All by themselves, snakes terrify people but add fangs and venom into the mix, and you’ve got a fearsome animal — the stuff of nightmares for some people. Yet, they’re mostly a misunderstood bunch. They’re not typically aggressive and would much rather avoid you than have a confrontation. None of the world’s snakes are out to get you, humans are not on their dietary menu, and a little knowledge goes a long way toward building respect for the “spicy noodles” of the world. This book is overflowing with information and stunning photos covering almost one-seventh of all known snake species worldwide. It is a fabulous desk reference for snake lovers; it’s organized alphabetically and has alphabetical indices for both species and common names. Plus, it includes many not-so-common species that you may never have heard of were it not for books like this. We get to know the snake through its own POV - through its behaviour and biology. And it’s place in history (presented as research by one of our intrepid reporters). Grand in scope yet propulsive in narrative force, The Snakehead is both a kaleidoscopic crime story and a brilliant exploration of the ironies of immigration in America. I am so here for this cover design and for this book. Sigourney Rose is out for revenge after her island’s colonizers murdered her family. Sigourney is ambitious and powerful: she has the ability to manipulate and reads minds. When the childless king of the islands declares that he will choose his successor from amongst eligible noble families, Sigourney uses her powers to set her revenge in motion. This epic fantasy read explores and peels away the layers of privilege and power. The Little Snake by A.L. Kennedy

Below are two honorable mentions that specialize in a niche topic. Honorable Mention #1: The Ultimate Ball Python: Morph Maker Guide This book is part of a series and is great for those interested in snakes. It follows Akimbo, who visits his uncle Peter’s snake park. While there, there are reports of a green mamba snake nearby—the rarest and most deadly one of all—and Akimbo hopes to assist his uncle in catching it. National Geographic Readers: Snakes!by Melissa Stewart Why you should buy this: This book won’t be for everyone. It’s set in 1978 and as such some ‘older’ un-PC language exists. As well, if a book that can be completely summed up as “a snake in Central Park” doesn’t excite you then I’d suggest you’ll DNF this. The writing is paired with signature oil portraits by Ransome. They have warm deep brown, golden, and orange tones that convey emotion. This book is a great option for kiddos ages two to four. Pros and Cons of The Girl Who Wore Snakes by Angela Johnson (Author) and James Ransome (Illustrator) ProsOur selection as the best overall is Snake: The Essential Visual Guide by Chris Mattison which is a phenomenal and a terrific overall book on snakes. It includes fun facts and captivating illustrations as well as entertaining activities and quizzes. The Little Snake is beautiful fable and tells the story of Mary, who befriends a small golden snake named Lanmo when she was a child. Lanmo visits Mary throughout her life, and it’s a story of friendship and heartbreak. Many fans of this book have compared this book to The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo (October 2019)

Africa is home to several hundred snake species, and The Dangerous Snakes of Africa by Stephen Spawls covers all of them.I also wasn’t a fan of the Church that was involved. I understood why, what with the evil symbolism of the snake and how the Church worked to get people amped up, but overall, until the ending it was a distraction. It combines intriguing visuals with straightforward text to make learning about snakes fun and exciting for kids. Ali likes to wear the smaller snakes as accessories while she searches for new opportunities to interact with them. Until Ali visits one of her aunts, Ali’s family finds it difficult to comprehend her obsession. Although Johnson uses visual details and beautiful language throughout her book, the majority of the aspects in her novel are unrealistic. This isn’t a huge deal since most kids have vivid imaginations. The most comprehensive book on the list is Snakes of the United States and Canada by Carl H. Ernst and Evelyn M. Ernst. This middle grade book explores grief and death while artfully balancing humor. Twelve-year-old Josh’s mother died in a car crash brought on by a snake being in the car. Josh and his family are bewildered. How did the snake get there? How do they move on? Josh is left to find his own answers. Young Adult Snake Books A Crown of Wishes (The Star-Touched Queen #2) byRoshani Chokshi