Animals Without Backbones: Invertebrates (World of Science: Come Learn with Me)

If you are asked to picture an animal, what comes to your mind first? A dog? A bird? Perhaps a zebra? Chances are you thought of a vertebrate, an animal with a backbone. But vertebrates, which include the animals we are most familiar with--mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians--actually make up less than 5% of all animal species. All the rest of the animals alive today--more than 95%--are invertebrates, animals without backbones. Can you picture a spotted ladybug, spiny sea urchin, or slimy garden slug? ANIMALS WITHOUT BACKBONES: INVERTEBRATES explores the lives of the many fascinating creatures.

The "Come Learn with Me" series introduces students to the fascinating world of science and encourages the child's natural curiosity about the world. The series includes the exploration of the history of life through fossils, invertebrates, classifications of the kingdoms of life, and animal physiology.