Evolution by
Evolution is the process that created the terrible teeth of Tyrannosaurus rex and the complex human brain, clever enough to understand the workings of nature. Young readers will learn how a British naturalist named Charles Darwin studied nature and developed his now-famous concepts of natural selection and survival of the fittest. And how modern-day science has added to our understanding of the theory of evolution. Can something as complex and wondrous as the natural world be explained by a simple theory? The answer is yes, and now Evolution explains how in a way that makes it easy to understand.
Hoaxed! by
Scientists are smart people, trained to be sceptical and to test their hypotheses. But sometime hoaxes, fakes and mistakes rock their world. 'Hoaxed!' uncovers and explains 17 brilliantly bogus stories from the history of science. You'll find usual suspects such as Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster, as well as some lesser known but fascinating stories: phony ancient bones, a "lost" tribe who weren't what they seemed, a UFO crash landing and many more. The combination of far-out facts, archival photos and comical illustrations keeps science interesting for youngsters. 'Hoaxed!' is a sure way to promote a high level of science literacy, keep kids questioning their world and get their hoax antennae twitching. Hoaxes include: * Crop circles made by a couple of British hoaxers that ended up creating a cultural phenomenon * Cold fusion, the scientific "discovery" that promised humanity cheap, clean fuel forever * A fake "Stone Age" tribe in the Philippines that caused a global media frenzy Ages 8-12
How Figure Skating Works by
One of the most popular Winter Olympic sports in the world, figure skating's appeal lies in its combination of gymnastic grace, athletic accuracy and creative expression -- all with a hint of personal drama! Both women and men, as singles and in pairs, have thrilled as competitors in this sleek sport. Now their mysteries and histories are explained in How Figure Skating Works, a How Sports Work book. How Figure Skating Works has facts, figures, and fun for everyone -- from the rookies of the rink all the way up to triumphant triple lutzers. Great insider information includes how certain ice surfaces can improve a skater's performance; how figure skates are designed to allow skaters glide, stop, twist, and turn with breathtaking ease; a catalog of the most inventive (and strangest) moves in the sport from camels to salchow; and stories of the greatest partnerships and rivalries in skating history. Brilliant illustrations and captivating photos of professionals from all eras grace the book's pages. Engaging text includes "Skate Bite" factoids, highlights from the pros, and tips for improving performance. In addition, "Legends on Ice" introduces young fans to some of the most inspirational skaters in history and a "Rules and Regs" section at the back of the book provides all of the terms and need-to-know information to make any reader a master of figure skating basics.
How to Build Your Own Country by
How to Build Your Own Country is an interactive and totally original learning experience that shows kids how to build their very own country from scratch. This book, the only one of its kind, offers children the expertise and advice they'll need to plant their flag in the backyard, in the bedroom or online. Kids will be amazed to discover that anyone can do it. Nation-building advice is peppered with examples of events that have shaped countries throughout history, teaching young readers about government, elections, geography and global issues. Backed up with lots of amazing examples of real micronations - some established or ruled by kids - How to Build Your Own Country promises to inspire, entertain and inform young nation-builders. Want to build your very own country from scratch? It's easy: Step 1: Stake Out Your Identity ... with a flag, money and a national anthem. Learn how to put your country's name on the map. Step 2: Run the Country ... with a government, constitution, laws and an economy. Step 3: Meet the Neighbors ... and join other nations on the big issues that face the whole world, such as poverty, global warming, security and international aid. How To Build Your Own Country is part of CitizenKid: A collection of books that inform children about the world and inspire them to be better global citizens.
Kaboom! by
Who knew that some insects can create explosions to get food? Or that fireworks were once used to fight wars? Explosions are all around us, from the Big Bang that created the universe to the "pop" of a seedpod, from solar flares to the explosive gases lurking in a coal mine. Full of fun facts, dramatic images and highlights of momentous blasts in history--including the infamous Halifax explosion of 1917--Kaboom! examines an astonishing variety of explosions and the science behind them. Many remarkable blasts are a result of human ingenuity, from carving the faces of four American presidents into a wall of granite on Mount Rushmore, to the development of asthma inhalers based on a beetle's explosive pulses to scare predators. The many exciting guises of explosions are revealed ways both engrossing and surprising.
