Using a wide variety of stunning photographs, author Kevin Kurtz poses thought-provoking questions to help readers determine if things are living or nonliving. For example, if most (but not all) living things can move, can any nonliving things move? As part of the Compare and Contrast series, this is a unique look at determining whether something is living or nonliving.
How much does an elephant weigh? How do you know? How would you know if you didn’t have a modern scale? Six-year-old Cao Chong, the most famous child prodigy in Chinese history, faced just this problem! Chong watches as the prime minister’s most trusted and learned advisors debate different methods. The principle of buoyancy and a little bit of creative thinking help this boy come up with a solution.
Readers will be fascinated by the many ways animals use their tails: to move on land, swim, warn others, steer, hold onto things, keep warm, balance, fly, attract a mate, and even to defend themselves! Apparently tails are not just for wagging when happy. Following Animal Eyes, Animal Mouths (NSTA/CBC Outstanding Trade Science Award), and Animal Legs, Mary Holland continues her photographic Animal Anatomy and Adaptations series by exploring the many ways animals use their tails.
One cold, rainy, spring night, a young girl and her scientist father participate in “Salamander Night” to follow hundreds of spotted salamanders as they venture into a vernal pool to mate and lay eggs. Together, the father-child team studies the salamanders through their complete amphibian metamorphosis, culminating in the adult salamanders' disappearance into the woods in late summer. In easy-to-understand text, the girl relates the tale through her illustrated, photographic journal.
Jojo is prepping for an exciting night; it’s time for the bat count! Bats have always been a welcome presence during the summers in the family barn. But over the years, the numbers have dwindled as many bats in the area caught white-nose syndrome. Jojo and her family count the bats and send the numbers to scientists who study bats, to see if the bat population can recover. On a summer evening, the family quietly makes their way to the lawn to watch the sky and count the visitors to their farm.
Tudley, a pond-living painted turtle, adopts other animals' behaviors--simply because he doesn't know he can't! He flies like a bird, sings like a katydid, hops like a frog, and glows like a firefly. All the while, he uses his special behaviors to help other animals. But will Tudley's new friends help him when he needs help? The "For Creative Minds" education section includes fun facts about painted turtles, rubythroated hummingbirds, fireflies, leopard frogs, and true katydids. It also contains a "Make a Hopping Tudley" craft, a recipe for hummingbird sugar water, a "Creative Sparks" section, and a "Food for Thought" section.
Octavia Octopus and her sea-animal friends love playing camouflage games to practice how they would hide from a "big, hungry creature." Octavia, however, just cannot seem to get her colors right when she tries to shoot her purple ink cloud. What happens when the big, hungry shark shows up looking for his dinner? This creative book introduces basic colors along with the camouflage techniques of various sea animals - a great introduction to marine biology! The "For Creative Minds" educational section includes fun facts about octopuses and animal camouflage and protection. The craft uses primary colors (paint or tissue paper) to help children learn about blending colors.
Modeled after The Wizard of Oz, this enchanting story describes a young giraffe who suffers from a fear of heights. On his way to the doctor, he befriends a monkey who is afraid of climbing and a hippo who is a afraid of water. What causes the three new friends to face and overcome their fears? The "For Creative Minds" section includes fun facts and animal adaptation information, as well as a "Match the Feet" game and a mix-and-match activity. Encourages children to overcome their fears and to help friends in trouble.
Join Delfina the dolphin as she imagines that she becomes other sea animals: a fish, a sea turtle, a pelican, an octopus, a shark, even a manatee! The incredible morphing illustrations will have children laughing as they learn about the real differences between these ocean animals and their respective classes.
Based on a real person, this tall tale tells the story of legendary nurseryman Johnny Appleseed and how he introduced apple trees to large parts of the United States. Additional features to aid comprehension include background information and historical context of the tale, and an introduction to the author and illustrator.
In this book, readers will learn about the incredible transformation of an egg to a chicken. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text will engage readers as they learn more about every incredible stage of the chicken’s life cycle.
Level 1 guided reader that explores harvesting apples in the fall. Students will develop reading skills while learning about how apples grow, become ripe, and are picked.
Level 1 guided reader that explains leaves' cycle of change during fall. Students will develop reading skills while learning how and why leaves change color and fall.
In Savanna Food Chains, early fluent readers explore the savanna biome and the food chains it supports. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text engage young readers as they explore how energy flows through plants and animals who live in this dry, grassy environment. A map helps readers locate savanna biomes around the world, and an activity offers kids an opportunity to extend discovery. Children can learn more about savanna food chains using our safe search engine that provides relevant, age-appropriate websites. Savanna Food Chains also features reading tips for teachers and parents, a table of contents, a glossary, and an index.
