World Around Us - Elementary and Middle Grades

"Paris, France has a population of 2.2 million people and 3.8 million rats. Toronto, Canada is the raccoon capital of the world. This intriguing book focuses on urban animals called "exploiters." These are animals such as squirrels, raccoons, skunks, opposums, rats, and crows who have turned living near humans to their advantage. An examination reveals the ways in which these animals have adapted to living alongside humans. Special feature boxes address...

Butterflies are not just the gentle, lovely creatures you think they are. Be prepared-- the truth will gross you out!

"Ripley's Believe It or Not meets National Geographic in this book about some of the grossest yet most fascinating ways animals have adapted to survive. Survival of the Grossest explores how some of the most effective -- and often truly foul -- survival adaptations in the animal world involve poop, mucus, spit, foul smells and sprays, nasty eating habits, disembodied body parts and zombification. Organized into seven 4-page sections and including...

From master of nonfiction Steve Jenkins comes the By the Numbers series—accessible readers packed with fascinating infographics and full-color cut-paper art. Insects focuses on the creepy-crawly world of bugs.
Through infographics and illustrations readers will learn about the sometimes gross and absolutely always fascinating world of insects. With astounding numbers, facts, and figures,...

"This stunning exploration of butterflies from around the world is a companion to My Book of Birds. Geraldo Valério grew up in Brazil, watching white butterflies visit the vegetable patch behind his house. As he got older, he learned more about these unique and beautiful insects, which can be found on every continent except Antarctica. In this gorgeous album, Geraldo presents his favorite butterfly species from around the world. Paint and paper collage...

"A guide to exploring the outdoors and asking questions about nature"--

Unearth a treasure trove of geological knowledge with this in-depth guide to over 500 rocks and minerals. Learn how rocks are formed and how to recognize them by their unique qualities and colors. This is a wonderful book for beginners, students and rock collecting enthusiasts that includes the latest scientific research and specimen classification.

Did you know you share your home with monsters?! In this book explore the menagerie of tiny and unusual creatures--arthropods (insects, mites, and spiders)--found in our lawns and gardens, our food, our beds, our clothes, and even our eyelashes. Some of these monsters are so tiny that they were barely recognized, even by scientists, until the invention of the electron microscope. Although they may seem like aliens from another planet, these miniscule...

From understanding how weather forms in Earth's atmosphere to surviving extreme heat waves and record-breaking cold temperatures, everything you want to know about weather is in Ultimate Weatherpedia.