Zoologist Jim Kavanagh has made a career out of introducing novices to plants, animals, the sciences and world cultures. In addition to creating over 500 simplified nature guides, he has also authored guides to languages, cities and outdoor skills. An avid traveler and backpacker, Kavanagh's path has taken him around the world to many remote destinations including the upper Amazon, Africa, Australia, and the Arctic Circle (and this is just the As). He is also the author of a series of state-specific guides to common species and natural attractions and a children's book on evolution.

"The "Pocket Naturalist Guides" are colorful, pocket-sized, laminated, folded guides (31/2" x 81/4" folded, open to 22" x 81/4"), designed to be taken into the wilderness. They cover states and wilderness regions, some featuring all wildlife and some much more focused (e.g., butterflies, ducks). Yes, they'll require creative shelving (we put ours in an old map box next to the other field guides), and their life span may be shorter than your average field guide, but their quality, low price, and variety are worth the inconvenience."-- "Library Journal"