Description
From popping off a tail to rolling around in dung to farting to send a message, this funny and informative nonfiction picture book shows the many unusual ways animals adapt to their surroundings!
Animals survive and thrive in astounding ways: they trick, trap, and fry predators; feed on other animals’ poop and skin; and use electric zaps, slime, and other unexpected methods to communicate.
Featuring animals like Komodo dragons, bombardier beetles, and capuchin monkeys, this fact-filled book explores the surprising, exciting, and sometimes hilarious ways that animals adapt.
Animals survive and thrive in astounding ways: they trick, trap, and fry predators; feed on other animals’ poop and skin; and use electric zaps, slime, and other unexpected methods to communicate.
Featuring animals like Komodo dragons, bombardier beetles, and capuchin monkeys, this fact-filled book explores the surprising, exciting, and sometimes hilarious ways that animals adapt.
Author Bio
Dr. Joanne Settel is an award-winning writer of science books for children, including Your Amazing Skin from Outside In and Your Amazing Digestion from Mouth Through Intestine. Dr. Settel’s book Exploding Ants: Amazing Facts About How Animals Adapt was listed as one of the Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K–12 by the Children’s Book Council. Dr. Settel has a PhD in biology. She is a professor emeritus at Baltimore City Community College, where she taught courses in biology, anatomy, and physiology. She lives with her husband in Maryland, where she enjoys hiking, playing bridge, and gardening. Visit her online at JoanneSettel.com.
Natasha Donovan (she/her/hers) is a Métis illustrator originally from Vancouver, British Columbia. Her sequential work has been published in This Place: 150 Years Retold, Wonderful Women of History, and Thomas King's graphic novel Borders. She is the illustrator of the award-winning Surviving the City graphic novel series and Mothers of Xsan children's book series, as well as Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer. She currently lives by the Nooksack River in Washington State. @natashamdonovan
Review Quotes
"Donovan's digital art is brightly colored and does a good job depicting important points from the text, such as a giraffe's blue tongue (which acts as a sunscreen) wrapped around a branch. The gross-out factor is prominent throughout. . . . Appended with a glossary, this should intrigue borrowers and lead to further investigation."
— 5/15/24
"Settel’s engaging writing makes complex concepts accessible and entertaining, while Donovan’s vibrant digital illustrations bring the gross and amazing facts to life. . . . With its unique blend of science, humor, and visual appeal, this is a must-read for anyone curious about the natural world."
— 10/4/24
"Welcome to the wonderful world of animal slime, poop, gas, vomit, and gross parenting practices. . . . [Settel] shows a knack for slipping in facts as likely to intrigue as revolt . . . . Donovan tones down the gross in her brightly hued animal portraits enough to elicit more cooing than spewing. . . . A crowd-pleasing way to deliver some substantial (info) dumps."
— 5/1/24
Biographical note
Dr. Joanne Settel is an award-winning writer of science books for children, including Your Amazing Skin from Outside In and Your Amazing Digestion from Mouth Through Intestine. Dr. Settel’s book Exploding Ants: Amazing Facts About How Animals Adapt was listed as one of the Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K–12 by the Children’s Book Council. Dr. Settel has a PhD in biology. She is a professor emeritus at Baltimore City Community College, where she taught courses in biology, anatomy, and physiology. She lives with her husband in Maryland, where she enjoys hiking, playing bridge, and gardening. Visit her online at JoanneSettel.com.
Natasha Donovan is a Métis illustrator with a focus on comics and children’s illustration. She has illustrated several award-winning children’s books including The Sockeye Mother by Hetxw’ms Gyetxw (Brett D. Huson) and the graphic novel Surviving the City by Tasha Spillett. She has a degree in anthropology from the University of British Columbia and has worked in academic and magazine publishing. She currently lives in Bellingham, Washington. Visit her at NatashaDonovan.com.
Natasha Donovan is a Métis illustrator with a focus on comics and children’s illustration. She has illustrated several award-winning children’s books including The Sockeye Mother by Hetxw’ms Gyetxw (Brett D. Huson) and the graphic novel Surviving the City by Tasha Spillett. She has a degree in anthropology from the University of British Columbia and has worked in academic and magazine publishing. She currently lives in Bellingham, Washington. Visit her at NatashaDonovan.com.
