Books About Animal Defenses

The Best Animal Defenses Books for Kids

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Explore our editor-reviewed guide to Animal Books, featuring 10 favorites and recommendations by age.

Looking for excellent children's books about animal defenses? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

Series

Series

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Animal Defenses

Sale price

$1248

Picture Book · Ages 9–14 · 2014

When Lunch Fights Back

By Rebecca L. Johnson

Discover nature's bizarre defenses where survival means outsmarting predators with unexpected tactics.

48 pages· 5,994 words· Est. 47 min read-aloud

4.2 Goodreads · 249 ratings

$12.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: An octopus learns the hard way that a mantis shrimp isn't an easy meal. In the wild, survival hinges on unique defenses. From slime-producing hagfish to bone-piercing frogs, meet creatures with astonishing survival tactics. What other bizarre methods do animals use to escape becoming lunch? Dive into a world where nature's ingenuity knows no bounds.

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 2009

Never Smile at a Monkey

By Steve Jenkins

Discover the hidden dangers of seemingly harmless creatures in the wild.

32 pages· 2,934 words· Est. 23 min read-aloud

4.1 Goodreads · 922 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: In a world where danger lurks in unexpected places, learn why petting a platypus or touching a tang fish might be more perilous than you think. This captivating picture book reveals the surprising ways animals protect themselves, challenging what you thought you knew about wildlife. Will you recognize the risks before it's too late? Uncover the secrets of these deceptively dangerous creatures and rethink your approach to the animal kingdom.

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 2018

Look at Me!

By Robin Page, Steve Jenkins (Illustrator)

Discover how animals use stunning displays to survive and thrive.

40 pages· 1,436 words· Est. 12 min read-aloud

4.0 Goodreads · 130 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Explore the captivating world of animals with remarkable displays designed to attract attention. From dazzling feathers to striking fur, each creature has a unique way of communicating. Whether luring prey, deterring predators, or finding a mate, these animals reveal the secrets of survival in the wild. Dive into a visually stunning journey and uncover the fascinating strategies behind nature's most eye-catching displays. What makes these creatures stand out, and why? Discover the answers in this engrossing exploration of the animal kingdom's most attention-grabbing inhabitants.

Picture Book · 2016

Toxic Beasts

By Vicky Willows · Smart Words Reader series

Venomous bites, poisonous skin and deadly tricks: meet nature's most toxic creatures.

32 pages· 2,313 words

Paperback

Summary: From black widow spiders to king cobras, some animals use venom, poisonous skin and other deadly tactics to catch prey or fend off predators. Photos and facts show how these creatures survive, while 20 Smart Words build science vocabulary.

Sale price

$2940

Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 2008

Tricky Opossums

By Catherine Nichols · Gross-Out Defenses series

Discover the gross tricks one small animal uses to escape hungry predators.

24 pages· 836 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud

4.3 Goodreads · 4 ratings

$30.95Save 5%

Library Binding

Summary: Opossums have some of the grossest defenses in the animal world. They play dead, drool, and release a smelly liquid to convince predators they would make a terrible meal. Large photos and simple text show young readers how these tricky marsupials protect themselves, and a closing section introduces another animal with a similar defense.

Sale price

$2849

Picture Book · Ages 7–10 · 2016

Venomous Animals

By Cari Meister · Back Off! Animal Defenses series

Some animals fight back with a painful bite or sting. How does venom work?

24 pages

4.0 Goodreads · 2 ratings

$29.99Save 5%

Library Binding

Summary: Cobras, bees, stonefish and other animals protect themselves from predators by injecting venom. Full-color photos and leveled text show how these animals use fangs, stingers and spines, and an infographic explains how fangs deliver venom. Includes an activity, a glossary and an index.

Sale price

$375

Picture Book · Ages 6–8

How Animals Defend Themselves

By Etta Kaner, Pat Stephens (Illustrator)

Discover the clever tricks animals use to stay safe from hungry predators.

32 pages· 1,250 words· Est. 10 min read-aloud

4.5 Goodreads · 4 ratings

$3.95Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: From color-changing octopuses to opossums that play dead, animals have many surprising ways to protect themselves from predators. This nonfiction Level 3 first reader explores the amazing world of animal defenses with longer sentences and richer vocabulary for growing readers.

Sale price

$3047

Picture Book · Ages 7–10 · 2015

Skunks Smell Bad

By Susan H. Gray · Tell Me Why Library series

What makes a skunk's spray so stinky, and when does it use it?

24 pages· 671 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud

4.5 Goodreads · 6 ratings

$32.07Save 5%

Library Binding

Summary: When does a skunk spray, and why does it smell so bad? Simple explanations and photos answer young readers' questions about how skunks defend themselves. A Tell Me Why Library book with a glossary and an index.

Sale price

$759

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2014

Can You See Me?

By Ted Lewin · I Like to Read series

Can you spot the hidden creatures in the rainforest?

24 pages

3.5 Goodreads · 91 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Embark on a rainforest adventure where a toucan and a vine snake challenge you to find them. With vibrant illustrations inspired by Costa Rica, this seek-and-find book invites young readers to discover the art of animal camouflage. Will your eyes be sharp enough to spot the hidden wonders?

Sale price

$574

Chapter Book · Ages 6–8 · 2007

Fake Out!

By Ginjer L. Clarke, Pete Mueller (Illustrator)

Discover creatures with astonishing survival tactics and bizarre behaviors.

48 pages· 2,035 words· Est. 23 min read

4.2 Goodreads · 43 ratings

$5.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Explore the fascinating world of animals with extraordinary abilities. From the shape-shifting mimic octopus to goats that faint when startled, uncover the secrets behind these creatures' unique survival strategies. What other bizarre behaviors await discovery in this captivating journey through nature's wonders?

Ages 3–6Picture Book Club