Books in Animal Close-ups series

2014 Silver Birch Express Award nominee Canadian Science Writers' Association Outstanding Youth Book 2013 shortlist On CCBC's Best Books for Kids and Teens list 2013 On Resource Links Best of 2013 list On Ontario Library Association Best Bets List 2013 Imagine a world without bees. Not only would it be less colorful - with fewer wildflowers and flowering plants - it would be less fruitful as well. A world without bees would mean a world where the food supply would be significantly diminished. Global bee researcher Laurence Packer estimates that bees are responsible for 1/3 of our food supply. Buzz About Bees is the latest addition to the series that includes Lowdown on Earthworms and follows the same formula offering an in-depth look at an endangered and vital part of the natural world. Accompanying information about the history, social structure and science behind the world of bees and honey are conservation activities to make the world a place where hives of bees can thrive.

Finalist - 2006 Foreword Magazine BOTY Award - Juvenile Non-Fiction category Shortlisted for the Silver Birch Award Red Cedar Book Award nominee 2007-2008 Finalist - 2007 SB and F Prize for Excellence in Science Books - Hands-on Science/Activity Book category Animal Behavior Society's Outstanding Children's Book Award shortlist What has no eyes, but can see? No ears, but can hear? No legs, but can still travel quite easily? Give up? The answer's an earthworm. You barely hear them, and rarely see them, but earthworms are among the most important creatures on the planet. They may seem like just more creepy crawlies, but without earthworms working hard on our dirt, we'd have a very difficult time growing our flowers, our trees, and even our food. Filled with interesting, easy-to-understand facts, Lowdown on Earthworms is the perfect introduction to these unsung heroes. From the myth that cutting a worm in half will create two worms, to their unique reproductive capabilities, all the need-to-know facts are here. Author Norma Dixon also provides her readers with several projects and activities to better acquaint us with earthworms and all the great work they do. Children can make a worm-watching terrarium, a worm composter, and even a worm-listening device of their own. First in a series of nature books that will include mollusks and flies.

Finalist for the 2016 Animal Behavior Society's Outstanding Children's Book Award 2017 Red Maple Non-Fiction Award finalist On the Fall 2016 edition of the CCBC's Best Books for Kids and Teens Most people hear the word "vampire" and they think of shady, nocturnal characters with capes and pointed teeth. But that's all pretend...right? Wrong! Blood-thirsty creatures are real -- but not in the ways you might be imagining them! In fact, there are trillions of vampires creeping, crawling, swimming, buzzing and even flying among us. Whether they are the fleas that love your pets as much as you do, the bedbugs that snuggle in with you at night, the lampreys that eat your fish dinner before you do, or the seemingly innocent butterflies that flutter above, these vampires come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and species. Bloodsucking creatures are known for their irritating habits. They pierce your skin, drink your blood, and sometimes spread diseases. They range from highly annoying to deadly. It's difficult to love them, but these hungry critters are a necessity in our global ecosystems and they can even be beneficial. Filled with fascinating and sometimes gory information, full-color photos, interactive activities, and educational diagrams and charts, Bite into Bloodsuckers is sure to get under your skin and run through your veins! Read more about: Why bloodsuckers crave blood Types of real-life vampires Where bloodsuckers live and breed Lifecycles of different blood-thirsty creatures Dangers and fears of bloodsuckers Benefits of vampire creatures-both environmental and medical How to protect yourself from nasty bites

The creepy crawlies we all know--and some we don't. We explore the amazing world of the insect, in alarming close-up.This new natural history series from Peter Bedrick, produced in collaboration with zoology experts at the Natural History Museum in London, introduces young learners to creatures in four different species - insects, sea creatures, monkeys and apes, and frogs and snakes. Photographs show each entire creature and then zoom in on fascinating details in close-up images. The simple but engaging design and accessible text make these volumes the perfect introduction to the animal kingdom.