Book Description

Young readers will delight in the world of squirrels. These hardworking rodents bury hundreds of nuts and seeds during the fall, and find them all again in the spring. They can run across narrow tree branches and jump long distances with the ease of trapeze artists. Complete with photographs, this is a close up look at the friendly, furry animals that share your backyard. ... Read more

Book Description

The Doctor and You is a book for any young child who will experience a trip to a doctor's office, hospital, or health clinic. The photographs familiarize children with many of the medical instruments and machines they are likely to encounter during their visit, allowing them to become more comfortable with doctors and hospitals. By showing how specific instruments are used to examine or treat them, children become comfortable with how they work and what they accomplish.

Some of the tools examined include: a scale, a reflex hammer, a tongue depressor, an electronic thermometer, an ophthalmoscope, an otoscope, a stethoscope, blood pressure equipment, blood sampling equipment, a syringe, an X-ray machine, and casts for setting broken bones.

Control over their own bodies is very important to young children. Their role with each medical tool is emphasized through a special feature called "Your Job" that briefly explains what children can do to help with the procedure, providing a positive and active role in their own health care.

All information is presented in a positive manner. For instance, the book does not include "taking temperatures" because research has shown that many young children think this means that something is actually being removed from them. Potential fears associated with medical procedures, such as the belief that X-rays reveal secrets, are also addressed in a comforting and honest manner.

A special page has been included for parents that offers pointers for discussions. Follow-up play activities geared towards helping children feel more comfortable about visiting a doctor are suggested.

The Doctor and You is illustrated with 23 color photographs taken at a children's hospital and several line drawings. ... Read more

Book Description

Discovering your inner scientist.

Every person is a combination of unique interests, knowledge, talents and skills. And inside every one of us is a scientist.

It's true -- there's a scientist in absolutely everybody. Not always a trained, professional one, of course, but a natural, inborn scientist. Think about Beatrix Potter, who, as a child, followed up her natural curiosity by boiling the flesh off dead animals so she could see how their skeletons were constructed. When Charles Darwin was young, he collected anything that caught his eye -- shells, rocks, and bugs. Trumpeter Louis Armstrong was a street kid who was captivated by the rhythm of music.

When you think about it, wondering, imagining and questioning are some of the behaviors we practice every day. From a very young age we reason, explore and come to understand the world around us, using the same tools scientists employ in their pursuit of new discoveries.

This fun, upbeat book shows that scientific thinking is natural, exciting and relevant for everyone. It encourages young readers to spot the scientist within, and suggests how to turn it loose. Lively profiles of artists, athletes, inventors and scientists show how individuals achieved important improvements through scientific actions.

At the end of each chapter, there is a section called Brainplay where readers will find exciting, creative ways to keep their inborn scientist strong and fit. ... Read more

Book Description

"At one time cannibals in New Guinea believed they could absorb the skills and knowledge of their enemies by eating their brains."

Believe it or not, in the 1950s and 1960s competent scientists actually tested an "edible memory theory." Only through the time-honored tradition of scientists cross-checking one another's results did the theory get discarded.

Science is everywhere! It's astonishing to what extent it pervades our lives, influencing us on a daily basis. But there is a lot of faulty and phony research, and it's difficult for the public to discern what science is good and what is false or misleading. Nibbling on Einstein's Brain takes a fun yet informative look at the scientific facts that constantly bombard us.

How can we equip ourselves to better judge what is good and what is suspect? First we must examine how good science works. And don't worry, there is plenty of good science out there. You'll learn how to follow a "scientific method" for developing theories, designing research to test those theories, and analyzing the results in order to reach conclusions. You'll be amazed at how fascinating the process can be. Now go back: is the initial theory still sound? Good science is always checked and rechecked, both by the original scientist and by others in the field.

Plenty of tips are offered on how to be discerning when it comes to science. Chapters are organized into specific themes to help the reader become a skilled scientific watchdog:

Science Watch
21 "Baloney Busters" look at how science can go wrong (sometimes in hilarious ways). A checklist of things to watch for ends the chapter.

Media Watch
Since most of us rely on the media to learn about scientific advances, how can we tell when something is reliable? "Media Alerts" examine how reporting can confuse or misrepresent science. Tips on how to be a smart consumer of news and products are recapped in a final checklist.

Mind Watch
"Mind Traps" explore how the human mind - your mind - can muddle the science news you receive. There are hints on how to look critically at science research and how to doubt while still keeping an open mind. A mind-trap question checklist finishes things off.

The engaging text is perfectly geared to middle readers and is complemented by amusing illustrations and a lively design. Numerous sidebars throughout feature intriguing facts, examples of experiments, humorous tales, and provocative quotes from scientists, astronomers, and philosophers. Kids are encouraged to question the process of science so they can separate the good from the bad. A list of recommended books, magazines, and Internet sites as well as a glossary of terms complete this illuminating exploration of science and how it enters our everyday world. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Superb Lessons in Critical Thinking
This book is the best thing for kids since peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were invented. It is illustrated, amusing, and fun to read even for adults. It's a complete short course in how to think, and how not to be fooled. Its advice applies to evaluating advertising, pseudoscientic claims, and what your teachers tell you. Hey, kids! Grownups can be wrong! Kids are encouraged not to accept everything they hear at face value; it is empowering to kids to know that they can use their own "baloney detectors." BUY IT! For your children, your grandchildren, to donate to the nearest school or library, or to read for yourself. ... Read more

Book Description

This unique new series explores the mysteries of the humanbody using an exciting mix of thoroughly researched factual information,amazing anecdotes and surprising try-it activities.

