Books with author Sneed B. Collard

A snowshoe hare nibbles on spruce and fir buds high in a Rocky Mountain forest. The hare isn�t overly worried about predators because its white fur blends in perfectly with snow. There�s only one problem. This year, there isn�t any snow. As the hare forages, a great horned owl notices. The result? A disaster for the hare�one that is happening more and more frequently across its range.Hopping Ahead of Climate Change describes one of the most intriguing and important studies of our time�the work of biologist Scott Mills, who is trying to answer the critical question: Can animals that change their coat colors with the seasons survive shorter winters caused by climate change? Working with an international team of colleagues and students, Professor Mills has been conducting a range of studies that explore the impacts of a hotter world on animals. In Hopping Ahead of Climate Change, readers learn how Professor Mills studies snowshoe hares, which questions he seeks to answer, and most importantly, what he has discovered. The results are both fascinating and surprising�and have vital implications for the future of our planet.

Lizards are cool. Literally. They are ectotherms, which means they can’t make their own heat. That’s why you see many types of lizards basking in the sun, seemingly doing nothing at all. That’s the life. But make no mistake, lizards have very busy lives—looking for food and avoiding being food. Popular science writer Sneed B. Collard III gets down and dirty with all kinds of lizards—from your average "Joe Lizard," the western fence lizard, to the impressively large Komodo dragon. In a kid-friendly narrative, Sneed explores many different kinds of lizards, their habitats, defense systems, hunting techniques, and mating rituals. He reveals the exciting life of a lizard—from rappelling from the tops of trees to the forest floor, to dropping off a tail to get away from a predator.

*NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book* *Junior Library Guild Selection 2017*Only a few dozen vertebrate animals have evolved true gliding abilities, but they include an astonishing variety of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.North America’s flying squirrels and Australia’s sugar gliders notwithstanding, the vast majority of them live in rainforests. Illustrated with arresting photographs, Catching Air takes us around the world to meet these animals, learn why so many gliders live in Southeast Asia, and find out why this gravity-defying ability has evolved in Draco lizards, snakes, and frogs as well as mammals. Why do gliders stop short of flying, how did bats make that final leap, and how did Homo sapiens bypass evolution to glide via wingsuits and hang gliders―or is that evolution in another guise? color photography

In Fire Birds�Valuing Natural Wildfires and Burned Forests, award-winning science author Sneed B. Collard III challenges society�s negative views toward natural forest fires. By focusing on the research of biologist Richard Hutto, Collard reveals the complex relationships between fire and thriving plant and animal communities. The book especially focuses on the heavy use of burned forests by dozens of bird species�and debunks the idea that burned forests are worthless wastelands.Besides delivering a powerful environmental message, Fire Birds couldn�t be more timely. With record numbers of acres burning every year, pressure to suppress wildfires and �salvage log� burned forests has never been greater. Stunning photographs and clear text deliver the message that recent fire policies have been backfiring badly.

Incredibly rich and realistic illustrations take readers up close to the curious creatures and plants that thrive in the vast severe habitat of the ocean's floor.Marine biologist and renowned children's book writer Sneed B. Collard III introduces children to many fascinating sea creatures–from bioluminescent fish to giant tube worms–that survive without sunlight. A history of deep-sea exploration from sonar to submersibles shows how far scientists have come in their ability to investigate these great depths.Inspire young readers to explore the possibilities of marine science.

Thirteen-year-old Guy tries to make the best of a difficult situation with the help of his beloved dog and a new friend.Montana is a long way from California. Guy and his mother have moved in with his grandfather after his father’s “unannounced departure.” Back home, Guy skateboarded, surfed, and played video games with his friends. Here the kids only seem to talk about cars, fishing, and hunting.Life at Big Sky Middle School is also a disappointment. Guy is bored in math class and over his head in English. He quickly becomes a target for Brad Mullen, class bully. But at least Guy has his beloved Border collie, Streak, and eventually he makes a friend, his classmate Luke Grant. Soon Guy and Luke hatch a plan to train Streak to compete against Brad Mullen and his dog at the town’s Frisbee catching competition. But the rivalry between Guy and Brad escalates until an impulsive wager pits the boys head to head and places Streak in jeopardy.Sneed B. Collard II offers young readers an affecting, realistic portrait of an adolescent boy who must learn to cope with conflicts and challenges in an unfamiliar environment and to accept changes in his life that are beyond his control.

Thirteen-year-old Guy tries to make the best of a difficult situation with the help of his beloved dog and a new friend.Montana is a long way from California. Guy and his mother have moved in with his grandfather after his father’s “unannounced departure.” Back home, Guy skateboarded, surfed, and played video games with his friends. Here the kids only seem to talk about cars, fishing, and hunting.Life at Big Sky Middle School is also a disappointment. Guy is bored in math class and over his head in English. He quickly becomes a target for Brad Mullen, class bully. But at least Guy has his beloved Border collie, Streak, and eventually he makes a friend, his classmate Luke Grant. Soon Guy and Luke hatch a plan to train Streak to compete against Brad Mullen and his dog at the town’s Frisbee catching competition. But the rivalry between Guy and Brad escalates until an impulsive wager pits the boys head to head and places Streak in jeopardy.Sneed B. Collard II offers young readers an affecting, realistic portrait of an adolescent boy who must learn to cope with conflicts and challenges in an unfamiliar environment and to accept changes in his life that are beyond his control.

After recovering the governor of Montana�s famous dog, Cat, in The Governor�s Dog is Missing, twelve-year-old sleuths Slate Stephens and Daphne McSweeney head to the infamous Montana ghost town of Bannack. While their geologist dads prospect for a large gold mining company, Slate and Daphne encounter a pair of perplexing puzzles. Under an old classroom desk in Montana�s first schoolhouse, the young detectives discover clues pointing to missing gold treasure amassed by Montana�s vigilantes 150 years earlier. At the same time, a thief has absconded with two priceless Charles Russell paintings on loan to the university art museum in nearby Dillon. In Hangman�s Gold, the second Slate Stephens mystery, clues and curiosity lead our two heroes to begin solving both mysteries�and dig up more dirt than they can handle.

How can a toucan fly with such a large, cumbersome beak? A toucan's beak is actually light as a feather due to its honeycomb construction. And not only is it beautiful, but it's an extremely useful tool in foraging for food. Find out more fascinating facts in this remarkably illustrated study of bird beaks. Learn about several different birds, their habitats, and how their beaks are uniquely styled to help them survive. Outstanding 3-D cut-paper illustrations by Robin Brickman create amazingly realistic tableaus of birds in their natural environments with their beaks in action. Back matter includes a comprehensive quiz, a bibliography, and a list of related Web sites.

Popular science writer Sneed B. Collard III gets creepy-crawly with many different kinds of insects, detailing their habitats, defense systems, communication techniques, and mating rituals. Colorful, closeup photos are paired with a kid-friendly narrative that boasts humor and accessible explanations about beetles, spider wasps, moths, and more.For kids who love creepy-crawlies — School Library JournalA lighthearted invitation to join the insect-appreciation club: "Righteous exoskeleton, dude!"— Kirkus Reviews