Laurence Pringle

Imagine a Dragon
"It provides a good introduction to dragon myths in world literature. The pictures...are strong and powerful...The book will be a great addition to any collection whose users are into the current dragon stories."
--Library Media Connection


"An especial treat for young dragon lovers, though the abundance of text makes Imagine a Dragon ideal for readers who are just about ready to move beyond picturebooks."

--Midwest Book Review

American Slave, American Hero: York of the Lewis and
Clark Expedition
Some quotes from reviews:

"This handsome tribute to Clark's near-lifelong companion and slave...Rich in eye-opening observations."
-- Kirkus

"Pringle tells the story well, describing York's contributions to this specific expedition while setting a much broader context. -- School Library Journal

Penguins! Strange and Wonderful
Some quotes from reviews:

"Pringle's straightforward writing packs in an impressive amount of scientifically rich information about penguin species, habitats, where on earth they can be found, how they move, and the fascinating details of reproduction."
-- The Hornbook

"Enthusiastic and wonderfully informative, this will grab readers and listeners alike." -- Kirkus

Snakes! Strange and Wonderful
"From the opening series of questions (Can you climb a tree without using arms or legs? Snakes can") to the final page on "Snakes and People" throughout history, this fascinating book offers an excellent introduction to the subject. Well-researched and vividly written...Even children who think they know all about snakes will probably learn something new here."--Booklist

Bats! Strange and Wonderful
"If you were a bat, you could stay up all night." So begins Pringle's child-friendly introduction to bats. Carefully crafted to overcome misconceptions and fears concerning bats, the text also provides basic information about the variety and habits of the flying mammals as well as their importance in the ecosystem...The text never descends to a "gee-whiz" tone, and the book is stronger for it...Presented with respect for the subject and for the audience, this is one of the best of the many bat books, especilaly for a somewhat younger audience." --Booklist

Sharks! Strange and Wonderful
"Sharks have been a much-maligned creature in popular culture over the years but, as Laurence Pringle points out in this reasoned introduction, humans are a much greater threat to sharks than sharks are to humans. Once again, Pringle shows his mastery at meeting young children where they are and then expanding on the knowledge they are already likely to have...No matter what attitude about sharks young readers bring to this book, they are likely to come away with a deeper respect for these creatures." --Kathleen Horning, Cooperative Children's Book Center

Octopus Hug and Bear Hug
Mom goes out for the evening, leaving Dad at home with two grumpy kids. But Dad knows how to get them out of that mood, with warm and wonderful physical play that is sometimes called roughhousing. One thing leads to another, and another, and the one child awake when Mom comes home has a exciting list of games to report, including a strange way to give a hug.

Octopus Hug lead to Bear Hug, in which Dad takes Jesse and Becky on their very first camping trip, to wild Black Bear Lake.

A Dragon in the Sky: The Story of a Green Darner
Dragonfly
This is the story of a green darner dragonfly named Anax. He is hatched in a swamp in western New York, grows up, and migrates hundreds of miles to Florida. Each stage of Anax's development--from embryo, to nymph, and finally to mature dragonfly--is chronicled, as are the threats from predators that Anax faces along the way.

Dog of Discovery: A Newfoundland's Adventures with Lewis and Clark
"Pringle closely follows ..the adventures of Seaman as they appeared in the journals of Lewis and Clark, and the loyalty and devotion he exhibited as he risked his life many times… Intriguing sidebars, maps, historical illustrations, and original art make this a treasure trove of information about the expedition, and the dog that was its most unusual participant."

Come to the Ocean's Edge
"A poetic text and beautifully composed watercolor paintings describe coastal creatures and their habitat. Beginning at dawn, when "fog's wet breath hides the seashore" and gulls take flight, "their shadowy forms like ghosts in the mist," Pringle takes readers through a 24-hour period…A wonderful choice to share with children before a summer vacation or to use as an introduction to an ecology unit."

An Extraordinary Life: The Story of a Monarch Butterfly
An Extraordinary Life won the Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children. The award committee of the National Council of Teachers of English judged it to be the best nonfiction children's book published in 1997.