Nourishing Waters, Comforting Sky by Stephen R. Jones
Boulder naturalist, ecologist and author Stephen Jones has been visiting Pine Lake in the Nebraska Sandhills for 35 years. In his beautifully written and moving account, Jones “lends us his naturalist’s eye and compassionate sensibility…..to bring us intimately close to this natural treasure of subtle and stunning beauty “ (Chris Hoffman) and the remarkable richness of its wildlife.
We have 4 featured books, lots of Mikl’s hand-picked Children’s Books, plus an ENORMOUS INFLUX of other new books and puzzles! Our Featured books are:
Don the Rooster and Me: a true story of life, death, and the power of gratitude
Our own beloved office coordinator, Susan Shiliro Guegan (pictured left!) has written this deeply personal account of her education as an omnivore. [Read More]
Crevice Gardens Rock!
The long-awaited definitive book on crevice gardening is on its way to Harlequin’s Gardens as I write! The Crevice Garden: How to make the perfect home for plants from rocky places has been in the making for 5 years, a project undertaken by two young rising stars of horticulture in the west. Kenton Seth lives and works in the Grand Junction area and Paul Spriggs in Victoria, B.C. Both have studied the craft extensively and experimented, designed, built, planted and maintained crevice gardens large and small, public and private, in dry conditions and wet, using all kinds of stone and various planting mediums. [Read More]
Meet the Natives Author Dan Johnson, curator of Native Plant Gardens at DBG, invites you to meet the native plants of Colorado. He has updated Pesman’s classic field guide to make the guide more useful than ever before. Herbaceous flowering plants are organized by color for faster identification, and color photos assist with accurate identification. Horticultural information is included to help you bring these durable and beautiful native plants into your own garden.
Nearly everyone loves butterflies! We watch them because they’re exquisitely beautiful, but they also have magical life cycles and intricate relationships among their host ecosystems. Are you overwhelmed by the array of possibilities in field guides that cover a broad geographic range?
This expanded second edition is a user-friendly book focusing on 100 frequently seen species in the Colorado Front Range. Easily identify butterflies using over 120 striking color photos of individuals in their natural setting, and clear descriptions of both males and females. Each entry also includes that species’ habitat and life cycle, the caterpillar’s host plants, and look-alike butterflies. The introduction includes tips on where to find butterflies, how to get close to them, and what we can do to attract them to our gardens and preserve their sensitive habitats. Belongs in every Colorado hiker’s backpack or back pocket!
Dragonflies of the Colorado Front Range by Ann Cooper of the Boulder County Nature Association
Dainty but deadly, these shimmering beauties dart over ponds, streams and clearings on the hunt for prey. Showcasing 45 dragonflies and 28 damselflies, the guide covers the most common species found in the region. Accompanying over 90 brilliant photographs are descriptions of habitat, appearance, length, behavior, similar species, flight time and interesting facts for each species. Also included are tips on watching, identifying and photographing these tiny jewels. An excellent field guide for beginners and seasoned naturalists that belongs in every hiker’s backpack or back pocket!
Piece together a fascinating visual exploration of the natural world. Featuring illustrations from Julia Rothman’s best-selling book Nature Anatomy, this jigsaw puzzle will open your eyes to new ways of seeing earth and sky, flora and fauna. With each of the 500 pieces you put in place, nature’s wonders unfold: the crystalline structure of a single snowflake, the different types of feathers on a bird, a constellation of stars. A distinctive blend of art and science, this sweeping study of the universe will delight, educate, and enlighten.
Also offered are: the Nature Anatomy: Birds Puzzle, a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle featuring a selection of Rothman’s colorful illustrations of birds, nests, feathers, and more, and Ocean Anatomy Puzzle, featuring the full range of ocean-dwelling creatures. These make great gifts for nature enthusiasts, design fans, homeschooling families, and curious learners of all ages.
The Stella Natura Wall Calendar is an easy-to-use, informative and beautiful planting and gardening calendar that shows the best times to take advantage of the cosmic influences of the moon, sun and planets. This is a research-based system that is used by Biodynamic farmers and gardeners.
We have been using this calendar for over 25 years and believe it has helped with germination of seeds, root development of cuttings, and healthy plant development. More than just a calendar – it’s packed with valuable information and insights for successful growing, from seed to harvest!
Don’t be fooled by the title; a lot of the area covered is in Colorado, including Denver, Boulder and Ft. Collins. This is a very good plant ID book from by Mary O’Brien and Karen Vail with interesting descriptions. In addition, it’s an excellent herbal, giving both medicinal and edible uses. Highlighted in yellow are important “cautions”. It is presented in a respectful way honoring nature as did the Ute Indians who pioneered the use of these plants. For example, did you know that Gambel Oak “…is a good back country first aid plant to know, using the leaves as a poultice or wash for insect bites and wounds, or chewing a piece of the bark for toothaches….” Good photos. These local gals really know their stuff and we highly recommend their book!
Wildflowers of the Rocky Mountain Region, the most complete, up-to-date handbook for identifying a huge number of our wildflowers. All of the plants are described, located, and photographed, and arranged in an easy-to-use format.
