Natalie Hyde

After almost drowning in a swollen creek, Wes wonders if what his friend Zach says is true: Wes owes a life debt to the old lady who rescued him. It doesn't help that Wes keeps hearing his dead father's voice saying things like, "A man pays his debts, Wes," and "A man always treats a woman with respect, Wes." But how does a guy go about paying back a life debt anyway? And what if it involves a transmission tower, an ice-cream truck and a few sticks...

Glow-in-the-dark creatures possess one of the most amazing abilities in our world. Using only chemicals in their bodies, they can create bioluminescence, or "living light." The lights they produce come in an astonishing variety of colours and patterns. Glow-in-the-dark creatures use their light displays to hide from enemies, to cry for help, to warn of danger or to find a mate. It is a beautiful silent language. From fireflies and glowworms to flashlight...

New Zealand is the sixth largest island nation in the world. It is a country of many contrasts--from snow-capped mountains to deep fiords, sandy beaches, and vibrant cities and towns. Read all about New Zealand's wild topography, the geographic isolation that led to the amazing evolution in its plant and animal life, and the many diverse peoples and cultures that make the country their home. Downloadable Teacher Notes available.

India, the world's most populous country at over 1.4 billion people, is also known for its ancient history and rich heritage. Read all about the country's land and resources, its beginnings as one of the world's oldest civilizations, and the many different peoples and cultures who call India home. Downloadable Teacher Notes available.

Follow along as a fictional researcher observes and makes journal entries about their field trip through the Serengeti ecosystem in Africa. Outstanding photographs highlight the animals, plants, and people that inhabit this diverse habitat where the world's largest land mammal migration takes place. Simple graphs show facts about the land, and the final report describes efforts being made to preserve the area.

Can you imagine a mammal that lives without ever drinking water, or a frog that freezes solid but can still thaw out and hop away? This book reveals the extraordinary ways certain animals are able to survive in some of the harshest environments on our planet!

The control and command center of the whole body, we wouldn't be able to breathe, have a heartbeat, avoid danger, or sleep without the nervous system. Find out what illnesses affect the nervous system and how medical research has advanced our knowledge. Full-color illustrations help readers visualize the nervous system at work. Free downloadable Teacher's Guide available.

Your digestive system is like a production line. Food, drinks, or pills travel through tubes, filters, and holding rooms, as body chemicals work to extract nutrients. This fascinating book explores gut microbiomes, human waste, and how the digestive system identifies problems. Full-color illustrations help readers visualize the digestive system at work. Free downloadable Teacher's Guide available.

Have you ever heard of a see-through frog, a cartwheeling spider, or a jellyfish that never dies? This entertaining book highlights examples of animals with unusual bodies and surprising behaviors that make them stand out in the animal world.

Young readers will learn about the many public holidays and cultural festivals celebrated in the Scandinavian country of Sweden. Fun facts highlight the unique festivals of the ancient Sami people, how the Swedish royal family is honored, what traditional foods are eaten, and how families celebrate special occasions.