Book Description

Introduction by Dr. Paul Sereno.

Imagine a crocodile almost as long as Tyrannosaurus rex and just as fierce! That’s SuperCroc, the giant Sarcosuchus fossil discovered by Paul Sereno, a National Geographic explorer-in-residence.

Crocodiles and their ancestors are some of the most successful animals that ever lived. At the time of T. rex, crocs ranged in size from 2 feet to over 40 feet long. They lived on land, in swamps, and in the sea. Some, like SuperCroc, were fierce predators. Some were heavily armoredplant eaters. And when all of the dinosaurs (except birds) became extinct, the crocs lived on, becoming the crocodiles, alligators, and gharials of today.

Combining fantastic art and photography with vivid descriptions, Chris Sloan draws young readers into the latest discoveries about the lives of these amazing animals.

Reviews (2)

Enhanced with superbly presented photography
Supercroc And The Origin Of Crocodiles by Christopher Sloan (Senior Editor for Art, National Geographic magazine) is a nonfiction children's picturebook about ancient, gigantic crocodiles of millions of years ago, and their modern-day descendants. Enhanced with superbly presented photography, color illustrations, and amazing facts about these ancient reptiles, Supercroc is an exciting and highly educational read for children ages 8 through 12.

Supercroc is Super!
You are really going to enjoy National Geographic Supercroc and the Origin of Crocodiles. This hardcover with dustjacket new book is written by National Geo's art director Christopher Sloan (Feathered Dinosaurs) with an introduction by Dr. Paul Sereno, discoverer of Sarcosuchus. This beautiful book is packed with photos plus numerous paintings and illustrations from none other than world famous paleo artists Mark Hallett, Doug Henderson, John Sibbick, and National Geographic's talented new wunderkind: Raul Martin. The informative text describes for readers of all ages topics such as the definition of a crocodile, the world of Sereno's "Supercroc" Sarcosuchus and its fossil discovery, a prehistoric history of crocs and their cousins and the differences and similarities they share. You'll be amazed at the variety, from lizard sized saurians to giant Sarcosuchus who fed on dinosaurs. The final chapter titled "The Last Extinction?" discusses how crocs have survived 200 million years but now are seriously threatened by man. A fantastic full color work for all ages. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent Middle School to 10th Grade Text Series
I teach Physics and General Science at a highly regarded Catholic girls' Prep School here on the island of Guam. Over 99% of our graduates go on to college.

For the Freshman General Science classes, I am using the Prentice Hall "Science Explorer" series, and am highly impressed. Explanations are complete yet concise. Illustrations are appropriate, plentiful, and of excellent quality. Suggested lab activities are reasonable in terms of being age appropriate and not requiring outlandish quantities of expensive and rare lab equipment. While these might seem to be minimal expectations, many science texts I have encountered do not manage to pull off any of the three.

I love, use, and highly recommend the texts Inside Earth, Astronomy, Human Biology and Health, Ecology, Weather and Climate, and Forces and Motion from this series.

Kelly Fitzpatrick
Paradise, Guam

Science Explorer " Astronomy " Book
This was a awsome book. My class read this book and it was awsome so if your a teacher get this book. It has awsome activities in the book it has three chapter and your going to have to find out so get it. ... Read more

Book Description

Hi, I'm Dorothy Ann, one of the kids in Ms. Frizzle's class.When we started learning about volcanoes, I thought we'd just be studying them in books -- but Ms. Frizzle had other ideas.She took us all the way to Hawaii, where we waded through lava and saw a real volcano blow its top. We had a great time -- even though the trip was sometimes almost too hot to handle! One thing's for sure: This was one explosive adventure that none of us will ever forget! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Learn about more than just volcanoes!
"Voyage to the Volcano" would be a wonderful teaching tool in a science classroom. This book is full of interesting facts about volcanoes and other topics. Also, the presentation of facts submerged in a fictional story would keep the interest of a child.
Included in the book are amazing fun facts about volcanoes that I must admit I did not know. Also, facts are included about Hawaii and its various islands with volcanoes. For example, did you know that Hawaii has the most active volcano on Earth? Furthermore, facts are included about surfing and the formation of black sand beaches.
The presentation of the facts are made through a classroom of children lead by adventuring Ms. Frizzle. The Friz,as the students call her, enjoys quizing the students and taking them on field trips in the amazing magic school bus. Students show a love for knowledge as they try to answer Ms. Fizzle's many questions and explore the Volcanoes National Park.
Children of various ages would enjoy this book whether it is read out loud to a class or individually by students. As a teacher, the only concern I have is the presentation of facts amid the narration of a story. Some children may become confused or overwhelmed by the information. It is probably best to use this book in conjunction with a classroom study of volcanoes or Hawaii. In addition, to aid in comprehension, teachers or parents should share the reading of this book and discuss the facts presented.

