Ocean State Libraries

Honeybees are a crucial part of our food chain. As they gather nectar from flowers to make sweet honey, these bees also play an important role in pollination, helping some plants produce fruit. But large numbers of honeybees are disappearing every year . . . and no one knows why. Is a fungus killing them? Could a poor diet be the cause? What about changes to bees' natural habitat? In this real-life science mystery, scientists and beekeepers are working...

"A look at the plight of the golden lion tamarin for children."-- "Traces the effort to save the golden lion tamarin, whose habitat was being destroyed by logging, by applying knowledge of their unique family structure to housing them appropriately in captivity before releasing them into the wild." --

"The African Penguin population is critically low, due to various factors including climate change. Scientists and volunteers with a South African organization are helping to rescue these endangered birds by rearing abandoned chicks."-- Despite South African government efforts to protect the penguin colonies and their ocean fish supply, young penguins still struggle to survive. Fuzzy chicks waiting for food in open nests may overheat in the sun or...

"Southern white rhinos are in trouble. For years, a rumor has been spreading that their horns can be used to cure cancer, and poachers have been targeting these creatures. Sandra Markle takes readers behind the scenes to see how civilians, volunteer organizations, and African governments are working together to protect rhinos." --

Presents the story of whale sharks-- the largest fish on the planet. Facing threats from commercial fishing as well as climate change, they were categorized as endangered in 2016. Despite the marine sanctuaries set aside to protect whale sharks, their population is still decreasing. These gentle giants may be accidentally caught in fishing nets, fished by poachers, or hit by a ship's propeller. But new conservation methods, which include enlisting...

"This fascinating look at Gobi bears-the rarest bears on the planet-includes the story of why so few of these bears remain and what scientists are doing to help this critically endangered species." --

"Follow along on a scientific expedition to a remote area of the Honduran rainforest where an ancient city once stood. Discover artifacts as well as the incredible animals that are flourishing free from human influence"--

Honey bees are among the world's most important insects. They help pollinate many of the crops we depend on for food. Without them, the global food supply would be in great danger. In 1998, beekeepers in Europe made a shocking discovery—almost all of the honey bees had disappeared from their hives. Several years later, beekeepers in the United States found that many of their honey bees had vanished too. Scientists called this disappearance colony...