Some creatures use poop as a weapon. Others count on it to communicate. And there are animals whose frass, or dung, or waste helps the planet. There are even creatures that don't go at all: a South American scorpion just discards its bum, never to poop again!

From birds to bugs to mammals, When Nature Calls draws on scientific research to show readers the role poop plays in the animal world.

MARIA BIRMINGHAM is a longstanding contributor to OWL and Chickadee magazines, and the award-winning author of several books for young people, including Acting Wild, Biometrics, and A Beginner's Guide to Immortality: From Alchemy to Avatars. Maria lives in Brampton, Ontario.

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David Whamond's work has appeared in publications such as Wall Street Journal, Sports Illustrated, Macleans, National Geographic and many others. He is the illustrator of When Nature Calls.

David Whamond's profile page

"Children always like to make jokes about bodily functions, but this is no joke. It is a serious look at the manner in which many animals we are familiar with, go to the bathroom, more specifically how they poop.
"This book is definitely meant to inform not to gross out, and children will learn a lesson in nature and animal habits, with regard to eliminating waste from their bodies. It is most fascinating to learn so much, such as the skipper caterpillar shoots out poop pellets which are known as "frass". They shoot them and send them flying forty times thein length of their bodies.… This is a lesson in bodily functions, an informative guide which informs and enlightens."

"This is an engaging, highly readable book on a fascinating topic that children will relish!… This is an attractive and instructive book with immediate appeal that presents little-known and quirky facts in a deceptively simple manner. It will provoke many questions, many cries of "Ew, that's gross!" and much discussion. Definitely easily digested!"