Smart Animals

De Waal reviews the rise and fall of the mechanistic view of animals and opens our minds to the idea that animal minds are far more intricate and complex than we have assumed. De Waal's landmark work will convince you to rethink everything you thought you knew about animal - and human - intelligence.

Mama's Last Hug opens with the dramatic farewell between Mama, a dying 59-year-old chimpanzee matriarch, and biologist Jan Van Hooff. This heartfelt final meeting of two longtime friends offers a window into how deep and instantly recognizable these bonds can be. So begins Frans de Waal's whirlwind tour of new ideas and findings about animal emotions, based on his renowned studies of the social and emotional lives of chimpanzees, bonobos, and other primates.

Did you know that only around a quarter of the Sahara Desert is covered in sand? And did you know that cash machines in Vatican City have an option to read their instructions in Latin? Did you know tug-of-war and rope climbing used to be official Olympic sports? There is no denying that the world is super interesting, and these Super Interesting Facts for Smart Kids prove precisely that!

Can a football game affect the outcome of an election? What about shark attacks? Or a drought? In a rational world the answer, of course, would be no. But as best-selling historian Rick Shenkman shows in Political Animals, our world is anything but rational. This isn't because we aren't smart. Instead, modern cues are setting off ancient, instinctive responses that worked to keep us safe in the Stone Age but lead us astray today.

This delightful narrative takes listeners on a powerful search to unlock the secrets of dog cognition, based on evidence from trainers, owners, behaviorists, and the animals themselves. With in-depth reporting and more than a few personal adventures, best-selling author Jennifer S. Holland digs into what intelligence really means.

In Worry Free Walks, superhero dog-training specialist Dominic Hodgson deconstructs the dog walk and gives you a simple and straightforward, step-by-step guide that will get you from your front door to the park bench without any pulling, lunging, barking, or shouting.

Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are? by Frans de Waal (2016) provides an overview of the history of animal cognition research and the most recent discoveries about animal intelligence. As researchers continue to improve methods for testing animals’ cognitive abilities, they are discovering that animals process, respond to, and act on stimuli in ways previously assumed to be exclusively human.

In "Cat IQ Training", author Melanie Alvarado shares her journey from a perplexed cat owner to a renowned feline behavior expert. Drawing from her background in pedagogic studies, Melanie understands the common struggle of cat owners who yearn for a harmonious relationship with their furry companions. She's been there herself, and she knows what it's like to face behavior challenges that seem insurmountable.

Wilson is a curious sheep, and after he foolishly climbs into the back of a piano movers' truck, he ends up alone in the big city, far from the farm. But Wilson is also one smart sheep, and soon enough he's finding his way home to his worried owner by recognizing the sounds that he heard while he was trapped in the truck—a jackhammer, a calliope, a hotdog man. And could that be the excited barking of his friend Tippy, the border collie?

If you have a cat and think that you understand her, then think again! These interesting, facts will absolutely blow your mind. Cat trivia will keep things fun and exciting when meeting with friends.

We know trivia is fun, especially for kids, and we also know that learning new things and gaining new knowledge on topics you love is one of the most enjoyable parts about it. Trivia has been around since the dawn of time and continuously brings new and fun interactive ways for friends, family, and children to enjoy together. Unfortunately, finding interesting topics to learn about can take a lot of time and effort to find when searching through blog post after blog post. Luckily, Trivia for Smart Kids puts an end to this problem.

Margaret Winslow met midlife agita not head-on, but ass-on, fulfilling a childhood curiosity about donkeys by answering a for-sale ad in the American Donkey and Mule Society's magazine, The Brayer. Hilarity ensues, alongside life-threatening injuries and spirit-enriching insight.... As listeners walk with Winslow and Caleb the donkey through training traumas, expert-baffling antics, and humiliating races, they also share in the author's gradual understanding of Caleb's true, undeniable gifts: a willingness to "speak truth to power", to trust, and to forgive.

Perfect for listeners that believe a hero can be fierce, fun, and fancy! All is well in the magical Land of Five Lagunas...until a stubborn little mouse moves in. In this modern fairy tale, Princess Winnabelle doesn't have time to worry if her fancy dress gets dirty. She's busy learning lessons that will make her a strong leader one day. When Kya Mouse ruins the peace and tries to take over the throne, Winnabelle gets to practice her creative problem solving and smart negotiation skills. But will that be enough to save the day? Is this really a job for a little princess?

Is your child always asking questions about the world and wanting to learn more about it? Isn’t it amazing how quickly children learn when they’re younger? Their brains are like little sponges, absorbing all the information around them. Your heart swells with pride when they tell you something new and exciting that they’ve learned. Perhaps it’s the ability to recite the names of all the planets in our solar system, or maybe it’s being able to solve a complex math problem. Wherever their passions lie, our Trivia for Smart Kids will keep their curiosity growing.

Our feline companions are much-loved but often mysterious. In The Inner Life of Cats, Thomas McNamee blends scientific reportage with engaging, illustrative anecdotes about his own beloved cat, Augusta, to explore and illuminate the secrets and enigmas of her kind. As it begins, The Inner Life of Cats follows the development of the young Augusta while simultaneously explaining the basics of a kitten's physiological and psychological development.

Are you a first-time puppy parent? Excited? Petrified? Keen to get started - but clueless about canines, no dog-owning experience, and no idea who to trust or where to turn for help? If only there was a way to avoid well-meaning but bad advice, eliminate the giant mistakes that cause life-long problems, and give your puppy a great start in life...well, now you can.

Learn fun facts about cats! 

When Liam discovers plastic wrappers scattered throughout his garden, he starts to wonder... What happens to all this plastic? From thrilling and adventurous to educational and engaging, this story follows Liam as he learns about plastic pollution. It inspires him to take small and actionable steps towards reducing plastic waste with his dear friends.

Join Liam on this journey and find out how vitamins and nutrients help build a strong, healthy body. Told in rhyming verse, this lyrical treasure will both educate and entertain even the fussiest of eaters. This book is the perfect tool for your child to develop healthy eating habits at a young age.

Fiercely resilient and impeccably dressed, Veronica McCreedy has lived an incredible 87 years. Most of them alone, in her huge house by the sea. But Veronica has recently discovered a late-life love for family and friendship, adventure and wildlife. More specifically, a love for penguins! And so when she's invited to co-present a wildlife documentary, far away in the southern hemisphere, she jumps at the chance. Even though it will put her in the spotlight, just when she thought she would soon fade into the wings.