Slow Down and Be Here Now by sales-abramsbooks

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WRI TTE N BY

Laura bran d I LLUSTRATE D BY

FREYA HARTAS

N E W YO R K

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What can I say that I have not said before? So I’ll say it again. The leaf has a song in it. Stone is the face of patience. Inside the river there is an unfinishable story and you are somewhere in it and it will never end until it all ends. Take your busy heart to the art museum and the chamber of commerce but take it also to the forest. The song you heard singing in the leaf when you were a child This is an advance, uncorrected proof. is singing still. Not resale, I amfor of years lived, duplication, so far, seventy-four,or reposting. Please do not quote without and the leaf is singing still. comparison to the finished book.

—“What Can I Say” by Mary Oliver

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C O NT E NTS SLOW DOWN . . . AND BE HERE NOW

1 6 BE HERE NOW

28 6 SEE A GRASSHOPPER . . . JUMP!

2 6 WATCH A HARVEST MOUSE BUILD A NEST

30 6 WATCH LICHEN TRANSFORM WITH WATER

4 6 SEE A FIREFLY GLOW IN THE DARK

32 6 EXAMINE A PILL BUG AS IT ROLLS UP

6 6 WATCH A SNAIL HIDE INSIDE ITS SHELL

34 6 WATCH A FROG CATCH A FLY

8 6 WATCH A DUCK COAT ITS FEATHERS WITH OIL

36 6 SEE A LADYBUG EMERGE

10 6 SEE FLOWERS BLOOM . . . AT NIGHT!

FROM ITS PUPAL CASE

12 6 WATCH A FAMILY OF HERMIT CRABS MOVE INTO 14 6 16 6

38 6 SEE A LEAF-CUTTER ANT CUT This is an advance, uncorrected proof. NEW HOMES CARRY A HEAVY LOAD Not for resale, duplication,ANDor reposting. Please without FOLLOW DANDELION SEEDS AS THEY FLOAT AWAY do not quote 40 6 WATCH A BEETLE POLLINATE A comparison to the finished book. DISCOVER HOW A BEE COOLS ITS HONEY MAGNOLIA FLOWER

18 6 FOLLOW A HUMMINGBIRD AS IT DRINKS FROM A FLOWER

42 6 COME INTO THE HERE AND NOW

20 6 WATCH A CATERPILLAR CREATE ITS OWN LEAF TENT

44 6 INDEX

22 6 SEE A GOLDFINCH EXTRACT TINY SEEDS FROM TEASELS

46 6 FURTHER READING

24 6 WITNESS TWO TINY SNOWFLAKES BECOME ONE

47 6 SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

26 6 EXAMINE AN EARTHSTAR MUSHROOM AS IT BLOOMS

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be h e re now When you worry about the future, when you fret about the past, it can be quite difficult to stay in “the present”—the moment you are in right now. Sometimes, when you feel a twist in your tummy or a fuzziness in your head, it is almost impossible to find joy, feel peace, or follow curiosity. But there are ways you can look after yourself and calm your body and your mind. Being immersed in nature is just one of them. This book is an invitation to journey into the natural world, to enjoy some of the extraordinary events that take place every day, and to get up close with the many fascinating creatures that thrive within it. Come and follow the busy ants as they march up and down a tree, watch an earthstar mushroom as it bursts in the rain, and be captivated by a hummingbird as it takes a few sips of sweet nectar. These little moments are happening every minute of every day and sometimes, all you need to do to see them is to slow down . . . and be here now. This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

WATC H A HA RVEST M OUSE BU I LD A NE ST

O n e o f t h e w o r l d ’ s s m a l l e s t ro d e n t s , t a l l y e a r ro u n d , w e a v i n h e h a r v e s t m o u s e k e e p s b u s y g nests wi t h g re a t s k i l l .

Its spherical breeding nest is where it sleeps during the day, keeping warm and providing a safe place for its babies. This friendly, golden-furred mouse is an incredibly agile climber, and with the help of a unique “grasping” tail, it can scale plants with ease.

You might be lucky enough to spot one clinging to a drying wheat stalk in search of the perfect place to build a breeding nest. It will set to work in a variety of habitats, such as high up within taller grasses near water in warmer months, and lower down in winter, so that it can be closer to food, water, and shelter. Let us watch as this harvest mouse teases the grasses with her teeth before using them to weave her temporary home . . . Through the dry tangle of the yellowing field we see Harvest Mouse, busy in the heat of a summer’s day.

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Harvest Mouse can curl the top third of her tail and use it almost like an extra hand. It’s perfect for grasping onto tall stems.

Running back and forth, she uses her paws to clutch at strands of low grass, and her teeth to pull and tease off ribbons. Then, she moves on to longer stems . . .

As she scampers up a blade of grass, it bends slightly, so she wraps her special tail around it for extra support, breaking and stripping the leaf sheath away.

Harvest Mouse has collected some fine materials to shuttle back to her chosen nesting place. We follow her as she scurries through the grass. She stops in a quiet spot near a mess of brambles. Here, we spot the beginnings of her nest.

Harvest Mouse drops her materials and starts to loosely weave the soft, leafy parts with the longer, hardier blades.

The grasses that Harvest Mouse uses to weave her nest are bound to nearby This means heruncorrected structure is safe anplants. advance, and secure from the elements.

