EXTREME PHYSICS
In Basher’s totally hip and quirky style, readers are introduced to the amazing research that is revolutionizing physics! From the pioneering experiments taking place in the Hadron Collider to NASAs deep-space exploration, Basher Science: Extreme Physics highlights the realm of miniscule things that was discovered in the early 1900s by scientists who were on the hunt for teeny-tiny parts of matter, the bits from which all larger things are made. This wild, uncertain world is bursting with crazy characters you’re about to meet-you’re gonna love them!
FIRST BIG BOOK OF OCEANS
National Geographic Kids First Big Book of the Ocean is an adorable animal reference that includes the sea’s high-interest animals, such as dolphins, sharks, sea otters, and penguins, and introduces kids to some of its lesser-known creatures. More than 100 charming animal photos illustrate the profiles, with facts about the creatures’ sizes, diets, homes, and more. This book will quickly become a favorite at storytime, bedtime, and any other time.
FLOATING IN SPACE
Don't jump!
If you're on the space shuttle, that is. Astronauts never jump in space. They usually drink out of straws, and they lift tons of equipment as if it were light as air. Find out more in this information-packed voyage into space.
FLYING DEEP: CLIMB INSIDE DEEP-SEA SUB
Climb aboard Alvin, the famous deep-sea submersible credited with helping to find the Titanic, and take a trip two miles down to the bottom of the ocean.
Experience a day in the life of an Alvin pilot and join scientists at the seafloor to collect samples and conduct research. Along the way, discover what one wears, eats, and talks about during a typical eight-hour trip in a underwater craft and find out more about the animals that live deep in our oceans. Extensive back matter explains how Alvin works, describes the author’s research, and includes a glossary and further reading.
“An appealing, exhilarating, and informative vicarious journey of discovery” —Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
“Wong’s detailed illustrations add an exciting immediacy to the descent and to the glowing wonders of the deep”—Washington Post
FORENSIC SCIENCE: DISCOVER THE FASCINATING METHODS SCIENTISTS USE TO SOLVE CRIMES
What is forensic science and how is it used to solve a crime?
Explore the fascinating, and sometimes gory, world of forensics, where science helps crack the case. How do you know if a red stain is blood or ketchup, or whose blood it is? Can computers really recognize your face in a crowd? Why are fingerprints so important in an investigation? Learn why it is critical to quickly secure a crime scene, and how DNA sampling works. Find out how maggots can reveal how long someone has been dead, or how a single fabric fiber can lead to the murderer.
From the scene of the crime to testing in the laboratory, you will get to know how all the clues are put together to tell a story and reveal the guilty person. Discover how methods have changed since the days of Sherlock Holmes, the latest technology in use today, and techniques of the future.
Flip to the reference section to learn about pioneers in the field, see a timeline of forensic firsts, and locate museums and special websites to visit for further inspiration and exploration. The glossary gives you all the vocab you need to sound like a real CSI expert.
FOREST
This beginner’s guide explores the major attributes of the forest biome and showcases its striking beauty and remarkable diversity using examples from around the globe.
In this addition to the About Habitats series, award-winning author Cathryn Sill uses simple, easy-to-understand language to teach children what forests are and how various species of animals and plants have adapted to life in these habitats. John Sill’s detailed, full-color illustrations show the characteristics of different types of forests – from the cold boreal forests of the northern hemisphere to the warm tropical forests near the equator. A glossary and afterword provide further fascinating details about forests to inspire readers to learn more.
Get the Scoop on Animal Snot, Spit & Slime
Learn amazingly icky facts, see the yucky photos, and gross out everyone you can!
Welcome to a world filled with snot otters, puss caterpillars, spitting spiders, slime stars, snotties, and more! In Get the Scoop, you’ll learn that snot, spit, and slime may seem gross, but there’s a lot of amazing science in these icky fluids. Animals use them for communication, defense, to find food, to travel fast, and more.
Jellyfish and corals produce “mucus nets” to capture prey. Parrotfish burp out a mucus blanket to sleep under every night, while sea stars and sponges release volumes of mucus to distract and discourage predators. Barracudas use mucus in their scales to increase their swimming speeds and protect them from parasites. Poison dart frogs release toxins with mucus. Hagfish secrete slime if another animal tries to eat them. Clams and mussels make “mucus strings” to bring food to their mouths. Hippopotamuses release “blood slime” that works as sunscreen and an antibiotic.
Saliva helps animals in hundreds of ways, too. Anteaters and giraffes use sticky saliva to help them eat, while leeches, vampire bats, and ticks use chemicals in their saliva to help them feed on blood. Many mammals use saliva to help them recognize offspring and others spit saliva at predators and prey. The venom in shrews, snakes, and other reptiles comes from adapted salivary glands. Some animal saliva works like glue, helping swifts, termites, and wasps build nests.