Discover the mysteries of history in this factoid-filled guessing game. Lift the flap to learn the purpose of each specific contraption. A perfect book for sharing together with curious children of different ages.
A Compendium of Curious Contraptions: A Guessing Game About History’s Most Unusual Artifacts
Dramatic descriptions of the eruption of Indonesia’s Mount Tambora in the early 19th century open this compelling story of Earth’s warning signs, often left unheeded by humankind. This is the true story of how a massive catastrophic eruption plunged the world into darkness, altering the global climate and inspiring the likes of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Black and white sketches enhance the compelling presentation which is fully sourced and documented.
A World Without Summer: A Volcano Erupts, A Creature Awakens, and the Sun Goes Out
A foreword by the founder of the Humanimal Trust sets the stage for a fascinating look at what humans and animals have in common and a call for recognition of our interdependency. The large format is organized in bite-sized chunks of information and clearly illustrated, with additional resources included.
We Are All Animals: Discover What YOU Have in Common with a Cat, a Bat, a Jellyfish, and 150 Other Animals
Visit the Andes Amazon with a group of scientists from Chicago’s Field Museum who work with local people to collect information about the plants and animals at specific sites. A conversational narrative and full-color photographs document the work which is realistic but optimist about environmental threats. Additional information is included.
3 Weeks in the Rainforest: A Rapid Inventory in the Amazon
Have you ever wondered about the world of sound? Why and how do we hear sounds, how does sound travel, and how do birds, dolphins, and humans use sounds to communicate? Discover the answers and much more in this handsome, brief, but surprisingly thorough examination of sound enhanced by expressive illustrations.
Sound: Discovering the Vibrations We Hear
The life of a sea turtle born at the Ría Lagartos nature reserve in Mexico is dramatically presented in realistic yet expressive illustrations and carefully crafted narration. A note from the author describes her interest in wildlife and suggests tangible ways to help sea life. Additional information is also presented.
The Secret Life of a Sea Turtle
Stunning illustrations chronicle the growth and life of a Coho salmon from its birth on Day 1 on the Duwamish River in Washington to Days 1380–1450 when she lays eggs of her own. Additional information, including a QR code that provides more information on Coho salmon, concludes this gorgeous book.
Salmon Run: An Epic Journey to the Ocean and Back
“Once, each speck was something else: dirt, pollen, or a bit of a living thing traveling someplace new.” Dust plumes are fascinatingly presented through lyrical language and textured illustrations. Dust plumes feed sea creatures, can weigh as much as billions of basketballs, and can be seen from space. Additional resources are included in this gorgeous book sure to engage and inspire readers.
A Gift of Dust: How Saharan Plumes Feed the Planet
On an island in Norway, “away from wars and weapons, safe from earthquakes, fire, and even an asteroid” a collection of seeds is preserved underground. How the seed vault was constructed is presented in attractive illustration and an accessible text accompanied by sidebars with additional information. Resources and further information are included.
Just in Case: Saving Seeds in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault
Patterns are all around! Patterns can be discovered in sounds, objects, and words that repeat and repeat. To find them, you must look carefully. Boldly colored illustrations outlined in strong black line help readers notice what is sure to become obvious. A thought-provoking and visually rich exploration of the math, art, and emotion of patterns.
All About Patterns
Take a tour of Yellowstone National Park, from the wolves, elk, bears, and mountain goats that live there today to the supervolcano that erupted thousands of years ago. The poetic text takes us to the root of it all ― the “sleeping giant” of magma responsible for the Yellowstone landscape ― and the evocative paintings capture the awe of natural forces at work in our nation’s oldest national park. The addendum, “More About Yellowstone and Its Volcano,” a glossary defining geological terms, such as mud pots, steam vents, geysers, magma, and lava, and a map further aid children’s understanding of supervolcanoes.
Volcano Dreams: A Story of Yellowstone
What’s the difference between a country and a continent? And what about a wormhole and a black hole? What’s the difference between an alligator and a crocodile? In space, on earth, in food, even in history many things are similar but are in fact quite different. Explore 150 pairs here through facts and illustration.
What’s the Actually Factually Difference?
This weird, wacky, and downright fun and informative look at how disparate things connect is a worthy addition to the FACTopia series.
Epic FACTopia! Follow the Trail of 400 Extreme Facts
A fascinating examination of manned spaceflight and the power of image — the astonishing photograph taken during the Apollo 8 mission. Sure to inform and generate talk between adults and young people.
Earthrise: The Story of the Photograph that Changed the Way We See Our Planet
Losing her sight while in college in her Puerto Rican home did not stop Wanda’s passion for the stars nor for learning. In accessible narrative and lush illustration, Wanda’s life and work come into focus. Also available in Spanish: Wanda oye las estrellas.
Wanda Hears the Stars
A unique shape informs as the reader reads about space travel and then can blast off when the book transforms into an entire rocket.
Read-and-Play Rocket
Dip or dive into this book that dispels commonly held misinformation about well-known insects and other creepy crawlies. Illustrations further illuminate the information. Also in this series: Everything You Know About Dinosaurs Is Wrong!.
Everything You Know About Bugs (and Other Tiny Creatures) Is Wrong!
After a natural death, a whale provides continued life for numerous sea and land creatures for many years. Follow one 90-year-old whale in its environment and after its life has ended, through accessible language and highly informative illustrations in this stunning book.
Life After Whale: The Amazing Ecosystem of a Whale Fall
Human error led to creative solutions as the Webb Space Telescope was designed and tested — leading to amazing “eyes in the skies.” More than 20,000 people contributed to its success and are introduced through photographs and illuminating text. The author is an engineer who once worked at NASA.
Unlocking the Universe: The Cosmic Discoveries of the Webb Space Telescope
A mouth is for eating of course, but animals use them for so much more! Discover how some use them for climbing and for storing food and what differentiates similar mouths. Dramatic illustrations and informative inserts create a fact-packed, accessible book. Back matter includes a glossary and additional resources.
Open Wide! Jaw-Dropping Mouths of the Animal World
In the pages of this book, you’ll find a workshop filled with everything you need, including a head, a thorax, an abdomen, and much more. Written by an entomologist and accompanied by delightfully detailed illustrations, this wonderfully original take on insect anatomy will spark curiosity and engage even those who didn’t think they liked creepy, crawly things!
How to Build an Insect
Join this “mysterious FACTopia tour…” to encounter top secrets, unsolved mysteries, dark caves, deep ocean dwellers, hidden history, and more. Lots more! Photographs and comical illustrations combine for an intriguing, fact-based jaunt through time and places.
Secret FACTopia! Follow the Trail of 400 Hidden Facts
Become a keen nature observer: an observologist! Cartoon-like illustrations and open text resemble a journal, inviting readers to look closely at the small things around them.
The Observologist
Handsome graphics accompany crisp text in this thorough exploration of insects, their sizes, and fascinating facts about them. The suggestions on what to do to protect insects are doable. Additional resources and an author’s note are included.