The Art of Papercraft by Helen Hiebert
Papermaking with Garden Plants and Weeds, by Helen Hiebert
Handprinting from Nature, by Laura Bethmann
Enlightening, illuminating and visually extravagant, Maia Toll’s Wild Wisdom series sheds light on the magic and mystery that abounds in the natural world — animal, vegetable and mineral, and features the opulent art of Kate O’Hara. We are offering all three of the stunning 750-piece puzzles from O’Hara’s fabulous illustrations!
Scary? Maybe. Cool? Definitely. Author Pat Stadille used to be terribly afraid of these eight-legged daddies, until he started learning more about them. Now spiders are his best friends! As a nature enthusiast, we have a feeling you’re going to feel the same way, once you hear about their silky skills, hunting habits, and generally shy and gentle nature. Learn about jumpers, wolf spiders, tarantulas, and, of course, the black widow!
Spiders in Your Neighborhood features detailed drawings and photos of the critters you’ll find, and sections on types of webs, how and where to discover spiders, spider anatomy, common and odd relatives. So, grab a flashlight and your sleuthing kit and join Pat “Spiderman” Stadille on a journey around your backyard that will leave you spinning with excitement. This small book is suitable for any age.
Over 40 new pages in this exciting expanded edition! More delightful spiders to love, plus nature-journaling ideas and easy, fascinating spider science activities. Pat even shows you how to study and draw your spider friends. Written with such personable warmth and wit that readers will find themselves charmed, and eager to explore the spider world!
Children have a lively interest in the natural world. They love vivid pictures, but they are bored if we dumb it down for them. We offer children’s books that are fascinating even for adults, full of in-depth science, but graphic and fun—many with projects and activities that make facts real. Also, great story books, beautifully and cleverly told and illustrated.
In addition, we have youth orientated interactive items that put kids in touch with nature and teach about nature and natural history. Come in to see our selection!
Mikl enjoys the search for the best children’s books, and delights in artful and expressive illustrations
and well-written text. This year he has brought in these gems for our Holiday Gift Market:
Everyday Life in the Ancient World: A pictorial history researched by 9 expert historians. Not a recounting of wars and events, but of crafts, cultures, and everyday activates. Includes do-it-yourself projects linked with each culture. Fun and educational!
Little Animal Landscapes: Children can punch out and put together animals and their 5 habitats, unique and creative.
Wind in the Willows: A classic, peopled with delightful and complex animal characters and full of exciting adventures. Funny and heartful, and with the original illustrations. One of my favorite books growing up.
Charlotte’s Web: Everybody loves this story of a little girl, a runt pig, and a big spider! By famed E.B. White.
Lighter than Air: Part of an inspiring true story of the courage to go beyond what people thought a woman could do, and what humans can do.
Journey: An imaginative journey without words riding on wonderful illustrations.
Bird Talk: Wonderful illustrations and insights into bird behavior. Includes descriptions and glossary.
Animal Kind: A wordless journey through 300 beautiful prints that invite us into the diversity and awesome forms of living beings in our world.
The Tale of Despereaux: A heroic tale of a mouse, a princess, a poor deaf serving girl, and treachery – goodness and courage outsmarting evil. Winner of the Newberry Medal for children’s literature.
Make and Move Mega: Five paper dinosaurs, press out, fold and slot together. For ages 8 & up.
Little People, Big Dreams: The rising successes of Rudolph Nureyev, Audrey Hepburn, and Georgia O’Keeffe who each had faith in their vision and the strength to see them to fruition.
Now celebrating its 36th year, The Boulder Irish Session is a Boulder ‘institution’ and is still going strong. They are an informal, dynamic gathering of top-notch Front Range musicians who, until Covid, came together on Sunday evenings at License No. 1 in the Boulderado Hotel to share tunes and songs of the Celtic tradition. After the last 2 summers of outdoor sessions on Sunday evenings at Harlequin’s Gardens, beginning Sunday Oct. 3rd, BIS is trying out a new indoor venue. We’ll update you soon!
Over the years, the Session has gained many loyal followers who know they will always hear some of the best, most spirited live traditional Irish and Celtic music in the region on any given Sunday. Harlequin’s Gardens co-owner Eve Brawner is one of the founding members of the Boulder Irish Session and is still a ‘regular’ there, playing English concertina, and singing. We offer both of their excellent CDs, Sunday at Conor’s and the sequel, Next Sunday at Conor’s.
There aren’t many Reshetniks left in the US, and yes – you guessed it – this one is my beloved big brother. And I couldn’t be more proud of him for this exquisite recording, a true labor of love, which I love to listen to, repeatedly. I believe you will, too!
Originally inspired by the singing TV cowboys, Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, Michael started guitar lessons at a tender age, and quickly moved on to studying classical guitar. Hearing him practice was actually a pleasure. Later came Folk and Blues, and eventually my bro joined me in playing Irish and other Celtic traditional tunes with the Boulder Irish Session. The selections on this album are all his original transcriptions and arrangements.
“This album draws from the last 20 years of listening, arranging, playing and passionate involvement with the guitar. The seeds for Bach transcriptions were sown by the music of Andres Segovia and Julian Bream, both of whom were performing in NYC when I was a kid. The ‘traditional’ tunes are a selection from music heard much later on at music camps and at the Boulder Irish Music Session, played on other instruments. All of these pieces have an elegance, an emotional richness, something beautiful, that I hope speaks to you.”
