Discover some of the brilliant ways animals disguise themselves in this engaging introduction for young children from a conservation biologist.
Some animals hide in the sand, like the desert lizard, whose scales can resemble pebbles and stones. Others hide in the sea, like the peacock flounder, who can also change color. And some, like poison dart frogs and the scarlet king snake, don’t try to hide at all! Most animals have developed clever tricks to survive, but not all excel at camouflage the way these animals do. From moths whose wings resemble dead leaves to eponymous stick insects, from a lizard that looks like a tree stump to the ghost pipefish you’d mistake for a coral reef, the range of colors, patterns, and techniques captured here demonstrates how animals across myriad environments can disguise themselves. Melding a simple narration with more detailed facts on a variety of creatures—including sandgrouses, gerbils, Arctic foxes, and butterflies—this fascinating picture book also offers a brief note on animal camouflage in the back matter.
SELECTION
| 2024 NSTA-CBC - Outstanding Science Trade Book
Jenkins, who has introduced many animal topics to children, this time tackles animals who hide in plain sight, whether to avoid predators or to catch their own prey. . . a good first look at the concept and will have children seeing nature in new ways. —Kirkus Reviews
The fourth book from Jenkins and McGuinness in their “Find Out About” nonfiction series introduces young children to animal camouflage and mimicry. . . McGuinness’s approachable illustrations will invite and encourage curiosity. . . A wonderful introduction to a natural phenomenon that fascinates adults and children alike. —School Library Journal
The mixed-media illustrations are well-designed to support points made within the text. This colorful picture book provides a helpful introduction to camouflage in nature. —Booklist
This introduction to the many ways animals hide is overflowing with illustrations that beckon readers to look very, very closely. —The Virginian Pilot
Illustrates how creatures can look like leaves, twigs, flowers, stones, snow, among other aspects of nature. Walks can take on new meaning with this knowledge. —The Denton Record-Chronicle
Martin Jenkins is a conservation biologist and the award-winning author of many books for children, including The Emperor’s Egg, illustrated by Jane Chapman; A World of Plants, illustrated by James Brown; Under Threat: An Album of Endangered Animals, illustrated by Tom Frost; and the Find Out About . . . series, illustrated by Jane McGuinness. Martin Jenkins lives in Cambridge, England.
Jane McGuinness received an MA in children’s book illustration from the Cambridge School of Art in England. She is the author-illustrator of Prickly Hedgehogs!, which was her first picture book, and the illustrator for Martin Jenkins’s Find Out About . . . series. Jane McGuinness lives in England.
Discover some of the brilliant ways animals disguise themselves in this engaging introduction for young children from a conservation biologist.
Some animals hide in the sand, like the desert lizard, whose scales can resemble pebbles and stones. Others hide in the sea, like the peacock flounder, who can also change color. And some, like poison dart frogs and the scarlet king snake, don’t try to hide at all! Most animals have developed clever tricks to survive, but not all excel at camouflage the way these animals do. From moths whose wings resemble dead leaves to eponymous stick insects, from a lizard that looks like a tree stump to the ghost pipefish you’d mistake for a coral reef, the range of colors, patterns, and techniques captured here demonstrates how animals across myriad environments can disguise themselves. Melding a simple narration with more detailed facts on a variety of creatures—including sandgrouses, gerbils, Arctic foxes, and butterflies—this fascinating picture book also offers a brief note on animal camouflage in the back matter.
Awards
SELECTION
| 2024 NSTA-CBC - Outstanding Science Trade Book
Praise
Jenkins, who has introduced many animal topics to children, this time tackles animals who hide in plain sight, whether to avoid predators or to catch their own prey. . . a good first look at the concept and will have children seeing nature in new ways. —Kirkus Reviews
The fourth book from Jenkins and McGuinness in their “Find Out About” nonfiction series introduces young children to animal camouflage and mimicry. . . McGuinness’s approachable illustrations will invite and encourage curiosity. . . A wonderful introduction to a natural phenomenon that fascinates adults and children alike. —School Library Journal
The mixed-media illustrations are well-designed to support points made within the text. This colorful picture book provides a helpful introduction to camouflage in nature. —Booklist
This introduction to the many ways animals hide is overflowing with illustrations that beckon readers to look very, very closely. —The Virginian Pilot
Illustrates how creatures can look like leaves, twigs, flowers, stones, snow, among other aspects of nature. Walks can take on new meaning with this knowledge. —The Denton Record-Chronicle
Author
Martin Jenkins is a conservation biologist and the award-winning author of many books for children, including The Emperor’s Egg, illustrated by Jane Chapman; A World of Plants, illustrated by James Brown; Under Threat: An Album of Endangered Animals, illustrated by Tom Frost; and the Find Out About . . . series, illustrated by Jane McGuinness. Martin Jenkins lives in Cambridge, England.
Jane McGuinness received an MA in children’s book illustration from the Cambridge School of Art in England. She is the author-illustrator of Prickly Hedgehogs!, which was her first picture book, and the illustrator for Martin Jenkins’s Find Out About . . . series. Jane McGuinness lives in England.
