An earwig has a Captain Hook appearance, with “pincers” attached to its back end. But honestly, the insect looks scarier than it is. Early learners will want to poke around this book to explore how earwigs look and behave. They are sure to get hooked on reading!
A leafy or a weedy. Every sea dragon is one or the other. Leafies have the advantage when it comes to being underwater masters of disguise. They look just like pieces of swaying seaweed! In this book, young readers can compare and contrast leafy and weedy sea dragons.
Back in 1992, writer Mary Pope Osborne first invited readers to follow Jack and Annie into a tree house with magical books, and readers have been time traveling with these characters ever since! In this biography, elementary students will meet a talented literary travel agent.
Every orca pod has its very own theme song! Musical elements include whistles, clicks, and pops. “Singing” is the orca way of communicating, navigating, and hunting. This read offers young children the chance to get in tune with the world’s largest dolphin species.
Did you know that Gordon Korman’s mom typed his first book for him? This is because Gordon became a published author before he even graduated high school! This author profile for children introduces the lifelong writer responsible for sending troublemakers Boots and Bruno to Macdonald Hall.
Sea urchins look like fireworks exploding underwater. The spines that create their unusual appearance do have a purpose: they protect the tiny animals from dangerous predators. In this title, sea urchins of all shapes, sizes, and colors are on display for early readers!
Humor is the language Dav Pilkey speaks to reach his readers. Just consider the names he gives his characters: Wedgie Woman, Professor Poopypants, and Super Diaper Baby! In this storyteller bio, kids will discover the life adventures of the funny man behind the popular Captain Underpants book series.
Curious how sea lions got their name? Well, male sea lions are responsible. Most have a lion-like mane, and they roar loudly to protect females. Young readers will learn all about the wild relatives of the trick-performing sea lions they enjoy watching at the zoo.
Northern cardinals are bright-billed songbirds. They often turn a tree branch or bird feeder into a stage. And they always look performance-ready in their red feathers and a spiked head crest. In this title, northern cardinals debut for young readers. Will they earn a reading encore?
One thing Canada lynx are known for is their insatiable appetite for snowshoe hares. These wildcats would eat the rabbit look-alikes for every meal if they could. On average, a lynx eats one hare every two to three days! In this animal introduction, young readers will see Canada lynx at home in their habitats and on the hunt.
Emperor penguins often come together like a sports team. A tight huddle keeps them warm in their Antarctic homeland. Coping with the cold is a must for these birds. Their wings cannot fly them to milder climates. This children’s title tells how emperor penguins manage life in the South Pole.
Mountain goats reach heights few other animals can. The skilled climbers often move up 10,000-foot peaks! Their split hooves help them balance on steep slopes. And their strong legs allow them to jump between rocks many feet apart. This mountain goat profile will elevate young reader interest in nannies, billies, and kids!
Mountain lions live like fugitives. These predators usually keep to themselves and try to stay in hiding. Their main goal is to keep their neighbors unsuspecting. Because the time always comes for these stealthy stalkers to pounce! In this book, kids will track an animal with many aliases.
Caribou are the reindeer of North America! These hoofed mammals grow huge antlers on their heads every year. The most impressive antlers can measure as long as 4 feet! This book calls elementary readers to join caribou in migrating the continent’s northernmost forest and tundra biomes.
No venomous snake in North America is larger than the diamondback rattlesnake. The eastern diamondback species can stretch out to a sizable length of 8 feet! Young readers will get wrapped up in discovering the ostentatious ways diamondbacks behave in the face of predators and prey.
Did you know that clawed lobsters can be right-clawed or left-clawed? Every baby is born with two cutter claws. Then one cutter claw eventually develops into a crusher claw, which determines handedness. Beginning readers will want to get their hands on this ocean animal profile!
American Curls are Peter Pan in feline form. Though they grow in size, they never grow out of their kitten ways. Even their ears resist conformity by curling backward just days after birth! In this book, curious young readers will meet a cat breed fit for life in Neverland.
Siberian cats proudly wear their Russian heritage. The triple coats they sport are thick and water repellent for survival in their homeland’s often-harsh climate. The extra ruffs of fur around their necks function like scarves. In this title, early readers will find it easy to warm up to the loving Siberian breed!
Saint Patrick’s Day is the best day of the year to be Irish. The March 17th holiday celebrates Irish heritage and all its symbols—shamrocks, leprechauns, and more! Beginning readers will be seeing green in this origin story of Saint Patrick’s Day.
Smooth just might be the best description for the Balinese breed. The cats’ long, silky coats do not mat, and their body movements flow with a beautiful grace. This easy-to-read title shows why Balinese cats were named after Indonesian dancers. Its photographs put the breed’s elegance on full display!
A groundhog named Phil is possibly the most sought-after meteorologist on February 2nd. Many people wait for his forecast to know how long winter might last. If he sees his shadow, the season will likely drag on for six more weeks. This title introduces beginning readers to an unusual weather-prediction tradition.
For kids, Halloween is all about the fun of pretending to be someone or something else. Many dress up like a funny character, scary creature, or famous person. Then they parade themselves door-to-door to fill bags of candy. This book gathers the basic facts about Halloween for young readers to enjoy!
RagaMuffins have all the qualities needed to win a best companion award. Just consider the way the cats seek out human laps for relaxing, or the open invitation they give cat lovers to pet their soft fur. This book will make beginning readers wish for a RagaMuffin to cuddle or dress up!
Day of the Dead sounds like it should have a morbid, depressing tone. But the Latin American holiday is really focused on love and remembrance. Yes, people gather in cemeteries, but for dancing and decorating graves! This book shows kids a holiday that honors the lives of lost loved ones.
Earth Day is a call to be “green.” This means thinking like a conservationist about everything from what grocery bag to use to what type of transportation to take. Elementary students just might be inspired to clean up a park or plant a tree after this read.
