Backyard wildlife

Beavers gnaw on tree trunks until trees break in half and fall down! Then these busy builders pile wood, mud, and rocks in water to make dams and lodges. Young readers will enjoy learning how beavers use their teeth, paddle through water, and build safe homes.

Have you ever heard coyotes howl or yip? These members of the dog family can sure make noise! Children will discover what coyotes are, where they live, and how they both hunt and scavenge for food.

From the Arctic to deserts, foxes are found in almost every kind of habitat. This book introduces children to foxes, explaining what they eat, their physical characteristics, and where they live.

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.

Wolves are territorial animals. They mark the areas where they live and hunt with their scent. Most of these wild, howling dogs stay in groups called packs. Information about the dynamics within a wolf pack will interest young readers.

Named for their short, bobbed tails, bobcats are only about twice the size of house cats. But these nocturnal wildcats aren't afraid to pick on larger animals during their nightly hunts. They stalk prey as big as deer and take them down with a leaping pounce! This title will introduce young readers to the brave bobcat's skills and lifestyle.

Tiny bristles called setae help earthworms burrow several feet into the ground. The earthworms bring nutrients and minerals to the surface, and on the way, their tunneling aerates the ground. Discover just how valuable these soil-stirrers are in this book for young learners.

Various species of the mighty hawk can be found all over the world. Hawks perch up high and soar through the sky in search of prey. They spot mice, gophers, rabbits, and other small animals or insects on the ground, then capture them with their strong talons! Discover more about these skilled hunters in this title for beginning readers.

Mice will eat just about anything, from grain to cheese to glue. These small rodents live all over the world and tend to stay near humans to scavenge for food. In the wild, mice often became dinner for large animals! This title will teach new readers about this common animal.

Mountain lions, cougars, pumas, panthers, or catamounts: no matter what you call them, these big cats are always ready to hunt. They stalk their prey everywhere from Canada to Argentina in forests, deserts, and swamps. Young readers will be amazed to learn how these ambush predators attack animals that are bigger and faster.

A popular cartoon co-star, the roadrunner is known for its speed. Roadrunners can run up to 18 miles per hour! They live up to their name, spending most of their time running on the ground and only flying when necessary. Young readers will learn how these birds survive and whether they really do have to escape wily coyotes.

Wild turkeys have roamed the woodlands of North America since before hunters came. These big birds have sharp senses and are extremely intelligent. They are also known to get rowdy with their gobble talk. Discover how wild turkeys survive in the woods in this title for beginning readers.

These critters inhabit the dark, damp corners of the world. They live underneath rocks, logs, and leaves. When disturbed, you may see a wave-like motion of legs, or perhaps smell the disgusting odor as they curl into a ball. Learn all the facts of this invertebrate in this beginner book.