Nature's Freak Show: Ugly Beasts

Aye-ayes belong to the animal group known as primates, which includes not only humans, but, apes and monkeys. Aye-ayes lack the majesty of a gorilla or the cuteness of a monkey. Aye-ayes are so strange looking they were originally classified as rodents. Readers of this absorbing volume will discover fascinating facts about these odd animals, who have big eyes, enormous ears, and elongated fingers, and who use echolocation to find food. Accessible text addresses elementary science concepts, while colorful images dazzle the eyes. Fact boxes and a graphic organizer enrich the narrative.

Many people enjoy feeding colorful wild birds or even keeping birds as pets, but some wild birds are strange-looking. Some people might even consider them ugly. The California condor, with its bald head and glaring eyes, is one of these birds. This engaging volume introduces readers to intriguing facts about these birds, including why their head is bald, how the skin on their head expresses emotions, and their attention to cleanliness. Accessible text addresses important elementary science concepts, while vibrant images bring these bizarre birds into sharp focus.

Even the warthog's name suggests that it isn't one of the world's most beautiful creatures, and it's true. They have large flat heads covered with warts, and sharp ominous tusks. Readers will learn intriguing facts about these weird-looking animals, who may not be beautiful, but are strong and intelligent. They'll be surprised to learn that even though warthogs look really scary, they prefer staying out of danger. Accessible text addresses important elementary science concepts and vibrant images and fact boxes enliven the narrative.

The animal world includes many beautiful, colorful, and majestic creatures, but some of nature's creatures are strange-looking, even ugly to human eyes. The naked mole rat belongs to this group of animals. Readers of this absorbing volume will discover fascinating facts about these creepy animals, who live in colonies organized like those of bees and ants, and aren't actually moles or rats! Age-appropriate text highlights important elementary science concepts, and colorful photographs will delight readers. Captions, fact boxes, and a graphic organizer enrich the main narrative.

Like humans, monkeys are primates and are often lively, engaging, and entertaining creatures. In their faces, we may often see some reflection of our own face. But the male proboscis monkey has a face that sets it apart. It's distinguished by its long, fleshy, pendulous nose. Readers of this fascinating volume will learn intriguing facts about these odd-looking animals, who are excellent swimmers with webbed fingers and toes. Age-appropriate text highlights important elementary science concepts, while vivid images, fact boxes, and a graphic organizer support the narrative.

Many of the seals and sea lions that people are familiar with are appealing, cute animals, but no one is likely to use those words to describe male elephant seals. These enormous "elephants of the sea" have an inflatable trunk-like proboscis they use to produce booming noises that can be heard miles away. Engaged readers will learn this and more about the lives of these remarkable animals. Accessible text addresses important science concepts, while lively images dazzle the eyes. Fact boxes and a graphic organizer enhance the narrative.