Learn about more than just volcanoes!
'Voyage to the Volcano" would be a wonderful teaching tool in a science classroom. This book is full of interesting facts about volcanoes and other topics. Also, the presentation of facts submerged in a fictional story would keep the interest of a child.
Included in this book are amazing fun facts about volcanoes that I must admit I did not know. Also, facts are included on Hawaii and its various islands and volcanoes. For example, did you know that Hawaii has the most active volcano on Earth? Furthermore, facts are included about surfing and the formation of black sand beaches.
The presentation of the facts are made through a class full of children lead by adventuring Ms. Frizzle. The Friz, as the students call her, enjoys quizing the students and taking them on field trips in the amazing magic school bus. Students show a love for knowledge as they try to answer Ms. Frizzle's many questions and explore the Volcanoes National Park.
Children of various ages would enjoy this book whether it is read out loud to a class or individually by students. As a teacher, the only concern I have is the presentation of facts amid the narration of a story. Some children may become confused or overwhelmed by the information. It is probably best to use this book in conjunction with a classroom study of volcanoes. In addition, to aid in comprehension, teachers or parents should share the reading of this book and disuss the facts presented. ... Read more

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If you don't know a black hole from a white dwarf, then this pocket-sized guide to the universe will bring you up to date. Even if you already know about the Local Arm and spectrohelioscopes, you'll find this book from Dorling Kindersley a useful resource. It provides short and succinct answers to those big questions about outer space: What is the universe? How is a star born? What are the Big Bang and Big Crunch theories? You can use the handy glossary and index to help you find all the answers under the sun to questions astronomical. The book is divided into sections on the universe, galaxies, stars, space viewed from Earth, the solar system, the planets, small objects in space (comets, meteors, and asteroids), studying space, and space history. Colorful diagrams, maps, photos, and charts provide additional information. An amazing number of space facts are packed into 160 small pages, on everything from the atmosphere around us to the signs of the zodiac. (Ages 11 to adult) --Marcie Bovetz ... Read more

Amazon.com

Ever wanted to create your own radio-controlled robot? DK has trumpedits Ultimate Robot Kitwith the Robot Challenge Kit for inventor-warriors ages 8 and older. Thisoversized gift package combines a construction kit, a radio-controlled chassis,and blueprints for an elaborate game of strategy and skill. Most of thecomponents of the robot models are made from punch-out paperboard labeled withintriguing designations such as "Red Challenger Rear Armor" and "Robot MasterDeflector." After the construction is complete, the player learns to operate theRobot Challenger by following the training manual through a series of exercises.(Here is a sample from the manual: "Position the sphere in the Cadet spheremount. You need to practice maneuvering with the sphere, because if it isdislodged in battle you are defeated. You should remove your tusk, lance, anddeflector.") Only when the training is complete can players face their ultimategoal--to challenge and defeat the Robot Master, following battle plans (watchout for pits, mines, and deadly traps!) that become more difficult as they gainmore skill. Go ahead, rise from the ranks of Cadet and become the Ultimate RobotChallenger. Why not? One 9V and two 1.5V AA batteries not included. (Ages 8 andolder) ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Lots of parts!
Got this for our 13 year old son for Christmas. He tore
right into it and had many hours of fun. There are LOTS of
little paper pieces all over my house now. I was thinking
when I bought it that it would be more about building the
"guts" of the robot... the wires and wheels, and such. However
it was more about the facade. He did enjoy it, and is
anxious to try more complex kits and designs. ... Read more

Book Description

Here is another model nature journal from a naturalist who has been journaling habitats since she was a youngster. In the desert she sees Gila monsters, watches scorpions with a black light and harvests saguaro flowers with a Native American family that helps her see this unique, arid environment with appreciative eyes. The "collage-style" journal features clippings of articles about animals and plants, stories of the native Tonoho O'odham, her own youthful journal entries, and even her own desert poetry. "Saguaro Moon" is a wonderful way to learn about the desert and also be inspired to keep a nature journal. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Wow! Beautiful, educational and fun!
Kristin Joy Pratt-Serafini began writing her fabulous books at age 14. In her fifth book, Kristin has taken her journaling habits and transformed them into interesting and educational masterpiece.

