Science of Living Things

Children love horses! These powerful and exciting animals have roamed over the Earth for thousands of years. Today, there are more than 300 different breeds around the world! What is a Horse? explores the characteristics of horses and their equine relatives, including ponies, asses, and zebras. It is about horses - not riding. Beautiful, full-color photographs bring the clear, simple text to life. Topics include: • horse physiology • the horse family tree • feeding and foraging habits • the birth of a foal • horse behavior and "horse sense" • horses in the wild

Kids will be shocked to learn that arthropods outnumber all other animal species combined! They will also be fascinated by the variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and behaviors found among these invertebrates. Labeled diagrams and startling close-up photography will introduce concepts including: • the similarities and differences among insects, arachnids, myriapods, and crustaceans • the functions and features of an exoskeleton • molting, metamorphosis, and other interesting body facts • the crucial function of arthropods in food chains and webs

Marsupials are the only mammals that have a pouch on their body in which they carry their young. Most of these amazing animals live in Australia, where they have adapted to the harsh conditions of life in the outback. In What is a Marsupial? children will learn astounding facts about marsupials, including: • the important differences between marsupials and placentals • how kangaroos, koalas, wombats, Tasmanian devils, opossums, and bilbies are related • how marsupials reproduce and raise their young • the ways in which they hunt and feed • why some marsupials are in danger

Whales, manatees, seals, dolphins, and sea otters are just some of the many mammals that have evolved over time in order to survive in the water. From Arctic waters to tropical seas, vivid photographs and surprising facts about these salt water mammals reveal: • how these air breathing creatures have adapted to the water • their underwater senses • what they eat and how they raise their young • cetaceans, pinnipeds, sea otters, sirenians, and polar bears • marine zoos • the dangers of pollution, commercial fishing, and poachers

With over 1700 species, more than one-third of all mammals are rodents. From the jumping jerboa to the humungous capybara, What is a Rodent? gnaws through rodent myths to expose the facts about this often misunderstood group. Readers of all ages will be fascinated by: • the rodent family tree • a rodent's body and amazing teeth • homes underground and watery habitats • millions of mice and rats • many cousins from squirrels to prairie dogs • prickly quills, webbed feet, and fabulous fur • pet care tips

Whales are the only mammals that spend their entire life in the water. From playful dolphins to enormous blue whales, the behavior, habitats, and physiology of these amazing marine mammals are explored in What is a Whale? Spectacular full-color photos help show: • flukes, flippers, and fins • the whale family tree • baleen and toothed whales • how whales communicate through echolocation • watery homes and what they eat • baby whales • whale-watching and why whales are in danger.

Amphibian means "two lives" since these animals spend the first part of their life underwater and the rest on land. From flying tree frogs to slithering caecilians, kids will be captivated by this "slimy" animal group in What is an Amphibian? Young readers will discover: • the amphibian family tree • an amphibian's body • special skin and senses • how they move and what they eat • water-versus land-dwelling species • their life cycle and parental care • defending themselves

When most people think of migration, they think of birds flying south to escape the cold winter - but many other animals migrate for many different reasons. From whales and deer to butterflies and eels, animals migrate to breed, feed, stay warm, find water, and even fall asleep! In each case, animals follow paths that have been passed on for generations helping their species survive. Children will be amazed by: • the Arctic tern - a bird that travels from the Arctic to Antarctic and back every year! • the journey of the salmon, which swims against strong river currents to lay its eggs • the lemming, whose mass migration can include thousands of animals • the Canada goose, whose unique "V" flight pattern makes the trip easier

Dogs are believed to be the first animals to live with people as pets. What is a Dog? explains how these once-wild members of the animal kingdom still use their senses and instincts in daily living as well as in helping people. This book describes: • the dog family tree • a dog's body • super senses • the complex social order of dogs • categories of dogs.

Bears are the elegant giants of land carnivores. Powerful yet shy, these solitary creatures are remarkable for their size, strength, and adaptable intelligence. What is a Bear? gives children clear insight into the world of bears, including: • the bear family tree • special features of a bear's body • how mothers care for their cubs • the differences in bear diets • their hunting techniques

As the world's largest land animals, elephants inspire awe in all of us - an awe that has led to myths of might and memory. Despite its immense strength, however, the elephant is a timid creature that uses its power only to defend itself against predators. Kids will learn many facts about these gentle pachyderms, including: • the social structure of elephants, in which the female is the leader • the animal's many, dexterous uses for its trunk • the history of the elephant's even larger ancestors, including woolly mammoths • the dangers that poaching, loss of habitat, and the ivory trade pose to the elephant's future.

Hibernation is one of nature's greatest miracles, allowing animals to sleep through periods of extreme cold (and heat). From the tundra to the desert, this ability enables animals to live in some of Earth's harshest climates. Full-color photographs and vivid text combine to give children a view of the many different ways that animals "sleep it off." Highlights include: • how an animal's body uses fat to survive and even wake itself up • how an animal finds and prepares its den for hibernation • animals that estivate, or hibernate to escape heat • animals that give birth and care for their young during hibernation

What is a Mammal? Teaches the basic rules as well as the exceptions that help children understand differences between mammals and other living things. Amazing full-color photographs feature a large variety of mammals including apes, elephants, rodents, and bats and help identify: • those mammals that lay eggs • mammals with a pouch • placental mammals, such as humans

In the animal world, the easiest way to avoid being eaten is to avoid being seen. What are Camouflage and Mimicry? examines animals that use unique colorization to avoid their predators - or to sneak up on prey! So highly developed is the camouflage of some animals, that they are virtually impossible to see. Examples include: • spots and stripes that blend into the shadows • bright colors that warn of toxic poisons • animals that look like rocks, plants, or even other animals • animals that can change colors to blend into virtually any background