Warblers & Woodpeckers: A Father-Son Big Year of Birding (Mountaineers Books, 2018)

• “What makes this big-year book different is the father-son bonding element . . . the picture of a teenager that emerges has the ring of truth. A proficient storyteller, Collard writes with style about their travels together . . .” —Kirkus Reviews
• “[A] charming, fun record of travels with his 13-year-old son on a quest to see as many birds as possible in a year. For those interested in basic birdwatching, natural history, ecotourism, U.S. travel, and father-son relationships, this accessible personal account is full of warmth and wonder.” —Library Journal
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  Click to Order Warbers and Woodpeckers now!

  “Accompanying Sneed and Braden Collard is a pleasure whether or not you’re a birder. And if you’re not, these travels might get you started.” —The Seattle Times

• “[I]t’s by no means a read for seasoned naturalists only. Sneed weaves in plenty of heart and humor, and the growing relationship between him and Braden is just as important as which birds they find between western Montana, Texas, Arizona and California.” —The Missoulian
• “In the grandest sense, the Big Year is more than just a game. Though few mortals will ever tackle the endeavor, most of us can appreciate the decision to follow a passion to its outer limits. Dedicating a whole year to birds is an exhausting, exhilarating, occasionally demoralizing, and addictive pursuit, and anyone crazy enough to go the distance is in for a wild ride.” —Noah Strycker, Audubon
• “We never get tired of books about Big Years….Now, writer Sneed Collard offers this gem to the genre: It’s the story of a Big Year he undertook with his then -13-year-old son, Braden. The father-son bonding tale adds a new twist to the task of traveling to various spots in search of birds. For Collard, the adventure is in the journey and the feathered surprises along the way.” —BirdWatching
• “I love big year books, I can’t deny it. And if you combine a year of birding, a little humor, and a father-son story? Well, you have me.” —The Birder’s Library
• “Warblers & Woodpeckers: A Father-Son Big Year of Birding by Sneed B. Collard III is a sweet tale of world travel and adventure, along with what birders call a “Big Year,” meaning a personal quest to see as many different bird species as possible in a single calendar year. Birders who may have their eye on doing a Big Year of their own, as well as non- birders who may find the whole idea baffling but charming, would enjoy this book about discovery and family. ” —Big Sky Journal
• “Sneed Collard has writing chops, and Warblers and Woodpeckers brings together many of his skills beautifully. Reminiscent of Bill Byson’s travel books with their sometimes slapstick anecdotes, vivid descriptions of places and humorously introspective take on life, Warblers and Woodpeckers will introduce the pastime of birding to the uninitiated and delight birding aficionados with delicious details of an epic year of birdwatching.” —Miss Yingling Reads

Woodpeckers: Drilling Holes & Bagging Bugs (Bucking Horse Books, 2018)

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  Woodpeckers—available now!

  “This is a handsome, informative resource on woodpeckers, their unusual skills, and their role in the natural world.” —Booklist (Starred Review!)

• “Spectacular photographs combine with an informative text, making “Woodpeckers: Drilling Holes and Bagging Bugs” an immediate and enduringly popular addition to elementary school and community library Pets/Wildlife collections for young readers.” —Midwest Book Review
• “VERDICT A solid addition to elementary nonfiction nature sections.” —School Library Journal
• If you’ve never read a book by acclaimed science author Sneed B. Collard III, reading Woodpeckers will send you searching for more of his titles. First of all, he and his son (at fourteen years old!) traveled around North America and took the majority of the stunning color photographs in the book. That alone shows their knowledge about and passion for their subjects. Add the fun, conversational tone of the text — sprinkled with quotes from woodpecker experts — and you have one amazing book!” —Growing with Science Blog

Hopping Ahead of Climate Change—Snowshoe Hares, Science, and Survival (Bucking Horse Books, 2016)

• Finalist for the American Association Advancement of Science/Subaru/Science Books & Films Prize for Nonfiction Science
• NSTA-CBC Outstanding Science Trade Books
• Eureka Nonfiction Award Silver Medal
• Junior Library Guild Selection
• Booklist: “Collard does an excellent job of telling the story of the snowshoe hare, while also keeping stewardship and conservation as the core message.”
• School Library Journal: “Captivating text and a stimulating use of color photographs make this a welcome addition for all environmental collections.”
• Midwest Book Review: “Impressively well written, organized and presented, “Hopping Ahead of Climate Change” is unreservedly recommended for family, school, and community library Environmental Studies and Wildlife Studies collections and supplemental studies reading lists.”
• Karen Yingling Reads: “veteran nonfiction science writer Collard gives us fascinating insights into what’s going on with this (extremely adorable) animal.”
• Winner, High Plains Books Award
• Finalist, Green Earth Book Award

