The time has come around for another road trip and this time Adele's parents have spared no expense to prepare the family for a visit to the Death Valley National Park. As with trips like these, Adele looks forward to the new sights and sounds that come with exploring the great outdoors but this time it will not be business as usual. This is because Adele hurt her leg and has to move around with a cast. What do you think this inquisitive young lady and her parents will discover on this trip? Join them as they encounter new friends both human and animal in Fish In The Desert written by Adalgisa Nico and David Nico and illustrated by Andy Atkins.

We get a first-hand introduction to a little fish that has been around for millions of years in this collaboration between Adalgisa Nico and David Nico. Fish in the Desert is a children's picture book that focuses on the lifecycle of the Death Valley pupfish. Despite its adult-sounding title, the duo uses sentences in a simplistic format which is easy for little ones to read as well as understand. The information on the pupfish is thorough as even the small details about this species are taken into account in the book. Andy Atkins's illustrations are simply top-notch as he uses vibrant colors and drawings that make the young reader wish they were outdoors doing the exploration themselves. The glossary of big words is a timely addition that would help readers with their vocabulary but I consider the masterstroke in this book to be the way a clinic on pupfish is linked to the importance of maintaining the ecosystem we live in. This is a lovely book that could easily spark an appreciation of nature in the young reader.

Deserts are dead! Or are they? Most people believe deserts are desolate, dry areas with no life. Reading Fish in the Desert by Adalgisa and David Nico will really surprise them. It turns out that even deserts like Death Valley and its Badwater Basin, which is dry and salt-crusted, have an abundance of life including aquatic life such as the Salt Creek Pupfish and its cousins. This children’s picture book follows a family’s adventure as they explore and learn all about different parts of Death Valley. Not only will this book entertain young children, but it will educate them as well with illustrations, a glossary, and information on how they can help preserve desert life as well as the earth. Each of the various sub-species of pupfish is endemic to its location. Read this book with and to your children and watch their faces light up as they have fun while they learn.

If you love nature, you will adore Fish in the Desert by Adalgisa and David Nico as it tells the amazing story of the survival of animals and plants in the blazing heat of Death Valley. This book is the first in a series called Bringing National Parks to Life, encouraging children to visit the various national parks. Adalgisa and David write in a conversational manner that is as easy to read as it is exciting. The illustrator, Andy Atkins, does an excellent job depicting the events of the story. At the end of the book, the authors share scientific knowledge and include a treasure hunt to find the different animals throughout the story. This is the book for any animal or nature lover! It is a great introduction to the various living creatures found in the inhospitable environments we call deserts.

What would you do if you were supposed to visit an amazing place but you hurt your leg and ended up wearing a cast? That’s pretty simple for Adele; she would still go. Adele had hurt her leg playing soccer, but that did not stop her from tagging along when her family decided to visit Death Valley National Park. Adele meets Marjorie, the Aquatic Ecologist for Death Valley. Adele is thrilled to learn about the history of Death Valley and Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, and the fascinating places and creatures found in this paradise of Mother Nature’s wonders, among these being the different species of Death Valley Pupfish. Get yourself Adalgisa and David Nico’s Fish in the Desert: The Untold Story of the Death Valley Pupfish, and join Adele, as she is guided by Marjorie on her incredible journey of discovery.

If you are looking for children's picture and adventure books based on wildlife and nature, Adalgisa and David Nico’s Fish in the Desert is a must-read for you. Brace yourself because you’ll be in for an adventurous ride once you open this book. I can only describe the pictures in the book as magnificent art. They uniquely capture the breathtaking views of Death Valley, not losing the adventurous hint surrounding the park. I learned a lot from the enthralling facts about the park and the wildlife refuge. Did you know that almost every pool of water in the valley has a distinct species of Pupfish? The authors’ enlightening choice of words will teach kids a lot about wildlife. Kids will also learn the importance of environmental conservation and its impact on wildlife. This book just made me want to visit Death Valley National Park and experience its beauty for myself.

Adele’s excitement over her family trip to the Death Valley National Park was slightly dampened by the fact that her leg was in a cast. However, once there, she met an enthusiastic ecologist who introduced her to the Desert Valley pupfish. As they discussed various aspects of pupfish biology, Adele realized that her discomfort over her injury had lessened. How can the story of an amazing fish species affect her views on life? Find out in Fish in the Desert: The Untold Story of the Death Valley Pupfish, written by Adalgisa and David Nico and illustrated by Andy Atkins.

The author duo and the illustrator poured every ounce of their love for the natural world into this book. Their passion and experiences made Fish in the Desert a one-of-a-kind read, easily enthralling readers and making them curious to know more. It boasts interesting tidbits about pupfish habits, habitats, and evolutionary history. Adalgisa and David Nico dispense these pieces of information in easily digestible packages, never overwhelming readers. The glossary explains the related terms, and the end notes give readers deeper insights into pupfish biology. The book enriches readers’ knowledge about biodiversity, speciation, and conservation efforts while making us aware of our impact on the environment. I loved Atkins’ illustrations of the unending harsh vista with scattered aquifers that make the book come alive. Portraying the same area in different seasons or distant epochs makes us appreciate the short-term and long-term changes. While Fish in the Desert is geared primarily toward a younger audience, readers of all ages will love it.

Wonderful read!! So interesting and fun. Highly recommend!!
I have and will continue to read over and over to my grandkids.