New Releases by Ruth Owen

Hanging in a tree in a scorching-hot desert is a large, messy, grassy structure that looks like. . . . a haystack! This unusual nest may look rather untidy, but it has been carefully built by generations of weaver birds. These sparrow-sized birds live in large colonies, working together to create their giant nest from twigs and dry grass. A single nest may be home to 100 families! Discover how the communal nest is made up of tiny tunnels that lead to each family''s nest chamber. See how the birds protect the entrances to their homes with sharp spikes of straw that keep out predators, such as snakes. And learn how a weaver bird chick may grow up in the nest and then move into its own nesting chamber as a neighbor of its parents, once it is ready to raise its own family. Readers will enjoy learning about the unusual behavior of these sociable birds, and will love the close-up photos that show the birds'' everyday lives and how they build their amazing home.

For a colony of green weaver ants, building nests is a family affair. Even the baby ants, or larvae, have work to do! These ants do not live underground. They make their home sweet amazing home in a tree. Working as a team, the colony stitches together leaves. But what do they use as thread? The silk that''s produced by the colony''s larvae. Meet a green weaver ant colony, its queen, and the 500,000 busy workers. Learn how the ants move from place to place foraging for food and build new homes wherever they settle. And marvel at their leafy nests that look just like a patchwork quilt! Readers will be astounded by these clever animal builders and will love the beautiful, close-up photos that show these tiny insects at work.

Stories in the news about natural disasters and climate change can be scary. That''s why it''s so important for kids to be able to discuss this topic, that''s affecting us all, and understand the facts—and just the facts! Packed with science, this book''s chatty, engaging style will explain to readers exactly what''s happening, why it''s happening, and what we can all do to help protect our planet for the future. Understand the science behind terms such as global warming, greenhouse gases, and renewable energy. Let''s love our whole planet and look at what people worldwide can do to help protect the place where we ALL live. Discover the ways in which scientists, conservationists, and kids just like you are working hard to understand how our planet is changing and what can be done to protect wildlife and ecosystems. The antidote to climate change anxiety is understanding what''s going on (without the drama and fear) and being empowered to take daily positive actions to help care for our world.

Splash! Dragging a young tree a beaver enters the water with some new building material for his dam. Using his powerful teeth, he cut down the slender tree trunk. Now he knows exactly where it will be placed in the ever-growing structure he is building with his mate. In this book, young readers will be introduced to this keystone species. Beavers build dams across rivers to make ponds where they can safely raise their young. As they do this, they create important wetland habitats where other animals and water plants can thrive. Learn how a beaver''s strong building instincts help it to create a dam. See into the beaver family''s lodge home with its secret, underwater entrance. Meet the beaver couple''s tiny kits and find out how the babies learn to swim and find food. Readers will be astounded by these clever animal builders and the amazing effect that their home sweet home can have on a wild habitat.

This fascinating title is a celebration of the chubby, eight-legged, moss-dwelling, microscopic creatures called tardigrades. If you''ve never heard of tardigrades (also known as moss piglets), prepare to be amazed by their superhero survival skills! Using fantastic photos, 3D artwork, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) imagery, enter the world of the tardigrade and learn how scientists are studying these bizarre superheroes to learn more about the origins of life on Earth and how their survival skills could be used in human medicine. Learn all about the everyday lives of tardigrades Discover how they can be dried out and still survive for years! See how they have been frozen and boiled by scientists—and survived! And be wowed by their journey into space, where they lived without air and with extreme levels of radiation on the outside of a spacecraft—and (you guessed it) survived!

It’s a big day for a father seahorse. For a month he has been carrying his babies in a special pouch on his tummy. Now the young seahorses are ready to begin their lives in the ocean. With a series of pushes, he gives birth to 1,000 tiny babies. As the seahorse babies swim away, his protective role as their father is over. In this book, young readers will discover the unusual life cycle of seahorses. The fascinating text is accompanied by beautiful, detailed photographs. Learn how a pair of seahorses mate for life and live amongst the seaweed on a coral reef. See how the mother seahorse transfers her eggs to the father’s body. And discover how a father seahorse carries the pair’s eggs and then their babies in his body. In this book, young readers will meet a pair of seahorses and discover the unusual life cycle of these tiny fish. The fascinating text is accompanied by beautiful, detailed photographs.

