Books About Animal Defenses

The Best Animal Defenses Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

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

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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.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Animal Defenses

Never Smile at a Monkey
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.
Look at Me!
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.
Tricky Opossums
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.
Venomous Animals
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.
How Animals Defend Themselves
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.
Can You See Me?
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?
Fake Out!
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?
What Color Is Camouflage?
Sale price
$1398
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1996

What Color Is Camouflage?

By Carolyn Otto, Megan Lloyd (Illustrator)

Discover how creatures use color to survive.

30 pages· 765 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud
4.0 Goodreads · 59 ratings
$14.95Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Explore the fascinating world of animal camouflage, where creatures from insects to reptiles use color and markings to blend into their surroundings. How do they outsmart predators and adapt to their environments? Uncover the secrets of nature's most cunning survival strategies.
Ankylosaurus
Sale price
$2722
Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 2014

Ankylosaurus

By Sally Lee · Little Paleontologist series

Discover the secrets of the armored Ankylosaurus from the Cretaceous era.

32 pages· 1,148 words· Est. 9 min read-aloud
4.3 Goodreads · 27 ratings
$28.65Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Journey back 65 million years to uncover the mysteries of the Ankylosaurus. With its formidable club tail and protective armor, this plant-eating dinosaur thrived in the Cretaceous Period. What made it so resilient? Explore its unique adaptations, diet, and habitat, and delve into the life cycle of this fascinating creature. Unravel the secrets of how this ancient lizard survived in a world teeming with predators and challenges. Perfect for young readers eager to learn about the wonders of prehistoric life.
Stinkiest!
Sale price
$1398
Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2018

Stinkiest!

By Steve Jenkins · Extreme Animals series

Discover the world's smelliest animals and their astonishing abilities.

40 pages· 1,773 words· Est. 14 min read-aloud
4.0 Goodreads · 109 ratings
$14.99Save 7%
Hardcover
Summary: Dive into the world of the smelliest creatures with vivid illustrations and fascinating facts. Explore how these animals compare to humans, where they live, and their unique, pungent defenses. Uncover the secrets of nature's most odoriferous wonders in this captivating journey across the globe, revealing the extraordinary abilities of creatures big and small.
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