This is proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without created comparison a tufty, hollow, fluffy to the finished From inside, book. she pulls at the

Once she has ball of grasses, she snuggles inside it.

grasses and further binds them together to hold fast to her breeding nest, ready for her young.

SEE A 5 F I REF LY

G L OW I N T H E DA R K Flashes of light decorate the dark night sky . . . I t ’ s a g ro u p o f f i re f l i e s in action! This unique species of beetle produces a rhythmic light sequence, which not only protects it from predators but also helps it find a mate.

The firefly is able to start and end a chemical reaction inside its body, which sets a light organ in its abdomen aglow! This process of lighting up is called “bioluminescence.” But unlike, say, a light bulb, which gives off heat as well as light, a firefly can light up without burning up! All the energy created within a firefly’s body is given off as light, meaning it stays cool as well as safe. Let’s watch fireflies sparkle at dusk . . .

This anthisadvance, uncorrected proof. It’s a warm evening, and is across quiet glade in the forest, all we hear are the chirrups of crickets.

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In the stillness, we spot a tiny flash of light ahead of us above the long grass. PING!

It flashes again. PING! PING! It is Firefly!

Firefly bounces up and down in the air, his luminous glow in sync with his movements.

During this mesmerizing performance, he signals to females sitting and watching in the grass below. He is hoping for a response! Female fireflies choose a mate based on specific flash patterns. He gets one! Now two lights bounce along together, back and forth. Firefly and his mate are communicating across the glade!

Before long more fireflies join in, until the clearing is filled withproof. twinkling lights. This is an advance, uncorrected

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A magical glow illuminates the pine trees in the forest as Firefly and his friends continue their dance on this balmy night.

Firefly larvae also light up at night as a warning to hungry predators to stay away!

5 HI DE I NS I DE I T S S H E LL WATC H A SN A I L

T h e s l o w - m o v i n g g a rd e n s n ail is a type of lusk, mol o f t s b s t o i d y i s p ro t e c t e and d inside a h a rd o u t e r s h e l l .

Snails are born in their shells, which are spongy at first and become stronger, holding most of their internal organs as they grow. A garden snail cannot survive without its shell and will retract inside it when threatened by a predator.

During dry or cold weather, it will also seal the opening of its shell, helping to maintain a moist and comfortable environment. You might also notice a snail trail in your garden or on a path, glistening in the sun. Take a closer look here as a snail retreats into its own personal hiding place . . . It’s a wet summer’s day, and the last drops of rain bounce from the leaves in the bushes onto the grass below.

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Slowly, smoothly, Snail creeps along the pebbly path, its silvery trail shimmering behind it.

Up and down . . . across the ground, Snail ventures further, seeking a passage with its tactile tentacles.

A l l snails have a radula on their tongue, a stretchy strip of thousands of tiny “teeth” arranged in rows. A garden snail has around fourteen thousand “teeth,” which it uses like a file to scrape and grind its food.

Snail spies a juicy leaf. Everything is quiet and peaceful, until . . .

Snail trails act like glue, helping the snail stick to its food, like leaves and stalks. When the snail is on the move again, the trail becomes silky-smooth, making it easier to glide along. A crow's shadow takes Snail by surprise. Like lightning, Snail withdraws into its shell, narrowly avoiding the peckish bird.

Snails cannot see well and they don’t hear at all. Instead, they use their very strong uncorrected proof. sense of smell to find their way toward food.

This is an advance, Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without Snail waits until all is calm . . . slowly uncoiling from comparison to the finished shell to book. survey its surroundings with its feelers.

What a risky game of hide-and-seek!

its

5 c oat i t s f e at h e rs wi t h oi l WATC H A D UC K

QUACK!! QUAAAACK!! A team of duc k s fe e d i n g a n d p re e n i n g at the water’s edge is one of na t u re ’ s e v e r y d a y d e l i g h t s . Both the brown-speckled females and the silky-green males can spend hours cleaning and smoothing their feathers. Because ducks spend a lot of time in water, they must keep their feathers waterproof using a special oil called preen oil. This oil comes from a gland above their tail feathers. They collect it with their beaks and carefully coat their feathers. This locks together the barbules (pointy fringe) of their outer feathers, creating a warm, dry seal that protects them from the water and helps them float. Let’s see a duck’s clever raincoat in action . . . The riverbank is full of life. Duck waggles among the other birds, foraging for food.

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A group of ducks is also known as a raft, a paddling, or a flock.

She curls her long neck toward the pond, seeking out small insects, water snails, or perhaps a tasty tuft of grass.

Duck moves to a quieter spot, where she shakes and ruffles, showing off the soft, downy feathers of her plumage.

Duck settles there and takes the time to preen herself. She nuzzles her beak between her tail feathers before smoothing down her wings with the silky preen oil.

She repeats this back

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without and forth all over her coat, to which the becomesfinished more silken with every stroke. Back comparison book.

and forth she oils.

She launches into the water, droplets rolling off her coat as she paddles away.

A gray cloud hovers overhead and it starts to rain. Duck stands up and waddles toward the pond.

S EE F LO W ERS BLO OM... at NI G H T !

