Top Secret Animals: A Declassified History of Animal Spies
About this ebook
Did you know a pigeon once saved more than 1,000 soldiers' lives? That dolphins have searched for underwater mines? Or that the CIA really tried to turn a cat into a secret agent?
Grab your fake mustache and trench coat—it's time to uncover the top-secret history of animal spies!
For centuries, humans have recruited animals for some seriously strange missions. Pigeons carried secret messages across battlefields. Dogs sniffed out danger. Dolphins and sea lions joined the U.S. Navy. And government agencies experimented with spy cats, ravens, sharks, whales, insects, and more.
In Top Secret Animals, young readers will uncover incredible true stories that sound too wild to be real—and discover the fascinating history and science behind them.
Inside this declassified dossier, readers will:
- Meet heroic pigeons, dolphin detectives, CIA spy dogs, covert cats, and other amazing animal agents
- Explore bizarre real-life government experiments, including Acoustic Kitty and plans for remote-controlled spy sharks
- Discover how animals' incredible abilities inspired robots, drones, and other spy technology
- Learn the science behind echolocation, animal senses, biomimicry, sonar, and more
- Crack secret codes, learn real spy terminology, and try hands-on activities and experiments
- Explore fascinating moments from World War I, World War II, the Cold War, and modern history
Packed with hilarious facts, surprising science, fascinating history, dynamic illustrations, and interactive activities, Top Secret Animals is perfect for kids who love animals, spies, STEM, military history, weird-but-true facts, and stories that have to be read to be believed.
The stories are true. The missions were real. And that pigeon outside your window? We can't rule anything out.
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About the author
Christine Evans is the author of Top Secret Animals as well as picture books including Dear Mr. G and Evelyn the Adventurous Entomologist, and the chapter book series The Wish Library. Her books have been translated into Korean, Chinese, and Turkish (so far!). Christine is an experienced and popular speaker who has met thousands of children in-person and online all over the US and the world. She’s also spoken on panels and presented at children’s book conferences and events. Christine is a Brit living in beautiful California with her family. She loves walks by the ocean, skiing in the mountains, and spending plenty of quality time in libraries and bookstores.
Blythe Russo is an author, illustrator, and graphic novelist who lives near Cincinnati, Ohio. When she's not making books, you can find her sewing, building puppets, or in the kitchen on a never-ending quest for the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe. Visit her online at blytherussoillustration.com
