Therese M. Shea

Many people know that vampire bats drink blood, but most people don't know that's the only food adult vampire bats take in. In addition to milk, mother bats feed their babies regurgitated blood when they're old enough. Readers learn creepy facts like these throughout the main content. Full-color photographs take readers through the night with vampire bats on the hunt, including a look at a bat actually drinking from livestock. Fact boxes enhance the main content's focus on this incredible adaptation, adding information about vampire bats' life-span, size, and more.

The towering buildings that fill our cities definitely weren't built in a day. Skyscrapers are huge construction projects full of complicated steps. From drilling anchor holes and erecting steel beams to laying acres and acres of concrete, it takes lots of people and lots of smarts to build a vertical city. Readers will love putting on their hard hats and seeing the construction for themselves through vivid photographs and diagrams of a building on its way from its beginning on an empty lot to a monster skyscraper touching the skies.

Planes, trains, and automobiles--these are just some of the many achievements of mechanical engineering. This volume will show readers that they do not have to know complex equations to appreciate the impact the field has had on the world. Accessible text introduces young readers to the machines and engines that power the devices, vehicles, and appliances they encounter on a daily basis. Boxes explain important terms and concepts of mechanics and encourage readers to think critically. The book ends with a guided activity that invites readers to don the hat of a mechanical engineer and build their own windmill.

A V-shaped flock of geese flying overhead on a fall or winter's day is a familiar sight to most of us. But, as this vibrant volume shows, there are numerous other animals that also migrate for various lengths of time and for various reasons. Colorful photographs allow readers to follow birds, zebras, whales, turtles, and more as they migrate to find food, shelter, breeding grounds, or more suitable climates. Readers will learn how air, land, and water migration differ, what landmarks and senses animals rely on to get them from place to place, and why migration is essential for survival.

Pairing the extreme risk taker with some of nature's most remarkable--and challenging--formations, the sports of rock and ice climbing demand much of those who dare to attempt them. But for those with the patience and endurance to master the proper techniques, these outdoor sports are proof that great risk can yield great reward. This volume prepares readers interested in pursuing these exhilarating activities by providing a full rundown on the basics of climbing as well as the equipment and skills required. Readers will learn how to begin training and how teamwork and dedication can help them conquer the greatest heights.

Through his famous ransack of Tokyo, Gojira--or Godzilla, to Western audiences--became the definitive movie monster. But the original Godzilla delivers more than just thrills--the fictional monster represents Japan's very real reaction to nuclear war. Attracting new generations of fans decades after his 1954 debut, Godzilla's popularity launched a franchise of over two dozen films and paved the way for numerous other B-movie kaiju (monsters), including Rodan and Mothra, to take the silver screen. This lively volume provides a behind-the-scenes look at the various Godzilla films and the monster's pop culture legacy both in Japan and abroad.

The unsinkable luxury liner known as the Titanic may have sunk on its first transatlantic voyage in 1912, but people remain riveted to its storied legend. The collision with the iceberg in the North Atlantic was not the only mistake that was made that day. In this spellbinding volume, readers will learn about the passengers and crew aboard the doomed ship and what really happened that tragic night. Historical photographs will transport them back to the glamorous era, while the narrative paints an absorbing picture of the Titanic's sad fate.

A V-shaped flock of geese flying overhead on a fall or winter's day is a familiar sight to most of us. But, as this vibrant volume shows, there are numerous other animals that also migrate for various lengths of time and for various reasons. Colorful photographs allow readers to follow birds, zebras, whales, turtles, and more as they migrate to find food, shelter, breeding grounds, or more suitable climates. Readers will learn how air, land, and water migration differ, what landmarks and senses animals rely on to get them from place to place, and why migration is essential for survival.

For years, people in "Tornado Alley" were the ones who had to worry most about tornadoes occurring near their homes. However, as climate change occurs, tornadoes have become more common around the United States. Tornado prediction and tracking has gotten increasingly better, too. Readers learn how tornadoes happen, how they are measured, and what to do if a tornado watch or warning is issued. Real-life stories of tornado devastation, such as those that occurred in Joplin, Mississippi, in 2011, emphasize how serious this weather event can be. Full-color photographs and sidebars offer additional perspectives about tornado chasing, destruction, and preparation.

For years, people in "Tornado Alley" were the ones who had to worry most about tornadoes occurring near their homes. However, as climate change occurs, tornadoes have become more common around the United States. Tornado prediction and tracking has gotten increasingly better, too. Readers learn how tornadoes happen, how they are measured, and what to do if a tornado watch or warning is issued. Real-life stories of tornado devastation, such as those that occurred in Joplin, Mississippi, in 2011, emphasize how serious this weather event can be. Full-color photographs and sidebars offer additional perspectives about tornado chasing, destruction, and preparation.

