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Books and Maps from Bay Area Authors

California Bestiary by Rebecca Solnit and illustrated by Mona Caron
(Heyday Books, 2010, 47 pp., $12.95)
     If you love animals, this is a book for you. It’s a modern day beastiary on
12 California critters, among them the mighty California condor, the disappeared California grizzly, the fluttering monarch butterfly and the elusive mountain lion. Solnit weaves history, fact and fiction and reverent tone to share interesting nuggets about California wildlife. Caron’s illustrations reflect perfectly the wondrous nature of Solnit’s essays about the animals that were selected to represent the state’s diverse ecology. The volume was published in collaboration with the Oakland Zoo to dovetail with a new native California animal exhibit.

The Laws Pocket Guide Set, San Francisco Bay Area by John Muir Laws
(Heyday Books, 2010, $21.95)
     Want to know what plants and animals you’re seeing at the beach, in the woods, along the creek and in the fields? John Muir Laws’ latest pocket guide can help. The naturalist, educator and artist has created a four-map set compact enough to slip in your jacket pocket but sturdy enough to withstand the elements. It’s an instant biology lesson in a box with careful illustrations of San Francisco Bay flora and fauna. You’ll be able to tell a snowy plover from a semipalmated plover, a rough-skinned newt from a California newt and a painted lady from a West Coast lady in no time.

Back Lane Wineries of Napa by Tilar Mazzeo with photography by Paul Hawley
(The Little Bookroom, 2010, 272 pp., $19.95)
     Get off the beaten track and explore lesser-known Napa wineries with hints contained in this handy guidebook. It takes a look at the vintners who are producing high-quality varietals in small quantities, as least when compared with the Napa Valley giants along the Silverado Trail and the St. Helena Highway. Mazzeo picks some favs in downtown Napa, Calistoga and St. Helena and tosses in some from Howell Mountain, Spring Mountain, Chiles Valley, Pope Valley and Los Carneros as well. She’s got every varietal covered.