M a n y f l o w e r s a re e n j o y e d i n g a rd e ns and parks in the daytime, but once the su n goes down, the night-bloomers co m e t o l i fe . These nocturnal flowers are often lighter in color and give off a strong fragrance, which helps them to attract pollinators like moths, beetles, bats, and night-feeding birds. Species such as evening primrose, moonflower, and wisteria wake at dusk. Their petals have been closed all day and begin to unfurl as darkness falls. Jasmine is another type of plant that starts to thrive when the day’s light has faded. Let’s watch as the night-blooming jasmine awakens on this summer’s night . . . It is a warm and clear evening, which means there is a blanket of stars in the sky.

Jasmine’s bottle-green, waxy leaves reflect dashes of moonlight, and its flowers uncorrected proof. start to twinkle like constellations above us. duplication, or

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A cat is enchanted by a scent in the air. She follows the aroma and finds a night-blooming plant. Jasmine!

Night-blooming jasmine is part of the nightshade family of plants, along with vegetables such as potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers.

One by one, Jasmine’s flowers start to open out, facing skyward. POP . . . POP!

What seem to be hundreds of floral heads appear as Jasmine announces itself with tiny trumpets. Jasmine is now in full bloom, its fragrance beckoning the nocturnal pollinators.

Jasmine has one of the strongest scents in the plant world. Its perfume can spread up to five hundred feet beyond its flowers!

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without As the night rolls on, a moth comparison togoes, thesipping finished book. comes and sweet nectar from the celestial shapes.

The cool morning arrives and Jasmine slowly starts to close up again, bidding farewell to the rising sun.

WATC H A FA M I LY O F HERMI T C RABS M OVE I NTO NE W H OME S

crabs, hermit crabs don’t hav Unlike other e a h a rd e x o s k e l e t o n . I n s t e a d , t h e y n abandoned seashell to slip insid . must find a e — a w a r m , s a fe p l a c e t o c a l l h o m e

When a hermit crab grows out of its shell, it moves into a larger, more suitable one. Hermit crabs live in large groups, and among themselves, they organize a resourceful system of shell-swapping!

Forming a line from largest to smallest, the biggest crab scutters over to a new home that seems just the right size, and then slips out of its old shell. The next crab in line makes its way to the now empty shell, and so on, until the smallest crab is safely housed in the last of the shells. With well-kept shells in high demand, this can sometimes cause chaos! Let’s watch as a family of hermit crabs move into their new homes . . . The water gently laps the seashore along the rock-strewn beach.

One small, pebbly shape catches the eye as it moves . . .

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we see Hermit Crab scuttling along. She has outgrown her shell and is in search of a bigger home.

stops . . .

. . . then moves again, between seaweed strands. 12

If a hermit crab cannot find a suitable shell, it will move into another object, such as a tree nut hull or a piece of beach litter, rather than go unprotected.

She’s followed by the smaller crabs in her family, who clamber and clutch at their neighbors. A large, empty mollusk shell glints ahead of them. Hermit Crab spies her chance.

Taking her big claws, she SNIP-SNIPS . . .

. . . rolling the shell so that the opening faces her.

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Close behind, her family finds her discarded shell, which becomes a happy home for her sibling. And so it continues . . .

She crawls out of her old shell and into the new one. The perfect fit!

FO L LO W DA N D EL I O N SEEDS as t h e y F LOAT AWAY

T h e h u m b l e d a n d e l i o n h a s b ro u g h t fo o d , m i c i n e , ed o d o h g d a l i m h e c s to our pa and s t u re s fo r m i n s o f y e a r s ! llio Popping up across lawns, in meadows, between patio cracks, and on the sides of busy highways, these flowering plants take root even in the most unexpected places. Starting their life as bright yellow, starlike flowers, they close up after a few days and purse together before reforming into fluffy, white seed heads. Although dandelions are enjoyed by insects for their rich and nutritious pollen and nectar, they do not rely on animals for growth—they are, in fact, self-pollinators. Now, let’s watch these tiny seedlings fly . . . and multiply! Across a meadow, we see an abundance of seed heads shining out at us. And little Mouse!

Mouse scuttles left and right between the flowers, climbing up a long, tall stem. SQUEAK!

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Dandelion looks ready to burst!

Scientists discovered that the dandelion’s fluffy seeds are just the right size, shape, and weight to be carried long distances.

As the breeze picks up, Mouse sniffs the air, and one seedling floats by her tiny nose . . .

spinning around as it goes.

up, up , and away . . .

The wind forms a pocket of low pressure just above the seed, sucking it up into an easy, breezy cruise through the air.

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Carried on the breeze, it lands in a field nearby.

Here it rests for some time on the soil . . .

Dandelions are from the same family as the sunflower. When they are fully grown, they also have a bright yellow flower. The flower dries out over a few days, transforming into the fuzzy, white seed head.

. . . ready for the whole process to begin again.

D I S C O VER HO W A BEE C O OLS I T S H ONE Y

H o n e y b e e s a re

f l y i n g i n s e c t s k n o w n fo r t h e i r w a x y h i v

Worker honeybees visit flowering plants that have protein-rich pollen and sugary nectar.

e s a n d t h e s w e e t , g o l d e n h o n e y t h e y p ro d u c e .

