Author Description

SHARKS:He’s quick. He’s silent. He has five rows of deadly teeth. Chomp! This fish has soft cartilage so he can glide, twist, and turn before his prey can say "gulp!" He can smell a single drop of blood in 25 million drops of ocean. He can feel electricity given off by his prey. He will lose and replace more than 10,000 teeth in his lifetime. Cool photos bring kids into the shark’s world. VOLCANOES: The cool story of volcanoes will intrigue kids and adults alike. Hot melted rock from the middle of our planet forces its way up through cracks in the Earth’s crusts, exploding violently and sometimes unexpectedly in volcanic fury that can terrorize populations for months, even years.TIGERS:With their bold black stripes, powerful presence, and fierce faces, tigers are just about the coolest animal on the planet. These giant jungle cats can climb trees, swim, and run in sprints up to 32 mph--making them a predatory nightmare. Ranging from the warm climates of Southeast Asia to the frozen tundra of western Russia, these solitary hunters will devour whatever animal they catch. LIZARDS:From geckos to iguanas, kimodo dragons to chameleons, lizards are about the most awesome animal around! They inhabit every continent except Antarctica. Some are lethal. Some change color. Some have suction cups on their feet. WOLVES:They run in packs, stalk their prey, and howl at the moon. And no matter where you are--they're always lurking somewhere nearby. Wolves, the predatory puppy dogs of the wild, are feared and loved by people everywhere. But are they misunderstood? CATERPILLAR TO BUTTERFLY: Butterflies are all around us. It's hard to believe these majestic insects with impressive wingspans and beautifully colored and patterned wings were once creepy crawly caterpillars. How in the world does this transformation happen? This level 1 Reader gives kids an up-close look at exactly how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly.