Snakes

by Melissa Stewart

National Geographic Children’s Books, 2009

for ages 6–9

ISBN 978–1‑42630–429‑3

Purchase this book at your local independent bookseller or Amazon.com.

From the tip of their forked tongues, to skin that sheds and the rattles on certain tails, snakes have secrets all kids will love. Cool photos and fun facts slip us inside their surprising world.

Honors and Awards

Bank Street College Best Children’s Book of the Year

Junior Library Guild Selection

Behind the Book

“I learned a lot while I was researching this book, and I had a blast writing the jokes in the book. But I have to admit that snakes really creep me out. Always have. Always will.

“When I was in the Galapagos Islands, we walked across a lot of volcanic rock. One day I noticed a sudden movement on the ground and looked down. I expected to see a cute little lizard. But instead, I watched in horror as a snake slither over my hiking boot. Even though I was with two herpetologists (scientists who study reptiles and amphibians), I couldn’t help myself. I expected the scientists to scowl at me, but they whooped with joy. It turns out it was a Galapagos snake, a rare species the scientists had never seen before—even though this was their seventh trip to the islands.”