50 Poisonous Questions by
It's a toxic world out there. Poisonous snakes, toxic herbicides, noxious fumes--poisons in one form or another are all around us. An innocent-looking flower may be lethal, and smog can make it impossible to breathe. Poisons can be the death of us, but they can also cure disease. The second book in Annick's 50 Questions series provides answers to many intriguing questions, such as: * Should you pee on a jellyfish sting? No, douse it with vinegar! * Why was the Mad Hatter mad? From working with mercury nitrate. * Can venomous lizards cure diabetes? Yes, a drug used to treat the disease comes from the Gila monster's venom. Poison Puzzles at the end of each chapter then test the readers' knowledge. Young readers who want to avoid paint that kills or leaves that give blisters can explore the fascinating and dangerous world of poisons. And don't be afraid! The killer cartoons and dead-funny text are venom-free.
Africans Thought of It by
Did you know that aloe vera--now found in countless products, including sunscreens and soaps--was first used by Africans? They ground it into powder and used it to treat burns and other skin conditions, and hunters used it to disguise their scent from animals. They also used the nutritious oil from the fruit of the oil palm tree in everything from cooking to medicines to wine. And the marimba, better known to us as the xylophone, is believed to have originated 700 years ago in Mali. Other unique African innovations include the technique of banana leaf art and using horns--and hairdos!--to communicate important messages. Africans Thought of It features descriptive photos and information-packed text that is divided into sections, including: * Agriculture * Food * Medicine * Music * Architecture * Games & Sports This fourth book in Annick's successful We Thought of It series takes readers on a fascinating journey across the world's second largest continent to discover how aspects of its culture have spread around the globe.
Animals That Changed the World by
From furry felines to hard-working horses, animals have had a tremendous impact on world history. For example, rats, through the diseases they carry, have probably killed more people than any war or natural disaster, goats may have been the first to discover coffee and, thanks to camels, people were able to survive for long periods in the desert and open up trade routes between Europe and Asia. However, animals can also be destructive. Mosquitoes spread deadly diseases — and may even have killed Alexander the Great. Some animals have changed the environment by damaging whole ecotems, creating deserts in their wake. Others, like the elephant, have been used as weapons of war. Among the more than 20 animals featured in this book are dogs, sheep, dolphins, silk moths and beavers, all of which have changed the course of history for better or for worse. Lighthearted and humorous, with intriguing photos and informative sidebars, this book ensures that readers will appreciate all animals with newfound awe and respect.
Case Closed? by
Egypt's first female pharaoh disappears around 1457 BCE --- was she murdered? Find out how DNA closes the case. The ancient Arabian Peninsula city of Ubar vanishes, seemingly without trace. Find out how old maps and modern space shuttles help solve the mystery. Sir John Franklin's 1845 expedition to find the Northwest Passage is never heard from again. Find out how spectroscopy points to some probable explanations. Case Closed? examines these and six other mysteries from ancient and modern times. Accompanied by photos, maps, diagrams and illustrations, this book reveals how modern science sheds new light on people, vessels and entire civilizations throughout history that simply vanished. In some cases, the mystery has been solved. In other cases, readers can examine the latest evidence and decide for themselves.
Don't Touch That Toad and Other Strange Things Adults Tell You by
Stop cracking your knuckles or you'll get arthritis. Don't cross your eyes or they'll stay stuck like that. With entertaining, kid-friendly insights on every page accompanied by wacky illustrations, 'Don't Touch That Toad And Other Strange Things Adults Tell You' examines the truth and/or falsity behind parental do's and don'ts. When explanations aren't so cut-and-dried, kids are encouraged to decide for themselves. Here's a chance to know once and for all if lightning can strike the same place twice, if eating fried foods can cause acne, if an elephant never forgets, plus many more. AGES: 7 - 10
Game Day by
Not everyone can be an athlete, but that doesn't stop thousands of others from participating in world-class sporting events. When Patrick Reynolds realized that he couldn't be a race car driver, he turned his love of cars into a successful career as a NASCAR mechanic. A passion for grass and baseball lead Nicole Sherry to become the groundskeeper at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. Author Kevin Sylvester tells the stories of 20 talented and dedicated behind-the-scenes stars of the sports world. In this new book, the glamour of the frontline athletes takes a backseat to the hard-working people whose jobs are critical to the success of their sport but often go unacknowledged. Readers will discover some very special people who have devoted their lives to supporting the sports they love, including the eagle-eyed baseball scout for the Chicago White Sox, the members of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and the doctor who treats injured players on the Canadian Olympic soccer team. With its real-life stories and lively photographs, Game Day will delight any young sports fan or wannabe athlete.
