Books in Blastoff Readers, Level 1: Community Helpers series

Small and quick, chipmunks make their homes in burrows, trees, nests, and logs. In some countries, they are sold as pets! Eager readers will find out the physical characteristics of chipmunks and what makes up their diverse diet.

When a predator is near, an opossum will likely do one of two things. It will try to scare the predator away by showing its sharp teeth, or it will lie very still and pretend it's dead! In this book, beginning readers will discover how these marsupials escape predators and carry their young babies in pouches.

The way a gorilla moves is called knuckle-walking. This is because the animal puts pressure on its knuckles when it moves. Beginning readers will learn how gorillas walk, why they beat their chests, and more in this informative title.

After birth, it takes a kitten between seven and ten days to open its eyes. Soon after this, kittens develop quickly into very playful animals. Eager readers will see what kittens eat and how they play.

A rabbit's teeth never stop growing. A rabbit needs to continually eat and chew to wear them down! Kids will learn what rabbits look like, where they live, and what they need to eat to keep their teeth short.

A monster truck rolls over a car and crunches it under its huge wheels. Monster trucks are giant pickup trucks that can race around a track. Kids will roar with excitement as monster trucks dominate this book's pages.

Snakes come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are only a few feet long, while others can stretch over 40 feet long! This title introduces young readers to the traits of snakes, what and how they eat, and where they make their homes.

Hopping, eating, and resting. That's the life of a rabbit on the farm. This book introduces young readers to the physical characteristics and lifestyle of rabbits.

A shell of bony plates covers an armadillo's body. This dense body armor protects the animal, but it also makes swimming difficult. To avoid sinking in water, an armadillo must inflate its stomach with air! In this book, children will learn about the diet, habitat, and unique look of the armadillo.

Pigs often rest in mud puddles on the farm. Mud baths help them to stay cool. This book teaches children how pigs look, what pigs eat, and how pigs survive hot days.

Badgers become fierce fighters when in danger. They can protect themselves from falling prey to large, strong animals such as wolves and bears! This book introduces beginning readers to badgers, highlighting the powerful jaws and strong claws of these animals.

A new road needs to be built, but first a grader must flatten the dirt underneath. A grader uses a blade to push the dirt down and prepare the way for a new road. Students will discover other jobs this powerful machine performs in this early introduction.