Animals Nonfiction

Bark and wag. Chase dangerous animals away. Farm dogs are at home on the farm.

The Burgess Bird Book for Children (1919) is a classic nature book by Thornton Burgess, who introduces young listeners to the subject of bird life by means of a series of interviews within a story. Peter Rabbit and Jenny Wren interview Slaty the Junco, Redwing the Blackbird, Melody the Wood Thrush, Spooky the Screech Owl, and many other common birds to learn about their appearance, their eating, mating and nesting habits, and their songs and calls. The text remains popular as an exceptional combination of information and entertainment.

A well-trained dog is welcome almost anywhere. Discover the secrets of teaching good manners to your dog.

Hi, there! I'm a monarch butterfly. You’ve probably seen me fluttering around, but have you ever stopped to think about where I came from? Learn more about my life cycle and how I went from a tiny little caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly.

Acclaimed author Joyce Sidman has received multiple awards for her books of poetry, including a Caldecott Honor for Red Sings from Treetops. Itself a Newbery Honor, Book, Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night features several spellbinding poems about “the feast of sound and spark” that awakens with the raccoons, snails, owls, and crickets each night after sunset.

Reluctant listeners will love their front-row seats to action with this series! This volume includes Anaconda vs. Jaguar, Gorilla vs. Leopard, and Great White Shark vs. Killer Whale.

Search and rescue dogs fearlessly search for survivors in many dangerous situations, from burning buildings to heavy snow. With their sharp senses, these dogs can cover areas faster and with more accuracy than people can. Learn more about these amazing animals, including how they are chosen, the training they go through, and the missions they complete.

In January 1925, many people in Nome, Alaska, and the surrounding area were sick and dying from an outbreak of diphtheria. A supply of medicine was found but there was one problem—it was hundreds of miles away. The only way to get it to Nome was by dogsled.

The Komodo Dragon is the world’s largest lizard! Listeners will learn all about this real-life dragon that roams only a few small islands on Earth.

Sometimes a therapy dog can lift a person's spirits just by being in the same room. Other times, the dogs take more active roles, acting as companions. Therapy dogs help people who are ill or sad feel better. Learn more about these amazing animals, including how they are chosen, the training they go through, and the work they do.

What is the longest venomous snake in the world? The king cobra! It can grow longer than a limousine. Its deadly bite can even take down an elephant. Young listeners will enjoy learning more about these fascinating reptiles.

Gary Paulsen has owned dozens of unforgettable and amazing dogs. In each chapter he tells of one special dog, among them Cookie, the sled dog who saved his life; Snowball, the puppy he owned as a boy in the Philippines; Ike, his mysterious hunting companion; Dirk, the grim protector; and his true friend Josh, a brilliant border collie.

Picked by President Thomas Jefferson to explore the unknown wilds of the Louisiana Territory, Meriwether Lewis assembles a rugged team of adventurers, including co-captain William Clark - and a Newfoundland dog named Seaman. As hunter, retriever, and guard, Seaman becomes a trusted member of the Corps of Discovery. While the team tackles raging rivers and muddy shallows, Seaman is there - sharing their hunger and fatigue. Whether Indians threaten or grizzlies roar, he stands his ground. And through mountain peak or valley deep, Seaman remains a watchful friend and determined foe.

Scientists have estimated that there are around 8.7 million species of plants and animals in existence. This is according to National Geographic. With such a wide range of species and with the effects of evolution, these animals are capable of some truly remarkable things. In this book, you will discover fun new animal facts and have the opportunity to test your knowledge with multiple-choice questions. This book is meant to be played by yourself, with family members, or with your friends. Play it at home or even in your car.

With three hearts and blue blood, its gelatinous body unconstrained by jointed limbs or gravity, the octopus seems to be an alien, an inhabitant of another world. It’s baggy, boneless body sprouts eight arms covered with thousands of suckers—suckers that can taste as well as feel. The octopus also has the powers of a superhero: it can shape-shift, change color, squirt ink, pour itself through the tiniest of openings, or jet away through the sea faster than a swimmer can follow.

Would you swim with sharks? Many people do! Marine biologists swim with sharks to learn more about these top predators. Snorkelers witness whale sharks and spy spotted leopard sharks. Some thrill-seekers even cage dive to get face-to-face with the giant toothy jaws of great whites!

White tail deer gallop gracefully with their herd. They can outrun many animals. Learn more about these delightful deer, their woodland homes, life cycle, and diet.

Take flight and discover the corvid family of birds that boasts an intelligence that is comparable to the human brain. Ravens' anatomy, like humans, have big brains that makes them great problem-solvers in finding creative ways to survive as scavengers. What other birds are covids? Learn about the theory of convergent evolution and how it applies to humans and ravens' brains!

Do you suffer from “Pony Fever”? Have you been waiting a long time to add a horse to your family? Have you carefully considered a match between you and your new equine buddy? Have you decided exactly where he’s going to live and how you’re going to keep him happy? Do you have moments when the idea of bringing a horse into your life is scary? Horses are unlike any other animal companion. They’re too big to live in your house, so they have to live in specialized homes of their own.

The award-winning creator of popular survival stories turns his attention to his own real life adventures in Minnesota and Alaska as he prepares for the grueling Iditarod sled dog race.