This big book of info-packed pages introduces young readers to the subject of life cycles using a question-and-answer format. The life cycles featured include pet animals, farm animals, wild mammals, fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and spiders. This high-interest topic is perfect for early elementary nature and life science projects, and the fantastic imagery and quantity of information will have kids returning to the book again and again, making it a valuable resource for classrooms and libraries.

Can plant roots move to find water? How do plants make their own food and the oxygen we need to breathe? Why have some plants become carnivorous bug catchers? And how do animals help disperse seeds? This information-packed look at the world of plants is perfect for curriculum work and for discovering the fascinating secret world of plants. Visit the Svalbard Global Seed Vault on an island in the Arctic Ocean where seeds from around the world are kept in a high-security building under an ice-covered mountain to protect them from disease and future climate change. Explore plant reproduction, including how flowering and cone-bearing plants produce seeds, how mosses and ferns create new plants using spores, and how some plants reproduce asexually. Learn how to classify plants and find out about conservationists who are working to protect wild plants. Meet plants such as a tree with a rainbow-colored trunk, the biggest plants on Earth, and cacti. The book includes experiments and activities and is supported by downloadable worksheets and other resources.

How many skin cells do we lose every minute? What do the trillions of bacteria that live in our bodies do? How does our brain control every action we take? And how does DNA make us who we are? This fact-packed look at the human body is an entertaining nonfiction read that''s filled with superb photos and 3D illustrations. The muscle and skeletal system, the digestive system, the nervous system, and circulatory system are all comprehensively explained. The book includes sections on the mouth and caring for our teeth, eating a healthy diet, exercising, and the importance of sleep for our bodies. The effects and dangers of smoking, drinking alcohol, and taking illegal drugs are sensitively handled in an appropriate way for the target audience. And there is a fascinating section that explores the different stages of the human life cycle. This book will quickly become an essential resource for students and their teachers when studying the human body.

Plants, animals, humans—all living things need water to survive. But what is this essential substance made of and why is it able to change from a liquid to a solid to a gas and back again? In this book, young students will carry out a series of fun and innovative experiments to learn all about water. What are water molecules and how do they behave? Why does water seem to disappear when it is warmed by sunshine? Why does water suddenly appear from nowhere on the sides of a cold soda can? How do rain and snow get up into the sky? And how does water travel through the parts of a plant and even through the cells in your body? Budding young scientists will love messing with water as they learn all about liquids, solids, and gases, evaporation and condensation, and the water cycle. They will ask questions, make observations, gather evidence, test theories, and record their conclusions. Students will also use scientific equipment and build and practice their science vocabulary.

Have you ever noticed a yellow dandelion growing from a crack in the sidewalk? It may be hard to believe, but this little wild plant has a very important role to play in its habitat. As readers spend 24 hours with a dandelion, they will discover: how dandelion nectar is an essential food for bumblebees in early spring. how a dandelion''s juicy leaves, stems, and flowers are food for many different munching critters. how the fluffy, flyaway seeds can become a meal for many creatures, such as ants, birds, and mice. This book is packed with core science vocabulary and a perfect introduction to plant lives and life cycles. The carefully leveled text and beautiful images are a great way to get young readers enthused about nonfiction books and will get little nature fans seeing the humble dandelion in a whole new light.

This beautiful book for young readers uses stunning, detailed photographs and carefully leveled text to show a 24-hour period in the life of an oak tree. Readers will... discover how the tree''s network of underground roots find water and nutrients. learn how the tree uses sunshine to make sugary food for energy. see how its thick trunk and leafy branches are home to up to 1,000 different kinds of animals, including insects, spiders, and birds. This engaging book is a perfect introduction to plant lives and life cycles and is just right to help young students build an enjoyment of nonfiction reading.

As the sun rises in a backyard, a tiny ant and thousands of her brothers and sisters leave their underground nest. The little insect has a busy day ahead foraging for food and carrying it back home for the ant colony to share. In this title for young nonfiction fans, the carefully leveled text and beautiful full-page photographs tell the story of a 24-hour period in the life of an ant. Discover how ants work as a team to find food and share information about good food sources. Peek into the ant''s underground home that she shares with her mother, the giant queen ant, and thousands of other busy workers. And even though the ant is very, very small, discover how she does essential work in her backyard habitat, such as dispersing seeds and making the soil crumbly, so water and air can reach the roots of trees and other plants. The engaging text is a perfect introduction to insect lives and life cycles and is just right for building an enjoyment of nonfiction reading.

