Books with author Rebecca Johnson

The octopus spies a nice, tasty mantis shrimp. It swims over for a closer look at the small creature. Then―WHAM!―the mantis shrimp strikes a nasty blow with its hammer-like forelimb. The octopus shrinks back, defeated. That wasn't such an easy meal after all . . . In nature, good defenses can mean the difference between surviving a predator's attack and becoming its lunch. Some animals rely on sharp teeth and claws or camouflage. But that's only the beginning. Meet creatures with some of the strangest defenses known to science. How strange? Hagfish that can instantaneously produce oodles of gooey, slippery slime; frogs that poke their own toe bones through their skin to create claws; young birds that shoot streams of stinking poop; and more.

Have you ever wondered what mysteries the ocean holds? Prepare to explore the ocean from sunlit shallows to the deepest, darkest depths. Along the way, you'll meet many incredible creatures that are brand new to science. Dive to a coral reef and spot a new species of pygmy octopus. Travel deeper and discover fragile, nearly transparent jellies as they drift past. Then head down into a world of eternal night. You'll encounter animals that make their own light and zombie worms that feast on the bones of dead whales. Your adventure is based on the real journeys of scientists involved in the Census of Marine Life. From 2000 to 2010, more than two thousand researchers from eighty-two countries carried out the most extensive investigation of ocean life ever attempted. Author Rebecca L. Johnson takes readers to research sites around the globe, showing how ocean scientists do their work. Stunning photographs throughout bring readers face-to-face with some of the most mesmerizing creatures on Earth.

Are zombies real? As far as we know, dead people do not come back to life and start walking around, looking for trouble. But there are things that can take over the bodies and brains of innocent creatures, turning them into senseless slaves. Meet nature's zombie makers―including a fly-enslaving fungus, a suicide worm, and a cockroach-taming wasp―and their victims.

Hi! I'm Juliet. I'm ten years old.And I'm nearly a vet!There's a cat show in town and some of the cats are going to board at Mum's vet clinic. Chelsea and I can't wait to see all the different types of cats.All the owners have special techniques for preparing their pets for the show - and some are very fussy. When there's a cat-astrophe, it's lucky that my best friend is almost a world-famous animal trainer and groomer!

Hi! I'm Juliet. I'm nearly ten years old.And I'm nearly a vet!There was a huge storm last night and now there are lots of lost dogs. One turned up outside my window (he must have known I'm nearly a vet and could help him). Luckily, Chelsea, Mum and I are helping out at the Lost Dogs' Home.I hope we can find all of their owners, because what will we do if we can't? Dad definitely won't let us have another dog!

Hi! I'm Juliet. I'm ten years old.And I'm nearly a vet!It's hot and dry in the outback where my grandparents live. I'm so excited that Chelsea is coming with us to visit them. I wonder what outback animals we'll see?My cousin Jarrod will be there, but I get the feeling he doesn't like me very much and - even worse - he doesn't seem to like animals! Maybe this is my chance to change his mind...

Hi! I'm Juliet. I'm ten years old. And I'm nearly a vet!We're off on a school camp to the rainforest. Chelsea, Maisy and I are excited about all the different animals we might spot on our nature walks and torchlight treks. Chelsea is NOT excited about the creepy crawlies we might find, but I know that vets have to be brave.I've brought my vet kit along just in case we find any rainforest animals in need of help...

Hi! I'm Juliet. I'm ten years old. And I'm nearly a vet!It's been raining for days and the farms and paddocks near our house are flooded. Luckily, Chelsea and I are all ready to help when Mum is called out to deal with some stranded alpacas - a vet has to be ready to go at a moment's notice! But there are many small animals that need rescuing. Can we convince Dad to take us out in the canoe before the water rises further?

Hi! I'm Juliet. I'm ten years old.And I'm nearly a vet!Chelsea and I go to such a cool school - we get to have playground pets! Guineas pigs, lizards, fish and insects are all part of our classroom. This week, we have a replacement teacher though, and Miss Fine doesn't know much about animals. But we do (it's so handy being nearly a vet).We're going to be flat-out keeping track of them all and doing our schoolwork, but I'm sure nothing will go too wrong...

Did you know that some animals have natural ninja-like talents? In this book, you'll learn all about them, including geckos, sea urchins, bombardier beetles, and more. For example, geckos can grip almost any surface―including walls and ceilings―with their amazing toes. And when collector urchins are attacked, they release tiny, sharp objects that bear a striking resemblance to throwing stars. You will also meet the scientists who are studying these animals' amazing abilities.