Books in In My Backyard series

Spotting a toad in the backyard is the invitation for an educational look at a remarkable creature in this friendly volume. Readers will learn about this interesting amphibian's life cycle, from tiny tadpole to nimble-footed land dweller. They'll understand the characteristics of a toad's body, what it eats, and how it catches its meals with its talented tongue. Striking photographs of toads in action help the readers comprehend the approachable low-ATOS text.

Owls may have soft, fluffy feathers, but these birds of prey aren't cuddly. They're serious hunters. Readers will love learning about the owl adaptations that enable these birds to nab their prey, including sharp talons and excellent hearing and eyesight. Straightforward low-ATOS text and a picture glossary help young ornithologists comprehend key concepts, while stunning photographs will awe them, as well as inspire them to bird-watch.

Deer are a common sight in wooded areas, fields, and even backyards that provide lots of tasty plants for these long-legged mammals to eat. But young readers probably don't realize there are many kinds of deer, including the petite pudu and the massive moose. This attractive volume shares some absorbing facts about these creatures relayed through low-ATOS text and stunning photographs of deer in action.

Owls may have soft, fluffy feathers, but these birds of prey aren't cuddly. They're serious hunters. Readers will love learning about the owl adaptations that enable these birds to nab their prey, including sharp talons and excellent hearing and eyesight. Straightforward low-ATOS text and a picture glossary help young ornithologists comprehend key concepts, while stunning photographs will awe them, as well as inspire them to bird-watch.

Spotting a snake in the grass can be startling at first, but these reptiles are nothing short of fascinating. Readers of this appealing volume will learn some cool facts about snake bodies, habitats, senses, and even snake snacks. The low-ATOS text is perfectly paired with colorful photographs of snakes in the wild, making this an achievable and entertaining book for herpetologists of all reading levels.

Ants may seem like simple insects, but a colony's social organization is complex, and so fascinating. In this appealing volume, readers will learn about the different roles within an ant colony and how each helps the group survive in the wild. Low-ATOS text is coupled with arresting, up-close photographs of ants on the go. Readers will never overlook these diminutive organisms again.