Our Natural Homes: Exploring Terrestrial Biomes of North and South America (Our Perfect Planet)

Defines the Earth's land ecosystems through the characteristic plants and animals found in each

Sneed B. Collard III Author The main focus of Sneed's work has always been nature, science, and the environment. His writing has drawn from both his formal education, as well as from extensive travels to the Middle East, Asia, Australia, Central America, and other parts of the world. His articles have appeared in The Humanist, Environmental Action, Florida Wildlife, Islands, Cricket, Highlights for Children, and many other publications.

Sneed is also the author of several children's books, including Creepy Creatures, Our Wet World, Our Natural Homes, Sea Snakes (Boyds Mills Press), Smart Survivors (NorthWord Press), Animal Dads (Houghton Mifflin) and Monteverde (Franklin Watts). These books have won a number of awards and honors from organizations such as the American Library Association, New York Public Library, National Council of Teachers of English, and Reading Rainbow.

Currently, Sneed resides in Montana where he continues to write books, articles, and stories for young people.

Illustrator: James Needham

James has illustrated many nature-themed books for children, including Our Wet World,written by Sneed B. Collard III (Charlesbridge, 1998); One On A Web,written by Ginger Wadsworth (Charlesbridge, 1997); Can We Save Them?,written by David Dobson (Charlesbridge, 1996); Exotic Birds,written by Marilyn Singer (Doubleday, 1990); Black Beauty,written by Anna Sewell (Hugh Lauter Levin, 1992); and Do Fishes Get Thirsty?,written by the New England Aquarium (Franklin Watts, 1991). One Tiger Growls(Charlesbridge, 1999) is his second collaboration with Ginger Wadsworth and will be available in the spring.

James often visits schools to talk to children about natural history, animals, plants, insects, and art. He has gone scuba diving in the Caribbean and enjoys exploring nature. He currently lives in Colorado.