Books with author Dianne Swanson

Caps, hats, helmets, and hoods--they keep you warm, or cool, or dry. They can stop sunlight from getting in your eyes or protect your skull from injury. And, lots of animals have their own special form of headgear too! From the two scaly horns that help the African adder find food to the feathers kingfishers use to communicate, see just what dozens of creatures do with their manes, crests, and other head-topping adornments. Some, like elks, need their antlers to fight. Others, including decorator crabs, adorn themselves in a homemade headdress (seaweed, sponges, and sea anemones) that blends with their surroundings and keeps them safe. And, of course, just like us, animals wear hats to look pretty and for play! With great pictures of a wide range of "beasts" from buffaloes and chimpanzees to tube worms and whales.

Bears are amazing animals. This book captures them through color photographs and intriguing information by Diane Swanson. Polar bears can ski - scooting down slopes on all four feet, Grizzlies can run faster that cars are allowed to travel in towns, Lazy black bears sometimes fish lying down - they dangle a paw in the water and when a fish swims by, they scoop it out. Includes a table of contents, index, sidebars, and full of extraordinary photography throughout.

Feet are neat! They jump, they climb, they swim, they dance. Animal paws have claws that dig and scratch any itch that they can reach. A dog uses them to hold a bone in place or get a person's attention. The squirrel uses its small, sharp feet to scamper up a tree and race along a branch--or grab a nut to eat. Raccoon's paws are so nimble that they can pluck cherries, husk corncobs, crack open bird eggs, and feel for clams in a muddy stream. And, every animal--humans included--uses its feet to run from danger. Watch them in action, in photos and in drawings, to see just why feet can't be beat!

Wild horses are symbols of strength, adventure and freedom. But did you know that the ones in North America are descended from tame animals that arrived with the explorers and settlers? Wild horses can walk within an hour of their birth, sleep standing up, and grow shaggy hair to keep warm in winter. They also love to buck and play, so kick up your heels and discover these enchanting creatures. Includes a table of contents, index, sidebars, and full of extraordinary photography throughout.

The penguin has adapted to more habitats and climates than any other animal in the world. They live on sandy African beaches, windswept hills in South America and New Zealand, and icebergs in Antarctica. None of the 17 species of penguins can fly, but some penguins can swim long distances and dive to great depths for food. Children will find out all about penguins in this book. About the series: Each book in the Welcome to the World of Series introduces children to wildlife through color photographs, lively description and amazing facts.