Copper and the Tree Frog

Caution! This book may lead to kids frog calling and owl hooting around your home or library. Other side effects may include laughing out loud, a strong desire to go outside, and increased interest in nature. Copper enjoys the comfortable life of an ordinary house cat: playing with crinkly toys, eating from a bowl piled high with food, sleeping in a plushy bed, and conducting embarrassing personal grooming in front of houseguests. But Copper also craves adventure, and that's hard to find when you're stuck inside the house. Her appetite for adventure is soon satisfied by a visit from Riley, a peculiar green tree frog who represents the FLOCC, a special wildlife squad. Another member of the FLOCC, Benny the night heron, is in trouble. His chicks are disappearing one by one, and suspicion of a traitor in the FLOCC has forced the group to ask an indoor animal for help. To solve the mystery and prove herself to the FLOCC, Copper will have to overcome her fears and plunge deep into the gloomy rookery where the night herons make their home. Along the way, she'll meet creatures she never imagined, face dangers she never anticipated, and clean some pretty gross stuff off her fur . . . somehow. Copper's adventure is chock-full of Copper's Distract Facts, named for her Acute Feline Distractitis, which share funny nature facts related to her adventure. A bonus section at the end of the book also teaches kids about scientific names and shares the special origin behind the name for each of Copper's friends. This middle grade novel is perfect for ages 8 to 12. The companion website at distractfacts.com includes even more resources for kids to explore and to inspire them to get outside and experience what the natural world has to offer.