Anti-Freeze, Leaf Costumes, and Other Fabulous Fish Adaptations

by Laura Perdew, Katie Mazeika (Illustrations)

A fascinating nonfiction picture book about how fish adapt to their various underwater environments!

When might a fancy leaf costume be useful for a fish? And how do fish in Antarctica keep from freezing?

In Anti-Freeze, Leaf Costumes, and Other Fabulous Fish Adaptations, children ages 5 to 8 discover some of the amazing adaptations in the world of fish! Explore underwater habitats and discover the ways fish have evolved to avoid the danger that lurks around every waving piece of seaweed. Detailed illustrations, layered text, a hands-on activity, and plentiful back matter spur kids to dive further into the remarkable adaptations of fish. Perfect as a read aloud or early reader for kids who are curious about science!

Anti-Freeze, Leaf Costumes, and Other Fabulous Fish Adaptations is part of a set of five books in the Picture Book Science series that explore strange-but-true tales of adaptation. Other titles in this series include Stink Fights, Earwax, and Other Marvelous Mammal Adaptations; Spit Nests, Puke Power, and Other Brilliant Bird Adaptations; Water-Walking, Sidewinding, and Other Remarkable Reptile Adaptations; and Sunscreen, Frogsicles, and Other Amazing Amphibian Adaptations.

- Provides layered text and back matter that encourages more in-depth discovery
- Promotes a sense of awe and wonder about the natural world
- Uses humor to engage children's attention
- Includes a hands-on, science-minded project to help support and reinforce deeper learning
- Meets Next Generation Science Standards in ecosystems, biological evolution, and heredity for grades K through 2.

About the Picture Book Science series and Nomad Press

Nomad Press books in the Picture Book Science series present real-world examples of science topics kids find fascinating! These nonfiction picture books consist of engaging narratives paired with detailed, accurate illustrations and layered text that offers ample opportunity for discussion and reflection. Elementary-aged children are equipped to recognize basic science concepts and identify the different ways they are demonstrated in real life, while being impressed with the idea that science is a constant part of our lives and not limited to classrooms and laboratories.

All books are leveled for Guided Reading level and Lexile and align with Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards.

All titles are available in paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats.

Genres: Animals, Nonfiction, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published August 13, 2020

About the author

I am a mom, author, writing consultant, and former middle school teacher. I write fiction and nonfiction for kids, including over 30 books for the education market on a variety of topics including wetland conservation, renewable energy, extinction, and animal adaptations. BIODIVERSITY: EXPLORE THE DIVERSITY OF LIFE ON EARTH (Nomad Press, 2019) earned a starred review from Booklist and is a Junior Library Guild selection. My first fiction picture book is THE FORT (Page Street Kids, 2020). My goal is to inspire the next generation of conservationists through books.

Reviews

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each spread of this title discusses a specific species of fish and a unique fact about it that the reader might find interesting. The facts include how the blackfin icefish keeps from freezing; how lungfish have both lungs and gills; and how a fish can climb a waterfall. The illustrations are fun and the text is engaging. This would be a great book and series for those interested in obscure facts. It is geared more for the younger reader than the scientist but is a great way to encourage love of information about animals. This would be a solid addition to the younger non-fiction collections of most libraries.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of a larger series on animal adaptations. Illustrated, not photos.

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Picture Book Science series combines fascinating information, large and colorful illustrations, and conversational text in a stellar group of books. Each volume opens with a different type of poem that addresses the animal adaptations in that book. A short introduction poses a question about a particular species, which leads into the main text. Each animal is given a two-page spread that uses straightforward and at times humorous text to engage young readers. One sentence is in a larger and different font, which helps summarize the adaptation of that specific animal. The rest of the text is contained in approximately two paragraphs. The books use helpful transition pages or sentences in between each animal to segue into new topics. The large, colorful cartoon illustrations convey each adaptation wonderfully. Each volume ends with an activity and glossary page, along with some photographs labeled with the species. Science teachers will discover much to share in their classrooms, while students in grades 1-4 will find these texts entertaining enough for independent reading.