Fire Birds—Valuing Natural Wildfires and Burned Forests Bucking Horse Books, January 2015

• A Junior Library Guild Selection
• NSTA-CBC Outstanding Science Trade Books list 2016
• Green Prize for Sustainable Literature
• Eureka Nonfiction Award Honor Book
• Starred Review from School Library Journal
• Two Stars (Highest Rating) from Science Books & Films
• Recommended rating by The Bulletin of The Center for Children’s Books
• Highly Recommended by Children’s Bookwatch, The Midwest Book Review
• Keystone to Reading 2015-16 List

* From Publishers Weekly: “Collard explores how a forest devastated by a fire slowly recuperates, focusing on the work of biologist Richard Hutto, who studies the birds that thrive in burned forests. Photographs of birds perched atop blackened tree trunks are striking and intriguing, as is the chronicle of Hutto’s meticulous field work (“Dick discovered that birds don’t just use or visit burned areas. Many birds depend on them”). Individual birds like the hairy woodpecker and mountain bluebird are profiled in sidebars, and a chart lists the birds that most frequently populate new burn areas. While Collard doesn’t suggest that “we should let all fires run amuck,” he challenges the practice of fire suppression, pointing to how the excess dead wood and vegetation have resulted in more extreme fires. The resounding message: forest fires offer an opportunity to learn more about nature’s spectacular resilience. Ages 8–up.”

“CARTWHEEL, award-winning author, Sneed B Collard’s YA novel is his latest book and sequel to DOUBLE EAGLE. In typical Sneed fashion, this book sparkles in several areas. The characters are not only likeable and believable, they are “spot on” developmentally and fit the time period that the book is set in, 1975. The adolescent struggle for

– Diane Kress Hower, Book Wisdom by Diane

“Sixteen-year-old Mike is pulled from an uncomfortable summer with his father, new stepmother, and their crying baby by an invitation from his friend Kyle to take a short road trip in his souped-up Bel Air Chevrolet to visit Kyle’s sister, Annie. Along the way, Mike discovers Kyle’s true goal—to take Annie away from her restrictive aunt and uncle—and he must decide between loyalties to family, the law, and friends. Mike and Kyle’s keen interest in coin collecting, and particularly in the mystery of a rare silver dollar, form the backdrop and ultimately a solution for the teens on the run.

With a high interest plot, strong male characters, and relatively easy reading level, this novel reaches out to male reluctant readers. While developing an easy to read, fast-paced narrative, Collard engages the reader with fascinating historical details related to coin collecting, the operations of the Denver mint, and auto mechanics. Moreover, as a sequel, the book offers readers who identify with these characters the opportunity to follow them on an earlier quest for a rare coin in Double Eagle.” —ALAN Picks

“The author keeps the suspense level in high gear, entertaining readers while educating them about the Denver Mint and the short-lived existence of the 1964 Peace Dollar…Toss in some geography and a few wry observations about human nature and you have a wonderful story for young readers — one that’s fast-paced and fun for older readers as well.”
– Judy Shafter, State of the Arts

“As in the previous title in the Slate Stephens Mysteries series, there is plenty of action to disguise the history lesson and propel the story around quieter moments — such as will Slate ever work up the nerve to kiss Daphne? Slate and Daphne are adept at dispensing justice with their smart, methodical, and slightly cocky approach to detecting. Criminals — you have been warned.”
– Booklist, January 2012

“After recovering a missing pet in The Governor’s Dog Is Missing (Bucking Horse Bks., 2011), Slate Stephens and Daphne McSweeney are back for another hair-raising adventure… Children who like adventure, mystery, or the Old West will enjoy this book.”
– School Library Journal, January 2012

“An excellent read-aloud, it would also do well as a book club selection or exploratory text for a writing/reading circle… an engaging blend of mystery, romance, adventure, and history.”
– Vicki Spandel, Six Trait Gurus

“An insightful and much recommended mystery for younger readers.”
– Children’s Bookwatch, Midwest Book Review

