We see unusual animals in the zoo or on TV, but have you ever wondered how they came to be discovered? Some of these animals were so strange and different that they were originally thought to have been invented or made up. These books tell the story of some of those animals: the reportsÿ of their first discovery and people's reactions to them, the search for evidence of their existence, and how they became recognized as real animals. The books also describe the animals themselves and what makes them special or different.

Find out what a Komodo dragon has in common with a Mexican mole lizard. Discover what sets a Komodo dragon apart from a yellow-bellied sea snake. Readers will compare and contrast key traits of Komodo dragons—their appearance, behavior, habitat, and life cycle—to similar and different reptiles. Charts and sidebars support key ideas and provide details. Through gathering information about similarities and differences, readers will make connections and draw conclusions about what makes this animal a reptile and how reptiles are alike and different from each other.

Orangutans seem harmless, but these apes are powerfully strong. How would they fare against a fierce Komodo dragon? This high-interest title lets reluctant readers determine for themselves, introducing a unique matchup that weighs the physical advantages and attack moves of both animals. Profiles and charts offer additional avenues for comparison, with stats including height and weight. A final narrative pits the two animals against one another. Who will come out on top?

Komodo dragons are the biggest lizards in the world. They have venomous saliva and use their claws to take down prey. Explore the lives of these giant lizards and discover what they eat, where they live, and more!

With their round snouts, scaly green skin, and long tail, Komodo dragons really do look like a kind of dragon. These reptiles can't breathe fire, but they do have a venomous bite that kills animals much larger than themselves. Small animals aren't safe either. Baby Komodo dragons live in trees for the first few years of their lives to avoid being eaten by other Komodo dragons. Found only in some islands in Indonesia, these exotic lizards use their tongues to smell their prey. Readers will learn these fascinating facts and more as they join the hunt of a Komodo dragon.

Created in association with the Smithsonian Institution, Knowledge Encyclopedia: Animal! is a groundbreaking visual approach to the animal kingdom and is packed with facts about mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and more! Follow the timeline of evolution and extinction of animals throughout history and see how different animals have adapted to their environments to survive. Covering all the major animal groups and how they fit into the tree of life, photorealistic computer-generated images, infographics, and cutaways that reveal the inner workings of the animals make sure that everything is easy to understand at a glance. Learn amazing animal facts and get up close to some of the most dangerous animals around, including the Komodo dragon with its deadly and poisonous bite, and the saltwater crocodile, which uses a "death roll" to drown its prey. Knowledge Encyclopedia: Animal! has amazing details about the smallest crustaceans to the largest mammals. Dive into the deep to see orcas, great white sharks, stingrays, and more. Get the bird's eye view to see how penguins, owls, hawks, eagles, and other birds live and fly in the wild. See different animal habitats and ecosystems that contribute to the world's biodiversity, learn about the different senses and life cycles of animals, and find out how animals communicate with each other. A perfect reference book for young readers, Knowledge Encyclopedia: Animal! takes a walk on the wild side to show you the animal kingdom like you've never seen it before.

Man the Hunted argues that primates, including the earliest members of the human family, have evolved as the prey of any number of predators, including wild cats and dogs, hyenas, snakes, crocodiles, and even birds. The authors' studies of predators on monkeys and apes are supplemented here with the observations of naturalists in the field and revealing interpretations of the fossil record. Eyewitness accounts of the 'man the hunted' drama being played out even now give vivid evidence of its prehistoric significance. This provocative view of human evolution suggests that countless adaptations that have allowed our species to survive (from larger brains to speech), stem from a considerably more vulnerable position on the food chain than we might like to imagine. The myth of early humans as fearless hunters dominating the earth obscures our origins as just one of many species that had to be cautious, depend on other group members, communicate danger, and come to terms with being merely one cog in the complex cycle of life.

The Rough Guides Snapshot Southeast Asia on a Budget: Indonesia is the ultimate backpacker's guide to this breathtaking country. It leads you through the country with reliable information and comprehensive coverage of all the top sights and attractions, from the orang-utans of Bukit Lawang to the dance performances of Ubud, alongside cash-saving tips and suggestions for when you feel like treating yourself. Detailed maps and up-to-date listings pinpoint the best cafés, restaurants, hotels, shops, bars and nightlife, ensuring you make the most of your trip, whether passing through, staying for just a few days or longer. The Rough Guides Snapshot Southeast Asia on a Budget: Indonesiacovers Java, Sumatra, Bali, Lombok and the Giki Islands, Sumbawa, Komodo and Rinca, Flores, Sumba, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Maluku.Also included is the Basics section from the Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget, with all the practical information you need for travelling in and around Indonesia, including transport, costs, health, food and drink, culture and accommodation, plus a handy itineraries section. Also published as part of the Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget. The Rough Guides Snapshot Southeast Asia on a Budget: Indonesiais equivalent to 184 printed pages.

A convincing explanation of why interactive or movable books should be included in the library collection that documents their value as motivational instructional tools—in all areas of the school curriculum, across many grade levels. Pop-up books possess universal appeal. Everyone from preschoolers to adults loves to see and tactilely experience the beautiful three-dimensional work of Robert Sabuda, David A. Carter, and other pop-up book creators. Sabuda himself was inspired to become a pop-up book artist after experiencing the 1972 classic pop-up The Adventures of Super Pickle. The effect of these movable books on young minds is uniquely powerful. Besides riveting children's attention, pop-up books can also help build motor skills, teach cause and effect, and develop spatial understanding of objects. Based on their direct experience and many presentations to teachers and librarians, the authors have provided template lesson plans with curriculum and standards links for using the best pop-up books currently available in the instructional program of the school. The book also includes profiles of the most notable authors, a history of the format, definitions of terms such as "flap book" and "paper engineer," and information on how to create movable books. Librarians will find the section regarding collection development with the format—how and where to acquire them, proper storage methods—and the annotated listing of the authors' 50 favorite pop-ups extremely helpful.