Books in Eye To Eye With Animals series

The Arctic wolf inches towards you. Like you, he is torn between fear and curiosity. His instinct leads him towards the scent of your leather boots. Your instinct is to reach out to this curious white canine. Suddenly, he snarls, and you’re face to face with a wild animal. For years, photographer Jim Brandenburg has observed lone wolves by moonlight, Arctic wolves leaping onto ice floes, and wolves hunting and foraging for food. Packs of gray wolves surround his house in Minnesota. Let him lead you on an intimate journey through their mysterious world, making a persuasive case for the protection of this threatened species, and showing how wolves and humans can live together.

You’re deep inside an endangered habitat. In the blue waters of southern Florida you come face to face with nature’s gentle giant. Meet the manatee. He’s playful, sometimes clumsy, and he rolls around when he’s happy. Hear that?! He just squealed with delight. Learn why his world is under threat from pollution and development, and what young environmentalists can do to protect that world. Brian Skerry’s astonishing photographs and amazing first-hand adventures reveal the world of the manatee as never before.

You’re two inches away from a poison dart frog. You’re lying on the rain forest floor as she hops toward you, utterly fearless. This deadly terribilis frog has nothing to fear; your fear is that any accidental contact with your skin could mean death!Let Mark Moffett give you the expert view on our amphibian friends, from metamorphosis to diet, from habitat to distinctive features; and learn why we urgently need to foster a healthier planet for these sensitive creatures.

You’re keeping soooo still. You’re trying not to even breathe too loudly. You don’t want to disturb the most wonderful, delicate-looking creature you’ve ever seen. Insect expert Darlyne Murawski leads young readers inside the fascinating world of butterflies: learn how they are magically transformed from squirmy caterpillars; discover how each species develops unique wings; and witness a butterfly food fight, as they wrestle over a flower until a winner is declared.

Chris Johns, Editor-in-Chief of National Geographic magazine, brings you face to face with a family of cheetahs. The story begins in Okavango Delta in Botswana—as the cheetah mother hunts her prey and the photographer tracks the elusive cat. After watching the family for four months, he is rewarded when a cheetah cub comes up and actually licks his hand—one of the most profound moments of his life. But the encounter brings a responsibility: to help save these endangered creatures and protect their habitat from one of their biggest threats, man. As Africa’s most endangered cat, the cheetah is in a race for survival. But the book gives us hope, too, detailing practical ways we can all help to protect them and ensure they have a future in the wild. Stunning photographs, action-packed stories, and thorough research complete the picture of these cagey cats.

You’re crouched in the African brush, camera at the ready. You’re waiting on one of nature’s loners. It’s dark. It’s scary. Then silently, he appears; the ever-elusive leopard. You have seconds to capture on film this wonder of the wild, with its exotic spotted fur, so prized by hunters. National Geographic Explorers-in-Residence Dereck and Beverly Joubert take you closer to the mystery of the magnificent leopard and make a passionate plea to young readers to help secure a future for these feline treasures.

You’re in the Land Rover, observing elephants from a safe, respectful distance. It’s a hot, hot day in the African bush, and the windows are down. But what’s this? Suddenly, you’ve got company! An elephant trunk is nosing around in your luggage for some water. Nothing new to Beverly and Dereck Joubert, the wildlife writers and filmmakers who get up close and personal with elephants of all sizes, experience their complex social structure, and witness first-hand their deepest emotions. Through Beverly’s stunning photographs and Dereck’s engaging narration, readers can follow the plight of a trapped baby elephant, discover the compassion of these gentle giants, and learn of the threats they face. The Jouberts take readers face to face with the elephants as they come under attack from lions...and from mankind. Learn how to help protect these animals and prevent shrinking herds being driven into ever smaller parcels of land.

You’re bundled against the Arctic chill. You’re loaded with equipment. And that big white bear who’s just slashed your tires has a toothache. Where is that helicopter? Norbert Rosing leads young readers into the wintry world of the dangerous polar bear, who has good reason to be angry at man’s intrusions. Let this National Geographic expert show you the bears’ playful side; learn how they make nests for hibernation, why their coats are so white, and how you can help to protect their environment from the effects of global warming.

You’re in the water, and suddenly, right beside you, he is beaming brightly. You’re face to face with a dolphin, one of the friendliest mammals on Earth. Dive deep into the realm of dolphins with Flip Nicklin, one of the world’s foremost photographers of these smiling wonders. Meet dolphin types, from botus to orcas to bottlenose; see how they nurse, fish, and echolocate. Nicklin’s enthusiasm and the special kinship we all feel for these intelligent creatures is an inspiration to all readers to take action to help protect their ocean home.