Winter has arrived, and Mo thinks the garden has died. But Mr. Green knows that the garden is just resting until spring. Join the friends as they learn how trees save energy by having bare branches in winter. Discover how bulbs and seeds are just waiting underground. And learn the importance of feeding wild birds and creating safe, warm places for animals to spend the colder months.

It''s summertime, and the garden is in full bloom. Mo discovers the importance of bees and butterflies as they pollinate flowers around the garden. Tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, and other vegetable plants erupt from the soil, and the garden''s animals are busy raising their young. There is something new to see and learn every day in summer!

If you love spiders, or if you are terrified of spiders, or if you just want to be mind-boggled by some incredible arachnid facts, this book is for you! These little eight-legged creatures are often the stuff of people''s nightmares, but spiders are amazing animals that are essential for our world. In this book, spiders set out to convince their human doubters that they really aren''t out to scare or harm people. In fact, they are far too busy weaving beautiful silk structures, hunting, keeping insect pests under control, and raising their young to want to frighten humans. Meet some weird and wonderful spiders, including bat-eating spiders, scuba-diving spiders, and spiders that disguise themselves as poop Learn how spiders are essential to ecosystems everywhere Investigate why some people are afraid of spiders And celebrate the lives of these little animals that so often get ignored or are dismissed as scary Told from a spider''s point of view, this fascinating, fact-packed celebration of spiders is determined to turn kids everywhere into spider fans and protectors.

In this book, readers will dive beneath the ocean to discover how fish, marine mammals, and a whole host of animals that make this habitat their home form an ecosystem and rely on their habitat and each other for survival. This title cleverly explores the connections between a range of ocean animals, plants, seaweeds, and other living things. Packed with curriculum science information See how ocean animals find or hunt for their food Learn about the life cycles of whales, sharks, and other marine animals Discover how some animals migrate to find food and mates Encounter some weird and wonderful creatures that live on the seabed Controlled vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure Beautiful, labeled photographs throughout Close photo/text match Includes an ocean food web diagram Filled with facts about the natural world, this title is perfect for students studying habitats, animal and plant life cycles, and ecosystems.

In this book, readers will explore a tree stump microhabitat and discover how the tiny animals, plants, and fungi that live here form an ecosystem and rely on each other for survival. This title cleverly takes young readers on a mini safari around, beneath, and inside a tree stump making connections between the living things that call it home. Packed with curriculum science information See how tree stump minibeasts make their homes and what they eat Learn about the life cycles of snakes and lizards Discover how tardigrades and other microscopic animals live in moss Controlled vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure Beautiful, labeled photographs throughout Close photo/text match Includes a tree stump food web diagram Filled with facts about the natural world, this title is perfect for students studying habitats, animal and plant life cycles, and ecosystems.

In this book, readers will explore a city habitat at night and discover how the nocturnal animals that make it their home form an ecosystem and rely on their habitat and each other for survival. This title cleverly takes young readers on a mini exploration through the dark streets and backyards of a nighttime city habitat making connections between the living things that call it home. Packed with curriculum science information Discover how animals use the city’s buildings, gardens, trash cans and even sewers as places to find shelter and food See how animals and plants have adaptions to live in cities Learn about the animals’ life cycles Controlled vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure Beautiful, labeled photographs throughout Close photo/text match Includes a city animals food web diagram Filled with facts about the natural world, this title is perfect for students studying habitats, animal and plant life cycles, and ecosystems.

Little Mouse and her babies live in the hedgerow. But one day, something big, noisy, and smelly visits their world and leaves something behind. Sniff? Sniff? As Little Mouse investigates a tempting smell, she finds herself slipping . . . and sliding . . . and falling . . . and stuck! She is trapped in a plastic bottle that was discarded by people in a car. How will she ever escape and make it home to her hungry babies? This important story highlights the dangers of littering and the harm garbage does to wild animals every day.

Crunch! Munch! Delicious! We eat fruits and vegetables every day, but how do these foods actually grow? In this book, kids will discover how seeds develop into mature plants from which farmers or gardeners can harvest a crop. Many children are not aware of how the foods they eat are produced, so this eye-opening book will have them looking at produce as plant scientists. They will also learn how fruits and vegetables are good for our bodies and help to keep us healthy. The book includes critical thinking questions, activities and experiments, and it is supported with downloadable worksheets.

