National Geographic Kids offers the best in engrossing, colorful, and fun-filled titles. Over the next week I’ll be sharing five recommendations. Many are best gift wrapped and placed under the tree, but a few selections could be stuffed in that still not full stocking. You’ll treasure these titles long after the new year sets in.

Let’s start the shopping list off with ULTIMATE PREDATORPEDIA…

The images alone are worth adding this volume of over 100 predators to your library. You can read it from page one like I did or use the handy glossary to find a particular animal.

The first section sets the table with a background on predators: Food webs, behaviors, and protecting species are a few of the topics covered. The meat (pun intended) of Predatorpedia comes in the next five sections, each devoted to a type of predator: Mammals, Birds, Reptiles & Amphibians, Fish, and Invertebrates. Each animal gets a full page image and a second page filled with facts and a written background on its behaviors. You’ll recognize many but also be surprised at ones new to you. Mine were the Madagascar Fossa with a ferocious stare, the skunk like Zorilla, and an Atlantic Torpedo—described as a flattened shark.

This hardback edition can sit on your lap or table. Either way you’ll find hours of learning about these awe inspiring creatures.

Here’s the official scoop (click on the title to find out how to order your copy):

* Ultimate Predatorpedia: The Most Complete Predator Reference Ever (ages 7-10) Welcome to the amazing world of creatures who prey on others for their survival: from high-profile sharks, lions, tigers, and bears to the tiniest ants, mites, and spiders. Every animal in this book is ferocious, fierce, and fantastic in its own way. With colorful photographs illuminating every fang, stinger and razor sharp claw, this easy-to-use encyclopedia features profiles accompanied by Did You Know details, and fast facts (including scientific name, size, diet, and habitat), as well as thematic spreads covering topics from predatory techniques to defenses and communication.

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Next on the list is WHY NOT? with the whys divided into seven categories: ANIMALS, OUR PLANET, THE UNIVERSE, HISTORY, YOUR BODY, TECHNOLOGY, and POP CULTURE. More than ninety starting questions get the ball rolling and within each two-page spread hundreds more are answered. Colorful backgrounds and images add to the I didn’t know that feeling you’ll get.

No spoilers here, but say you turn to TECHNOLOGY and find a question of interest. How about… Why does my voice sound different when I hear it in a video or recording? The question and answer are on the left side of the page with a fun photo. Here it’s a kitten wearing head phones. Too cute. The answer though is straightforward with an easy to understand scientific description.

On the right side of the page is another Q & A, Why don’t I look quite like myself in selfies (and other photographs)? There is also a Q-TIP feature as to how to take the perfect selfie along with three special selfies.

Other features you’ll find on many of the pages include SILLY QUESTION-SERIOUS ANSWER, MYTH MASHED, and PERSONS OF INTEREST.

I spent hours with this volume of answers and could go hours more with the amount of information covered on the pages. Great learning and better yet, it will encourage you to ask your own questions. Take a look at the official description below:

* National Geographic Kids Why Not?: Over 1,111 Answers to Everything (ages 8-12) The concept is simple. Got a question? This book has the answers.  Over 1,111 of them. Why don’t you keep growing your whole life? Check out the human body section. Why aren’t we traveling by jetpack yet? Tech has your answer. Why aren’t school buses red? Flip to the pop culture chapter. Why aren’t dinosaurs still alive? Why can’t you walk on clouds? With hundreds of topics ranging from silly to serious, each page is filled with expert information in a fun Q&A format that will keep kids digging for answers. Answers include all kinds of fascinating extra info like top 10 lists, weird-but-true facts, explorer profiles, and cool activities. 

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I’ll be back Friday with my next choice on the list. In the meantime, I’m diving back into these fantastic resources once more.