First published 2005
New York City pulses with wild life that most residents never notice. Matsen opens readers' eyes to the natural world flourishing within the urban landscape. Subway tunnels cut through massive geological fissures in the bedrock. Monarch butterflies navigate between towering buildings during their epic migration from Mexican mountains to Canadian forests. The city's water system channels pristine mountain rainfall through enormous underground passages spanning a hundred miles. Ancient horseshoe crabs, survivors from before dinosaurs walked the Earth, emerge each June to deposit their eggs on metropolitan beaches. Matsen transforms familiar city experiences into nature expeditions. He shows how to spot wildlife in unexpected corners and understand the geological forces that shaped Manhattan's foundation. The book turns every neighborhood walk into a potential discovery mission. Young explorers learn to see their concrete environment as part of a larger natural system. Matsen proves that wilderness adventure doesn't require leaving the city limits. His guide empowers urban families to find wonder in their immediate surroundings and connects children to scientific thinking through direct observation of their everyday world.
Genres: science, nature, adventure, non-fiction
Vibes: informative, inspiring, thought-provoking
Tropes: educational, nature-appreciation
Setting: New York City
80 pages · Hardcover · National Geographic Children's Books