When Lunch Fights Back: Wickedly Clever Animal Defenses

Gr 3–6—This title explodes with fascinating facts and action-packed photographs that convey how different creatures have evolved to escape predators. Each chapter is chock-full of interesting tidbits ("Hagfish are nicknamed snot eels for good reason: they can release handfuls of slippery slime in seconds"). Chapters begin with a gripping description of the creature evading a hungry animal, followed by a section called "The Science Behind the Story," which explains the mechanics of the survival method. The book is well designed, featuring bold splotches of color that accent each page and large, colorful photographs layered with info-bubbles highlighting key details. Readers will also find a variety of additional resources, such as books, websites, and YouTube videos. A visually stimulating and informative addition.—Melissa Smith, Royal Oak Public Library, MI