In Outback Food Chains, early fluent readers explore the Australian outback biome and the food chains it supports. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text engage young readers as they explore how energy flows through plants and animals who live in this harsh, dry environment. A map helps readers locate the outback biome, and an activity offers kids an opportunity to extend discovery. Children can learn more about outback food chains using our safe search engine that provides relevant, age-appropriate websites. Outback Food Chains also features reading tips for teachers and parents, a table of contents, a glossary, and an index.
In Freshwater Food Chains, early fluent readers explore the freshwater biome and the food chains it supports. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text engage young readers as they explore how energy flows through plants and animals in freshwater rivers and lakes. A map helps readers identify major rivers and lakes of the world, and an activity offers kids an opportunity to extend discovery. Children can learn more about freshwater food chains using our safe search engine that provides relevant, age-appropriate websites. Freshwater Food Chains also features reading tips for teachers and parents, a table of contents, a glossary, and an index.
In Forest Food Chains, early fluent readers explore the temperate forest biome and the food chains it supports. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text engage young readers as they explore how energy flows through plants and animals in a forest environment. A map helps readers identify significant forested areas of the world, and an activity offers kids an opportunity to extend discovery. Children can learn more about forest food chains using our safe search engine that provides relevant, age-appropriate websites. Forest Food Chains also features reading tips for teachers and parents, a table of contents, a glossary, and an index.
In Coral Reef Food Chains, early fluent readers explore the coral reef biome and the food chains it supports. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text engage young readers as they explore how energy flows through plants and animals on a coral reef. A map helps readers identify major reefs in the world's oceans, and an activity offers kids an opportunity to extend discovery. Children can learn more about coral reef food chains using our safe search engine that provides relevant, age-appropriate websites. Coral Reef Food Chains also features reading tips for teachers and parents, a table of contents, a glossary, and an index.
In Rain Forests, carefully leveled text and vibrant, full-color photographs take beginning readers on a tour of both temperate and tropical rain forests. Readers learn about this important ecosystem and the variety of living things adapted to live there. A map shows readers where the world's rain forests are located, while a picture glossary reinforces new vocabulary. Children can learn more about rain forests online using our safe search engine that provides relevant, age-appropriate websites. Rain Forests also features reading tips for teachers and parents, a table of contents, and an index.
In Wetland Food Chains, early fluent readers explore the wetland biome and the food chains it supports. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text engage young readers as they explore how energy flows through plants and animals in a wetland environment. A map helps readers locate wetlands around the world, and an activity offers kids an opportunity to extend discovery. Children can learn more about wetland food chains using our safe search engine that provides relevant, age-appropriate websites. Wetland Food Chains also features reading tips for teachers and parents, a table of contents, a glossary, and an index.
In Rain Forest Food Chains, early fluent readers explore the rain forest biome and the food chains it supports. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text engage young readers as they explore how energy flows through plants and animals in a wet and wooded environment. A map helps readers locate rain forests around the world, and an activity offers kids an opportunity to extend discovery. Children can learn more about rain forest food chains using our safe search engine that provides relevant, age-appropriate websites. Rain Forest Food Chains also features reading tips for teachers and parents, a table of contents, a glossary, and an index.
In Desert Food Chains, early fluent readers explore the desert biome and the food chains it supports. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text engage young readers as they explore how energy flows through plants and animals in a desert environment. A map helps readers locate deserts around the world, and an activity offers kids an opportunity to extend discovery. Children can learn more about desert food chains using our safe search engine that provides relevant, age-appropriate websites. Desert Food Chains also features reading tips for teachers and parents, a table of contents, a glossary, and an index.
In Arctic Food Chains, early fluent readers explore the Arctic biome and the food chains it supports. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text engage young readers as they explore how energy flows through plants and animals in an Arctic environment. A map helps readers locate the Arctic region, and an activity offers kids an opportunity to extend discovery. Children can learn more about Arctic food chains using our safe search engine that provides relevant, age-appropriate websites. Arctic Food Chains also features reading tips for teachers and parents, a table of contents, a glossary, and an index.
In The World's Biggest Reptiles, early fluent readers learn about reptiles as they explore the lives of two of its largest members, the green anaconda and the crocodile. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text will engage early readers as they learn about the physical features and behaviors of these supersized animals. An infographic compares the animals' size with that of familiar items, and an activity offers kids the opportunity to extend discovery. Children can learn more about the world's biggest reptiles using our safe search engine that provides relevant, age-appropriate websites. The World's Biggest Reptiles also features reading tips for teachers and parents, a table of contents, a glossary, and an index.
In Dogs, early readers will learn all about the responsibilities of having a dog, and find out how they can keep their pet healthy and happy. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text will engage emergent readers as they discover what it takes to be a pet owner. A labeled diagram helps readers understand what a dog needs, while a picture glossary reinforces new vocabulary. Children can learn more about pet dogs online using our safe search engine that provides relevant, age-appropriate websites. Dogs also features reading tips for teachers and parents, a table of contents, and an index.
