Most Popular Books by Mary Batten

Slither along with one of nature''s deadliest hunters—and learn all about what makes rattlesnakes so dangerous! Rattler has not eaten in a week. After hiding from the hot sun all day, he starts hunting. Rattler uses his venom to paralyze his prey and his tail to scare away predators. He even swallows his prey whole! Follow along as Rattler grows up, sheds his skin, and has his own children.

They roar. They claw. They stalk. They pounce. The wild cats of the world are beautiful, but also deadly. From ferocious lions, speedy cheetahs, and cagey tigers to unusual sand cats and clouded leopards, Wild Cats takes you into the wild.

A dramatic overview of the deep-sea extremophiles that thrive in scalding water and permanent darkness at the bottom of the ocean The scalding-hot water gushing from vents at the bottom of the ocean is one of the most extreme environments on Earth. Yet over millions of years, many organisms—from chemical-eating bacteria to eyeless crabs and iron-shelled snails—have evolved in amazing ways that enable them to thrive in this unlikely habitat. Scientists are hard at work to learn more about the complex ecosystems of the ocean depths. Award-winning science writer Mary Batten and New York Times best-selling illustrator Thomas Gonzalez, the masterful duo that created Life in a Frozen World, team up again in this impressive overview of hydrothermal ocean vents. Her clear, informative text coupled with his unique and eerily realistic paintings of sights never seen on land—gushing "black smokers," ghostly blind shrimp, red-plumed tube worms—will entice readers to learn more about this once-hidden world at the bottom of the sea. An NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book

This book offers readers a bug’s-eye view into the strange and fascinating world of carnivorous plants. From the “jaws” of the Venus flytrap to the pretty sundew plant whose delicate tentacles entrap its prey, the unique anatomy and behaviors of meat-eating plants are detailed with clear, engaging text and art.

"Baby orca is a very big baby--she weighs four hundred pounds and is almost eight feet long! She loves to splash and play. Follow baby orca as she learns how to swim, hunt, and even "talk" with her family!"--Provided by publisher.

Describes how a wolf pup grows through its first year with its siblings and other members of its pack.

Follows anthropologist A. Magdalena Hurtado as she lives with and studies the Ache Indians of Paraguay, as well as discussing how and why she became an anthropologist.

Explains bioluminescence in ocean life, giving examples of sea creatures that glow, such as ostracods, Bermuda fire worms, and flashlight fish.

Science acknowledges that much of human behavior is biological rather than cultural, and human reproduction is much like "the birds and the bees". Here award-winning science writer Mary Batten compares human and animal mating behavior and explains why men love to look at voluptuous young women and why women are attracted to wealthy, powerful men.

Antarctica is one of the most extreme environments on Earth—the coldest, windiest, driest place on the planet. This frozen continent affects weather, ocean currents, and sea levels all over the Earth. From award-winning, experienced nature writer Mary Batten comes a remarkable nonfiction picture book that plumbs the mysteries of this hostile environment. With clear, engaging language, Batten explores fascinating questions that scientists the world over have been researching, such as how a wide variety of wildlife can survive in this frigid environment and how Antarctica might be the key to long-standing questions about the Earth and climate change. New York Times bestselling illustrator Thomas Gonzalez brings Batten''s text to life with detailed, realistic paintings. An ideal resource for young science lovers and educators, this informative volume is perfect for classroom units on climate change, conservation, ecology, oceanography, and more.

An excellent introduction to the varied and remarkable ways animal fathers care for their young. In the vast animal kingdom, mommies are often solely responsible for the birth and upbringing of their young. But daddies can, and do, help in a variety of surprising ways. In this new natural science book for children, award-winning writer Mary Batten offers a fascinating and entertaining look at paternal behavior in the animal world. From birds and amphibians to small mammals and primates, numerous examples of males caring for their young are presented in accurate and clear language. Among the featured fathers are the blue jay, the marmoset and the beaver, who share parenting responsibilities with the mother, as well as several animal daddies (such as the seahorse, the penguin, and Darwin''s frog) that perform more extraordinary roles. Finally, the human father is singled out for devoting the most time of all to raising his young until they can survive on their own. Factual information on animal development and behavior is provided throughout the text. Higgins Bond''s realistic and detailed illustrations accurately depict the animal families in their natural habitats, and warmly bring to life the animal daddies interacting with their babies.

