Books with author Chris Earley

An illustrated guide to observing, catching and releasing dragonflies. Dragonflies are as fascinating as they are beautiful. In this book readers will learn how to observe them in the wild and have them hover as close as their nose! Dragonflies and their close relatives, damselflies, have been around longer than dinosaurs and can be found on all continents except Antarctica. One dragonfly species makes the longest migration of any insect in the world. Dragonflies can be found in wetlands, forests, fields and even backyards. This illustrated guide to dragonflies and damselflies is packed with all the facts about what they are, what they eat, and what eats them. Their life cycle is explored, beginning from eggs that hatch into wingless nymphs that live underwater and breathe through gills. With the help of this detailed guide featuring close-up photographs, readers will learn tips and tricks for how to properly catch, hold and let a dragonfly go. An identification section allows the reader to quickly and easily identify the most popular species and illustrates how each is unique, from darners to clubtails, spiketails to cruisers, and emeralds to skimmers.

An illustrated guide to holding, caring for and identifying caterpillars. Creatures that can turn from a caterpillar into a butterfly or a moth fascinate everyone. But there are many other interesting things to observe in the world of the caterpillar before metamorphosis. As you watch, you'll see leaves disappear into their nearly invisible mouths. Notice the smooth motion of sets of prolegs that are one of the unique characteristics of caterpillars. With the help of this guide and its close-up photographs, readers will learn about the body parts of a caterpillar, their life cycles and how to help them by planting certain types of flowers that will attract the insects. With helpful tips and tricks, this guide instructs the caterpillar hunter on how to find, identify, feed and care for these amazing insects. Ground rules for raising caterpillars are provided, as well as information about removing them from conservation areas. Identification information and photographs thoroughly describe the different kinds of caterpillars and warn the reader about the few dangerous caterpillars that should not be handled.

An illustrated guide to observing, catching and releasing dragonflies. Dragonflies are as fascinating as they are beautiful. In this book readers will learn how to observe them in the wild and have them hover as close as their nose! Dragonflies and their close relatives, damselflies, have been around longer than dinosaurs and can be found on all continents except Antarctica. One dragonfly species makes the longest migration of any insect in the world. Dragonflies can be found in wetlands, forests, fields and even backyards. This illustrated guide to dragonflies and damselflies is packed with all the facts about what they are, what they eat, and what eats them. Their life cycle is explored, beginning from eggs that hatch into wingless nymphs that live underwater and breathe through gills. With the help of this detailed guide featuring close-up photographs, readers will learn tips and tricks for how to properly catch, hold and let a dragonfly go. An identification section allows the reader to quickly and easily identify the most popular species and illustrates how each is unique, from darners to clubtails, spiketails to cruisers, and emeralds to skimmers.

A sneak peek into the remarkable world of the tail-less amphibians. Some frogs blend into the green of their ponds, and live an unremarkable existence. But some are strange looking, having adapted to a special environment. This colorful and informative book reveals a rare and close-up look at the odd beauty of some of the strangest of these creatures largely hidden from our view. Weird Frogs features: Beautiful photographs that show the frogs up close -- really close Informative captions that provide fascinating details about the lives of these endangered and fascinating creatures. Available in hardcover and paperback, the book will appeal to middle school students exploring topic ideas, younger students interested in wildlife and advanced readers who enjoy picture books.

Praise for Weird Insects: "A gallery of brilliantly clear, color photos gives intimate, close-up looks at just 59 of the millions of insects crawling, flying, scurrying, and burrowing on our planet, but Worek's choices open up a visual treasure house of the class Insecta. From metallic armored beetles to lacy-winged flies to spiny caterpillars, the pictures glow on the crisp white pages... This is not a book for in-depth research, but for the curious of mind and those with an understanding of biological diversity and evolutionary differentiation, it's a visual feast and -- oh my -- those pictures!" -- School Library Journal Some birds look bizarre. Some behave that way. In almost all cases, their appearance has an important function -- in evolution or every day. This colorful book exposes more than 50 strange birds, preening, stretching, and showing their strange bodily adaptations. Weird Birds features: Beautiful photographs that show the birds in sharp, clear detail Informative captions that provide fascinating details about the lives of these intriguing creatures. Available in hardcover and paperback, the book will appeal to middle school students exploring topic ideas, younger students interested in wildlife and advanced readers who enjoy picture books.