Honeybees suck nectar from the blossoms through proboscises (straw-like tongues) and then store it in their honey stomachs: tiny pouches in their digestive system.

When they’re full, the workers return to the hive to deliver their load to waiting house bees, who chew on the nectar, passing it from bee to bee until it turns into a runny substance, which they pack into the hive’s honeycomb cells. Then, they flap their wings thousands of times to cool the liquid until it turns into sticky honey! Let’s take a closer look at this extraordinary process in action . . . A beehive sits in a wildflower meadow. is an advance, Honeybees are darting to andThis fro, foraging nectar from daisies, clovers, and cornflowers. Not for resale,

uncorrected proof. Inside the hive, a chaos of humming loudly duplication, orand clambering reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

bees BUZZZZZ, over one another.

This humming is in fact the bees at work in perfect harmony— transferring honey, communicating with each other, and keeping busy through the day until early evening.

When the last of the foragers returns to the hive, we see a well-organized group of bees doing a very important job at the entrance. They are cooling things down!

There are over twenty thousand species of bees in the world—but only eight types of honeybees.

Beating their wings in unison, the bees generate ventilation to keep the hive happy and healthy.

A honeybee’s wings beat 11,400 times per minute.

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please As the quote working daywithout draws to a close for some The bees’ delicate but powerful wings create enough airflow todo not honeybees, others are starting their shifts in the cool and set the last of the day’s comparison honey haul in the hive'sto cells. the finished book. hive until the morning sun shines again.

FO L LO W A HUMMI N GBI RD as i t dr i nks f rom a f lowe r

This is the sound of t HMMMMM! he world ing t a r g i ’ m s t s s m e l a l i m d a s i r, beating t hover r. its win ib rd a s i g s a n d re a c h i n g fo r n e c t a This tiny, beautiful bird is incredibly fast and can feed on thousands of exotic and well-adapted blooms each day. At the end of its long tongue is a forklike tip, which it uses to grab nectar before retracting it back into its beak so it can enjoy the sugary liquid. High-protein nectar, along with tiny insects, are essential to a hummingbird’s survival and help restore its energy after all this busy work! Let’s watch as the ruby-throated hummingbird hovers over this bright flower . . . The flowering vines of the trumpet creeper cascade into the garden. Large funnels of orange flowers face toward the sun—a warm welcome Hummingbird! This for is an advance,

He takes off from the bed-branch where he has rested overnight, powering himself upward with strong, deliberate uncorrected proof.strokes—up, up, and up!

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HMMMMM!

He lingers at a beautiful bloom. Now we can see his ruby-red collar, shimmering in the sunlight.

He dives, dipping his long beak into the funnel-shaped flower.

His stretchy tongue leaps out, curling around the nectar to trap the liquid and working like a pump to push it down his throat. GULP!

And again—to another flower!

This

Hummingbirds can see ultraviolet light, which is invisible to the human eye. This means that pink, red, and purple is an advance, uncorrected proof.flowers are particularly attractive to them. Not for resale, duplication, or

reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book. He will

spend much of the morning hovering—HMMM— and drinking . . .

. . . until he is full, and ready for a quiet moment back on his bed-branch.

WATC H A CATERP I L L A R C RE AT E I T S OWN LE A F T E NT

Spotting a spiky black caterpi llar on a nettle leaf is a bit like finding a t re a s u re ! Caterpillars use leaves to weave shelters for protection from predators and also as a food source, filling themselves up on green goodness. MUNCH! MUNCH!

When they have reached a suitable size, they will vacate these tentlike homes and start to pupate, transforming from caterpillars into butterflies.

The caterpillar uses its cremaster, a “support hook” at the base of its abdomen, to attach to a leaf stem. Then the process begins. A hardened case called a chrysalis forms around the caterpillar pupa. Now wrapped in its chrysalis, it has everything it needs for metamorphosis, developing long, elegant legs, wings, and antennae. Let’s watch Caterpillar build her protective tent before her great transformation . . . Caterpillar surprises us with her sharp-looking spikes as she moves around on a This nettle. WIGGLE! is anWIGGLE! advance,

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Crawling back and forth, she seeks a spot where she can build her home.

First, she slackens the terrain. A few nibbles at the base of the leaf ensure that it is ready to fold.

Now she gets to work, weaving her magic. She attaches her fine silken thread to one jagged nib of the leaf and then, working just like a needle, she stitches it across.

Caterpillars are primarily nocturnal. This means they mainly come out at night to feed on the leaves of plants they find in the area or other popular choices such as grasses, mosses, and lichens.

Slowly drawing both sides of the leaf inward, she stitches back and forth, the strands of silver shimmering.

As she laces the leaf

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the the together, it curls in and tightens. Over nextfinished few days, she book. will eat her way

out before making a bigger tent.

Some caterpillars can consume up to twentyseven thousand times their body weight during their larval stage.

Four weeks later, she's grown. Now she’ll make her final tent and start to pupate. Soon, a beautiful butterfly will emerge!

5 extract tiny seeds from teasels S E E A GO L D F I N C H

s c h a n g e f ro m a u t u m n t o w i n As the season t e r , n a t u re ’ s s e e d h e a d s d r y o u t . . . b u t t h e re s o u rc e f u l g o l d f i n c h w i l l a l w a y s f i n d fo o d .

