Most Popular Books by Sneed B. Collard

Offers detailed information about how people and various species of animals use their teeth.

Lizards are cool. Literally. They are ectotherms, which means they can?t make their own heat. That?s why you see many types of lizards basking in the sun, seemingly doing nothing at all. That?s the life. But make no mistake, lizards have very busy lives?looking for food and avoiding being food. Popular science writer Sneed B. Collard III gets down and dirty with all kinds of lizards?from your average "Joe Lizard," the western fence lizard, to the impressively large Komodo dragon. In a kid-friendly narrative, Sneed explores many different kinds of lizards, their habitats, defense systems, hunting techniques, and mating rituals. He reveals the exciting life of a lizard?from rappelling from the tops of trees to the forest floor, to dropping off a tail to get away from a predator.

Young naturalists explore a variety of birds, their habitats, and how their beaks help them build, eat, and survive. From the twisted beak of a crossbill to the color changing bill of a seagull, readers will learn fun facts about how beaks are designed and used as tools by birds of all shapes and sizes. Bright, bold cut-paper illustrations create amazingly realistic tableaus of birds in their natural environments with their beaks in action. Back matter includes a comprehensive quiz, a bibliography, and a list of related websites.

What has a bill like a duck''s and the body of a beaver? A platypus, probably. Engaging text follows a female platypus through her life, while sidebars offer in-depth information about this unique monotreme and her environment. Vivid, accurate illustrations capture the wonder of this amazing creature.

Discusses the many animals and insects that have wings, the various types of wings, and how they are used.

Incredibly rich and realistic illustrations take readers up close to the curious creatures and plants that thrive in the vast severe habitat of the ocean''s floor. Marine biologist and renowned children''s book writer Sneed B. Collard III introduces children to many fascinating sea creatures–from bioluminescent fish to giant tube worms–that survive without sunlight. A history of deep-sea exploration from sonar to submersibles shows how far scientists have come in their ability to investigate these great depths. Inspire young readers to explore the possibilities of marine science.

Follow two endangered ocelots as they attempt to cross the border in this powerful picture book about the environmental impact of the Wall. Explore the beauty and biodiversity of our spectacular border area and see how the Wall impacts plants and animals. As two endangered ocelots attempt to cross the border, they face obstacles that drive home the catastrophic effects of the Wall--and the many benefits of keeping the border barrier-free. Powerful storytelling introduces young readers to the wildlife that thrives along the border and urges budding nature buffs to value and protect our environment. 2024 NCTE Orbis Pictus Award® for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children

In many parts of the world, within a few hundred miles of the equator, there exists a mysterious environment called the rain forest. High up in the mountains of these areas lies an even more mysterious environment--the tropical cloud forest. The Forest in the Clouds explores the enchanting world of the Monte Verde cloud forest in Costa Rica. Discover the splendor and fragile beauty of a precarious ecosystem that receives up to 10 feet of rain and mist each year. Readers meet rare creatures unique to the cloud forest, home to over 300 different types of birds and countless insects. There are more than 500 species of butterflies alone. Learn about the many plants that thrive in the cloud forest, such as gardens of epiphytes, which are plants that grow on other plants. The Forest in the Clouds will amaze and inspire young readers as it plainly teaches children about the importance of this delicate ecosystem to the balance of the earth. Michael Rothman vividly brings to life the plants and animals of the enchanting and ethereal cloud forest. This place, constantly in mist, is alive with color and light in his lush illustrations. A glossary of terms is provided in the back of the book along with a guide to further reading, a few helpful web sites, and addresses kids can write to in order to get further information about saving the cloud forests.

“In the grandest sense, the Big Year is more than just a game. Though few mortals will ever tackle the endeavor, most of us can appreciate the decision to follow a passion to its outer limits. Dedicating a whole year to birds is an exhausting, exhilarating, occasionally demoralizing, and addictive pursuit, and anyone crazy enough to go the distance is in for a wild ride.” —Noah Strycker, Audubon "What makes this big-year book different is the father-son bonding element . . . the picture of a teenager that emerges has the ring of truth. A proficient storyteller, Collard writes with style about their travels together . . ." —Kirkus Reviews From the killer bee-infested border region of southeast Arizona to the sultry islands of the Galapagos, Warblers & Woodpeckers recounts the quest of a father and his thirteen-year-old son to see as many birds as possible in a single year. With a measured blend of humor, natural history, and adventure, this tale takes readers to great birding hotspots of America and beyond, both to experience their incredible avian wealth and to experience the focused, often eccentric, world of ornithological travel. Along the way, readers share the ups and downs of the relationship between a father and his teenage son. Writer Sneed Collard and his son Braden set out to establish their own personal Big Year bird species count record. In Warblers & Wood peckers, Sneed shares the excitement, challenges, perils, and insights that come with crisscrossing the country in search of some of Earth’s most remarkable creatures. It’s a father-and-son tale, in which the adventure is in the journey and the surprising discoveries and encounters with our wondrous feathered friends. Sneed brings a fast-paced yet generous voice to the attempt, and readers of all stripes will appreciate the way backyard birders can create their own Big Year.

