The Barn Owl (Animal Lives)

(From Amazon): "Tiny cracks appear on a shell as the first chick gets ready to leave his safe, warm world. He has a special little bump on top of his beak - an egg tooth - which helps him to push his way out." Superbly detailed drawings capture the bird's disarming beauty as it swoops silently in search of prey, offers gifts of food to its mate, and finds a place to nest. The carefully crafted text integrates facts about various aspects of the owl's life cycle into a narrative that informs and fascinates. Parents and kids discovering nature together will find this a thought-provoking introduction to the appreciation of a wild animal in its natural habitat. Includes a fact file, glossary, index, and notes on habitat and conservation.