This British variety of bird keeps busy during the daylight hours, soaring across the skies in a wavelike motion, dipping and rising in search of food and nest-building materials. The tall teasel with its cone-like head is a favorite food source for the goldfinch as well as many insects. Watch as a goldfinch uses his pointed beak to pluck seeds from a dried-out teasel.

is an advance, On the edge of the field, theThis spiky silhouettes of wild teasel—a plant similar to thistle— Not for resale, tower above ragworts and grasses.

uncorrected proof. duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

Even at a distance you can spot the excited flitting of birds between these plants. They’re feasting and foraging on a warm autumnal day.

As we approach, a fleck of yellow and a dash of red appear more clearly . . . Goldfinch is here!

The teasel barely wavers as Goldfinch perches on top of a single conical seed head, using his light feet and excellent balance to extract the tiny seeds.

Goldfinch prods and pulls his sharp, strong beak back and forth, back and forth, to tweeze out fluffy bedding in between seed snacks. He stores the bedding to take back to his nest. Some seedlings escape and float off into the air as Goldfinch almost reaches his fill.

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book. As others arrive in the surrounding foliage, Goldfinch takes off to get on with his busy day ahead.

A group of goldfinches is called a “charm.” This comes from the old English word “cirm,” meaning “birdsong”— a perfect fit for this bird with its charming calls!

The American goldfinch is a common garden bird. It has very different markings— the male is bright yellow with a black forehead and wings.

W I T N E S S T WO TI N Y SN O W F L AKES BE C OME ONE

Yo u m i g h t a l r e a d y b e f a m i l i a r w ith a six-sided snowflake, e r a a c t e u r e a l h l t y t an infinite bu n u m b e r o f d i f fe re n t t y p e s ! There are so many, in fact, that snowflakes have been grouped into categories to make it possible to study their unique natural formations. The four main ones are plated, columnar, needle, and dendrite. A snowflake starts to form when cold water droplets in clouds freeze onto dust particles or pollen grain. As this tiny ice crystal falls from the sky, more droplets freeze on the crystal and it begins to grow. Wind and other environmental conditions determine what shape the snowflake will be before it lands on the ground. Sometimes, two snowflakes collide to make something very special . . . a twelve-sided flake! If you go outside to watch, don’t forget to bundle up! BRRRR! An owl hoots in the distance as the night sky wraps around us. A hush has fallen. Looking up, we see only a handful of stars; the rest are covered by swirling clouds, backlit by the moon.

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Snowflakes are translucent, although they appear white when they fall to the ground.

Tiny specks cascade downward. The world feels frostier as they start to fall. Snowflakes!

Countless tiny snowflakes descend from the sky . . . but we focus on just one. Snowflake is splendid in its symmetrical shape. Its six glistening spokes grow from a wheel, spinning silently.

We see another now just like it. Gaining in speed and size, this snowflake approaches until both turn in unison, earthbound.

A l l snowflakes start out as a hexagon, a six-sided figure.

Suddenly, a cosmic

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. collision! Snowflake its friend lock together. Twelve perfect or sparkling branches Notandfor resale, duplication, reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

now fall as one.

The reason that things can feel quiet and peaceful after snowfall is because snow absorbs sound waves!

K 25

EXAMINE AN EARTHSTAR MUSHROOM as i t B LOOMs

On an autumnal woodland walk, yo u might be lucky enough to find magical starlike fun gi known as earthstars. These mushrooms are related to the common spotted puffball, but they are unique because they open out in the shape of a star! On a dry day, the pointed segments fold up around the delicate puffball, or spore sac, to protect it from weather and woodland predators. When the air is moist, or during rainfall, the “star” opens up, releasing the spores into the breeze. Let’s watch an earthstar bloom during a rain shower . . . DRIP! DROP! Rain falls gently from the leafy canopy high above the forest floor. A storm is coming . . .

Among the fallen leaves and dead wood, a large, brownish bauble decorates the ground.

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This is Earthstar Mushroom. It is busy creating magic within the mycelium, a root -like, life -giving network beneath the soil, but we see it coming alive above the ground, too.

Earthstar’s wood-brown cap starts to crack and split, unveiling a contrasting spongy, cream-colored center within.

The skin slowly unfurls, forming seven pointed rays that open up around it.

Like any mushroom, what we see of an earthstar above the ground is only part of the plant: the fruiting body. The section of the mushroom underground is the mycelium, a complex web of fungal threads through which the mushroom feeds and communicates with the rest of the forest.

Fully open, the starlike base has curled under its spore sac, and it sits here proudly. We can now see where it gets its name!

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Now in full bloom, Earthstar is able to release its spores as the raindrops bounce off its spore sac.

As the rain moves over it and across the forest, its spores drift away, guided by the breeze.

SE E A G R A SSHO P P ER... J UMP !

be One of the

st high jumpers in the natural w

orld is the long-legged grasshopper.

Deep in the grasslands we see a grasshopper leaping, sometimes at a height of over ten times its body length.

