At the end of a warm, dark night in the rainforest, dawn starts to break. Soon, animals will rise to greet the day. But not everyone is waking up. Some animals haven't even been to bed yet! Small brown bats have been busy all night, swooping and looping through the starry skies. Now it is time for them to settle in among the trees. But one baby bat wants to stay up and play. How will her mother convince her it's time to close her eyes and go to sleep? Lyrical text and soft, soothing illustrations show little readers that from bath time to lullabies, getting ready for bed looks very similar for bat babies and human babies alike. Fascinating scientific facts and photos from the Smithsonian Bat Lab showcase the amazing lives of bats and reveal how they are not so different from humans in their family behavior.
Mardy and Olaus Murie fell in love in--and with--Alaska. Then set out on an adventure across the Arctic for Olaus's work as a biologist, encountering the beauty and danger of the wilds along the way. They learned from Indigenous communities to appreciate the interconnectedness of all living creatures and understood that the way humans were moving in on wild land was threatening the natural world. So they shifted the focus of their work to conservation, fighting to protect the land and animals--and lobbying for the creation of what finally became the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, nine thousand square miles of protected land! Mardy and Olaus's story of passion and hard work will inspire all readers to fan their spark of purpose into flame. Backmatter includes additional information on Mardy and Olaus, their legacy, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and more.
Each season has its own qualities that set it apart. Winter, with its stark-white crust of snow, turns even a mundane scene into a sparkling fairyland. Spring, along with her many shades of green, brings a promise of new beginnings. Summer gifts us with long, lazy days of endless blue skies and the scent of freshly mown grass. But fall has a magic, a secret, all its own. It offers a kaleidoscope of textures, smells, and colors. But what's behind those glorious colors we see among the treetops and upon the leaf-covered ground? Are leaves more than what they seem? Through engaging text and charming artwork, young readers are invited to explore how and why leaves change color. And perhaps, after fall's secret is revealed, we learn something about ourselves and our own distinct beauty. Back matter delves into the science behind photosynthesis.
During a light rain, a child dozes on a sandy ocean-side beach, snuggling in her mother's arms. But while the sand beneath her is soft and still, there's a whirlwind of activity in the sea next to her. The waves roll back and forth to shore, while beneath them a busy underwater world is teeming with life. As the girl sleeps, she dreams of participating in that world. Through lyrical text, award-winning science writer Suzanne Slade (June Almeida, Virus Detective! The Woman Who Discovered the First Human Coronavirus) takes young readers on an exploration of our oceans and the many creatures and ecosystems found there, from migrating whales to elusive eels to the colorful coral reefs. Back matter includes science facts, as well as a reminder of why we need to be good stewards of the world's oceans. This companion title to The Universe and You illustrates once again that our natural world is full of wonders just waiting to be explored.
The Wildes have made some serious enemies in their last two adventures--and now they've all shown up in the little Texas town of Glen Rose with vengeance in their hearts. Moving the vaquitas to the Wilds has created quite a controversy and raised a national debate about how to save severely endangered species. Go behind the scenes of the Wilds facility with Ring and Asia and discover how a modern animal park operates--and the dramas they face. Asia and Ring are home and it turns out that home is even wilder than the places they've visited!
Irish elk had the world’s biggest antlers! These mammals flourished during the last ice age. In this hi/lo book, engaging text and vibrant illustrations introduce reluctant readers to the body parts and behaviors of these giant deer. Features highlight the animals’ diet, show off their size, explore a famous fossil find, and compare them to their closest living relatives. The book concludes with a full-page profile that puts important information about Irish elk in one place.
Saber-toothed cats were powerful predators known for their long, sharp teeth! In this hi/lo title, reluctant readers are introduced to these ice age animals through leveled text and detailed illustrations. Readers will explore the animals’ body parts, behaviors, diet, extinction, and more. Special features highlight favorite foods, compare the animals’ size, and show off a fossil find. A full-spread profile puts important information about saber-toothed cats in one place!
Woolly mammoths lived up to their name! These huge animals were covered in long, dense fur. Through leveled text and detailed illustrations, this hi/lo title introduces reluctant readers to the body parts and behaviors of these ice age behemoths. Features show off the animals’ size, highlight favorite foods, profile a fossil find, and compare to a modern-day animal. A full-page profile puts information about woolly mammoths in one place, and additional facts provide even more information to engage readers.
Dire wolves were fearsome predators. They could bite through bones! In this hi/lo title, reluctant readers will learn how the wolves lived, what they looked like, and how they went extinct. Engaging text and vibrant illustrations combine with features that highlight the wolves’ size and diet, map where the wolves lived, show off an important fossil find, and compare the dire wolf to its closest living relative. A full-spread profile puts important information about dire wolves in one place.
Giant ground sloths live up to their name. These huge mammals could stand more than 11 feet tall! In this hi/lo title, young readers explore how these animals survived during the last ice age. Leveled text and detailed illustrations introduce the sloths’ body parts, behaviors, diet, and more. Features show off favorite foods, compare their size, and highlight a fossil find
You might think the bears of today are huge, but wait until you discover the bears of the ice age! Through engaging text and detailed illustrations, this hi/lo title introduces these enormous cave-dwellers, detailing where they lived, what they looked like, what they ate, and more! Features highlight the bear’s diet and size, show off fossil finds, and compare cave bears to their modern relatives. The book concludes with a full-spread profile that puts important details about cave bears in one place.