“With a pleasant, conversational text and ample, fascinating photographs, this will engage readers from beginning to end. Those already enamored of lizards will find much to like, while those less charmed may just catch some of the author’s enthusiasm for his scaly subjects. Collard’s playful style is reminiscent of a captivating nature program, complete with excellent pacing—each section ends with a cliffhanger drawing the reader onward. The many close-up photographs, often showing the lizards with what seems to be almost mammal-like expressions, are appealing, though readers are strongly cautioned against getting lizards as pets. The design of the book is also impressive: well-captioned photos are strategically placed and balanced with appealing blocks of text. A short glossary and list of further reading are included. Fans of Nic Bishop Lizards (2010) who are looking for more information on the topic will especially appreciate this title. Grades 4-7.”
— Booklist

An Oustanding Science Trade Book for Children K-12:
“This book approaches the topic with humor; engaging and scientific; outstanding photos and great text from an author who has captivated readers for years.”

“Collard stirs gang violence, government corruption, and a civic-highway-versus-parkway struggle into a tale of two boys from different centuries who bond over the same dog. After Sam follows a stray pup with a very old-style telephone number on her collar, he discovers a time gate that leads from his contemporary suburban neighborhood to the same town in 1926—and to a new friend, Rollie. Multiple trips back and forth allow pointed comparisons between Rollie’s then-prosperous community and Sam’s run-down version, and the two friends find a common threat in the town’s Cheesebro clan—a gang of bootleggers in the Prohibition era whose thuggish descendants continue to have local government officials in their pockets. Catering to younger or less able readers, the author frames his tale in short chapters and draws sharp lines between the good guys and the bad, whose comeuppance ties in with an environmentally healthy town solution. Agenda driven? For sure, but also suspenseful and closing with just desserts dealt to all.” —Booklist

“Handsomely designed, with buff pages that resemble pieces of parchment and endpaper maps, this is a fascinating look at a fresh topic.”
-Booklist, November 1st, 2010

“Fantastic action photographs accompany this delightful book about the Miles City Bucking Horse Sale held the third weekend in May in Montana. Carefully researched, Collard’s book explains the history, development, and present day excitement surrounding this annual event.”
-Children’s Literature

“With humor, mystery and pre-teen angst, The Governor’s Dog will keep reader’s attention from the first page to the last.”
-Café of Dreams Book Reviews, February 2nd, 2011

“Unlike the majority of child prodigy sleuths, Slate and Daphne, while intelligent, are also typical kids. The plot moves quickly and readers hitch a ride on Slate’s bike as he explores the city and develops his feeelings for Daphne. Collard neatly braids history, geology, and politics into the investigation, mixing interesting facts and crucial details into the mystery.”
-School Library Journal, June 1st, 2011

“Veteran writer Collard incorporates Montana history and politics, geology, and natural science into this entertaining first installment in the Slate Stephens Mysteries series. Slate is a winning narrator; his wry take on paranormal chicklit is particularly funny and will touch a nerve with boy readers who might be wondering why all the sensible girls they know are so taken with vampires. Short chapters, a good blend of action and introspection, and a hint of romance make this strong mystery a solid choice for boys and girls alike.”
-Booklist, May 1st, 2011

Writing/Speaking Awards

• Third Place, The Humanist 1987 North American Essay Contest.

• Second Place, The Humanist 1989 North American Essay Contest.

• Honorable Mention, 1990 Writer’s Digest Writing Competition, Article Category.

• First Prize, Area, District, and Division Tall Tales Contests. Toastmasters International, 1991.

• Competent Toastmaster Award, October 1992, Toastmasters International.

• First Prize, Area Evaluation Contest, Toastmasters International, 1993.

• Do They Scare You? Creepy Creatures selected as one of the 20 Best Children’s Books about the Earth by 1994 Information Please Environmental Almanac.

• Alien Invaders selected as a Best Book for the Teen Age by the New York Public Library, 1997 and 1998. Also given the highest recommendation by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

• Sea Snakes selected to the “California Collection” of notable books by California authors, 1996. Also nominated as a Best Book for Reluctant Readers by the ALA, 1994.

• Animal Dads earned starred recommendation from School Library Journal, June 1997 and is featured on CBS This Morning. Also named to NCTE/Orbis Pictus list of recommended nonfiction books published in 1997.