Leaping is a speedy way for grasshoppers to escape predators. As they prepare to jump, they fold their long hind legs beneath their bodies, putting their large flexor muscles and springlike knees to work. After a moment’s pause, they catapult into the air before landing steadily, far beyond the reach of danger. In the thick vegetation, a grasshopper is being stalked by a spider. Let’s watch him in action as he makes his escape! It’s a warm day and this grassy pasture is lush and quiet, except for one distinctive sound. CLICK! CLICK! It is our friend Grasshopper!

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The grasshopper’s ancestors existed three hundred million years ago—before dinosaurs!

A few paces behind, Spider is spying on Grasshopper. She scuttles and weaves toward her prey.

Spider takes a few cautious steps, one long leg after the other. Her prey is close now!

Grasshopper senses danger. He presses himself into the tall grass, his long back legs folding beneath him.

He takes a second to be still again and gather his energy.

Finally, the springs in his knees launch him off the blade of grass and he catapults high into the air. Grasshopper is soaring UP! Toward the sky! As he descends, he looks down at the green world below him. This anbehind! advance, He has well and truly left is Spider

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A grasshopper’s soft body is protected by a hard shell made of chitin, the same natural substance found in the shells of crustaceans like crabs, lobsters, and shrimps.

Grasshopper lands with ease, safe and strong. Today has been a good day!

5 T RANS F ORM WI T H WAT E R WATC H L I C HEN

apted to survive in some Lichens have ad o f t h e m o s t e x t re m e p l a c e s o n E a r t h : f ro m ro c k y c o a s t s t o d r y d e s e r t s , a n d e v e n i n y o u r b a c k y a rd !

These complex life forms come in all shapes and sizes—from fluffy to crusty, hairy to flat—and they grow best on undisturbed surfaces such as tree stumps, rocks, and brick walls.

Lichens are commonly bright green, gray, or orange, but can they be found in an array of other colors. Water has a big influence on lichens, and it can even affect their behavior. Away from water, they dry out and become dormant (inactive), but when they are wet, they come to life! Let’s watch what happens to the lichen as a stormy tide rolls in . . . A seagull glides above the rocks along a beachy seafront.

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Dark green and rusty brown splotches speckle the stony surroundings. It’s Lichen, happy to have made a home here.

Lichen has engulfed one particular rock, creating a camouflage lacework of tiny floral frills.

Their textures make Lichen appear delicate . . . but is it too fragile to withstand the unpredictable conditions of a wild shoreline? Ancient Egyptians used lichen to fill the body cavities of mummies!

Stormy weather is approaching. Soon the quiet will be interrupted by fierce waves.

In a flash, salty water sweeps in–WHOOSH!– and splashes over Lichen.

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Then, as it is now hydrated and in full bloom. Its large, open blossoms bring joyful color to the sunny shore.

There are at least eighteen thousand different species of lichen, and probably many, many more!

E XA MI N E A P I L L BUG as i t rolls up

Pill bugs might behave like insects, inh abiting dark, damp places o s r g o u l n h d t e a r e ro c k s , b u t t ben h e y a re i n f a c t c r u s t a c e a n s .

Unlike most other crustaceans, which live in water, pill bugs live on land. Their bodies are protected by a tough outer shell called an exoskeleton, and they use their antennae to seek out mildew and rotting plants to feed on. Pill bugs are also known as roly-polies because they curl up into very small, pill-shaped balls to protect themselves from predators. Let’s watch this defense mechanism in action as a pill bug is disturbed by a spider! The woodland smells like earth and wood after a rain shower. Something small and silvery-gray hurries along the mottled bark before disappearing into a dark crevice. SCUTTLE! SCUTTLE! It is Pill Bug!

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Even though they live on land, pill bugs breathe through gills like fish and other crustaceans.

He pops out again on the other side of the tunnel. Ducking and diving in the shadows, he feeds on the soft, rotting wood.

Pill Bug uses his antennae to navigate the terrain, waggling them about from left to right and all around.

As he searches, his feet padding along the soft, green, mossy surface, he senses danger. Spider has appeared!

Pill bugs can dehydrate (dry out) quickly. This is why they prefer dark, moist places, away from direct sunlight.

Pill bugs shed their shells every month or so, in line with their growth.

Spider’s spindly legs don’t make a sound, but the vibrations alert Pill Bug and he stops in his tracks. As Spider takes another step forward, Pill Bug curls into a tight ball. SNAP!

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The segments of his exoskeleton wrap around him like body armor to keep him safe from harm.

As Spider scurries by, Pill Bug hides in his glossy, gray pellet awaiting stillness, before finally unfurling slowly after it's safe.

WATC H A F RO G CATC H A F LY

W i t h i t s s l i p p e r y , g re e n i s h - b ro w n s k i n a n d d i s t i n c t i v e c ro a k , r f o g n o f i m n d m o s c s a e fe t y f ro m p th re d a t o r s a n d t h e c o l d w e a t h e r c y o z m o c p ost heaps, log in p i l e s . . . a n d u n d e r g ro u n d ! Spring brings with it the promise of brighter days, spent in the abundance of ponds and shallow waters where breeding season begins.

The rest of the year is for foraging, exploring the woodlands and hedgerows to fill up on bugs, slugs, and snails! Frogs are experts at catching even the trickiest prey thanks to their long, stretchy tongues and sticky saliva. Look closely at our frog friend as he watches a fly . . . patiently waiting to put his speedy skill and unique tools into action. RIBBIT!

