group of insects has been neglected for far too long. This new field guide corrects this oversight, revealing the marvelous diversity and natural history of these beneficial insects. 

​In addition to descriptions and color photographs for 138 species, included in the guide are keys to several complicated genera and a complete checklist for all the recorded species known to Minnesota. Common, but commonly overlooked, learning about the flower flies in this richly illustrated book may, quite possibly, change your view of flies forever.

Who is This Book For?
  • For gardeners who want a guide to some of the visitors to their  flowering plants
  • For farmers who want to firm up their knowledge of beneficial insects
  • For naturalists who want to explore another curious facet of nature

PREVIEW THE BOOK

Forthcoming Books

Grandma Lisa's Humming, Buzzing, Chirping Garden

Available Early Summer 2021
HARDCOVER  |  11" x 8.5"  | 40 pages  |  full color
​Join Grandma Lisa as she enlists the enthusiastic help of her grandchildren in transforming her yard into an attractive garden for wildlife. Along the way she explains why planting native species is so important and allays the children’s fear of insects by lovingly showing them how these critters are so essential to our world. 
The family revels in working together, adding plants and other elements to the garden necessary to support a variety of wildlife. As the yard begins to teem with animals, the children are simply enthralled and delighted by the sights, sounds, and mere presence of nature found in Grandma Lisa’s garden!
​
This book’s target audience is lower elementary school grades, though upper elementary grades may also find it useful as part of a curriculum on creating natural habitat.

​If you’re looking for the inspiration to create a wildlife habitat of your own, or are simply looking to spark a love of nature in youngsters, this is the book for you. Told in rhyme, children will enjoy learning about important concepts such as host plants, compost, food webs, and so much more. The brilliant and lively illustrations are not only intriguing, but fun and instructive. But be prepared... you just may find yourself pulling on your garden gloves, picking up a shovel, and heading outdoors to bring nature into the little piece of the planet where you live.
PREVIEW THE BOOK
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We are a small, Minnesota-based, award-winning press specializing in non-fiction, natural history books. 
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We publish books in the following subject areas:
Botany
Ecology
Entomology
Sustainable Landscape Design
Sustainable Horticulture
Natural History
Nature

We are currently accepting proposals from potential authors.
BEE IDENTIFICATION SECTION
  • A comprehensive guide illustrating the bees that occur in north-central and eastern United States and southern Canada
  • ​In-depth profiles of 27 bee genera  covering  the life cycles, habitats, diet, foraging behaviors, crops pollinated, nesting lifestyles, seasonality, and preferred native forage plants
  • 12 additional summary profiles for uncommon genera
PLANT SECTION: WHAT TO PLANT FOR BEES
  • Comprehensive profiles of approximately 100 native trees, shrubs, and perennials for the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Northeast regions including insect and bird visitation information and bee specializations
  • ​Over 1500 stunning photographs, detailed descriptions, and accessible science​ ​


Winner of six book awards
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​2018 American Horticultural Society (AHS) Book Award
​2018 Midwest Independent Publishing Association (MIPA) Finalist Book Award: Nature
​2017 Next Generation Indie Book Award (NGIBA) ​​Finalist: Science, Nature, Environment
​2017 National Indie Excellence Award (NIEA) Winner: Nature

​2017 Next Generation Indie Book Award (NGIBA) Winner: Regional Non-Fiction
2017 Independent Publisher (IPPY) Silver Book Award: Environment, Ecology, and Nature