Undercover Conversations: Eavesdrop on the Natural World

Did you know that turtles are great singers? Or that trees love to gossip with their fungi friends? Or that fish farts almost started a war? The world around us is full of chatter—it turns out that we just aren’t listening.

Did you know that whether humans are paying attention or not, the rest of nature is busy communicating through sound, sight, chemicals, and touch? Crackling with tongue-in-cheek wit and accessible science, this third installment in the Your Hidden Life series offers insights into animal navigation, neurotransmitters, and other hidden messaging. From meteorologist crickets and flirtatious flowers to gossiping trees and rumbling earthworms, from the love songs of turtles to the fish farts that triggered an international incident, this compendium of strange-but-true facts pairs interviews with diverse scientists and bountiful back matter with wisecracks, clever spot art, and scatological delights to keep readers guessing, chortling, and (painlessly) learning. Rally your senses and get ready to eavesdrop! This lively peek into the amazing world of microbes, replete with a kid-pleasing “ick” factor, is chock-full of facts, humor, and fun illustrations.

Microbes are everywhere: outside, indoors, on your body, in your body. In fact, only about half of our bodies’ cells are human cells—the rest are microbes. Whether helping people digest their food or using mind-control techniques to lure mice into the path of hungry cats (no, really), microbes form an unseen jungle all around us. Through zany facts, hilarious and sometimes disgusting illustrations, and interviews with experts in their fields, aspiring young scientists (or kids who just want to be grossed out) will discover a hidden world In which your health depends on a myriad of microbes, houseflies get zombified by fungi, and termites are saving the planet one fart at a time. With fun extras, including sidebars, limericks, and even a lesson on how to draw E. coli, this “eww”-worthy treasure trove for kids is an engrossing romp into the microbe drama unfolding where you might least expect it.