In the highest branches of a rain forest tree, a monkey is hanging by its tail from a branch as it gathers tasty leaves with its small hands. The acrobatic tree-dweller is a spider monkey, and it's foraging for food high in the treetops with members of its family. Filled with information perfectly suited to the abilities and interests of its second-grade audience, this colorful, fact-filled volume introduces young readers to the everyday life of a spider monkey. How is the animal's body adapted to its treetop life? What does a spider monkey eat? How does it move from tree to tree? And how do spider monkey families spend their days and raise their young? Throughout the book, readers are encouraged to make scientific observations based on the book's images and answer questions about the lives and physical characteristics of these agile creatures. This innovative approach to teaching about wild animals gives young scientists the chance not only to read and learn the facts, but also to develop their own powers of observation and critical thinking.