Crystals are made up of minerals hardened into distinct shapes with regular repeating patterns. This informative book takes a look at the underground process that creates crystals, from sparkling quartz to ordinary salt, as well as where they are found and how they are mined.
This fascinating book explains how plants and animals become fossils, how they are extracted from excavation sites, and how paleontologists and geologists piece together Earth's history by studying these ancient clues.
Igneous rock has a dramatic beginningit requires red-hot volcanic activity. This fact-filled book explains how granite, lava, basalt, silica, quartz and feldspar are formed after hot, molten rock cools. Readers will also learn about volcanoes and tectonic plates, the minerals that make up igneous rocks, and the crystallization of rock material.
Heat, pressure and stress can also change some igneous or sedimentary rocks into other kinds of rocks. This fact-filled book describes the process that turns limestone into marble, shale into slate, and granite into gneiss. Metamorphic rocks are often used as materials for floors, roofs, and counter tops because of their beauty.
Animal cells are the building materials of all creatures, from goldfish to Siberian tigers. Inside each cell are genes that help predict the animal's health, appearance, and performance. Through colorful photos, diagrams, and fact-filled stories, you can find out how cells perform their wonders. Explore what's new in animal science!
This fun book teaches children concepts, or big ideas, about butterflies, including metamorphosis, migration, symmetry, and pollination. Children are encouraged to draw their own butterflies, take photographs, or find butterfly photos on the Internet. The text styles taught in this book include informational text, using headings and different fonts, boxed info, and creative writing.
Children will be thrilled to learn about the many uses of wheels and axles, from doorknobs to the insides of a clock. Inviting design and photos makes wheels and axles fun to learn about for young readers. Kids will love the fun with wheels section of this wonderful new book.
Wedges are used to separate, lift, or hold things in place. Young readers will love reading about the history and uses of the wedge in this new title from Crabtree Publishing.
Inclined planes are used where you least expect it! Read all about inclined planes in this enthralling new book! See inclined planes at work in ramps and roller coasters, as well as their other applications and history.
Without levers, we wouldnt be able to row a boat, move a wheelbarrow, or open a bottle. The book makes learning about the different kinds of levers easy and fun! Easy and fun exercises invite kids to make their own levers.
Pulleys help make up some of the most complicated machinery, from car engines to cranes. See up-close the different pulleys that help us move things and get us moving. Kids will love this wonderful look at pulleys, especially the fun with pulleys section.
Screws are everywhere! They help keep buildings together and help us move and lift things. Come inside this book for a fun and fascinating look at this simple machine. Kids will love the fun with screws section.
Oceans cover three-quarters of the planet. This fascinating book shows how the world's five oceansPacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arcticare interconnected and why they are vitally important to the rest of Earth. Concise text, easy-to-read maps, and dazzling full-color photographs provide kids with an overview of these unique biomes.
This concise overview of the seven continents explains to children what a continent is and what factors make each continent unique, such as landforms, climate, animals, and people. Full-color photographs and age-appropriate maps accompany each brief examination of a continent.
Soil Erosion and How to Prvent It helps young readers see the real impact of erosion on all life. This intriguing book describes the processes of weathering, erosion, and deposition, the impact of erosion on plants and animals, and kid-friendly steps to preventing erosion.
Young readers will be astounded by the tiny organisms that live in soil, their ecological roles, and how they adapt to living there. Children will learn the value of even the smallest bacteria and be amazed by the impact that soil degradation has on an entire ecosystem.
How Is Soil Made introduces children to the concepts of organic and inorganic parts of soil, the nutrient cycles of plants, and decomposition. Complex processes such as weathering, erosion, and deposition are also made easy to understand.
Children will enjoy finding out about different types of soils from different climates, what animals and plants live in these different soils, and just how valuable soil is to human life.
The natural movement of water has long been used to create energy. New forms of hydropower are being researched as alternative ways to create clean renewable energy. This remarkable new book describes how water flow is being used in tidal and wave energy farms, and how the oceans contain enough heat in the surface water to power the world! Case studies highlight the potential advantages and disadvantages of pursuing these different kinds of power.
The oldest and most important source of power for our planet is the Sun. This amazing new book explains why solar power is becoming a very real replacement for our current energy sources. Detailed images feature different types of solar collectors, solar thermal plants, and solar cells, and help explain how they are used. Special case studies identify areas where solar power is already in use around the world.
The need for safe sources of renewable energy has sent scientists underground to tap the natural heat produced by the Earth. Geothermal Energy: Using Earths Furnace describes the three different ways electricity is produced from geothermal energy. Young readers will discover how this clean, safe energy is currently being used in twenty countries including the United States, the largest producer of geothermal energy.
Green living means changing the way we live and use resources so that the environment is able to produce indefinitely the things we need to live. Building a Green Community walks young readers through a model community identifying green living practices at work, at home, on our highways, and at the store. This fascinating book also includes case studies of green communities around the world.
Because of global warming, nuclear energy is getting a second look. This important book discusses the benefits and drawbacks of this controversial, but clean and reliable, source of power. Case studies show how new technologies are helping make production of nuclear energy safer.
Reducing Your Foodprint teaches children that what they eat and how they eat is important to the environment. The further food travels to get to your table, the more harm to the environment. This enlightening new book explains how to adjust your diet to eat locally and responsibly.
Harnessing energy from water provides clean, available power that does not release harmful chemicals or carbons into the air. This interesting book explains how hydro turbines, transformers, and power lines work to bring light to the world and gives tips on how to conserve electricity and become more environmentally conscious.