To many, the curved tail of a scorpion is a scary sight. Though it uses a deadly poison to subdue prey and protect itself from predators, only 25 species of scorpion have a venom very harmful to people. Readers learn the particulars of the scorpion stinger as well as the arachnid's diet and habits. Full-color photographs bring readers close to this small carnivore--which most would avoid if seen in person Fact boxes add further detail to the main content, engaging readers with science information consistent with bug units included in the curriculum.

Pairing the extreme risk taker with some of nature's most remarkable--and challenging--formations, the sports of rock and ice climbing demand much of those who dare to attempt them. But for those with the patience and endurance to master the proper techniques, these outdoor sports are proof that great risk can yield great reward. This volume prepares readers interested in pursuing these exhilarating activities by providing a full rundown on the basics of climbing as well as the equipment and skills required. Readers will learn how to begin training and how teamwork and dedication can help them conquer the greatest heights.

The unsinkable luxury liner known as the Titanic may have sunk on its first transatlantic voyage in 1912, but people remain riveted to its storied legend. The collision with the iceberg in the North Atlantic was not the only mistake that was made that day. In this spellbinding volume, readers will learn about the passengers and crew aboard the doomed ship and what really happened that tragic night. Historical photographs will transport them back to the glamorous era, while the narrative paints an absorbing picture of the Titanic's sad fate.

It's easy to say that Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster don't exist. But the question remains why sightings of these creatures still occur, year after year. This gripping volume, which includes chilling photographs and illustrations, takes curious readers into the mysterious world of some popular monsters. They'll learn what makes a monster a monster and distinguish between real-life and fantasy-world creatures. Thrilling facts and fiction about mummies, vampires, werewolves, and other supernatural beings fill this absorbing text, as well as valuable information about prehistoric and modern "monster" animals.

What's that in the water? Is it simply a ripple, or is it the sign of an animal so ancient that it outlived even the dinosaurs? Yes, it's the incredibly cool crocodile, a living fossil whose ability to slither unseen through murky waters is just one reason why it's survived for so long. Readers will learn this and more through this age-appropriate text, which covers all aspects of the Jurassic creature's life. Eye-catching images and fact boxes hold readers' attention, while a glossary, index, and supplemental websites complete a comprehensive reading experience.

The odds of becoming an NBA or WNBA player are daunting, but this appealing, behind-the-scenes look at the path to pro basketball might help young athletes beat the odds. Readers will learn about the youth and development leagues that can help them hone their skills. They'll find out who to contact to get into the right college and what they can do now to prepare themselves for their future career. Stories of famous basketball players who made it big will further inspire young athletes as well as open their eyes to the realities of professional sports.

The Hopi village of Oraibi was settled around AD 1050, making it the oldest continuously inhabited village in the United States. The Hopi had to be a resilient people to survive in the hot deserts of the Southwest. Today, people are captivated with Hopi culture, which has endured despite years of forced assimilation. Historic photographs and descriptive text aid readers in entering the world of the traditional Hopi, with spotlights on ceremonies, rituals, housing, and fashion. Hopi history and modern life further make this volume a valuable addition to any social studies collection.

Crypts, tombs, and mausoleums aren't just the creepy props of a horror movie; they're the final resting places of the dead. Many are also beautifully designed monuments. This intriguing examination of some of the world's most prominent tombs includes the elaborate Taj Mahal, the mysterious Newgrange, the mammoth Great Pyramid, and the star-studded Westminster Abbey. Modern tombs and burial customs are also discussed in this thoughtful text, accompanied by vivid, striking photographs. Sidebars and fact boxes offer more--sometimes chilling--details about various tombs and burial rites.

The Dead Sea might sound like a scary place to cool off on a hot day, but many people flock to its waters. The Dead Sea got its name because its salty waters can kill any fish or plants that try to live in it. However, scientists have just recently found a kind of bacteria that live on the seafloor. Readers will find out that some truly spooky things happen around this Middle Eastern lake, like sinkholes opening around its coastline They'll also learn the science behind these weird happenings and gain an appreciation for an amazing natural resource.

Eye-catching gold has been valuable to people throughout history. This thoughtful text addresses why that is. Gold's qualities as a metal is explored as well as the mining and refining process, all key concepts in the elementary science curriculum. Gold's many uses, including in medicine and space technology, is also examined. Glittery photographs and a graphic organizer accompany the text in this look at a fascinating metal.