Animals mate to keep their species alive and strong. In the wild, animals must fight for mates. During courtship, animals show that they are strong and healthy in many peculiar ways. This book will show you how animals like the Emperor penguin, the peacock, the African bullfrog, and the frigatebird use their colors, croaks, and tail feathers to find the perfect mate! This book will allow students to construct an argument that some animals form groups that help members survive.
A shell of bony plates covers an armadillo's body. This dense body armor protects the animal, but it also makes swimming difficult. To avoid sinking in water, an armadillo must inflate its stomach with air! In this book, children will learn about the diet, habitat, and unique look of the armadillo. Blastoff! Series
Badgers become fierce fighters when in danger. They can protect themselves from falling prey to large, strong animals such as wolves and bears! This book introduces beginning readers to badgers, highlighting the powerful jaws and strong claws of these animals. Blastoff! Series
Gophers are known for their puffy faces. They often stuff food into their cheek pouches and carry it back to their burrows. Young children will enjoy learning how gophers gather food and dig vast underground tunnels. Blastoff! Series
An owl has large eyes that work like a pair of binoculars. This, combined with excellent night vision and a rotating head, makes this raptor a skilled hunter. Beginning readers will have a hoot as they read about the unusual features of this bird of prey! Blastoff! Series
Using their beaks, woodpeckers peck holes in trees to get at the insects inside. They also hammer to attract mates and declare their territory. This book will interest children as it presents the behaviors and physical features of these noisy birds. Blastoff! Series
African elephants can weigh as much as 16,000 pounds! If their size isn't enough to make them stand out, they also have huge ears, long trunks, and ivory tusks. This title will engage beginning readers as it explains how Earth's largest land mammals use their trunks to keep themselves cool. Blastoff! Series