Describes the contributions of ten scientists whose conclusions drawn from observation of unexpected phenomena greatly influenced scientific development.

Describes the interrelation of plant and animal life in a tropical forest.

All people sleep. So do all other mammals. Birds sleep, too. Even snakes, fish, and insects have a way of sleeping. How different animals sleep on land, in water, and in the air-and the special ways they do it-is the subject of this fascinating book for young readers. Using accessible language and scientifically accurate terms, author Mary Batten shows how animals sleep in very different ways and for various lengths of time depending on their size, their physiology, and their habitat. From three-toed sloths hanging from tree branches to dolphins dozing near the ocean''s surface, Batten presents a rich variety of wildlife and animal behavior. Additional information about the featured animals as well as simple explanations of terms such as hibernation and torpor are included in sidebars throughout the book. Enhancing the text are illustrator Higgins Bond''s vivid, realistic wildlife illustrations feature animals in their natural environments.

"Spit uncovers the secrets secreting in the many mouths on the globe. From humans to cows to vampire bats to spitting spiders, this book looks at spit from many different angles to provide readers with the fascinating world found in this gross-out subject."--

An award-winning science writer and veteran natural-science illustrator look at belly buttons and how they are made in this easy-to-understand book designed specially for young children. Belly buttons! Everyone has one. Some are innies. Some are outies. And they always fascinate young children. Why humans have belly buttons and why some animals do-and others do not-is the subject of this informative, fascinating look at the lifeline that attaches mammals to their mothers before birth. Using simple but scientifically-accurate terms and anatomically-correct illustrations, the book carefully explains to children what umbilical cords are, how they help a developing fetus receive oxygen inside the mother''s womb, and finally, how belly buttons (or navels) are created after the baby is born and the cord is cut. The book also depicts how humans and other mammals continue to nourish their young after birth, and looks at the special circumstance surrounding the births of certain animals, such as panda bears, African elephants and blue whales.

What happens to the environment when alien plants or animals get there by accident? Award-winning writer Mary Batten introduces readers to the serious and ongoing environmental problems caused when alien plants and animals (or invasive species) are introduced into an ecosystem accidentally or deliberately. Describing various examples―from the release of the gypsy moth into the United States to the introduction of rabbits to Australia―Batten uses clear, readable text to show how these foreign intrusions have disturbed the delicate balance of local ecosystems. Nature and animal art specialist Beverly Doyle contributes eye-catching visuals "that almost seem to jump off the pages," and back matter includes a glossary and list of ideas that provide more information and ways to minimize human impact on local environments.

Award-winning nature writer Mary Batten uncovers the climate change mysteries of our planet’s coldest, most extreme environment—Antarctica. Did you know that Antarctica could be the key to long-standing questions about the Earth and climate change? Though it seems very far away from us at the bottom of the world, this frozen continent affects weather, ocean currents, and sea levels all over the Earth. Its wildlife survives—and even thrives—on ice. And in the long run, so do we. From award-winning, experienced nature writer Mary Batten comes a remarkable nonfiction picture book that plumbs the mysteries of one of the most hostile environments on the planet. With clear, engaging language, Batten explores fascinating questions that scientists the world over have been researching. In the intensely cold, windy, and dry environment of Antarctica, how does a wide variety of wildlife survive? How do some species of Antarctic fishes make a natural antifreeze that prevents their blood from freezing solid? How does a forest of giant seaweed flourish under the sea when no other trees grow on the continent? Antarctica’s creatures are exquisitely adapted to their extreme habitat, but can they survive warmer waters and atmosphere? An ideal resource for young science lovers and educators, this informative volume is perfect for classroom units on climate change, conservation, ecology, environment, nature, oceanography, and more.

This book introduces middle-grade readers to the amazing world of that often-times misunderstood creature, the shark. Information on famous fatalities and where and when the attacks occurred is included, plus water safety tips and interviews with shark attack survivors.

A collection of brief accounts of ghostly apparitions that have occurred around the world and throughout history.

Describes giant bugs, birds, and mammals that lived long ago and became extinct during the last Ice Age, discusses the extinction of more recent animals, and examines efforts to protect endangered species.

Two Frenchmen set out to change the world with a revolutionary idea of collecting all the world''s knowledge.

Describes the use of trickery and camouflage by many animal species to protect themselves, to obtain food, and to attract mates.