What Lives in the Desert?

Explore the desert-designed for every learner.

In this rhythmic, visually accessible picture book, young readers meet the fascinating animals of the desert-one at a time. From the long-eared fennec fox to the quick-footed roadrunner, each page pairs simple, rhyming text with clear, high-contrast photographs to support early learning and visual accessibility, including for children with Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI).

Created by Rachel Worden, medical mom and advocate for accessible literacy, What Lives in the Desert? uses real images, uncluttered backgrounds, and a calm, repetitive structure to make reading engaging for children of all abilities. Whether it's a rattlesnake shaking its tail, a tarantula tiptoeing in the sand, or a camel marching steadily under the sun, every page offers something joyful to see, hear, and say-ending with a peaceful goodbye as the desert grows quiet.

Perfect for home libraries, classrooms, therapy spaces, and early intervention programs, this book supports special education teachers, speech/OT/vision therapists, school librarians, and parents who want to meet children where they are and help them grow.

Second in the Habitat Series from Little Dandelion Press. Also available: What Lives in the Ocean? Coming soon: What Lives in the Rainforest?