Think Like a Goat - by Lisa Deresti Betik (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Crows that recognize human faces. Octopuses that make themselves look like other animals to avoid predators. Goats that can solve puzzles. No, these aren't scenes from a science fiction movie -- they're real behaviors of these very smart creatures! Humans think we're pretty smart -- maybe the smartest species on the planet. But are we really? It turns out there are tons of other animals challenging us for the prize. Electric fish send signals to each other to communicate, ants use algorithms to work together, and elephants grieve when another elephant dies. These are just some of the wildly smart animals readers will learn about in this book. Covering four broad categories of intelligence (communication, social learning and cooperation, problem solving and memory, and emotional intelligence), Think Like a Goat explains and celebrates all the ways in which different animals intelligently navigate the world. Along the way, readers will learn about essential STEM concepts such as evolution and natural selection, ethology, and instinct vs. learning, all investigated through accessible, fun text and quirky illustrations full of personality. We can learn a lot from all kinds of animals. Yes, even goats!"--

Book Synopsis

Think humans are the only intelligent creatures? Think again. The unique smarts of all kinds of creatures are on display in this intriguing exploration of animal intelligence!

Sure, humans are smart. But scientists are discovering that many other animals have smarts that might surprise us. For example: Some birds can store seeds in thousands of different places and then remember where they are months later. Octopuses can camouflage themselves as rocks, plants or other animals to avoid predators. And fireflies can communicate with one another by flashing light signals from their abdomens. Covering four broad categories of intelligence - communication, social learning and cooperation, problem-solving and memory, and emotional intelligence - this fascinating book explains and celebrates animal intelligence in all its many varieties!

Lisa Deresti Betik's innovative and highly readable resource about the intelligence of all kinds of critters is sure to delight animal lovers of every stripe. With lively, fun text presented in bite-size chunks, and playful illustrations by Alexander Mostov, including infographics and charts, the book is accessible and easy to read. Other topics covered include evolution and natural selection, ethology and distinctions between instinct and learning. The message is one of respecting other animals and recognizing we can learn a lot from how they solve problems. The high-interest topic has many life science curriculum links, including characteristics of living things, diversity of living things, and growth and changes in animals. The content is supported by a glossary, an index and suggested sources for further reading.

Review Quotes

... this book will surely amaze the reader and stir a sense of wonder in them.--Children's Literature

Readers are sure to find something new and intriguing among these accounts, arousing curiosity about the animal world, from ants to elephants ... an engaging and entertaining book! Highly Recommended--CM Magazine

... Betik provides more than enough far-out facts to keep readers engaged.--Quill & Quire (Praise for In the Dark)

A solid choice for libraries and classrooms studying the nocturnal world. Fun science.--School Library Journal (Praise for In the Dark)

About the Author

Lisa Deresti Betik used to spin wild tales about invisible, blanket-eating alligators in her room, and now she writes fun, fascinating nonfiction books for children, including In the Dark: The Science of What Happens at Night. Born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Lisa grew up surrounded by majestic lakes and forests that encouraged her curiosity. She now lives in Waterloo, Ontario, with her family, where she keeps a Little Free Library on their front lawn.
Alexander Mostov is an illustrator whose work has been featured by Google, Amazon, the New York Times and in several children's books. He lives with his partner and their mischievous little dog in Seattle, where he can be found snowshoeing and motorcycling around when he's not making art.