Sidewinders use their venomous bite to take down prey. Jackrabbits are known for their speed and strong hearing. When these animals meet, who will take the win? Engaging text and crisp photos will hook readers as they explore the body parts and behaviors that each animal uses to win fights. Special features map each animal’s range, highlight their habitat, and show off secret fighting weapons. The book ends with an exciting narrative scene that crowns the winner!
Octopuses camouflage into their environment to surprise attackers. Spiny lobsters have sharp spines to scare off enemies! Which ocean animal would win in a fight? Leveled text and vibrant images combine in this hi/lo title that explores each animal’s strengths in battle. Features profile each animal’s habitat and range, show off their secret weapons, and more. An action-packed narrative scene closes the book by crowning a winner!
Gharials are agile swimmers. Their powerful jaws make them rulers of the water. Sloth bears are fierce hunters with long claws. Which would win in a fight? In this hi/lo title, leveled text and action-packed images bring each animal’s skills to the forefront. Special features highlight their habitats, size, and range. At the end, an exciting narrative scene decides the winner of this animal battle!
Snapping turtles have powerful jaws that make it hard for prey to escape. Cottonmouths use venom to take down prey. Which predator will win the fight? Engaging text and crisp images combine to explore each animal’s body parts and behaviors that help them fight attackers. Special features map each animal’s range, highlight habitats, and show off secret weapons in battle. An action-packed narrative ends the book by determining which animal wins the battle!
Arctic wolves and polar bears are top predators. When they meet on the tundra, there will be a clash of claws! This hi/lo title explores the fighting strengths of each of these fierce animals through vibrant photos and action-packed text. Features profile each animal’s habitat, size, and range, show off secret weapons, and more. A final narrative scene helps decide who will win the animal battle!
Which eagle would win in a fight? In this hi/lo title, readers will find out! Engaging text and vivid photos reel readers into this fearsome battle as they explore the animals’ fighting styles and physical strengths. Special features profile each animal’s habitat, size, and more. The book ends with a narrative scene that determines which animal comes out on top. Readers will fly through this battle in the sky!
A cloud of ash rises above a volcano. Suddenly, volcanic lightning flashes through the blackness. This hi/lo title about volcanic lightning will excite readers who love the thrill of nature. Leveled text includes exciting information about what volcanic lightning is, folklore behind this natural mystery, and what scientists have come to understand about this phenomenon. Fun facts provide additional information throughout the book. Special features describe a related phenomenon, a notable sighting, and more!
Stones dot a dry lakebed. Each one is followed by a wandering trail left in the dirt. Did the stones move? This hi/lo title uncovers the mystery behind sailing stones. Readers will discover what sailing stones are, some of the first explanations of the phenomenon, and what truths scientists have uncovered. Profiles of notable sightings give specific examples of the history of sailing stones. A diagram provides a visual explanation of how the stones move.
A wind blows sand down a dune. A loud sound fills the air. It is a singing sand dune! This title explores the many sounds, the history, and the science behind singing sand dunes. The carefully leveled text includes high-interest content and photos. Interesting features dive into a related phenomenon, a past explanation, and more. Fun facts give readers even more to learn. This title will have readers singing its praises!
A colorful band of light stretches across the northern sky. People watch the aurora in awe! In this hi/lo title, readers explore the folklore and science of auroras. Stunning photographs complement the text to provide interest and support. Features provide an in-depth look into a related phenomenon, a past explanation, and a key sighting. A diagram visually breaks down how auroras form. Readers will enjoy unraveling the mystery of beautiful auroras!
Fairy rings are circles of fungi growth. Many cultures have created folklore to explain these creations of nature. Although we understand them today, they continue to be a whimsical phenomenon. This hi/lo title explains what fairy rings are, details their history, and explores the science behind how they form. Special features detail a related phenomenon, a notable sighting, and a past explanation. A diagram highlights the stages of mushroom growth. Readers will also find fun facts throughout the text that provide additional interesting information about fairy rings.
Waves approach a beach at night. As they crash upon the sand, a blue glow flickers throughout the water. The glowing waves are a dazzling sight to see! Readers will discover the wonder and beauty of glowing waves in this hi/lo title. Chapters describe this natural phenomenon, share the history of glowing waves, and explain how they occur. Special features include a notable sighting, an explanation diagram, and more.
The Nile River runs south to north through 11 African countries! This title welcomes readers to explore the Nile’s route through wetlands and the Savanna Desert all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. Vibrant photos and thoughtfully leveled text detail how the river formed, as well as its importance to the wildlife and humans around it. Special features provide in-depth descriptions of major events and human-made structures along the Nile River.
The Yangtze River is the longest river in Asia! It is known by different names as it flows through China. In this title, fluent readers will explore the river and its over 700 tributaries. Crisp photos show the landscape and wildlife supported by the Yangtze. Leveled text highlights the human history of the river and the present-day impact of people on its waters. Features add details about the river’s formation, cultural significance, and more.
