With the sun blazing down from a cloudless sky, one would think nothing could survive in the harsh desert. But many organisms actually thrive--from scorpions and rattlesnakes to beetles and spiders. It's not the easiest life on the baking earth, but it's so fascinating to visit the desert--one small square at a time. Full color.
It's a sun-scorched world where clouds rarely come and nothing seems to move. That is, until children ages 6 - 9 up look a little closer to find tortoises, toads, and lizards, not to mention the scary rattlesnake and scorpion. Here, plants send their roots deep into the earth to find water, beetles stand on their head and shoot a stinky spray to fight off enemies, and roadrunners whiz by sleepy turtles and nervous desert mice on their way to ... where? Kids need only light clothes and a few simple pieces of equipment to explore the enchantments of cactus country.