In the history of life on this planet, 99.9 percent of all species have gone extinct. But a few have survived almost unchanged. Author Rebecca E. Hirsch introduces readers to six living fossils, including the chambered nautilus, the horseshoe crab with its sticky blue blood, and venomous platypuses that sting, as well as a comprehensive explanation of evolution and extinction for readers who may not be familiar with the terms yet. Readers will also...

Bizarre creatures are floating around in our oceans—squishy, slimy, spiky-headed monsters. And they're not even grown up yet! These kids have to go through some drastic changes before they get to be adults. Everyone knows that caterpillars and tadpoles go through metamorphosis, but so do some of the most monstrous creatures under the sea. Take the spiky-headed zoea, somersaulting through the water on her way to becoming a blue crab. Or the gnathiid...

Children love horses! These powerful and exciting animals have roamed over the Earth for thousands of years. Today, there are more than 300 different breeds around the world! What is a Horse? explores the characteristics of horses and their equine relatives, including ponies, asses, and zebras. It is about horses - not riding. Beautiful, full-color photographs bring the clear, simple text to life. Topics include: • horse physiology • the horse...

Although some insects are considered pests, children will be surprised to discover just how important all insects are to the other living things on Earth, including people! Easy-to-understand text and vivid photographs help children discover: • the roles insects play in pollination • how insects make honey, beeswax, and other products • the importance of insects to other animals • which insects bite, sting, and spread diseases • how certain...

Newbery Honor author Amy Timberlake returns with a follow-up to the bestselling, award-winning Skunk and Badger. With illustrations by Caldecott medalist Jon Klassen, this new adventure begins as Skunk and Badger head out on a rock-finding expedition, finding surprises behind every boulder.   Buried in the heart of every animal is a secret treasure. For rock scientist Badger, it's the Spider Eye Agate he found as a cub, stolen years ago...

"From animals babies eating their parents' poop to get healthy gut bacteria to animals eating poop for nutrients, poop-eating is a common behavior in the animal kingdom. This title examines the insects, mammals, and birds that eat poop and the reasons why"--

It's 1900, and Charlie feels lucky to live in Galveston, Texas. Sure, there are storms sometimes. But nobody worries about hurricanes. Even a famous weather expert says it's impossible for a strong hurricane to strike Galveston. Which is why few people worry on the morning of September 8, when a big storm starts to brew. but Charlie watches with growing horror as monster waves rise up from the sea, as the wind starts to scream. by night, much of the...

Sibert Honor Medalist · Kirkus' Best of 2015 list · School Library Journal Best of 2015 · Publishers Weekly's Best of 2015 list · Horn Book Fanfare Book · Booklist Editor's Choice
On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina's monstrous winds and surging water overwhelmed the protective levees around low-lying New Orleans, Louisiana. Eighty percent of the city flooded, in some places under twenty feet of water. Property damages

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Discusses the groundbreaking efforts in China to reintroduce the giant panda to its native habitat, and how similar techniques can be used to help other endangered species back from the brink of extinction.