Giraffes are the tallest land mammals on Earth! They're tall enough to reach the leaves of trees, which they eat with their 20-inch tongues. In this book, children will learn how a giraffe's height is both an advantage and a disadvantage.

Using their beaks, woodpeckers peck holes in trees to get at the insects inside. They also hammer to attract mates and declare their territory. This book will interest children as it presents the behaviors and physical features of these noisy birds.

African elephants can weigh as much as 16,000 pounds! If their size isn't enough to make them stand out, they also have huge ears, long trunks, and ivory tusks. This title will engage beginning readers as it explains how Earth's largest land mammals use their trunks to keep themselves cool.

Polar bears have thick fur and plenty of fat to keep them warm in their arctic homes. Their white coats also serve as good camouflage in snow-covered habitats. This book explores how polar bears prey on seals and use their paws to paddle through water!

When it comes to lemurs, it's a woman's world. Females rule-they eat first, win all family arguments, and fight enemies on the front lines. Learn why you'd want to be "one of the ladies" in a lemur troop.

Ostriches are birds that can't fly. They take it in stride, sprinting in short bursts instead. When ostriches can't run from danger, they face it head on. Well, with their heads on the ground. Discover the ostrich-a bird of a different build.

The shih tzu might be the Rapunzel of the dog world. The little dog is sometimes more hair than body, especially at a dog show! If the flowing locks alone don't impress young readers, the shih tzu's royal roots and fairytale-like comeback from near disappearance will.

As wildebeest make their way from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara plains in Kenya, their hooves leave a scent trail for any who get lost along the way. These nomads welcome their neighboring zebras and gazelles, knowing there is strength in numbers. Readers can join the millions of travelers crossing the plains of Africa in this title about wildebeest migration.

Pugs have a snoring problem that can't be helped. Short, flat muzzles set the wrinkly-faced canines up for noisy breathing during naptime. Good thing pug owners find the sound endearing! This and other quirks will make for memorable elementary reading.

When kangaroos gather in large groups, they get loud and physical. Males duke it out in boxing matches, jumping and jabbing with feisty determination to earn the "dominant male" title. Be prepared for a kangaroo mob scene!