Readers explore a backyard habitat and discover how garden animals and plants form an ecosystem and rely on each other for survival. This title cleverly takes young readers on a mini safari through a backyard making connections between the living things that call it home. For example: As aphids suck nectar from the stems of plants, a ladybird leaves its winter hiding place to start munching on aphids. As worms wriggle through the soil helping to bring nutrients and rainwater to the roots of the garden’s trees, a robin hunts for worms to feed to its chicks. • Packed with curriculum science information • See how backyard animals make their homes and what they eat. • Learn about the life cycles of some common mammals and birds • Discover how insects pollinate plants • Controlled vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure • Beautiful, labelled photographs throughout • Close photo/text match • Includes a backyard food web diagram Filled with facts about the natural world, this title is perfect for students studying habitats, animal and plant life cycles, and ecosystems.

Halloween is the perfect time to great creative! Young readers are encouraged to embrace the spirit of this holiday through a series of exciting DIY projects guaranteed to gross out their friends. This high-interest topic is presented through clear text that sets the scene and breaks down each project into simple steps. By following the helpful instructions, readers are able to practice following written directions as they independently create impressive Halloween horrors. Safety tips and eye-catching materials lists ensure a safe and successful DIY experience, and colorful photographs enhance the creepy fun.

They are colorful. They form amazing shapes. They feed on our food. And some are even deadly poisonous. Fungi! Explore the lives and life cycles of nature’s clean-up champions that help keep our world free from dead leaves and other rotting material. After reading, put your knowledge to the test with a simple science project.

They are colorful. Some are bigger than your head. They go through an amazing metamorphosis. They even pollinate plants. And they are every bit as beautiful as butterflies! It’s time for moths to take center stage and get the attention they deserve. Explore the world of these fascinating furry insects and learn about their lives, their life cycles and why they fly into your porch light at night! After reading, put your knowledge to the test with a simple science project.

Swoop, snatch, slurp, suck—welcome to the world of bats. Join the natural world''s only flying mammals on their night-time flights as they use echolocation to hunt for insects, feed on fruit or nectar, and even suck blood from other living animals. The exceptional photography in this book will allow young readers to examine these beautiful creatures up close, learn about their physical characteristics and see how they are adapted to obtain food and live in their varied habitats. Bat life cycles will also feature with stunning imagery of moms and pups. The book supports learning across all areas of life sciences curriculum. After reading, put your knowledge to the test with a simple science project.

All around us Earth''s rock cycle is in action. Wind and rain turn rocks to sand; dead leaves mix with rock particles to make soil; over millions of years, layers of sand and soil turn to sedimentary rock; beneath our feet in Earth''s crust, extreme heat and pressure create metamorphic rocks; while lava bursts from volcanoes and cools to become igneous rock. This in-depth look at rocks and fossils gives students the chance to carry out investigations such as examining rock properties, building a rock cycle model, and even creating their own fossils.

Everyone knows that birds have feathers, but why so many different colors and shapes? From feathers for flying, to feathers for swimming, feathers for camouflage, to feathers for attracting a mate, this book will give readers a fascinating insight into the lives of birds and their physical adaptations. Topics include how a chick''s feathers change from fluffy down to its adult flight feathers, how the bright red and yellow feathers of a macaw can actually help it stay hidden among green rain forest trees, and how feathers help keep penguins warm in the coldest place on Earth. After reading, put your knowledge to the test with a simple science project.

Imagine you are inside a dark closet. Everything around you looks black. You can''t even see your own hands in front of your face. Why? Your hands are still there, but something important is missing—light! This in-depth look at light includes understanding light sources, incredible facts about our Sun, how light reflects off objects around us, and how our eyes use light to allow us to see. It also features topics such as shadows, making rainbows, and bioluminescence in the animal kingdom. This book is packed with activities including making shadow artworks, testing your own eyes'' capabilities, and even designing a reflective safety jacket for a dog''s night-time walk.

"In the middle of the big city, there was a tired, ugly place that made Mr. Green feel very sad." So begins this uplifting and charming story of the magic that can happen when young people, older people, and plants come together. Mo has lost his father. But as he helps his neighbor Mr. Green create a beautiful garden in an abandoned, forlorn space in the city, a smiley feeling grows inside Mo and he learns that a garden can be a very good place to remember people we''ve lost. As the two friends grow their garden, readers will also discover: • How being in nature is good for our mental health • How intergenerational friendships are important • The importance of rebuilding ecosystems and making places for wildlife • How plants grow, including vegetables • The importance of planting trees • How soil is a living thing that needs to be nurtured The story is told with beautiful artwork created from collage and pencil drawings.