The Highway of Heroes by
2011 Vancouver Children's Literature Roundtable - Information Book Award 2011/2012 Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Award nomninee 2012 Silver Birch Nonfiction Award nominee 2012 Golden Oak Award nominee A young boy has lost his father, a soldier killed in action overseas. He and his mother travel the stretch of Highway 401 between Trenton and Toronto, called the Highway of Heroes, marking the route of fallen soldiers who return to Canada. This photographic picture book pays tribute to the sacrifices of those Canadian men and women in our armed forces and their families, while highlighting the remarkable patriotism of Canadian citizens who honour them. A share of the proceeds from the sale of Highway of Heroes will go to Wounded Warriors, a charity that has offered support to wounded soldiers and their families since 2006. A portion will also go to UNICEF, the organization that has been working to improve quality of life for children around the world since 1946.
Mathemagic! by
An introduction to the magic of math that will engage even the most math-reluctant kid. Mathakazam! With this book, math becomes magic for kids! The secrets revealed in Mathemagic will have kids outwitting everyone with their superior computational skills, mystifying friends by plucking secret numbers from their minds and learning the mathematical secrets of the ancients. The book includes step-by-step instructions and explanations of how and why these number tricks work. As kids work their way through each trick, they will learn math concepts including calculation, multiplication, prime factors, the Nine Principal, the Binary Number System and more.
Totally Human by
The fascinating science behind our bodies and behaviors and how they link us to our ancient ancestors. What makes us human is cause for surprise. We retain some of the appearances and behaviors of our very ancient ancestors, including early mammals, amphibians and fish. Yes, we look and act the way we do because of them. Totally Human explains the many puzzling and strange things about us and the weird and wonderful things we do, simply because we're human. A child-sized take on the scientific fields of evolutionary biology and psychology. AGES: 9-13 TEACHING POINTS: * Science & Technology: Life Science - adaptations/ human body/ evolution ILLUSTRATIONS: 4 colour
Who Wants Pizza? by
Often, food is something that kids take for granted. For many, it simply shows up for them every day -- thanks to their parents. But there is so much to know and understand about food. Why do we need to eat? Where does our food come from? Is there enough food for everyone? Award-winning author Jan Thornhill answers all these questions and more in Who Wants Pizza? Using one of the most common foods that kids eat -- pizza -- as a jumping off point, and, using a bold, graphic approach, Thornhill take an extraordinary and comprehensive look at some of the following topics: Why we eat and why we eat what we eat, how we moved from eating the raw flesh of animals to becoming sophisticated consumers of food, how food is produced for an ever-growing population, and more. It may seem like a lot to swallow, but the text is delivered in bite-sized bursts and complemented by tons of interesting facts, photos, and illustrations to ensure kids are captivated by the information. Plus, no book about food would be complete without touching on things like burbling stomachs and human waste -- the gross stuff that kids love to learn about. Comprehensive, eye-opening, engaging, and fun, Who Wants Pizza? will be a book that kids will want to digest again and again -- figuratively, of course.
Don't Touch That Toad and Other Strange Things Adults Tell You by
Stop cracking your knuckles or you'll get arthritis. Don't cross your eyes or they'll stay stuck like that. With entertaining, kid-friendly insights on every page accompanied by wacky illustrations, 'Don't Touch That Toad And Other Strange Things Adults Tell You' examines the truth and/or falsity behind parental do's and don'ts. When explanations aren't so cut-and-dried, kids are encouraged to decide for themselves. Here's a chance to know once and for all if lightning can strike the same place twice, if eating fried foods can cause acne, if an elephant never forgets, plus many more. AGES: 7 - 10