Strongest and Weakest

A new series of colorful and lighthearted books that compares opposites in the weird and wonderful animal kingdom.

Children are often intrigued by extremes in the world around them and how they compare to each other -- the biggest and the smallest, the fastest and the slowest, the smartest and the silliest. These books describe and illustrate animals' characteristics and compare them to animals with exactly the opposite characteristics. Young readers will learn fascinating facts about dozens of creatures from around the world while having some serious fun.

All of the books include practical notes for parents and teachers about learning activities and games.

Strongest and Weakest shows how animals can be strong in different ways and how other animals have adapted to their weaknesses in order to survive. The coconut crab, which can open a coconut with its giant claws, is certainly strong. A lone piranha may not be strong, but in greater numbers they are the most ferocious of freshwater fish and can devour a large mammal in short order. And larvae of the periodical cicada are soft-bodied and lack any defenses, so they stay underground for about 17 years while they grow.