We Work! Animals with Jobs

Everyone knows that pigs are farm animals. What may not be known is that pigs are super-smart and have sniffers as powerful as a dog's nose! So, it's not hard to believe that some people use them as detectives. One thing they detect is an expensive mushroom called a truffle that grows as deep as three feet (1 m) underground. These talented sniffers have also found success in law enforcement detecting illegal drugs. In this introduction to pig detectives, readers will learn about the best breeds for the various jobs and the training the pigs undergo. The fun pictures and fascinating text are sure to engage your emergent readers and give them a deep appreciation for these very special detectives. The nose knows!

It's pretty amazing that homing pigeons can find their way back home--even when transported vast distances and then released. In fact, homing pigeons are known to have made trips as long as 1,100 miles (1,770 km) to get back home, flying at speeds of up to 110 mph (177 kph). Although they are famous for carrying messages for the military in small tubes during the wars of the 20th century, they began their work for humans more than 850 years ago! In this introduction to homing pigeons, readers will learn about the various jobs these pigeons have been used for, along with profiles of some of the most famous of their breed. The fascinating pictures and text are sure to engage your emergent readers and fill them with amazement at the abilities of these unique birds.

Humans aren't the only entertainers in movies and on stage. From Terry the dog, who played Toto in The Wizard of Oz, to Popcorn Deelites the horse, who played the racehorse Seabiscuit in the movies, animals have been entertaining Americans for years. In this introduction to the world of animal actors, readers will get a sense of the amazing range of animals that act, what's required to be successful (beyond luck and a great manager), and the casting process. The bright, colorful pictures and fascinating text are sure to engage your star-struck emergent readers and give them a deep appreciation for the work these animal actors do.

Once, horses were a mainstay of police departments. With the advent of cars, however, the number of horses employed slowly declined. However, horses still offer a real advantage over cars in certain situations. For example, they are great in dense crowds because they elevate the officers above the crowd, making it easier for them to see what's going on. Horses can also maneuver through crowds much more easily than cars. In this introduction to the work horses do in law enforcement, readers will learn exactly what kinds of jobs horses are right for, how they are trained, and the equipment they need. The bright pictures and fascinating text are sure to engage emergent readers and give them a deep respect for the work these animals do.

If you were unable to see, how would you know when it's safe to cross a street? How would you safely go up and down stairs? You would rely on your seeing-eye dog. In this introduction to these special canines, readers learn how the dogs are trained, the amazing things they can do, and the kinds of decisions they must make to ensure their handler's safety. The bright pictures and fascinating text are sure to engage emergent readers and give them a deep respect for the work these wonderful companions do.

Therapy animals can improve a person's mood, motivate a child to read, and comfort the sick--sometimes even more successfully than humans. How? Simply the act of being present, friendly, "pet-able," and attentive is often all it takes. In this introduction to therapy animals, kids will learn about the special traits required of non-human caregivers and the places where these animals work--from schools to hospitals to nursing homes. The bright pictures and fascinating text are sure to engage emergent readers and give them a deep respect for the work these animals do.