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without There is a gentle buzz around the wildflowers comparison to the finishedgrowing book. in the unmowed edges of this garden. Just between the blades of grass, almost in disguise . . . is Frog!

A group of frogs is called an army.

The buzzing gets a little closer now. It’s Fly!

Frog stays still like a statue, but his eyes dart back and forth while he watches Fly.

Fly stops beside a rock. Frog gets ready to make a move. He opens his mouth and his tongue bungees out, over the rocks and toward the fly. SNATCH!

Sticky frog saliva is known as a nonNewtonian fluid, meaning it can be both a solid and a liquid.

The moment Frog’s tongue hits Fly, his thick saliva turns to liquid. This It spreads is an advance, all over Fly’s body, trapping him . . Not . for resale, turning thicker and stickier.

uncorrected proof. duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

Frog blinks once, then swallows. RIBBIT!

With Fly secured, Frog pulls his dinner toward him and shuts his mouth. SNAP!

5 E M E RG E F ROM I T S PUPA L cas e S EE A L A D YBUG

Yo u m i g h t f i r s t s p o t a l a d y b u g lan i n t h e c o l d e r m o n t h s , h d i n g i n a g a rd e n o r , iding in your home! You’ve probably seen ladybugs with brightred backs and black spots, but this is a diverse species. They can appear in a multitude of patterns and colors, from orange and yellow to gray and even blue! Ladybugs move through several stages after birth before they morph into the fully grown adults we know so well. There are over five thousand different kinds of ladybugs in the world, and they all begin as a tiny egg. From these eggs hatch hungry larvae, which are black with colored speckles on their long bodies. The larvae feed for up to four weeks on tiny insects, shedding their skin several times as they grow. Once grown, the larvae become pupae, where they transform into their familiar adult stage. Let’s look at this pupa on a leaf, where one ladybug is ready to hatch! The balmy August sun beats down on a wild patch of flowering nettles, where a tiny orange-and-black podlike pupa is curled upon a jagged leaf.

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For the past week, this pupa's colorful husk, attached to the leaf by its rear, has kept it safe and secure as it develops into a ladybug.

The pupa gently pulsates and its casing starts to open.

As we move closer, we see the leaf curl upward, reaching for the light.

Emerging slowly, shedding her shell as she slips out, a golden yellow bug is born.

An adult ladybug lives for between one and three years.

The faint spots seen on her forewings will soon darken and her dazzling adult red coat will become apparent in the coming days.

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. The number Not for resale, duplication, orof spots on a ladybug’s back indicates its species, not its age, which reposting. Please do not quote without is a common myth. comparison to the finished book. For now, Ladybug scuttles off, in search of food.

Many insects have a pupal stage. A butterfly pupa is called a chrysalis.

5 S E E A L E A F - C UTTER A N T 5 CU T AN D CAR RY A H E AVY LOA D The tiny but mighty leaf-cutter an t can carry up to fifty times i g e h w t y , m d o a b k i n n w g o it one of th its e s t ro n g e s t a n i m a l s o n E a r t h !

Leaf-cutter ants are nature’s farmers. They saw off pieces of tender leaves with their strong jaws, then carry them back to the colony nest. But they don’t eat the leaves! They use them to fertilize a fungus garden, which will feed their young (larvae). Leaf-cutter ants organize their busy workforce based on the size of their heads! Ants with bigger heads cut, clip, and carry, while ants with smaller heads are in charge of patrolling and gardening—all essential roles within this complex foraging system. Let’s watch the busy leaf-cutters at work, deep in the misty Central American rain forest . . .

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. resale, duplication, or A long trail of tiny farmingNot ants isfor marching across the rain forest floor, toward the trunk reposting. Please do not quote without of a very tall tree. comparison to the finished book. Leaf-cutter ants! They hurry back and forth, up and down the tree, carrying what appear to be large pieces of foliage above their heads.

Leaf-cutter ants live in enormous colonies of up to ten million ants!

One ant is using her sawlike “pincers” with precision to cut a sharp-edged semicircle into a leaf.

Leaf-cutter ants have a clever way of communicating with one another: through the vibrations that their bodies make as they saw through vegetation.

She hooks her jaw in and snips, slicing through the leaf with ease. SNIP!

The vibrations she makes as she works summon her nest-mates to help.

They join her and get to work with their own personal scissors! Leaf-cutter ants also release a “pheromone trail” along their This is an advance, uncorrected proof. journey, producing chemicals that guide the other ants to Not for resale, duplication, or the best leaves and backreposting. home Please do not quote without again to the nest.

Snip! Snip!

comparison to the finished book.

One by one, they make a snip, securing their own slice of leaf. And then they head back down the tree trunk to the nest, where they will fertilize the fungus with the leaves.

5 P OL L INAT E A M AG NOLI A F LOWE R WATC H A B EETL E

The magnolia flower and the sap beetle s h a re a s p e c i a l re l a t i o n s h i p.