• Monteverde–Science and Scientists in a Costa Rican Cloud Forest earned starred recommendation from Book List, September, 1997. Nominated as a Best Book for Young Adults by the American Library Association. Named as a Best Book for the Teen Age 1998 by the New York Public Library. Chosen as one of the best books on rainforests of the 1990s by Booklist (Dec. 1997 issue).

• Our Wet World named a Reading Rainbow selection, 1998 and CBC/NSTA Outstanding Trade Science Book for Children.

• Winner of the Society of Children’s Book Writer’s and Illustrators 1997 Magazine Merit Award for Nonfiction for the article “Stopping the Alien Invaders”, Cricket, January 1997.

• Winner of the Society of Children’s Book Writer’s and Illustrators 1998 Magazine Merit Award for Nonfiction for the article “The Case of the Rain Forest Strangler”, Spider, April 1998.

• Making Animal Babies earned starred recommendation from School Library Journal, June 2000.

• The Forest in the Clouds named as Booklist’s Top Ten Science Books for Children, an IRA Teacher’s Choices selection, and CBC/NSTA Outstanding Trade Science Book for Children; finalist for the ASPCA Henry Bergh Award; selection for Top 100 Children’s Books of 2000 by Los Angeles County Schools and IRA.

• Acting For Nature named a New York Public Library “Best Book for the Teen Age,” 2001.

• Lizard Island—Science and Scientists on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef named a New York Public Library “Best Book for the Teen Age,” 2001.

• Beaks named a Junior Library Guild selection and IRA Teacher’s Choices book.

• Butterfly Count featured in the New York Times Book Review (7/14/02) and NSTA/CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book for Children.

• The Deep-Sea Floor named a Junior Library Guild selection and AAAS Outstanding Children’s Science Book.

• Leaving Home awarded starred review from Library Talk (Sept/Oct 2002).

• A Platypus, Probably named a Junior Library Guild selection and AAAS Outstanding Children’s Science Book.

• The Prairie Builders awarded starred reviews from Booklist, The Horn Book, and School Library Journal; also named a Junior Library Guild selection; winner of the Subaru/AAAS Prize for Excellence in Science Books; winner of the ASPCA Henry Bergh Award for nonfiction; a AAAS Outstanding Children’s Science Book; named to at least half a dozen prominent “Best of” lists.

• One Night in the Coral Sea named a AAAS Outstanding Children’s Science Book and winner of the John Burroughs Award for children’s nature writing.

• Dog Sense named winner of the ASPCA Henry Bergh Award for fiction; the Flicker Tail Award; and nominated to half a dozen state reading lists.

• Shep named winner of the 2008 Treasure State “readers’ choice” Award; Children’s Gallery Award.

• Recipient of the 2005 Lud Browman Award for distinguished science writing from the University of Montana Friends of the Mansfield Library

• Recipient of the 2006 Washington Post—Children’s Book Guild Nonfiction Children’s Writer of 2006 for body of work.

• Flash Point named winner of the Green Earth Book Award; ASPCA Henry Bergh Award Honor Book; the Flicker Tail Award; Banks Street best books of 2006.

• Pocket Babies receives starred reviews from Booklist, School Library Journal, and Kirkus; named Booklist Editor’s Choice for 2007; Booklist Top 10 Sci-Technology Books for Youth, 2007; Junior Library Guild selection.

• Science Warriors named a Junior Library Guild selection and Honor Book for the Green Earth Book Award.

• Wings named a finalist for the Subaru/AAAS Prize for Excellence in Science Books; named a AAAS Outstanding Children’s Science Trade Book.

• Double Eagle selected for 2010 Kansas State Reading Circle

Catalog, 2009 Society of School Librarians International Book Award, and state reader’s choice award lists for Vermont, Pennsylvania, and Missouri.

• The World Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale selected as a Finalist for the High Plains Book Award.

• The Governor’s Dog is Missing selected as Montana’s official book for the National Book Festival; finalist for the Triple Crown Award.

• Sneed B. Collard III’s Most Fun Book Ever About Lizards selected as NSTA/CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book for Children.

• Dog 4491 selected as a Finalist for the Green Earth Book Award and a 2014-15 middle school finalist for the Keystone to Reading Book Award (Pennsylvania).

• Fire Birds picked as a Junior Library Guild selection for 2015; receives starred review from School Library Journal; receives two stars (highest rating) from Science Books & Films.