Books in Backyard Books series

Did you know there are around 8,000 types of centipede in the world? The name "centipede" means 100 feet, although not every centipede has that many feet. And centipedes can't count anyway! Are You a Centipede? will give young children an inside look at the everyday life of this fascinating insect. They can find out why the female centipede is such a good mother, what happens when her eggs hatch, how centipedes can run very fast to catch insects and small spiders to eat, and what the difference is between a centipede and a millipede.

This series of books is the perfect introduction to the natural world for young children of pre-school age. Each book uses a series of statements, complemented by detailed and imaginative artwork, to help children differentiate between themselves as humans and a particular small animal. Most of these animals can be found just outside the back door, and will be familiar to children. The statements relate to the animal's appearance, life cycle, appetite and predators. They are fun - in some instances, grisly! - and informative. The books are suitable for parents to read alound or for the child to read alone.

Did you know the six-spotted tiger beetle is one of around 400,000 types of beetle in the world? A six-spotted tiger beetle is bright metallic green and, like the tiger, it has sharp and very powerful jaws! Are you a Beetle? will give young children an inside look at the everyday life of this fascinating insect. They can find out where the mother beetle buries her eggs, how the egg hatches into a tiny caterpillar, how the adult beetles grab passing ants and spiders to eat from the safety of their burrow and much more.