From the familiar (Shark) to the lesser-known and bizarre (Stonefish), these books will pull readers in. Both volumes cover their subjects' habitats, traits, and behaviors--and may make some readers afraid of the water. Vivid undersea photos provide close-up looks and are more compelling than the somewhat scattered writing. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind.

This entry in the Afraid of the Water series introduces the deadly stonefish, which offers unwary waders the daunting combination of a powerful venom injected by needlelike dorsal spines and a camouflage so effective that the fish is manifestly hard to see en in abundant closeup color photos with added pointers. These photos of the almost unbelievably unappealing beast appear on nearly every page, along with brief cautionary captions or easy to absorb text that covers the stonefish's habitat, life cycle, predators, and prey. The text, meanwhile, is well distinguished by a green coral-reef background. Closing with advice about how to treat a sting, plus glimpses of other venomous fish and a well-constructed reading list, it will very likely make addictive reading for hydrophobic middle graders.