Animal Crossing: New Horizons is an extremely popular video game right now, and it can be a surprisingly good tool for getting children interested in animals and nature. One of the best parts of the game is finding all of the items for the museum. It’s exciting to spot a new insect or dig up a missing fossil and hear the curator, Blathers, share a fun fact about each of those items. Kids who want to become experts like Blathers on insects, dinosaurs, and more should check out these nonfiction books from our online collections.

ADML/Overdrive (Overdrive and Libby apps):

Amazing Bees by Sue Unstead

The Big Book of Dinosaurs by DK Publishing

Crazy Creepy Crawlies by Isabel Thomas

Dinosaur Bones by Bob Barner

Dinosaurs by Mary Pope Osborne

Dinosaurs from Head to Tail by Stacey Roderick

hoopla Digital Media:

Animals in the Ocean by John Wood

Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! by Bob Barner

Crafts for Kids Who are Learning About Insects by Kathy Ross

Dinosaur World by William Potter

Ladybugs by Christina Leaf

Praying Mantises by Colleen Sexton

eRead Illinois (Axis 360 app):

Dinosaur Days by Joyce Milton

A Dragonfly’s Life by Ellen Lawrence

Endangered and Extinct Fish by Jennifer Boothroyd

Endangered and Extinct Invertebrates by Jennifer Boothroyd

Explore Honey Bees! by Cindy Blobaum

The Life Cycle of a Butterfly by Colleen Sexton

– Cindy, Youth Services Assistant