Life Cycle (Crabtree Publishing)

Mosquitoes have lived on Earth for more than 30 million years! Close-up photos and detailed illustrations depict the amazing changes a mosquito goes through in four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Kids will enjoy reading about different species of mosquitoes and - most importantly - why they bite! Topics include: • mosquito bodies and senses • where mosquitoes lay their eggs • the differences between male and female mosquitoes • the diseases mosquitoes transmit and how to avoid mosquito bites.

Hundreds of thousands of beetles live all over the world in habitats as diverse as swamps, rainforests, and deserts. The Life Cycle of a Beetle describes the growth and development of these fascinating insects from egg to adult. Full-color images of all kinds of beetles, from the familiar to the extraordinary, are included. Illustrations and photographs illuminate topics such as: • where beetles lay their eggs • the transformation from larva to pupa to beetle • differences between male and female beetles • how beetles defend themselves against predators • dangers faced by beetles • how children can help beetles

Children will be fascinated by the life cycle of these enormous polar animals. Stunning pictures and clear text guide readers through each stage of a polar bear's life from cub to adult. Children will also learn how polar bears are being affected by global warming. Beautiful images and well-written text describe • polar bear dens • how cubs grow and learn to live in the Arctic • polar bear hunting techniques.

A koala lives most of its life alone, eating and sleeping high up in the eucalyptus trees of Australia, and yet it is recognized and loved around the world. The Life Cycle of a Koala looks at the life of this ancient marsupial and explains: • how marsupials are different from other mammals • the birth of the koala and its life in its mother's pouch • the growing koala and how it feeds • life outside the pouch, but close to mother • the dangers faced by koalas

The Life Cycle of a Flower looks at the growth of a flower from seed to the time it is a mature plant capable of producing new seeds. Delightful illustrations, stunning photographs and easy-to-read text help young readers learn: • how seeds are formed and what different types of seeds look like • the various ways flowers are pollinated • the conditions necessary for a seed to germinate and begin to make a new plant • how flowering plants benefit animals, people, and the environment.

Although there are over 9,000 species of birds in the world, each develops from a single-celled egg, is incubated, hatches, and grows to adulthood. Some bird life cycles involve migration. The Life Cycle of a Bird focuses on the various stages and explains: • differences in the length of time birds incubate their eggs and care for their young • the development of a chicken embryo and how a chick hatches • dangers to nesting habitats, the effects of pollution, and how these affect the life cycle of birds