In Burp!, kids discover all kinds of fascinating facts about food andeating, such as what food is made of, how your body breaks it down, whyyou have cravings, how sight and smell affect what you taste and lotsmore. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Incredible and educational--highly recommended!!
This book is fascinating in how it discusses the many complexities of the human body; i could hardly put it down. It gives a recipe for such struggles as diarrhea (e.g. 1/2 tsp. honey, pinch of salt, and 1 cup apple juice together then stir & drink it down). Other trivia include such details as to how long the small intestine is (23 ft.) or when you sleep you burn 65 calories an hour. Another fun one for all of us stress living humans, "stress can cause the muscles to tighten making you want to "go". Humans have 16 million smell sensors; a rabbit has 100 million. Definitely a book all ages can appreciate and "wow" over as we appreciate the wonderful machine, the human body that we live in.

Beware- Grossology at it's WORST!
Now I have to say first that this review comes from a person who is a first grade teacher and a parent. I previewed this book while preparing to do a unit on health and nutrition, and was astounded at the content of this book. I know that grossology has become popular among kids, but this book is beyond even grossology gross!

This book does not even take a realistic look at grossology by explaining the functions and why we have them, instead it makes fun of those functions. For example, the book talks about how the Romans ate flamingo tongues and other revolting delicacies, filling themselves until they could eat no more, then would make themselves throw up and eat again. Hmm, in a world of anorexia and bulemia, I'm not sure this is good or even useful information for young children! Constipation and other subjects are also discussed in a way that kids any age would not be able to seriously look at without laughing and being embarassed.

Parents in the grossology craze of today, I highly recommend that you at least preview this book before handing it over to your child. Teachers, if you are wanting to teach grossology, I strongly urge you to make another choice, this one just misses the mark of being a useful tool for the classroom. Absoloutely avoid this book if you are trying to teach basic health and nutrition, you may get some offended students and parents! ... Read more

Book Description

The latest title in the Welcome to the Whole World series reveals all there is to know about kangaroos. With outstanding color photographs and intriguing text, children can discover fascinating details about this exotic animal. They can find out how far a kangaroo can jump, why it has a pouch, and how it grows from a tiny joey to a full-grown animal. ... Read more

Book Description

This book gives kids a chance to learn more about these cunning creatures. Coyotes have adapted to live in practically every habitat in North America. You can find them in forests, deserts, and even in towns and cities. Filled with colour photographs, this is the twentieth book in this popular series. ... Read more

Book Description

This unique new series explores the mysteries of the humanbody using an exciting mix of thoroughly researched factual information,amazing anecdotes and surprising try-it activities.

In Hmm?, kids delve into the mysteries of the mind and dig up whatmemories are, where they are stored, what triggers them, how you cansharpen them, tricks they can play and lots more. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Fascinating and educational
A wonderful education book in a world of truthful trivia in a setting of color pictures and facts. I could hardly put the book down; it is fascinating. Did you know your brain uses 25% of your oxygen or that you can smell 10,000 different smells? Some people have memories for only one type of information (e.g. populations of cities, names of flowers, etc.) People with Alzheimer's lose their sense of smell as they lose their memroy. Anger, depression, fear and shock, as well as stress get in the way of memory. Do hummingbirds have better memory than humans? Read the book and find out.

A Children's Book?? I think not...
Hmm was very informative, and very interesting. It's easily eye catching, along with its sister, Burp!, it's not easy to miss. It's a book like no other, a must for every bookshelf. ... Read more

Book Description

Teeth that gnaw, teeth that groom, teeth that bite into delicious food and grind it down--imagine what life would be without teeth! Though there are some animals, such as birds and turtles, that don't need any, most others depend on teeth for eating, protection, and more. Horses nibble each other's necks to get rid of loose hair and pesky insects. The monkey-like lemur uses its front teeth as a comb to remove tangles. Beavers depend on them to cut down trees for the dams and lodges they build--and to munch bark, twigs, buds, and leaves. Full-color photographs show animals around the world using their hard-working pearly whites to chew, crunch, and chomp, while black-and-white drawings add some extra fun!The author lives in Victoria, British Columbia.32 pages (all in color), 8 1/2 x 10.
... Read more

Book Description

Could you sprint 40 miles per hour to escape a coyote? The white-tailed jackrabbit can. Rabbits are pretty quick on their feet, but did you know that hares are even faster? Endowed with incredible jumping and running capabilities and possessing 360-degree vision, rabbits and hares are built for life on the move. Young readers will learn all about these cute creatures through fascinating text and color photographs. ... Read more

Book Description

These are the latest titles in this popular series that introduces children to North American wildlife through color photographs and fascinating text. Young readers will be enchanted by America's smallest bird, the fearless hummingbird. Its resting heart rate is an astonishing 480 beats per minute and, unlike any other bird, it can fly backwards.

Few animals capture the imagination like wild horses. There are nearly 50,000 wild horses still roaming western North America. This book reveals their origins, their complex family systems, and how they live together off the land. ... Read more

Book Description

These are the latest titles in this popular series that introduces children to North American wildlife through color photographs and fascinating text. Young readers will be enchanted by America's smallest bird, the fearless hummingbird. Its resting heart rate is an astonishing 480 beats per minute and, unlike any other bird, it can fly backwards.

Few animals capture the imagination like wild horses. There are nearly 50,000 wild horses still roaming western North America. This book reveals their origins, their complex family systems, and how they live together off the land. ... Read more