Animals Without Brains!

Over 1,000 species of sea anemone live at different depths of the world's oceans, and readers will be surprised to learn they all function without brains. Like other invertebrates, sea anemones use a simple nervous system to navigate the waters around them. This book examines this invertebrate's life cycle as well as some of the characteristics that make sea anemones so unique, for example their symbiotic relationship with clownfish. This is the perfect books for kids who are fascinated by nature's wonders.

Sea stars are well known for their ability to regenerate their arms. What's less apparent is that they accomplish this task without a brain. This book focuses on the sea star's simple nervous system, and it explores some of the interesting things a sea star does without a brain. Readers will be enthralled to learn that a sea star pushes its stomach outside of its body in order to consume its prey. It's a no-brainer that young scientists will be fascinated with this learning experience.

Coral reefs are homes to some of the most biologically diverse areas of the world, and they are the spawning place of a vast number of marine creatures. They prevent damage to coastlines and provide nitrogen for many marine food chains. Without brains, corals, the builders of coral reefs, create these lush environments. An entertaining narrative and beautiful full-color images help readers explore the life cycle and interesting features of these invertebrates.

Jellyfish are the often transparent, graceful creatures that float beautifully across the sea. Readers can try, but they're not going to find a brain in any jellyfish. They don't have spinal cords or bones either. This book explores how jellyfish survive and the parts they have that have allowed them to spread to oceans all over the world. With full-color pictures and amusing language, this book will engage the budding marine enthusiast and avid beach-goer.

Sea urchins don't have brains, and yet sea urchin bodies are well-developed to detect the environment. This book explores body parts sea urchins use instead, including an interior water pump that allows the creatures to move about and hold on to food. Fun and bizarre facts are spread throughout the narrative, like how a sea urchin turns itself inside out upon growing into its adult stage. Young readers will be delighted by these ocean creatures.

The body of a sea cucumber doesn't have many parts. Yet sea cucumbers help to clean the world's ocean floors and even help to reduce the effects of global warming. They do all of this without a brain. Exploring the life cycle of this invertebrate, this book covers some of the odd qualities of a sea cucumber, including the ability to expel part of its own intestine in order to escape predators. Sea cucumber abilities will boggle your readers' minds.