Living Fossils

What animal has a jellylike body, long tentacles, and the power to stop a person's heart? It's the jellyfish, and these adaptations have helped it survived over hundreds of millions of years. Readers will learn all about these living fossils-from their life cycle to their habitats-and how those traits and everything in between have changed little over the course of time. Age-appropriate text and bright images of fossils and living jellyfish give readers a sense of this animal's ancientness. A glossary, index, and websites provide opportunities for additional learning.

What animal has the bill of a duck, the body of an otter, and the feet of a frog? It's the platypus, an ancient animal unlike any other on Earth! When scientists first saw the odd-looking creature, they thought it was fake. Readers will learn why in this scientific guide to platypuses, which covers the animal's unique body, special defense mechanisms, and how they've outlasted even the dinosaurs. Colorful images reinforce the content, while fact boxes, glossary, index, and supplemental websites provide opportunities for additional learning.

Cockroaches are creepy, crawly, and also very old. These ancient arthropods have been lurking in dark corners for thousands of centuries, and they've changed very little in all that time. Readers will see past the cockroach's disgusting reputation and see how its amazing adaptations have allowed it to survive on a changing planet. Fact boxes provide interesting supplemental information, while eye-popping images show just how neat (and gross) these creatures can be. Readers can use the glossary and index to guide their reading, and also explore websites for more opportunities to learn.

The horseshoe crab has roamed Earth's sands and shallow waters for 500 million years. These living fossils have special body parts, mating habits, and survival instincts that have kept the species alive since prehistoric times. Readers will learn all about these special arthropods through age-appropriate, science-heavy text. Additional learning opportunities come in the form of full-color photographs, diagrams, fact boxes, a glossary, and an index, which all play a part in keeping readers engaged and informed.

What's that in the water? Is it simply a ripple, or is it the sign of an animal so ancient that it outlived even the dinosaurs? Yes, it's the incredibly cool crocodile, a living fossil whose ability to slither unseen through murky waters is just one reason why it's survived for so long. Readers will learn this and more through this age-appropriate text, which covers all aspects of the Jurassic creature's life. Eye-catching images and fact boxes hold readers' attention, while a glossary, index, and supplemental websites complete a comprehensive reading experience.

Sponges are possibly the world's oldest animals. Their ability to survive and adapt in their surroundings is truly astounding, as is the fact that they've been on Earth for over 700 million years. This scientific guide covers the wild world of sponges, including their life cycles, feeding behavior, and more. Fact boxes provide quick, interesting facts, while a glossary and index complete a comprehensive reading experience. Colorful images take readers on a visual journey through sponge habitats, where there's always something new to explore.