About the Author

The National Wildlife Federation is America's conservation organization protecting wildlife for our children's future. At NWF, they envision a world where people work together to protect wildlife and are able to pass on abundant wildlife and wild places to our children. Dawn Cusick writes award-winning children's nature nonfiction books. Get the Scoop on Animal Poop! was selected to the National Science Teachers Association's 2013 list of Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12, Bankstreet College of Education's 2013 Best Children's Books of the Year list, and was named a finalist in the Children's Book Council's 2013 Children's Choice Book Award and the Animal Behavior Society's 2013 Outstanding Children's Book Award. Her first two children's books, Bug Butts and Animal Eggs, also won many awards. Ms. Cusick holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Florida, a certificate of post-Baccalaureate Major in Biology from the University of North Carolina-Asheville, and a Masters of Science in Biology from Western Carolina University. Her research work involves species' recognition and speciation in cryptic katydids. She teaches general biology and zoology courses at Haywood Community College.

Reviews

This volume in the Animals That Make Me Say. . .series examines the many painful-looking ways animals, birds, insects, and amphibians survive in the wild. Color photographs, including those provided by the National Wildlife Federation, capture more than 150 animals in the act of foraging, defending against predators, and thriving in harsh climates. Evocative text bubbles link the facts to the photos, creating a puzzle-like feel as readers become acquainted with a variety of teeth, feathers, slime, venom, and spines. (Examples: woodpeckers have shock absorbers in their heads to protect their brains.) Scavengers hunt challenges designed to encourage budding biologists to observe animals in their own surroundings, suggestions for further reading, and a glossary round out this bright, engaging resource.
-Booklist

For Animals That Make Me Say OUCH! and Animals That Make Me Say WOW!
These two animal-focused nature books will make kids sit up and take notice. The attractive photos from the National Wildlife Federation show bald eagles performing acrobatics in mid-air; zebras delivering a swift kick, leaving lion predators in their dust; shape-shifting spiders; and a South American male frigate bird with a bright red "bubble chin." The upbeat, accessible text is factual and entertaining, including funny headers and the occasional joke ("What's worse than a jaw of sharp, curved teeth? Two jaws, that's what!"). Each installment contains practicable "Scavenger Hunt" ideas to cultivate scientific observation skills. While younger students will love the vivid photos, older ones will appreciate the informative material. Solid wildlife overviews.
-School Library Journal