World's Longest-Living Animals

Most people know kois as vibrant, colorful fish swimming slowly through a serene Japanese pond setting, transfixing passers-by. Most people don't know that they're some of the oldest living fish in the world. Young readers will love reading the story of Hanako, the 226-year-old, scarlet-colored koi that lived in Japan for centuries. Through vivid color photography and clean, age-appropriate writing, readers will learn about not only kois, but ecosystems, life cycles, environments, and other key science curriculum concepts.

Flamingos are a ubiquitous, pink symbol that appears everywhere, clothing, school supplies, logos, lawns, and in zoos across the country. With vibrant, full-color photography and lively but accessible writing, this volume gives young readers a chance to learn about that animal they no doubt recognize. As one of the longest-living birds on Earth, the story of the flamingo provides a firsthand account of how life cycles, ecosystems, and the animal kingdom work. There's no better way to expose young readers to curriculum-specific science topics than to illuminate the life of the world's most recognizable, distinct bird with this fun, age-appropriate book.

The ocean is full of amazing creatures we know little about. Red sea urchins are one of those creatures. Previously thought to only live a few decades, scientists now think they can live up to 200 years! Through colorful photographs showing these bright creatures living in their shallow ocean habitats, readers learn exactly how these animals sustain long lives in the water. They also discover how scientists used atomic bomb testing research to decide these animals can live well over a century.

Tube worms are some of the strangest-looking creatures of the deep sea, not to mention they live in some of the most inhospitable places on Earth. Young readers will love discovering just how these freaky animals not only live, but thrive for centuries. Discoveries are happening constantly these days, as new technologies finally allow scientists to explore the deep sea's cold seeps and hydrothermal vents. Any library or classroom will have a home for this dynamic, accessible, age-appropriate volume filled with brilliant color photography of these freaky ocean worms.

Bowhead whales are amazing creatures that often live lives longer than humans! These whales live in Arctic waters near the North Pole, smashing through thick ice to reach the surface to breathe. Using their baleen, these large mammals feed on tiny animals swimming in the cold waters, while thick blubber keeps them warm in frigid temperatures. Readers explore their everyday lives using the latest scientific research about these long-living animals, and colorful photographs show these gigantic creatures and their unique features up close and personal.

Elephants are smart animals often put in danger because of their large ivory tusks. Left alone, however, these amazing creatures can live for more than 80 years! Through innovative graphics and colorful photographs bringing the lives of these stunning animals into sharp focus, readers explore the differences between Asian and African elephants, their diets, and how they live their lives in different parts of the world.

Many people don't know that sea sponges can live for many, many centuries. We often forget that sponges are even animals, but they are. This colorful and vibrant volume introduces young readers to the wild, wacky world of sponge life. Accessible text abounds with fascinating facts sure to surprise and inspire budding scientists. Children will be introduced to key concepts such as ecosystems, life cycles, environmentalism, and climate change, accompanied by stunning photographs of these strange creatures in their mysterious habitat. These essential, curriculum-focused science themes are written in an age-appropriate and exciting way.

Poor old Ming was a very old clam indeed! This book introduces young audiences to the fascinating story of Ming the Quahog clam, whose story is a lesson in life cycles, ecology, climate change, environmentalism, responsible science, and much more. The best part is, all of these complex science concepts are made easy for young readers. By communicating this tale of marine science with accessible language and vivid, full-color photography, readers are sure to be bitten by the science bug, and inspired to learn more.

Parrots are common pets, but not many people know that some parrots may outlive their owners! These amazing animals are the world's longest-living birds. Readers will learn why parrots are not often prey for other animals, and how taking care of them in captivity can extend their lives even longer. Colorful photographs show off these bright, feathered birds at all ages, showing where they live and how they stay alive in some of the most dangerous places on Earth.

Both terrifying and fascinating, sharks are the most well-known creature of the ocean ecosystem. Sharks are a guaranteed hit with young readers, but this book goes beyond basic shark 101 information. Now it's possible for young readers to step into the wild, wonderful life cycle of the Greenland shark, the longest-living vertebrate in the world. Early elementary readers are sure to enjoy the colorful photography of this captivating text, and won't even notice that they're learning key science concepts, like ecosystems and food chains, along the way.