A sneak peek into the remarkable world of the tail-less amphibians. Some frogs blend into the green of their ponds, and live an unremarkable existence. But some are strange looking, having adapted to a special environment. This colorful and informative book reveals a rare and close-up look at the odd beauty of some of the strangest of these creatures largely hidden from our view. Weird Frogs features: Beautiful photographs that show the frogs up close -- really close Informative captions that provide fascinating details about the lives of these endangered and fascinating creatures. Available in hardcover and paperback, the book will appeal to middle school students exploring topic ideas, younger students interested in wildlife and advanced readers who enjoy picture books.

An illustrated guide to holding, caring for and identifying caterpillars. Creatures that can turn from a caterpillar into a butterfly or a moth fascinate everyone. But there are many other interesting things to observe in the world of the caterpillar before metamorphosis. As you watch, you'll see leaves disappear into their nearly invisible mouths. Notice the smooth motion of sets of prolegs that are one of the unique characteristics of caterpillars. With the help of this guide and its close-up photographs, readers will learn about the body parts of a caterpillar, their life cycles and how to help them by planting certain types of flowers that will attract the insects. With helpful tips and tricks, this guide instructs the caterpillar hunter on how to find, identify, feed and care for these amazing insects. Ground rules for raising caterpillars are provided, as well as information about removing them from conservation areas. Identification information and photographs thoroughly describe the different kinds of caterpillars and warn the reader about the few dangerous caterpillars that should not be handled.

Praise for Weird Insects: "A gallery of brilliantly clear, color photos gives intimate, close-up looks at just 59 of the millions of insects crawling, flying, scurrying, and burrowing on our planet, but Worek's choices open up a visual treasure house of the class Insecta. From metallic armored beetles to lacy-winged flies to spiny caterpillars, the pictures glow on the crisp white pages... This is not a book for in-depth research, but for the curious of mind and those with an understanding of biological diversity and evolutionary differentiation, it's a visual feast and -- oh my -- those pictures!" -- School Library Journal Some birds look bizarre. Some behave that way. In almost all cases, their appearance has an important function -- in evolution or every day. This colorful book exposes more than 50 strange birds, preening, stretching, and showing their strange bodily adaptations. Weird Birds features: Beautiful photographs that show the birds in sharp, clear detail Informative captions that provide fascinating details about the lives of these intriguing creatures. Available in hardcover and paperback, the book will appeal to middle school students exploring topic ideas, younger students interested in wildlife and advanced readers who enjoy picture books.

A sneak peek into the remarkable world of the tail-less amphibians. Some frogs blend into the green of their ponds, and live an unremarkable existence. But some are strange looking, having adapted to a special environment. This colorful and informative book reveals a rare and close-up look at the odd beauty of some of the strangest of these creatures largely hidden from our view. Weird Frogs features: Beautiful photographs that show the frogs up close -- really close Informative captions that provide fascinating details about the lives of these endangered and fascinating creatures. Available in hardcover and paperback, the book will appeal to middle school students exploring topic ideas, younger students interested in wildlife and advanced readers who enjoy picture books.

Some birds look bizarre. Some behave that way. In almost all cases, their appearance has an important function -- in evolution or every day. This colorful book exposes more than 50 strange birds, preening, stretching, and showing their strange bodily adaptations. Weird Birds features: Beautiful photographs that show the birds in sharp, clear detail Informative captions that provide fascinating details about the lives of these intriguing creatures. Also available in hardcover and paperback, the book will appeal to middle school students exploring topic ideas, younger students interested in wildlife and advanced readers who enjoy picture books.

Royal Cutter had finally cracked the starting lineup in the major leagues. As a 32-year-old baseball rookie, Royal came with a long past in the minors, filled with bus rides and squashed dreams. Yet hours before his first game in right field, Royal is traded to Kansas City. The same city where, 25 years before, Royal watched the demise of his own father, an up-and-coming major league baseball player. Drugs. Murder. A life sentence. Now Royal has to prove he belongs in the majors, even as the shadows of his father’s darkest days surround his every move where he had once been a prince of the city. Inspired by the real events and scandals that plagued baseball from decades ago, The Last Out takes the reader inside the temptations of a baseball clubhouse. Chris Earl’s The Last Out is his latest novel to draw on years of experience as a sportscaster to reveal a work so authentic and entertaining.