Books with author Arthur Best

Length and width seem like inherent properties of an object to an adult, and kids have an innate sense of the approximate size of something. Yet specifically defining these terms can be tricky. In simple language, the text of this book explains length and width through common objects. It also discusses how we can measure length and width with a ruler.

Hermit crabs do not grow their own shells, but instead use discarded shells from other animals such as snails. Of course, as the hermit crab grows, the shell does not. A hermit crab's life, then, is a succession of finding bigger and bigger shells to use as its home. This book will show kids that process through simple language and intriguing photographs.

Bison live in herds scattered across the Great Plains. Some children will be amazed that these huge animals roam free in the United States. Some herds live in mountainous regions and come to lower valleys for the winter, seeking grass and water. This book will show kids the annual movement patterns of these large animals, using simple language and strong supporting photographs.

Kids may have seen strange, dense webs in trees, but they may have not been able to identify what they saw. This book explores the life cycle of both the caterpillars and the tents they create. Kids will be surprised to learn that the tent is built to achieve different temperatures inside its rooms. They'll also learn how these seemingly small animals can defoliate an entire tree as they maintain their home.