Flick! The Truth About Lizards, from Reycraft Books, Presents a Roundup of Remarkable Reptiles
The new book in the Truth About series puts lizards in the spotlight with a Q & A format, bold photography, and charming illustrations
New Rochelle, NY, Nov. 1, 2025—Leading children’s trade publisher Reycraft Books and author Annette Whipple have teamed up once again for Flick! The Truth About Lizards, the next book in the popular Truth About nonfiction series. With a hardcover publication date of November 18, 2022, Flick! asks the pertinent questions about the reptiles—Where do lizards live? Why do they flick their tongues? What colors are they? and many more—and provides the answers, accompanied by striking photographs and delightful artwork. The book offers additional intriguing information about lizards, delivered in a lighthearted tone by none other than the cold-blooded creatures themselves.
“I think lizards captivate our attention,” Whipple said, “because there are so many varieties—nearly 8,000 species! And when I wrote Flick! The Truth About Lizards, I wanted readers to recognize that each species of lizard is truly special.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Annette Whipple celebrates curiosity and inspires others to live in wonder. She is the author of more than 20 fact-filled children’s books including The Laura Ingalls Wilder Companion: A Chapter-by-Chapter Guide, Quirky Critter Devotions, and many animal books in Reycraft Books’ The Truth About series. Annette has been named the 2025 Outstanding Pennsylvania Author/Illustrator by the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association. When she’s not reading or writing, you might find her baking for her family or exploring a park near her home in Pennsylvania.
The specialness of each lizard species is a key element of the book, giving Whipple the opportunity to dispel certain misconceptions that many people have about the reptiles. “Most lizards hatch from eggs, but not all,” she noted. “Most lizards have long bodies with four legs and a tail—but some lizards don’t even have legs!”
Of the many lizard species she researched and wrote about, Whipple said it would be a challenge to pick a favorite. “The strength of panther chameleons’ tongues fascinates me,” she said. “Marine iguanas amaze me. They’re big—up to five feet—and look fierce, but marine iguanas eat algae and seaweed! But perhaps some of my favorite lizards are the ones I’ve met, like Copper, a friendly bearded dragon, and Dexter, a veiled chameleon who showed me just how tightly he holds a branch—or a finger!”
Having written seven books (thus far) for the Truth About series, Whipple said that with each title, the research phase has been particularly gratifying. “There’s so much I didn’t know,” she explained. “Many of the animals I’ve written about are misunderstood. But my favorite part of working on the series is getting to meet the animals! I have pet cats of my own and have had dogs in the past. When I consult with experts, I love to meet animals who I wouldn’t typically encounter easily. Once a huge owl named Quincy perched on my arm. Another time, I held a tarantula. I’ve hung out with lizards, frogs, and shark pups, and experts who share their expertise.”
Through her experiences, Whipple said she has come away with an inescapable conclusion, one that she hopes readers will share: “Animals are truly amazing!”
ABOUT REYCRAFT BOOKS: Reycraft Books partners with award-winning and up-and-coming authors and illustrators, primarily from underrepresented communities, to provide high-quality books that delight, inform, and honor the voice and vision of all children. Founded in 2019, the imprint publishes authentic stories—engaging picture books, transitional chapter books, middle grade books, graphic novels, and more—that build knowledge, perspective, and connection, meeting the diverse needs of children, families, and educators.