A classroom favorite that provides a simple first look at a very dry habitat that's surprisingly diverse! This beginner's guide to deserts explores the major attributes of the habitat and showcases its striking beauty and remarkable global diversity. For example, did you know that the Great Basin Desert is actually very cold? The author, a former teacher, uses simple, easy-to-understand language to teach children what deserts are, what kinds of animals and plants live there, and how certain species have adapted to the unique challenges of surviving in this harsh environment. Noted wildlife illustrator John Sill uses detailed, full-color illustrations to reflect the diversity of desert topography―from the vast dunes of the Arabian Desert to the rocky Chihuahuan Desert in the southwestern U.S. A glossary and afterword provide further details. Perfect for early childhood or elementary units on geography and habitats, nature, and environment.