You Are a Garter Snake!

Now in board book, this STEM nonfiction picture book series encourages very young readers to learn—through gentle interactivity and play—about the animals who share their world. This time, explore garter snakes!

Stretch, bend, twist! You may haves seen a small, slim garter snake disappear between rocks or flowers. Did you know that garter snakes spray smelly stuff to scare off predators, sniff with their tongues, and cuddle together for winter? From birth to first shedding and beyond, discover all that goes into being a garter snake in this charming picture book, the fourth in the Meet Your World series.

This playful and informative series invites you to take a closer look at the amazing animals that live right alongside you in rural, suburban, and urban landscapes across North America. In each book, words and art inspire you to act out animal actions that are not so different from your own habits. And robust backmatter offers even more information and fun with fascinating facts, a glossary, activities, and tips on how to help and protect garter snakes. From the animals’ families and foods to their environments and behaviors, let’s meet your world!

Series Overview: Perfect for the youngest explorers, Meet Your World spotlights the fascinating animals we see every day across the U.S. By highlighting what kids and critters have in common, the books impart knowledge, spark empathy, and empower kids to protect the animals within their environment, all while creating fun through a gently interactive element.

Author: Laurie Ann Thompson, Jay Fleck
Publisher: Dial Books
Published: 1/27/2026
Pages: 28
Binding Type: Board Book
Size / Weight: 7.1 in H | 7.1 in W | 0.7 in T | 0.8 lb Wt
ISBN: 9798217004010


About the Author

Laurie Ann Thompson grew up in grew up in the fields and forests of northern Wisconsin and now lives between the mountains and the sea in western Washington state. A master naturalist and former software engineer, she writes to help her readers—and herself—better understand the world we all share. She is co-author of the Two Truths and a Lie series and author of several award-winning nonfiction books, including the teen how-to guide, Be a Changemaker, and Emmanuel’s Dream, a picture book biography about Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, which won the Schneider Family Book Award and was named an ALA Notable Children’s Book.

Author Residence: Seattle, WA

Jay Fleck is the best-selling illustrator of more than a dozen books for kids, including the Tiny T. Rex series co-created with author Jonathan Stutzman and the Feel-Good Fairy Tales series, written by #1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Verde. When not creating books, Jay lives, runs, and creates in a suburb south of Chicago with his wife, their two kids, and their loyal dog, Otis.

Illustrator Residence:Shorewood, IL