ESL Teacher Reference Desk

Animal Wonders

Everything fantastical, wondrous, and strange is to be found here—fish that won’t stay in the water—an insect that uses tools—frogs that are frozen solid in winter only to hop away again in spring. Whether kids can think it up or not, it’s probably here!

Dinosaurs

Covering not only the speed, size, and ferocity of the predators, Dinosaurs takes a look at the scientific process of excavating and interpreting fossils. Theories about dinosaurs’ warm bloodedness, social habits, and extinction encourage children to make

Endangered Animals

This book doesn’t cut corners—it is very specific about what animals are endangered and why. But it also is also very specific about how kids can help, encouraging them to learn, conserve, and become involved in their community.

Reptiles Hardcover Set

From the Scaly to the Hairy, The Docile to the Scary, Discover Them All! Set includes hardcover Snakes, Alligators & Crocodiles, Dinosaurs, and Turtles.

Exotic Hardcover Set

From the Elusive to the Massive, The Dangerous to the Passive, Discover Them All! Set includes hardcover Elephants, Giraffes, Big Cats, and Gorillas.

Wilderness Hardcover Set

From the Talons to the Paws, The Fangs to the Claws, Discover Them All! Set includes hardcover Owls, Wolves, Bears, and Eagles.

Aquatic Hardcover Set

From the Previous to the Frightening, The Infamous to the Enlightening, Discover Them All! Set includes hardcover Seals & Sea Lions, Dolphins & Porpoises, Sharks, and Whales.

Spiders

This book shares a wonderful legend that explains how—via spider—weaving was introduced to Navajo culture. See ingenious spiders that haul their air supply underwater in bubbles... Available in English and Spanish.

Sharks

With sharks, you have to expect the unexpected: unlike most fish, many sharks give birth to live young…the biggest shark in the world never bites anything…and hearing, not smell, is probably the shark’s most acute sense. Read on for more surprises.

Seabirds

A student worn out after taking a run may be interested to know there are some seabirds who spend most of their lives flying in the air without resting at all! Meet a wide variety of specially-adapted birds that plummet and pirate their way from one adven

Penguins

This hands-on book has simple experiments that let kids see for themselves how a penguin’s heavy body is better for swimming than that of a flying bird, or how a small wing is better for swimming than a large one, or why a penguin cannot walk like other b

Pandas

Pandas look totally squeezable and fun. Scientists have found pandas like to repeatedly toboggan down hillsides on their bellies—just like many of our readers. Read up to find other amusing similarities between children and the pandas they love.

Koalas & Other Australian Animals

Australia is home to animals that are like none other in the world. Come on ‘down under’ to see the unusual development of newborn koalas and high-stepping kangaroos. The platypus and echidna also star.

Kangaroos

Ancient aboriginal legend says that kangaroos came to Australia by windstorm. They still sometimes like to travel the hard way: blind newborn joeys crawl the human equivalent of ten feet straight up to reach their mother’s pouch. Hop on the kangaroo book

Lions

Like kittens, lion cubs are born with an instinct to hunt. They’ll pounce on beetles, butterflies, or anything else that moves. Explore the way these cats grow from cute and cuddly to fierce and ferocious.

Gorillas

Literally translated, ‘gorilla’ means ‘hairy person.’ When we look in their eyes, we see a little of ourselves looking back. Available in English and Spanish.