If these babies shake their rattles, you’d better pay attention!

New book helps children learn about rattlesnakes

Much maligned primarily because they are too often misunderstood, rattlesnakes have gotten a bad rap over the years. Conrad J. Storad, an award-winning author of more than 30 science and nature books for young readers, wants to do something about that.

In his just released book, Rattlesnake Rules, Conrad demystifies the world of rattlesnakes and introduces children to such topics as who, when, and what rattlesnakes eat. He shows readers why rattlesnakes have rattles and what it means if you hear one. You will learn how the snakes' forked tongues help them survive. The delightful and colorful illustrations of Nathaniel P. Jensen help bring the story alive.

A long-time resident of the Sonoran Desert, Conrad has long been fascinated by the diversity of animals and plants that call the desert home. Some of his earlier titles are Meerkats, Don't Call Me Pig! (A Javelina Story), Desert Night Shift (A Pack Rat Story), Lizards for Lunch (A Roadrunner's Tale), and Don't Ever Cross that Road! (An Armadillo Story).

Conrad is the director of the Office of Research Publications at Arizona State University where he edits the nationally award-winning ASU Research Magazine. He is also the founding editor of Chain Reaction, an award-winning science magazine written for young readers.

Rattlesnake Rules, (ISBN 978-1-58985-161-0), nonfiction, paperback, is published by Little Five Star, a division of Five Star Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 6698, Chandler AZ 85246-6698. The book will be available through Ingram and Baker & Taylor. To request a free review copy and/or to schedule an interview with the author please contact the publisher.