The third and fourth books in the innovative "Starting Life series are here These bright, bold picture books for ages 5-8 illustrate the life cycles of nature. Following on the heels of "Frog and Butterfly, the series continues with two more familiar topics: ducks and apple trees. Every child is enthralled with baby ducklings at the park, and children everywhere plant seeds in cups for school or daycare projects. These books take readers through each stage of life--from egg to duckling to duck, and from seed to sapling to tree. Lush, accurate illustrations of habitat feature plant life and animals on die-cut pages that get longer as the subject grows bigger. Captions, labels, and diagrams provide lots of information on every page without sacrificing the picture book's beauty and appeal. The story of each animal or plant's life will captivate younger and older children both, and the glossary and index provide extra information for kids or educators who want to know more.