Mighty Scared - by Erin Silver (Hardcover)

About the Book

This illustrated nonfiction picture book explores the unique and disgusting things that animals sometimes do when they're scared.

Book Synopsis

★ "Enthralling...Empowers readers to understand their own human coping mechanisms, while colorful, detailed images soaked in softly muted earth tones build a base of strong general knowledge. The challenge for readers young and old will be to see who says 'ew' first! A thoroughly engaging, fact-filled book with audacious and memorable animal responses to predators. A must-have for every library." -- School Library Journal

Learn about the wild, wacky and downright disgusting ways some animals react out of fear.

Are you afraid of the dark? Of getting lost? Or of something you saw in a movie? Maybe someone laughed at you for being scared or called you a chicken. That's okay! In fact, it's how humans stay safe in scary situations.

While people might run or scream, animals have amazing ways of protecting themselves when they're afraid. Fulmar birds vomit, Texas horned lizards shoot blood from their eyes and hagfish slime their enemies. Full of incredible and sometimes gross animal facts, Mighty Scared explores how mammals, insects, fish and birds around the world respond when scary predators are near.

Review Quotes

"A great addition to your school or classroom library for young science enthusiasts to discover."-- "Canadian Teacher Magazine"

"This well-organized, nonfiction illustrated book highlights some of the unique strategies animals use to defend themselves...The animals are given quirky personalities, and the illustrations are engaging and humorous, keeping readers interested."

-- "BC Books for Schools"

★ "Enthralling...Empowers readers to understand their own human coping mechanisms, while colorful, detailed images soaked in softly muted earth tones build a base of strong general knowledge. The challenge for readers young and old will be to see who says 'ew' first! A thoroughly engaging, fact-filled book with audacious and memorable animal responses to predators. A must-have for every library."

-- "School Library Journal (SLJ)"

"The term 'amazing' in the title is very true; each animal is incredible in its self-defence. This book is informative and written in a tone that can be easily read and understood by young readers, who will see these animals, and themselves, in a new light."

-- "Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD)"

"[Provides] facts that are often unknown and certainly surprising...There will be 'EWS!!!', but there will also be endless fascination."

-- "Sal's Fiction Addiction"

"With peppy prose and colourful, detailed illustrations, this slim value introduces a surprising range of self-protective traits and behaviors from across the animal kingdom...An endnote aims to connect the animal defences featured to kids' responses to feeling frightened, with suggestions for calming fears, like taking deep breaths. The lively approach and unusual focus set this animal book apart."

-- "Booklist"

"Though most readers would not want to encounter any of the animals highlighted in Mighty Scared... they will be both fascinated and repulsed by the rather disgusting survival techniques mentioned, all part of the book's appeal! Recommended."

-- "CM: Canadian Review of Materials"

"A juicy topic [that] goes for gusto."

-- "Kirkus Reviews"

About the Author

Erin Silver is the author of several books for young readers, including Good Food, Bad Waste: Let's Eat for the Planet, Sitting Shiva and Rush Hour: Navigating Our Global Traffic Jam. Erin's journalistic work has appeared in everything from the Washington Post and the Globe and Mail to Harper's Bazaar and Good Housekeeping. She has a postgraduate journalism degree and an MFA in creative nonfiction from King's College. Erin lives in Toronto.

Hayden Maynard is a Canadian illustrator who graduated from Sheridan College's Illustration program. His clients include the New York Times, The Walrus, the Globe and Mail, Reader's Digest and the Washington Post. Hayden lives in Kingston, Ontario.