by Michael Holland ; illustrated by Phillip Giordano ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 5, 2020
Science enthusiasts especially will want to plant themselves in this one.
Think you know plants? Guess again.
This fact-filled, dazzlingly colorful compendium will teach budding naturalists plenty they never knew about the world’s leafy wonders. With plants being used in foods and beverages, clothing, paper, pigments, sports equipment, building materials, vehicles, medicines, hygiene products, technology, and more, there’s virtually nothing humans haven’t utilized them for. Divided into four parts—“All About Plants,” “World of Plants,” “From Breakfast Until Bedtime,” and “The Power of Plants”—this U.K. import uses concise, engaging prose to inform readers about all these uses as well as how plants function; how they’ve adapted to and survived in various environments over millennia; and then some. Vital timely topics, including conservation and the environment, are covered. Informative labeled diagrams and “Did You Know?” sidebars provide additional, helpful information. DIY projects feature enjoyable craft and game activities for which adult supervision is sometimes recommended; a cautionary advisory is noted on the copyright page. Occasionally, British spellings and word usages crop up, and scattered proofreading errors may distract some readers. Nods at diversity occur in references to and illustrations of inventor Lewis Latimer, an African American man, and marine biologist and conservationist Rachel Carson, a white woman, as well as in illustrations of international flags and housing. This will work well as a title for browsing and classroom support.
Science enthusiasts especially will want to plant themselves in this one. (glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 9-12)Pub Date: May 5, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-912497-74-4
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Flying Eye Books
Review Posted Online: Feb. 29, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2020
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by Alexandra Siy ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 1, 2001
In this glossy photo essay, the author briefly recounts the study and exploration of the moon, beginning with Stonehenge and concluding with the 1998–99 unmanned probe, Lunar Prospector. Most of the dramatic photographs come from NASA and will introduce a new generation of space enthusiasts to the past missions of Project Mercury, Gemini, and most especially the moon missions, Apollo 1–17. There are plenty of photographs of various astronauts in space capsules, space suits, and walking on the moon. Sometimes photographs are superimposed one on another, making it difficult to read. For example, one photograph shows the command module Columbia as photographed from the lunar module and an insert shows the 15-layer space suit and gear Neil Armstrong would wear for moonwalking. That’s a lot to process on one page. Still, the awesome images of footprints on the moon, raising the American flag, and earthrise from the moon, cannot help but raise shivers. The author concludes with a timeline of exploration, Web sites, recommended books, and picture credits. For NASA memorabilia collectors, end papers show the Apollo space badges for missions 11–17. Useful for replacing aging space titles. (Nonfiction. 8-11)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2001
ISBN: 1-57091-408-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2001
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by Kenneth Mallory & photographed by Brian Skerry ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 2010
Most children know what an astronaut is, but an aquanaut? Not so common. Focusing on a one-week expedition in the underwater science station Aquarius, Mallory and marine photographer Skerry literally immerse themselves in this adventure. The science station is an 80-ton cylindrical steel chamber that's like “a mobile home someone has driven into the ocean.” The team's project is to electronically tag fish and observe their daily habits. The narrative chronicles the safety training needed before the expedition, the implantation of tags or pingers inside the fish and the day-to-day experience of living 60 feet below the ocean’s surface. What do aquanauts eat? Can you make telephone calls and send e-mails? And most importantly—is it possible for a toilet to explode from too much pressure? (Answer: yes.) Full-page interludes on topics such as sea-habitat history and the importance of decompression are disruptive at times but ultimately add to the understanding of this undersea adventure. A rather dry design aside, this book intrigues. (introduction, further reading, glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 9-12)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-59078-607-9
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Boyds Mills
Review Posted Online: Jan. 4, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2010
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