Saguaro Moon takes you on a journey through the Sonoran desert (and through the seasons) while educating you about deserts, the plant life, insects, birds, reptiles and other animals. Obscure facts are included along with references to other books, web references, and an invitation to become a Planet Scout. This is a great book for any child, teacher or home educator!

Wonderful Book!
This is a fun book that is interesting for anyone to read. It is well designed because there are journal entries as well as informative articles written by the author on every page. The illustrations are full of color and I enjoy the attention to detail that fills this book.

Kristin Joy Pratt-Serafini has a talent in writing books that are fun and informative. This book details the changing of the seasons (month to month) in the desert environment as seen by a young girl and her friend. ... Read more

Book Description

Make science fun with 101 exciting step-by-step experiments that are safe and easy to do at home.

Make science fun with 101 exciting step-by-step experiments that are safe and easy to do at home. Science writer Neil Ardley shows how you can use everyday objects to discover the basic principles of science and understand how these apply to the world around you. So if you want to make a volcano erupt, see around corners, find out how your eyes work, or build an electromagnet, this fascinating book will show you how. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Looks great, but...
The pictures in this book are wonderful, however, our success rate is 0.5 out of 4 for the experiments. I am sure many of the experiments will work, but not the ones we selected. Many of the experiments are quite elaborate, so unless your child is very ambititous, you will be doing quite alot of work.

101 Great Science Experiments
My 8 year old daughter borrowed this book from the school library and my kitchen hasn't been the same ever since. She has turned into a regular scientist. This book is FULL of real life pictures and NOT drawings. It is a large size book so it is even easier for her to read. She made a thermometer with a clear shampoo bottle, water, food coloring, and a straw. When she witnessed the water rising and falling through the staw she started screaming,"I'm a genius, I'm a genius." This book is very kid friendly and shows how to do experiments step by step with a real life picture for each step. It even shows how to make a real camera with a paper towel tube, tussue box and magnifying glass. One of my favorite experiments is how to make your own flashlight with batteries, an empty bottle, aluminum foil, and a small bulb. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent elementary science experiments.
This book is the best I've seen for doing simple machine experiments at the elementary level. It is perfect for third and fourth grade science classrooms. The directions are simple to follow and the results of the experiments are easy to understand. The function of each simple machine was clear. Students are able to collect the materials from home and the experiments are designed for them to work together. An excellent teacher resource! ... Read more

Book Description

Everyday activities such as taking a trip to the park, splashing in the bathtub, or fixing a snack prompt many questions from young children. Why is the sky blue? Why is soap so slippery? Why do cows moo? Curious kids want to know, and adults never seem to have the answers. Why? provides easily understood explanations of dozens of everyday mysteries. This delightful book takes readers to the supermarket and the park, around the home and onto the farm, and from bath time to bedtime. Bright, playful illustrations are a perfect complement to the text, adding a further level of explanation. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Very good, except not as complete (big)as I would have liked
My 3 year old has already asked me many questions in this book,
so it hits the mark on being full of real questions that a real child would ask. The explanantions are short (about 1 paragraph)
and easy to understand - although I found the vocabulary sometimes a bit tough for my 3 year old. I often used simpler words while reading to her. I expect therefore that the rated age range beginning with 4 years is probably accurate from the point of view of understanding the explanations completely. The questions are arranged in groups such as "bathtime questions" and in a "story" order revolving around a child in that particular situation (ie. the child is getting a bath and is asking questions that start with "how does hot and cold water run out of the same tap" and ending with "why do my hands get all wrinkly after I've been in the bath a long time"). Each question and it's associated exaplanation and illustration cover a full two-page spread of the book. My only complaint is that the book does not actually contain as much detailed "science" content as I had hoped to find - since it is based on questions that children ask, not on concepts someone wanted to include purely for the sake of completeness. I would guess that 8 year olds might be left wanting more information that is given in the answers (which could be considered a good thing, spurning them on to further research). Certainly for the younger ages though, this is a great book. (More questions from the book: "Do the doors at the grocery store open by magic?" "Why do stars Twinkle?" "Why does it smell so good outside after it rains?" "Why do I have to use the toilet and where does it go when I flush?") ... Read more

