255 pgs. b&w illus. 2001. Upper elementary, middle school, high school.

Piedmont residents have their own classic, in the form of THE PIEDMONT ALMANAC. Written by naturalist, teacher and philosopher Dave Cook, THE PIEDMONT ALMANAC is arranged with a separate chapter for each week of the year. Each chapter begins with a list of the flowers that typically bloom during that week, and which insects, amphibians, birds and mammals can be seen or heard.

The jewels of this volume, however, are the essays. Cook treats readers to the wonders of nature in a way that makes you want to go right outside to see for yourself! That these short essays not only teach, but inspire awe and curiosity, is a testament to Cook's skills as a writer, and the sprinkling of entries from his past journals read like poetry. Interspersed among the essays are the magical illustrations of Susan Beebe and Emma Skurnick. The inclusion of these artists' works completes the feeling that this book is a gift to the heart.

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