Discover earth''s natural neighborhoods on a colorful trek through the twelve terrestrial biomes of North and South America. Travel from the icy tundra, where the polar bear makes its home, through grasslands, and driest of deserts, to the tropical rain forest, the natural home of more than thirty million kinds of insects. From mountains to prairies, James M. Needham’s rich, exquisite illustrations highlight the smallest of details throughout each natural habitat, while Sneed B. Collard’s fascinating, fact-filled text present a detailed journey through earth''s splendid ecosystems. Readers will love traveling around the world and learning about all the different homes that nature has to offer.

Publisher Description

Short listed for the Green Earth book award In early April, as Owen and his sister search the hickories, oaks, and dogwoods for returning birds, a huge group of birds leaves the misty mountain slopes of the Yucatan peninsula for the 600-mile flight across the Gulf of Mexico to their summer nesting grounds. One of them is a Cerulean warbler. He will lose more than half his body weight even if the journey goes well. Aloft over the vast ocean, the birds encourage each other with squeaky chirps that say, “We are still alive. We can do this.” Owen’s family watches televised reports of a great storm over the Gulf of Mexico, fearing what it may mean for migrating songbirds. In alternating spreads, we wait and hope with Owen, then struggle through the storm with the warbler. This moving story with its hopeful ending appeals to us to preserve the things we love. The backmatter includes a North American bird migration map, birding information for kids, and guidance for how native plantings can transform yards into bird and wildlife habitat.

Describes the lives and interaction of animals and plants that inhabit the many worlds of water.

Beaver was living a peaceful life in a pond and things were looking good...but then Otter showed up! Beaver and Otter couldn''t be more different. The beavers find their new neighbors rather annoying. The otters goof around and do whatever they want. Will Beaver and Otter ever learn to get along? Parents and teachers will find: a story of getting along with your neighbors...even when it''s really hard! educational backmatter with further information about these animals and their habitat gorgeous art and a beautiful story packed with scientific accuracy a great Earth Day book! Discover a scientifically accurate portrayal of the natural world around us rich with human emotion and depth. Readers will learn about the biological concept of commensalism specifically the commensal relationship between a beaver and an otter.

Illustrations and simple text describe how the males of different species help take care of their young.

*NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book* *Junior Library Guild Selection 2017* Only a few dozen vertebrate animals have evolved true gliding abilities, but they include an astonishing variety of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. North America’s flying squirrels and Australia’s sugar gliders notwithstanding, the vast majority of them live in rainforests. Illustrated with arresting photographs, Catching Air takes us around the world to meet these animals, learn why so many gliders live in Southeast Asia, and find out why this gravity-defying ability has evolved in Draco lizards, snakes, and frogs as well as mammals. Why do gliders stop short of flying, how did bats make that final leap, and how did Homo sapiens bypass evolution to glide via wingsuits and hang gliders—or is that evolution in another guise?

Looks at what is known about sea dragons, or underwater reptiles, that lived during the time of the dinosaurs, examining the discovery of the first fossils in the nineteenth century, and discussing the evolution, survival, and extinction of these anc

Popular science writer Sneed B. Collard III gets creepy-crawly with many different kinds of insects, detailing their habitats, defense systems, communication techniques, and mating rituals. Colorful, closeup photos are paired with a kid-friendly narrative that boasts humor and accessible explanations about beetles, spider wasps, moths, and more. For kids who love creepy-crawlies — School Library Journal A lighthearted invitation to join the insect-appreciation club: "Righteous exoskeleton, dude!"— Kirkus Reviews

KIRKUS STARRED REVIEW 2020 Outstanding Science Trade List A Junior Library Guild Selection Natural selection and speciation are all but ignored in children’s nonfiction. To help address this glaring deficiency, award-winning children’s science writer Sneed Collard traveled to the Galapagos Islands to see for himself, where Charles Darwin saw, how new species form. The result is this fascinating story of two species of iguana, one land-based and one marine, both of which developed from a single ancestor that reached the islands millions of years ago. The animals evolved in different directions while living within sight of one another. How is that possible? Collard uses the iguanas to explore Charles Darwin’s great discovery. F&P Level V