Book Description

"Once upon a time" meets science in a children's picture book that tells the thrilling story of how life began on Earth. The second in a trilogy of Universe stories - the first being the award-winning Born with a Bang: The Universe Tells Our Cosmic Story -- this book picks up the story with the first appearance of life on Earth. It's a thrilling story about how Earth triumphs over crisis to become bacteria, jellyfish, flowers . . . even dinosaurs! The author, Jennifer Morgan, studied evolutionary science and saw its storytelling possibilities when she explained it to her elementary-age son. Coupled with brilliant artwork by Dana Anderson, who also studied Cosmology, these books will intrigue children and adults alike with their storytelling style and colorful pages. The third book in the trilogy will be available in Spring 2005. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Where did I come from?
Told as if the Universe has patted her lap & invited to you up for grand story, she takes you back into a time before time, when the Earth was formed, long, long before you or I were motes in the storm. Long before dinosaurs were born & flowers grew.

Told in a confidential, amusing & lyrical turn of phrase, FROM LAVA TO LIFE spills the beans on how life began here from microscopic cells in a churning brew of chemicals as our raw orb rolled around the heavens.

Fascinating images! Dana Lynn Andersen captures our imagination with her broad strokes of things bigger & smaller than one pair of eyes can see. Jennifer Morgan's sense of humor is both reverential & irreverent, charming & instructive.

If you are stumped when your kids ask the oldest of questions: "Where did I come from?" Then FROM LAVA TO LIFE & its prequel BORN WITH A BANG are for you!

Vividly illustrated in striking color
From Lava To Life: The Universe Tells Our Earth Story by storyteller, educator, and environmental advocate Jennifer Morgan is the second volume in an amazing summary series for readers ages 8 through 12 of what science can tell us about how the Earth came to be, and how life arose upon and in it. Vividly illustrated in striking color by Dana Lynne Andersen, From Lava To Life is a most fascinating introduction to science for young readers, beginning with the formation of the earth and concluding with the age of the dinosaur. From Lava To Life is also available in hardcover. Also very highly recommended for young readers is the first volume covering the birth the universe and the development of the solar system, Born With A Bang: The Universe Tells Our Cosmic Story: Book 1. ... Read more

Book Description

Bats fly into the spotlight in this exploration of such basics as where the live, how mothers raise their pups, and how they hunt for food. Included as well is a simple plan for a building a backyard bat house.

1995 "Pick of the Lists" (ABA)
Best Children's Science Books 1995 (Science Books and Films) ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Excellent nonfiction
This is a very readable children's book about bats. It helps to dispel some of those nasty myths about our only flying mammal that seem to persist. I use this book as part of my unit on bats that I teach in my second grade classroom. A twin text that I also use is Stellaluna. Pairing fiction and nonfiction works very well with young children. Zipping... is very informative and a very good resource for exposing children to needed symbiosis of man and nature. I will be building a bat house with ny students as a follow up. Think about this book the next time you find yourself swatting at a pesky mosquito.

