New Releases by Ruth Owen

With yaks, mountain leopards and goats, this is anything but a garden-variety origami book. Chock-full of exciting mountain animals, this book teaches readers how to create paper replicas, while instructing them about the eating, social, and daily habits of each creature. Easy-to-follow instructions ensure success with each project, while photos and illustrations will delight readers.

Parrots, gorillas, and snakes—oh my! These jungle creatures and more await readers within the pages of this project-filled book. As readers learn how to create each animal, they will effortlessly absorb facts about the subject creature in its jungle habitat. Even reluctant readers will be captivated by the vibrant photos and clear illustrated projects in this title. Hands-on origami projects keep readers entertained as they read and learn.

Ruth Owen takes Regency romance for a walk on the wild side as a desperate woman’s dangerous charade compels a tormented nobleman to raise the stakes on love. Sabrina Murphy has spent years trying to live down the reputation of her gambler father. But after being accused of a murder she didn’t commit, Sabrina decides to wager her life on the success of an audacious scheme. She will assume the identity of an heiress who disappeared as a child, duping the wealthy and powerful Trevelyan line long enough to lift the family jewels and flee the country. The hitch? She must convince the dark, handsome, and mysterious widower Lord Edward that she’s not bluffing. When the young beauty claiming to be his long-lost cousin arrives at the Trevelyan estate, Lord Edward is justly skeptical. Her very existence jeopardizes his inheritance. And yet even he must admit there is a striking resemblance—and that her gentle presence works magic on the tattered remains of his family. But when a series of suspicious accidents threatens her life, she and Edward are drawn together by a need to expose the truth—and by a desire neither can resist. Praise for Gambler’s Daughter “Ruth Owen writes with a wonderfully original voice. Gambler’s Daughter is a feast for the senses from beginning to end!”―New York Times bestselling author Joan Johnston

Did you know that there's a beetle that spends its days making balls of elephant dung, and then rolling them around? Or that African wild dogs will “serve up” a meal of regurgitated food for a hungry fellow pack member? Or that a male hippopotamus will swirl his tail like a pinwheel to spread his poop far and wide to mark his territory? In this gross fest of animal behavior, readers will be having so much fun reading about the horrible and bizarre that they won't even realize how much science is splattered, spread over, featured on every page!

Millions of miles from Earth, a very unusual scientist is hard at work exploring the freezing, dusty surface of the planet Mars. Curiosity, the robot geologist, is one in a long line of robots that have visited some of our solar system's most inhospitable places. In this fascinating title, we look at space robots from the past and those at work today. What are their missions? What tasks can they do? And how does it feel to be the human here on Earth who controls a high-tech robot on a faraway planet?

In the animal kingdom, it's essential to have a good means of defense when something bigger than you wants to eat you. In this book, readers will meet a lizard that squirts blood from its eyes at predators. A seabird chick that projectile vomits on an approaching enemy. And a host of animals that use slime, their poop, and other bizarre means of defense to stay safe. Packed with essential life sciences information, this gross fest of all things defense and disgusting will have readers laughing, making ewwwwwwwww noises, but most importantly, turning the pages and reading!

Could a river in Thailand really be home to giant stingrays powerful enough to pull boats through the water? Do man-eating catfish truly lurk in murky waters waiting for a chance to swallow an unsuspecting swimmer or angler? In this book, look deep beneath the surface of rivers, lakes, and oceans worldwide and discover some truly bizarre, dangerous, and enormous fish. If you think sharks are the scariest members of the fish family, you've obviously never encountered an alligator gar or a giant tiger fish!

We grow bigger and bigger, and every few months we need new shoes and clothes. We grow taller and taller, until one day we are finally tall enough to ride on that rollercoaster. When we were born we couldn't talk or walk, but now we can read, write, use a computer, and play sports. All day, every day, we are growing and changing. Bones grow, muscles develop and get stronger, and brains develop the ability to learn all they can about the world. In What Happens When I Grow? the processes involved in growing from a baby to an elementary-school child are explored through a child's everyday life. Fascinating facts are woven into lively, accessible step-by-step explanations, delivering solid science in a way that's perfectly suited to the book's Grade 2 readership.

We get warm and cozy under a quilt and drift off to sleep. As we rest, however, our bodies are still hard at work, processing dinner, repairing damaged skin, and growing bones and muscles. All night, every night, as we sleep and dream, our lungs keep breathing in and out, blood races around our body, our brains are busy organizing thoughts and experiences from the day, and repairs are being made ready for whatever tomorrow brings. In What Happens When I Sleep? the body parts and processes that keep on going all night are explored in detail. Fascinating facts are woven into lively, accessible step-by-step explanations, delivering solid science in a way that's perfectly suited to the book's Grade 2 readership.

We crunch up fruit, cereal, pizza, vegetables, and many other foods. And then, somehow, all that food gives us energy. From chewing to digesting, to going to the bathroom, our teeth, stomach, intestines, and many other body parts work together to turn food into fuel for our bodies. In What Happens When I Eat? the body parts and processes involved in eating and digestion are explored through a child's everyday actions and experiences. Fascinating facts are woven into lively, accessible step-by-step explanations delivering solid science in a way that's perfectly suited to the book's Grade 2 readership.

Readers will discover how climatologists and meteorologists do a lot more than just study climate and predict weather. A climatologist may chase some of the most dangerous storms, and a meteorologist can be a local or national celebrity. A stimulating introduction to two exciting careers in science.

Describes the physical characteristics, life cycle, and natural environment of beluga whales, and the ways in which they have adapted to their frigid environment.

Discussion of both the positive benefits and negative aspects of nuclear power are presented as the topic becomes ever more relevant in our daily lives. Readers are introduced to the developments of today and the possibilities of tomorrow. From cover to cover, this is an exciting read for any environmentalist.