Not Your Typical Book about the Environment by
We live in a time of heightened environmental awareness, and the stress of this pervasive alarmism is creating a generation of kids with feelings of eco-anxiety -- the world is doomed, isn't it? Maybe not. Not Your Typical Book about the Environment aims to allay some of these fears by showing how all is not lost. Young readers will learn about the remarkable time that they are living in: the Anthropocene era where humans are the dominating environmental force on Earth. This is a time of amazing possibilities as smart technologies, innovative ideas, and a growing commitment to alternative lifestyles are exploding around the world. Each chapter begins by taking everyday objects from a kids' world -- T-shirts, video games, bikes -- and using these as launching pads to delve into related environmental issues and information. Profiles of unexpected personalities, like Catherine O'Brien, a happiness researcher, are featured throughout. These profiles enforce the overall message that this time of crisis can instead be seen as a time of great opportunity!
Remembering John McCrae: Soldier, Doctor, Poet by 
The Salmon Bears by
Extensively illustrated with Ian McAllister's magnificent photographs, The Salmon Bearsexplores the delicate balance that exists between the grizzly, black and spirit bears and their natural environment, the last great wilderness along the central coast of British Columbia. Key to this relationship are the salmon that are born in the rivers each spring, who then go out to sea as juveniles and return as adults to spawn and die, completing a cycle of life that ensures the survival of not only their own species but also virtually every other plant and animal in the rainforest. In clear language suitable for young readers, the authors describe the day-to-day activities that define the lives of these bears through the four seasons. But this is also very much the story of the Great Bear Rainforest--a vast tract of land that stretches from the northern tip of Vancouver Island to the Alaska border and contains some of the largest stands of old-growth forest left on the West Coast. The Salmon Bearsfocuses on the interconnectedness of all life in the rainforest and makes a strong case for the importance of protecting this vital ecological resource. This book has a dedicated website! Visit www.greatbearbooks.comfor more information.
Talking Tails by
Pets and their owners appear together in a book as heartwarming as it is informative.From our earliest beginnings, we have shared our lives with animals. Jane Drake and Ann Love explore the ties that humans and their pets have formed. With fun and fascinating facts, they address Dog People and Cat People. (Why does a cat wind around her owner's legs? She's rubbing her owner with glands on her face to say "you're mine.") They also introduce us to more unusual pets. There's Polly the parrot, who lived through the Klondike Gold Rush to be 126 years old by belting back whiskey, swearing, and biting gold miners. And, of course, there are fish and reptiles, rodents and horses, all of whom can be beloved pets. As useful as it is fun, Talking Tails is a must for children who have or want a pet.
What's the Big Idea? by
Beginning with inventions from long, long ago (the needle, the wheel, the water pump) moving to those from long ago (the printing press, steel, the telegraph) and ending with innovations from not so long ago (the car, the TV, mp3s), What's the Big Idea? treats readers to an in-depth, but lighthearted look at 32 of our most important inventions. Each invention profile lists its highlights -- who invented it, when, and where -- and asks and answers the question "Why this invention and why now?" Author Helaine Becker pays close attention to what was going on in the world at the time of each invention -- showing the timeliness of each invention and putting it in context for the reader. Fun tidbits of information are worked seamlessly and liberally into the bites of historical information to keep kids entertained and engaged. Five Big Thinkers are also profiled alongside their major inventions. Readers will learn about some of the oddities and follies of Archimedes, Leonardo da Vinci, Michael Faraday, Alexander Graham Bell, and Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. Plus, major inventions under a single theme, such as the schoolroom, the battlefield, and the doctor's office are explored in two-page illustrations. Becker closes the book by asking readers "What's next in the exciting world of innovation?" Inspired kids may very well reach for their thinking caps to find out.
How to Build Your Own Country by
How to Build Your Own Country is an interactive and totally original learning experience that shows kids how to build their very own country from scratch. This book, the only one of its kind, offers children the expertise and advice they'll need to plant their flag in the backyard, in the bedroom or online. Kids will be amazed to discover that anyone can do it. Nation-building advice is peppered with examples of events that have shaped countries throughout history, teaching young readers about government, elections, geography and global issues. Backed up with lots of amazing examples of real micronations - some established or ruled by kids - How to Build Your Own Country promises to inspire, entertain and inform young nation-builders. Want to build your very own country from scratch? It's easy: Step 1: Stake Out Your Identity ... with a flag, money and a national anthem. Learn how to put your country's name on the map. Step 2: Run the Country ... with a government, constitution, laws and an economy. Step 3: Meet the Neighbors ... and join other nations on the big issues that face the whole world, such as poverty, global warming, security and international aid. How To Build Your Own Country is part of CitizenKid: A collection of books that inform children about the world and inspire them to be better global citizens.