Magnolia flowers are one of the oldest types of flowering plants on Earth. Originally, they would have been pollinated by beetles or flies, long before butterflies, moths, and bees came on the scene. The brown-shelled sap beetle is the oldest-known pollinator of the magnolia. For centuries, this beetle has carried pollen from the male part of the flower to the female part of another flower, allowing it to grow and multiply! Magnolia flowers have adapted to the beetle’s presence, growing hardy petals and well-protected seeds to accommodate this clumsy pollinator, who can get a bit carried away as it eats its way around the plant! MUNCH! MUNCH! An ornate magnolia tree, with its bright pink-and-white flowers and glossy green leaves, Thiscreates is an advance, proof. a colorful canopy for uncorrected anyone who walks beneath it.

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A low-hanging branch means that we are lucky enough to peek inside a flower, where there is a lot of activity today!

It is brimming with abundant, powdery pollen!

Sap Beetle and her friends are setting to work, scurrying around. They have an important job to do and they’re scuttling toward the stamen, right at the center of Magnolia’s flower.

Pollination happens when pollen grains from the male part of one flower (anther) are transferred to the female part (stigma) of another flower.

Sap Beetle chews away, using her strong mandibles (jaws) to feast.

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While she hungrily circles around the stamen, pollen sticks to her shell.

Now, looking much dustier than when she started, Sap Beetle is ready to leave the Magnolia flower and she wanders off . . .

. . . taking pollen to another flower, continuing the process of pollination.

K 41

COME INTO THE HERE AND NOW You can slow down and be in the moment at any time of day, wherever you are. When you allow yourself to pause, it opens up the possibilities of spotting amazing, tiny miracles in the world around you: a dandelion breaking through a crack in the pavement, the dance of a feather on the wind, the surprising hues of a sky at dusk. So, let’s pause together now. Find a safe spot and stand outside . . .

Notice the ground under your feet. What’s it like? Soil or grass? Stones or concrete?

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Notice the air in front of your nose.

Wherever you are, take this moment to stop . . . It’s time to breathe and let your shoulders drop.

Now inhale: One, two, three, four.

Next exhale, count to six, then try it once more.

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You’re calmer with every breath.

Your thoughts seem bright and clear. Your senses find new depth.

K 43

INDEX

ant 38–39 antenna 20, 32–33 autumn 22

barbule 8 beach 12–13, 30–31 bee 16–17, 40 beetle 4, 10, 40–41 bioluminescence 4 bird 7, 8, 10, 18–19, 22–23 butterfly 20–21, 37, 40

caterpillar 20–21 chitin 29 chrysalis 20, 37 cloud 9, 24 cremaster 20 This is an advance, crow 7 crustacean 29,Not 32 for resale,

earthstar mushroom evening primrose exoskeleton

feather 8–9, 42 firefly 4–5 flower 10–11, 14–15, 16, 18–19, 22, 34, 40–41 fly 34–35 forest 4–5, 26–27 frog 34–35 fungus 26–27, 38–39

goldfinch 22–23 grass 2–3, 4–5, 6, 8, 21, 22, 28–29, 34, 42 grasshopper 28–29

harvest mouse 2–3 hermit crab 12–13 honey 16–17 hummingbird 18–19

uncorrected proof. duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without ice crystal comparison to the finished book. 24

insect

dandelion 14–15, 41, 42 duck 8–9 dusk 4, 10, 42

8, 14, 16, 18, 22, 32, 36–37, 41

jasmine 10–11

26–27 10 12, 32–33

ladybug 36–37 larva 5, 21, 36, 38 leaf 6–7, 10, 20–21, 22, 26, 36–37, 38–39, 40 leaf-cutter ant 38–39 lichen 21, 30–31

magnolia 40–41 mandible 41 meadow 14, 16 metamorphosis 20 mollusK 6, 13 moon 10, 24 moonflower 10 moss 21, 33 moth 10, 11, 40 mouse 2–3, 14–15 mycelium 26–27

nectar nest nettle night

11, 14, 16, 18–19, 22, 41 2–3, 22–23, 38–39 20–21, 36 4–5, 10–11, 21, 24

seed head 14, 15, 22, 23 sky 4, 10, 11, 24–25, 29, 42 snail 6–7, 8, 34 snowflake 24–25 spider 28–29, 32–33 spring 34 stamen 41 star 10, 24 summer 2, 6, 10 sun 6, 10–11, 17, 18–19, 33, 36 sunflower 15

teasel 22–23 thistle 22 tree 5, 30, 38–39, 40 trumpet creeper 18

U This is an advance, uncorrected proof.

pheromone trail 39 ultraviolet 19 PILL BUG 32–33 Not for resale, duplication, or plant 2–3, 10–11, 14, 16, 21, 22, 27, 32, reposting. Please do not quote without 40 comparison to the finished book. pollen 14, 16, 24, 40, 41 water 2, 8–9, 12, 24, 30–31, 32, 34 pollinator 10–11, 14, 40–41 wind 15, 24, 42 predator 4–5, 6, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34 winter 2, 22 preen oil 8–9 wisteria 10 puffball 26 pupa 20, 36–37

radula 7 ragwort 22 rain 6, 9, 26–27, 32 rain forest 38

K 45

Slow Down and Be Here Now

Articles inside

6 WATCH A SNAIL HIDE INSIDE ITS SHELL

6 BE HERE NOW

6 SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

6 SEE A FIREFLY GLOW IN THE DARK

6 COME INTO THE HERE AND NOW

6 FURTHER READING