Could a human really change into a savage, bloodthirsty, wolflike creature? In Werewolves and Other Shape-Shifters, young readers will investigate this question and more as they read historical stories and modern-day accounts of werewolf encounters! Packed with spooky illustrations and historical photos, this title profiles some of the most famous werewolves throughout history and explores the fears and superstitions of different cultures that might explain the origins of werewolf stories. Kids will also look at the scientific facts that might explain the existence of werewolves. Could werewolves and other shape-shifters really exist? Check out this book and decide for yourself!

Could a spirit of the dead really come back to haunt the living? If tales of ghosts are just fictional stories, why do so many people report seeing these supernatural beings? What would it be like to be the restless spirit of someone who has died, and how can you tell if ghosts inhabit the house you live in? In Ghosts and Other Spirits of the Dead, children will read historical stories and modern-day accounts of ghostly encounters. Kids will get all the information they need to help them spot or sense the spirits of the dead and to protect themselves from being haunted by ghosts. Children will also investigate the truth behind ghost stories by first exploring the fears and superstitions of different cultures that might explain the origins of the stories, and then looking at the scientific facts that might explain the seemingly unexplainable. If you love a spine-chilling horror story but also want to investigate the truth behind these myths, this is the book for you!

The schnoodle is a combination of a schnauzer and a poodle. This intelligent breed is easy to train and enjoys structure. Readers will learn many traits of this dog through accessible and informative text.

The golden retriever and poodle come together in this family friendly dog. Dog lovers with mild allergies will love this low shedding breed. Color photographs and engaging text introduce readers to this friendly breed.

Because they are so far away, quasars look like faint red dots from the view here on Earth. However, quasars are actually the brightest objects in the universe. This volume explains what exactly quasars and black holes are in simple, easy-to-understand language. Bright photographs and illustrations further aid understanding.

Leaves change color and fall from trees. Farmers' crops are fully grown and ready for harvesting. The days grow shorter and cooler. What does it all mean? It must be fall! From changes in plant growth to adjustments in animal behavior (for example, storing food for winter), this colorful book gives kids an exciting opportunity to discover nature in action. Fun activities, such as making a weather notebook to regularly record temperature, cloud cover, and precipitation, help emergent readers participate in a key part of the scientific process. Expertly crafted to meet early elementary reading and science curriculum standards, How Do You Know It's Fall? introduces young readers to science concepts and the two fundamental components of scientific inquiry--making observations, and drawing inferences from those observations.

Presents information about chimpanzees and how they demonstrate intelligence by making tools, participating in organized hunting, and communicating.

The North Pole is home to few mammals—it is far too cold for most to survive. Luckily, polar bears have a thick layer of fat and a heavy fur to keep them warm in this climate. In this unforgiving world, the bears dig dens in the snow to survive each winter. Inside, where they stay until spring, the mother bear’s cubs are born. When the weather has warmed up enough for the bears to come outside, the mother takes her cubs along as she hunts for food. Readers will see how the cubs learn to wait by holes in the ice for seals to pop up, or swim through the icy water to find their prey—and eventually learn to live and hunt on their own. Combining colorful photos and clear, simple text, this coming-of-age introduction to polar bear cubs is sure to delight emergent readers.

Introduces young readers to raccoons, where they are found, the dens that they live in, and how they raise their young until they go off on their own.

From infestations of fleas and head lice to malaria-spreading mosquitoes and bacteria, a multitude of creatures live, eat, reproduce, and fulfill their life cycles...all on and inside our bodies! Filled with fascinating facts, Gross Body Invaders takes young readers on a voyage that will reveal our own bodies as habitats for a shocking array of organisms that both help and hurt us every day of our lives. Combining vivid, full-color microscope images and a controlled text, Gross Body Invaders is guaranteed to get young readers squirming to find out more about the world that is feeding and breeding within the dark, microscopic spaces of our bodies. Kids will also learn ways that they can get rid of harmful body invaders and treat the conditions that they cause.

Although adult Arctic foxes have the warmest fur of any mammal and can actually sleep out in the open, they need dens to raise their pups in. So every spring, the mother and father fox move into an earthen den that they have often used year after year. There, 7 to 15 pups are born, each blind and almost helpless. For two months, both parents work continuously to keep their babies fed, bringing them lemmings every single day. Readers will see how the cute little pups soon learn to hunt and feed themselves—and eventually, to move out and live on their own. Combining gorgeous photos and clear, simple text, this coming-of-age introduction to Arctic fox pups is sure to delight emergent readers.

Introduces lion cubs and describes how these little lions learn to hunt and live as a group.

Everything a boy needs to make his Halloween the scariest ever is compiled right here. Blood, torn flesh, masks, slime, and more! Readers will unleash their inner mad scientist as they master their comprehension of procedural language. Photographs accompany step-by-step instructions that will guide even the most reluctant readers into creating their own Halloween horrors.

If you had to make your own shelter, could you? Could you create an oven or a refrigerator that doesn’t use electricity? When it comes to learning how to rough it, this book is all anyone needs. Fun, inventive, and simple projects, explained in simple steps and photo-illustrated, will captivate the most reluctant of readers.

Dr. Bob and his wise canine, Hank, journey to the savannas of Africa to study the warthog. Think you know pigs? Think again! Readers may be taken off guard by what is revealed about these energetic hogs. This is one safari you won’t want to miss.

Once a moray eel has clamped down on a fish, something terrifying happens...a second set of jaws lunges out of its throat and begins to devour its prey! Readers won’t be able to turn away as they learn all about the moray eel, its adaptations and habitat, and the dangers it presents to scuba divers.