Gemstones are more than just pretty rocks. These stones serve a purpose far beyond jewelry or decoration! In this book, beautiful photos and interesting text combine to create a fascinating glimpse into the world of gemstones. Many special features turn this into a stand-out introduction to the subject, including a gemstone profile, comparison features, a formation diagram, and an activity. The text, photos, and features combine to create an engaging read sure to strike readersХ interest i...

Snowflakes float gently through the air. Aged cheeses add the perfect flavor to an afternoon snack. Gas stoves boil water for pasta. Each of these everyday objects contains crystals! They are in nature, in food, and in many of the appliances and electronics we use every day. This title explores the ins and outs of crystals, from how they are structured and how they form to how we use them. Special features such as a crystal profile, an activity, and several formation diagrams help readers ...

Time for a fossil hunt! Digging through a layer of sedimentary rock, scientists uncover many relics of prehistoric Earth. Tiny trilobites prove that a vast desert was once an ocean. Huge dinosaur fossils show where dinosaurs once roamed! With this title, readers will learn about the types of fossils, how they form, and why scientists study them today. This title includes engaging special features such as a fossil profile, a fossil comparison chart, formation diagrams, and more, all designe...

Tsunamis make headlines around the world for their damage and destruction. What should you do if a killer wave is coming your way? Learn about tsunami preparations and procedures in this instructive title.

Walkingsticks have some of the best camouflage in the insect world. Most wave in the wind and look just like twigs – but some have bright wings to warn predators! Young readers will love taking a closer look at these masters of hide and seek.

Animal trainers have a wild job. From tigers to orcas, trainers teach animals to perform for circuses, movies, and more. Discover the dangers of working with unpredictable animals in this exciting title for young readers.

There are many strange foods out there that don't sound appetizing at first. From rotting shark meat to fried spiders, there’s sure to be something that can test the strength of your stomach. Discover foods called yucky more often than yummy in this low-level title for young readers.

Cockroaches may be creepy-crawly, but these resilient insects once shared the world with dinosaurs! Eager young readers will find out where cockroaches live, how they grow, and what they eat in this title featuring up close, crisp photography.

S-shaped markings trail behind a rattlesnake scaling a tall desert dune. It is a sidewinder making its characteristic climb! These snakes have developed a special way of moving so only two small areas of their bodies touch the scalding hot sand at a time. Readers will be slithering their way through the pages of this informative title about the desert adaptations of sidewinders!

Each termite plays a special role in the colony. A queen termite lays millions of eggs each year! Around the nest, busy worker and dedicated soldier termites swarm. In this title, young readers will learn all about the complex world of termites!

Many people hate the quiet whine of a mosquito buzzing around their head. But you may be surprised to learn that females are the only mosquitoes who suck blood. Itching to find out why? Young readers will find out this and so much more in this book about mosquitoes!

A wasp might sting you, but you can’t say you weren’t warned! Wasps have bright colors to caution that they do have a dangerous side. This insect introduction makes it safe for beginning readers to get up close to wasps and enter their world.