Tiny Terrors

Was there a flash of red on that spider? Uh oh, it's a black widow! These small spiders can pack a big punch of venom, but they're also often misunderstood. In this book, readers will enter the webby world of black widow spiders, learning about the dozens of species around the world. Photographs give a safe glimpse into spider lives, while manageable text introduces life science concepts through intriguing information about these dangerous arachnids.

Poison dart frogs come in a rainbow of colors, and most are less than 2 inches (5.1 cm) long. However, this tiny package can come with a strong dose of venom! Travel to these frogs' tropical home in Central and South America and learn more about these tiny terrors, from their life cycle to their habitat and history. Photographs show off their brilliant colors, while in-depth text draws in young readers and makes connections to elementary science topics.

Swat! What was that? A buzzing mosquito! These tiny pests are very common but can be more dangerous than you may realize. In this book, readers will creep into the world of mosquitoes, learning about how they live, how they grow, what they eat-and how they may be the deadliest animal group that's ever lived. Full-color photographs show mosquitoes up close, and detailed text makes elementary science concepts real and interesting.

Bacteria are the smallest of the small! These one-celled organisms live everywhere on Earth, and while most are harmless (or helpful), some can cause a lot of damage through disease. In this book, readers will learn more about bacteria, including their history (they were among the first life-forms on the planet), their life, and how they can cause trouble. Fascinating details pull readers into the text, while full-color photographs show these tiniest of terrors up close.

It might be hard to take a puffer fish seriously, especially when it's all blown up like a fishy balloon. However, that's the last mistake some predators will ever make! In this intriguing volume, young readers will journey under the waves to investigate the many species of puffer fish. Full-color photos will help them examine the curious puffer and its many defenses, while detailed text explains the creatures' life, habitat, anatomy, and more.

Keep your hands to yourself! That's what the bright blue rings on this tiny terror say. These small octopuses prefer to hide in equally small corners or crevices in their ocean home, but if they're caught outside, they'll bite-and that bite is more deadly than that of almost any other creature on Earth. In this volume, full-color photos show these creatures' distinct and bright coloring, and detailed text explains more about how such a small creature can be so dangerous.