This is the first in a series of 4 books that will tell the true and hilarious stories of animals that love hijinks. In this book you'll meet 3 naughty animals, including Fu Manchu, the orangutan escape artist.

Fu Manchu lived at the Omaha Zoo and would routinely break out of his habitat to explore the zoo on a nice day. Zookeepers were baffled as to how the ape was escaping, until one day they caught him in the act. Fu Manchu knew how to pick locks. Not only that, he had created his own tool that he used to pick the locks with, which he would store in his mouth so as not to be found out. This and two other charming stories will engage readers and leave them wondering if humans are really the smartest animals.


Based on the hit feature in National Geographic Kids magazine, we bring you Lucky Leopards, true and inspiring stories of daring animal rescues that will engage and enchant readers of all ages.

Packed with full-colour photography, and written in fun and lively prose that empowers readers to keep turning pages, these heart-warming stories will leave kids hungry for more of the animal "awwww" factor. National Geographic Kids Chapters picks up where the best-selling National Geographic Readers series leaves off. This new series offers young animal lovers, who are ready for short chapters with lively, true stories just right to carry in a backpack, share with friends, and read under the covers at night.

National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.
Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.


ALINE ALEXANDER NEWMAN is a multiple award-winning magazine writer, author, teacher, newspaper columnist, and speaker. Her articles and stories have appeared in over 20 national publications, including Boy's Life, Guideposts, and Highlights for Children. Most of her fifty plus features for National Geographic Kids (formerly World) have appeared on the cover. Her children's book, Ape Escapes was the first release in National Geographic Kids Chapters.

This entertaining and humorous chapter book features animals who can perform amazing acts like riding motocross, foretelling the weather, and playing a guitar.

These stories will enchant readers and empower them to devour the more text-heavy "grown up" style of the book, while still keeping the story easily digestible for a hesitant reader.

National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.
Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.


Animal Superstars

by Aline Alexander Newman

Published 1 January 2012
This entertaining and humorous chapter book will feature animals who can perform amazing acts like riding motocross, foretelling the weather, and playing a guitar. These stories will enchant readers and empower them to devour the more text-heavy "grown up" style of the book, while still keeping the story easily digestible for a hesitant reader.

National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.
Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.

These bunnies may look adorable, but there's more than meets the eye! In Rascally Rabbits!, meet some rabbits that cause nothing but trouble, a rescue pup who will eat ANYTHING, and a sneaky bear with a taste for treats.

Readers won't stop laughing as they read these hilarious—and completely true!—stories. Filled with engaging photos, fast facts, and fascinating sidebars, readers won't want to put this book down.


Ape Escapes!

by Aline Alexander Newman

Published 24 July 2012
This is the first in a line of four books within the National Geographic Kids Chapters series that tell the true and hilarious stories of animals that love hijinks. In this book you'll meet three naughty animals, including Fu Manchu, the orangutan escape artist. Fu Manchu lived at the Omaha Zoo and would routinely break out of his habitat to explore the zoo on a nice day. Zookeepers were baffled as to how the ape was escaping, until one day they caught him in the act. Fu Manchu knew how to pick locks. Not only that, he had created his own tool that he used to pick the locks with, which he would store in his mouth so as not to be found out. This and two other charming stories will engage readers and leave them wondering if humans are really the smartest animals.

National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.
Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.

These bunnies may look adorable, but there's more than meets the eye! In Rascally Rabbits, meet some rabbits that cause nothing but trouble, a rescue pup who will eat ANYTHING, and a sneaky bear with a taste for treats. Readers won't stop laughing as they read these hilarious-and completely true!-stories. Filled with engaging photos, fast facts, and fascinating sidebars, readers won't want to put this book down.