All About Animals (Rosen Publishing)

Though hopping frogs are probably the most familiar amphibians, this important class also includes salamanders, newts, and toads. Young readers will marvel at how amphibians grow from gilled water-dwellers to air-breathers, many of which live on land. The book's brilliant photographs are sure to delight readers of all ages.

Though all birds have feathers, not all birds can fly. Kids will love learning about our feathered friends in this informative, yet accessible, book for emerging readers. Young readers will be drawn in by eye-catching photographs of penguins, pelicans, parrots, and more. They'll come away knowing not only the national bird of the United States, but what that bird's main food is.

Whether they love them or loathe them, kids tend to have a visceral reaction to snakes, lizards, alligators, and other members of the reptile family. This easy-to-read book explains the traits that all reptiles share, such as breathing air and having scales. It also offers fun facts about species of particular interest, including the massive saltwater crocodile and the desert-dwelling Gila monster.

We think of all fish as water-dwelling, but some fish are capable of traveling by land as well. Then there are some traits that all fish do have, such as gills and scales. This incisive volume offers kids a great introduction to the many species of fish that inhabit our oceans, seas, bays, rivers, stream, lakes, ponds, and other bodies of water. Young readers will even learn about the difference between ocean water and fresh water. The gorgeous photographs of fish of many species will charm readers.

From enormous elephants to friendly dolphins, many of the most beloved animals are mammals. Young readers will learn that hair and drinking their mothers' milk as babies are the distinguishing characteristics of mammals. They will discover all sorts of interesting facts about fascinating mammals, such as koalas, blue whales, and orangutans. Kids will even learn where they fit in the animal kingdom.