Friend or Foe: The Whole Truth about Animals that People Love to Hate

Description

Imagine this: You're playing a computer game when a spider drops onto your screen. "Aah!" you scream as you fling your device across the room. "What's the big deal?" asks your sister. "Spiders are fab. Have you ever watched a spider spin a web? Do you know that spiders can..." You can't believe it. Your sister loves spiders! Then you realise that even though many people are afraid of snakes, you think they're cool. When you think about it, people have different points of view about lots of animals. Bloodsucking leeches may scare the pants off you, but doctors around the world are big fans of these medical marvels. What about cockroaches? scurrying, dirty pests, right? Or could they actually be a solution to global hunger? You'll get a chance to decide when you check out these and other animals explored in this book. On the one hand you'll find arguments trying to convince you that these animals are disgusting, mean, dangerous or smelly. On the other hand you'll hear about how these very same animals are clever, helpful to humans and the environment and an inspiration to scientists. Though each side is telling the truth, both are trying to persuade you to agree with their point of view. Find out how you feel about animals that people love to hate - are they friend or foe? Aimed at children aged 8+.

Award-winning author, Etta Kaner, writes for both children and educators. While the majority of her children's books are non-fiction, some of her more recent books are a combination of fiction and non-fiction. While her earlier books were inspired by her two daughters, many of her later books have been inspired by the elementary school students whom she teaches. Etta loves to interview experts in their fields with which she is unfamiliar. During these interviews she often accumulates more information than she needs for her book. When making a decision about what to include in the books she uses the 'wow' test. She tries to choose information that will make her readers say 'wow' when they read it. When she's not writing or teaching, Etta loves to spend time with her family, garden, read humorous or historical fiction books, dance, explore new places, go to live theatre and cook for company (but not all at the same time!).