From the creators of The Upside-Down Book of Sloths , this delightful new picture book traces the history of one of Earth’s strangest animals. Armadillos are a hodgepodge of different animal parts and behaviors rarely seen together―in short, they’re oddballs! In this companion to The Upside-Down Book of Sloths , Elizabeth Shreeve explores the evolutionary history of armadillos and how they became the burrowing, swimming, roly-poly, armored predators of today. She pairs modern species like the adorable pink fairy armadillo, the chilling screaming hairy armadillo, and the iconic nine-banded armadillo with their ancient counterparts, such as the glyptodont, which could be as large as a car, had a turtle-like dome of armor, and even a spiked tail club! Entertaining, educational, and completely endearing, The Oddball Book of Armadillos digs deep into armadillos, their evolutionary history, and their future in our changing world. color artwork throughout "An engaging and fact-filled deep dive into the world of these fascinating creatures." ― School Library Journal "Guaranteed to charm while encouraging conservation and educating families about the need to protect these unique animals of the Americas." ― Mindy Camponeschi, FIAA (Foundation for International Aid to Animals) "A delightful romp through the biology and history of these quirky creatures! This beautiful book will inspire students with awe and wonder at the incredible diversity of life on Earth." ― Bertha Vazquez, Center for Inquiry and TIES "An excellent exploration of these unique creatures, from giant prehistoric glyptodonts to today's petite pink fairy armadillos. Shreeve leaves the reader wanting to better understand and conserve today's species." ― Kenny Coogan, IUCN/SSC Anteater, Sloth and Armadillo Specialist Group "Wonderfully entertaining and packed with interesting information…this beautifully illustrated book is bound to make every reader love armadillos in all their oddball glory." ― Dr. Jim Loughry, Valdosta State University, Georgia "Clear explanations and gorgeous illustrations…I have no doubt that readers will love the book and want to know more!" ― Dr. Mariella Superina, Anteater, Sloth and Armadillo Specialist Group "A delightful book about these peculiar animals, beautifully written and lavishly illustrated. A pleasure in many dimensions" ― Dr. Richard Farina, Universidad de la República, Uruguay "Young readers will gobble up facts, grasp lessons about prehistory, and glimpse what the future might hold for awesome armadillos!" ― Heather Montgomery "A terrific book for budding scientists and readers in the classroom!" ― K-6 STEM Teacher Elizabeth Shreeve writes books for young readers that celebrate Planet Earth. Elizabeth lives in Northern California with her family. Isabella Grott grew up in Rovereto, Italy. She studied at Nemo Academy of Digital Arts in Florence, where she currently lives.