A Fabulous Book
Have you ever wanted to learn about bats? Well, I did. So after reading Anne Earle's fabulous book, Zipping, Zapping, Zooming Bats, I learned that bats are innocuous, useful and interesting mammals. Let me tell you what I have assimilated.
Bats are considered nefarious by many people but they are actually very timid and friendly. Bats are also considered good luck in China. Many emperors like to have illustrations of bats on their possessions in order to bring them serendipity. Some kids in Midfield, Alabama even formed a club called B.A.T. which is an acronym for Bats Are Terrific. The purpose of the club is to inform people how harmless and useful bats are to people.
Speaking of usefulness, let me illustrate how bats are helpful to humans. Since bats are insectivores (eat only insects), they prey on bugs that bother humans like the menacing mosquito. Bats at Bracken Cave, near San Antonio, Texas, eat approximately 500,000 lbs. of insects a night! That is equal to 250 tons!! That is useful because those insects could have obliterated farmers' crops and people's plants. Also, bats help humans by pollinating flowers and allowing the fruit to grow.
Bats are interesting too! Most bats use echolocation. This is when the bat finds the location of an object or prey by sending out sound waves and listening for the echo. There is at least one bat that does not use echolocation. It is the California Leaf-nosed bat. This bat listens for the insect's footsteps or wing beats to find its meal. Another interesting detail about bats is that they are expert fliers. These mammals also use their wings to catch a scrumptious refection. The prey gets caught in the bat's wing membrane and the bat flips it onto its stomach and then gobbles it up. Next, bats hang upside down in caves, under viaducts, and some attics. They use their talons to get a grip of the ceiling. While hanging upside down, they may choose to sleep or groom themselves. Bats keep themselves as clean as cats by using their tongues to keep themselves immaculate. The last interesting detail that you may want to know is that some spelunkers accidentally kill bats by waking them during their hibernation. When the cave explores wake up the bats, the bats have to use a copious amount of fat to find a new resting spot. Now they won't have enough stored up food (or fat) to make it until spring.
Now that you have read my report about Anne Earle's fabulous book, Zipping, Zapping, Zooming Bats, I hope you have learned that bats are innocuous, useful and interesting.

Interesting, fun and educational
I love this book and so do my 5 year old son and 7 year old daughter. It is filled with great pictures of bats and all kinds of bat facts. It lets you know that bats are nothing to fear and even shows you how to make a bat house in the back of the book. Did you know that bats are the only flying animals that nurse their young? Bat "pups" hang together in large groups called nurseries and each mother returns at least twice during the night to feed her little pup. Did you know that there is a bat in Australia that has a six foot wing span? I didn't until I read this book...don't worry they eat fruit! I liked bats before...now I like them even more.

This was a grrrr-eat book teaching me all about bats.
This book was about bats like the flying fox and vampire. It taught me all about different kinds of books. I recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description

Cutaway drawings and clear captions will help children understand how a multitude of machines and gadgets do their job. ... Read more

Book Description

Just as cookies go with milk and peanut butter goes with jelly, math and cooking go hand in hand. This fun-filled book shows you exactly how.

With more than 60 activities and recipes to try, you can practice math while you cook! Get a handle on measurement, multiplication, division, fractions, percents, geometry, and more, while whipping up mouth-watering treats like scrumptious stromboli slices, chewy marshmallow-fudge squares, yummy chicken nuggets, and delicious butterscotch muffins.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced cook, you too can become a Math Chef. All activities and recipes are kid-tested and require only common ingredients and kitchen utensils. There's also a helpful list of safety rules, an explanation of basic cooking skills, and a complete nutrition guide. ... Read more

Book Description

These interesting and fun hands-on activities provide an inexpensive way to assess science achievement in a variety of classroom settings.Grades 1-6. ... Read more

Book Description

Abracadabra!

The magic word is . . . science!

Make coins disappear

• Crush a soda can —without even touching it
• Write an invisible message-that suddenly reappears out of nowhere
• Teach your cereal to jump and dance, and much more!

Is it magic? No, it's science! There's a lot more to magic than just waving a wand. From chemistry to biology, gravity to electricity, discover the amazing magical powers of science with these fun-filled, easy-to-perform activities. You won't need any special materials to become a science magician —just everyday things found around the house. With Magic Science, you'll be dazzling family and friends quicker than you can say, "Nothing up my sleeve!" ... Read more

Book Description

Take our latest Take-Along Guide outside at night! Planets, Moons and Stars provides an introduction to the bodies in our solar system. Young astronomers and explorers will learn to identify our nine planets and how to seek out the shapes in the sky that our ancestors saw thousands of years ago. This book includes information on which planets and constellations you can see with the naked eye or with binoculars, and which ones require telescopes. Statistics, illustrations, and interesting facts are included in each section. What are shooting stars? How has the night sky changed over time? Which planet has the most moons? How did Orion get its name? How old is our sun? Planets, Moons and Stars provides a fascinating mix of science, history, and legend. This is a perfect first book for a child interested in astronomy, or for a family evening field trip "to the stars." ... Read more