Masters of Disguise: Camouflaging Creatures & Magnificent Mimics - by Marc Martin (Hardcover)

About the Book

"What do panther chameleons, polar bears, and Gaboon vipers all have in common? They are masters at disguising themselves in their environments. Featuring twelve different animals found around the globe, from African leopards to mimic octopuses, these pages reveal how each creature manages to blend into its habitat and the advantages its camouflaging abilities provide. Put your newly acquired knowledge to the test as you try to find the masters themselves in seek-and-find activities throughout the book"--Dust jacket flap.

Book Synopsis

In a seek-and-find extravaganza, stylish illustrations and a brisk text unmask twelve of the most elusive creatures on earth.

Now you see them, now you don't. Cloaked in a riot of color, pattern, and texture are a dozen animals--from chameleons and polar bears to Gaboon vipers and mimic octopuses--that have mastered the art of fading into the background. Fact-packed pages segue into clever and beautifully illustrated seek-and-find spreads that put readers' newfound knowledge of each creature and its ecosystem to the test. In a timely and visually arresting novelty book for nature lovers of every stripe, Marc Martin jets budding conservationists around the world to artfully expose the secrets of animal camouflage.

Review Quotes

Martin highlights the lives and disguises of one dozen animals hailing from habitats from every continent but Antarctica, with camouflaged-animal searches. Captivating watercolor art immediately draws you in. . . Both art and text enhance scientific accuracy with beauty and playfulness--a rare feat. Sturdy pages, too. Do not hide this book!
--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

This nonfiction seek-and-find picture book features 12 different animals from all over the world, with unique camouflage and mimicry adaptations. . . Every animal has its own seek-and-find spread, which showcases amazing adaptations at work. The concise text is interesting and digestible for children, and the vibrant illustrations are realistic. Kids who enjoy learning about all different kinds of animals will love this title.
--School Library Journal

This book looks at 12 creatures, from the owl butterfly, to stick insects, to the three-toed sloth, that utilize color and markings to masquerade themselves for protection. . . . The illustrations bring the animals to life with the dynamic use of watercolor, pencil, and digital collage images. Each of the animals is also given a two-page seekand- find section that enables the reader to use the insight gained from the informational pages to locate the hidden animals. . . students will love learning about and searching for each of the hidden animals.
--School Library Connection

About the Author

Marc Martin is an award-winning artist, illustrator, and author. He is the creator of A Forest, Everything & Everywhere and the New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Children's Book of the Year A River, among others. "In a world of climate change and human encroachment on the natural world," he says, "better understanding the creatures with whom we share the earth--even when we can't easily see them--is critical. Finding animals, learning about them, and understanding why they hide from predators like us is essential to caring for the planet in today's world." Marc Martin lives in Melbourne, Australia.