The Truth About Animal Series
Stunning photography and humorous illustrations capture readers' attention as they explore these question-and-answer books featuring seven different animals. The titles reveal facts and explore myths. The series offers a comprehensive exploration of different habitats, feeding habits, taxonomic identity, and more. Each book is 32 pages long and includes a hands-on-activity. The book jackets of hardcover copies open to a full-size poster.
Inspiration for The Truth About Books
The Truth About animal series began with my appreciation of owls. When I was a girl, my grandmother collected owl figurines and knickknacks. Visits to Gramma always included observing her owl collection and wondering about these mysterious birds. I still had a lot to learn about these birds of prey.
After I graduated from college, I became an environmental educator. To prepare to teach a workshop about owls, I learned from my coworkers and researched at the library. Soon, I taught about owls every week--complete with an owl pellet dissection. I loved helping middle school students understand just how incredible owls are.
Nearly twenty years later, I began writing (and continued researching) about owls for what I hoped would become a children's book. I knew all sorts of "owl-some" information, but it took years to figure out my story needed to change. I shortened it, changed it to a Q&A format, and added humor through sidebars. I loved this newly revised version of my owl story. I knew it finally had potential to hold readers' attention.
This is the book that became Whooo Knew? The Truth About Owls, the first book in The Truth About series. It now includes seven books, with more coming in 2028. Beautiful, bold photographs and Juanbjuan Oliver's humorous illustrations bring the text that I wrote to life.
Titles available in paperback and hardcover
Woof! The Truth About Dogs (2021)
Meow! The Truth About Cats (2022)
Illustrated by Juanbjuan Oliver
Published by Reycraft Books
See below to learn more about each title.
Flick! The Truth About Lizards
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Lizard Teacher Guide (Free)
Awards and Accolades
- Named a top 2025 Science & Nature Books for Kids by School Library Journal and Betsy Bird
- 2027 Towner Award nomination (The Washington Library Association)
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Chomp! The Truth About Sharks
Shark Teacher Guide (Free)
Coming Soon!
Awards and Accolades
- Selected by School Library Journal as one of "8 Nonfiction Titles to Inspire Young Animal Conservationists"
- Keystone to Reading Elementary Intermediate Book Award Winner for 2025-2026 (Keystone State Literacy Association)
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Meow! The Truth About Cats
Cat Teacher Guides (Free)
Ribbit! The Truth About Frogs
Frog Teacher Guide (Free)
Awards and Accolades
2022 Science & Nature Book for Kids (School Library Journal)
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Amazon • Barnes and Noble • BookShop • Reycraft
Scurry! The Truth About Spiders
Spider Teacher Guide (Free)
Awards and Accolades
Towner Award nomination for 2023 (The Washington Library Association)
Woof! The Truth About Dogs
Dog Teacher Guides (Free)
Awards and Accolades
Keystone to Reading Award nomination for 2022-2023 (Keystone State Literacy Association)
Book Trailer
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Amazon • Barnes and Noble • BookShop • Reycraft
Whooo Knew? The Truth About Owls
Owl Teacher Guide and Resources (Free)
Awards and Accolades
- Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nomination for 2022-2023 (Pennsylvania School Librarians Association)
- Keystone to Reading Elementary Primary Book Award nomination for 2021-2022 (Keystone State Literacy Association)
- Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Books of the Year 2021
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See all of Annette Whipple's teacher ELA and writing resources.
The Truth About Series
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