In Nature Up Close, young readers first view a butterfly wing, cactus spines, the leaves of a Venus flytrap, and the shell of an armadillo. Then readers see each plant and animal in its natural environment and learn how these features contribute to its survival.

This book encourages one to explore the natural world from a close-up perspective. The colorful and unique images allow the reader to view nature from a different view.

96 brilliant photographs -- 11 in full color -- by outstanding contemporary master: an eroding claybank, sand-scrubbed driftwood, the spine of a skate, a barnacle colony, a pebble polished by the sea, the jaw of an anglerfish, and much more. "The author works at his art with zest and a poet's perception". -- Publishers Weekly.

Have you ever wondered how some of nature's smallest creatures spend their days? Here's your chance to take a scientifically accurate peek into the life of the luna moth (Actias luna). Striking illustrations and lively storyline capture the real life changes for this small animal as it hunts for food, faces its enemies, and interacts with humans. The luna moth is found in forested areas throughout the eastern United States and southwestern Canada. The caterpillars eat the leaves of white birch, walnut, and hickory trees. The adult luna moth comes out of its cocoon in the late spring or early summer in the north. In the south, the moth can come out at any time of the year. As a result, up to three generations of lunas can live in one year. Adults die within a week of mating. They do not have working mouthparts, so they do not eat. Their energy comes from the leaves they fed upon while in the caterpillar stage. The name "luna" means "moon" in Latin. The moth was named after the moon because it is a creature of night. The two long tails are said to aid in making it difficult for bats to target them with their sonar. Luna moths are often attracted to bright lights. Be sure to look for them around outdoor lights.

Explores the physical characteristics, reproduction, habitat, and metamorphosis of tadpoles. Includes hands-on activities.

Have you ever wondered how some of nature's smallest creatures spend their days? Here's your chance to take a scientifically accurate peek into the life of a wood frog, (Rana Sylvatica), beginning with egg-laying. Striking illustrations and a lively storyline capture the real life challenges of the wood frog. The author also includes a glossary of unfamiliar words. Wood frogs are common throughout eastern North America. In fact, they live as far north as the Arctic Circle! Each spring, wood frogs gather in shallow pools of temporary water. The frogs reproduce in these pools because there are no fish to eat their eggs or tadpoles. Wood frogs spend the rest of the year in the woods where food is more plentiful. They are safest in wooded areas because their skin blends with dead leaves. In winter, wood frogs hibernate under those leaves. They have a special chemical in their blood that keeps them from freezing solid. Male wood frogs use their voice to attract females. When he forces air out of his lungs, it passes over the vocal cords in his throat. The vocal cords vibrate and give off sound. The air also causes vocal sacs in the frog's throat and sides to puff out and make his call louder. Other books in The Nature Upclose Series ♦ A Hummingbird's Life ♦ A Luna Moth's Life ♦ A Mealworm's Life ♦ A Mouse's Life ♦ A Slug's Life

From the itsy-bitsy to the huge and hairy, kids will be drawn into the spider's world. This book shows spiders going about their lives, including building webs, catching prey, and hatching babies.