Simple Machines
by D.J. Ward
illustrated by Mike Lowery
Machines make work easier. This is a good introductory book to six simple machines - the lever, the wheel and axle, the pulley, the ramp, the wedge, and the screw. Easy text and clear, friendly pictures help kindergartners spot simple machines in the world around them. Includes an easy activity to demonstrate a lever, though the small text and no visuals are a drawback.
Simple Machines
by Deborah Hodge
Kids learn best by doing, and this excellent book allows them to use simple machines in a variety of experiments. They'll construct ramps, lift objects, or make toys, allowing them to see how simple machines work. The activities are fun and easy enough for kids to do on their own. The instructions and explanations are clearly written and easily understood, while the bright, attractive photos convey enthusiasm.
Highly recommended for grades 1-3.
Explorer Roy Chapman Andrews got his start cleaning the floors at the American Museum of Natural HIstory. A few months later, he managed to land his first expedition - retrieving the bones of a beached whale. His success led to other expeditions around the world, earning him much acclaim. So when he had the idea of searching for human fossils in Mongolia, he was able to raise the necessary funds. With the help of paleontologist Walter Granger and his assistant George Olsen, he didn't find human bones, he found dinosaur bones instead!
These two books tell the story of his Gobi Desert expeditions and the amazing discoveries he made there.
Dinosaurs at the Ends of the Earth: The Story of the Central Asiatic Expeditions
by Brian Floca
A fictionalized version, this text-heavy picture book dramatizes two of the expeditions, one of which resulted in the discovery of dinosaur eggs. Floca's imagined dialogue and action is very well done, giving the story a "you-are-there" feel to it. He also does a good job in describing the how the fossils were excavated and prepared for transport.
A map and full-page paintings add excitement. Of note are descriptions of the dinosaurs uncovered, which are depicted on the front and back endpapers.
Dragon Bones and Dinosaur Eggs: A Photobiography of Explorer Roy Chapman Andrews
by Ann Bausum
Published by National Geographic, this book describes the childhood and career of Roy Chapman Andrews, shedding light on what made the man tick. It's also a good primer on how to get your foot in the door when trying to land your dream job. Lots of photos and exciting descriptions bring the dinosaur expeditions to life. It gives the reader a good idea of how the expeditions were mounted and carried out. It also provides a good sense of the dangers encountered along the way, from sandstorms to snakes to bandits.
With chronology, resource guide, and index, this is an excellent book for elementary and middle-grade readers.
Rare Treasure: Mary Anning and Her Remarkable Discoveries
written and illustrated by Don Brown
In 1811, a young girl discovered the fossilized skeleton of an ichthyosaur beneath an English cliff. The discoverer, Mary Anning, was twelve-years-old. She grew up to become a well-known fossil-hunter whose fossils are displayed in museums all over the world.
This engaging biography illuminates Anning's fearlessness, her sense of adventure and her curiosity. The watercolour illustrations, alternately pale and vibrant, add pathos and emotion.
Stone Girl, Bone Girl: The Story of Mary Anning
by Laurence Anholt
illustrated by Sheila Moxley
This picture book devotes more time in exploring the relationship between Mary Anning and her father, whom she called "Pepper." He introduced her to fossil hunting before dying of an unnamed illness (possibly tuberculosis). At this point, Anholt can't resist delving into poetic license, having Pepper reincarnated as a little speckled dog who helps Mary make her exciting discovery.
The interesting pictures, reminiscent of old-fashioned folk art, reflect the sadness and danger permeating much of the story before its celebratory ending. But even that is tempered with melancholy as the dog disappears, leaving Mary wistfully recalling its faint bark.
When read along with Rare Treasure, the deviations from the truth are readily apparent, which should foster discussion among young readers regarding the ethics of nonfiction. How should fiction be used to enhance a story and should the reader be warned beforehand? Even the final epilogue is slightly suspect since there is no bibliography to support the story. There's no bibliography in Rare Treasure either, although Don Brown does mention a history museum and library in his thanks. Hopefully, both books will encourage further research on the life of Mary Anning.
By the way, the title refers to a teasing rhyme that local children used to call Mary: Stone girl, bone girl, out-on-your-own girl. But even that turned out to be false; the rhyme was actually the well-known tongue-twister She sells seashells by the seashore, which is quoted in its entirety at book's end.
Dinosaur Discovery: Everything You Need to Be a Paleontologist
by Chris McGowan
illustrated by Erica Lyn Schmidt
The title of this book is misleading. It doesn't tell kids how to be a paleontologist; there's no mention of what skills are needed, what courses to take in school, or what it's like to work in the field. Instead, there are pages featuring thirteen different dinosaurs, with brief facts about their bones, teeth, and skin. In between these pages are a number of activities aimed to teach kids more about what it's like to be a dinosaur - how dinosaurs balance, walk, swim, hear, see, and fly. Other activities show how to make fake rocks, fake fossil feathers, and fake dinosaur skin. How the activities relate to the information presented is not always clear, but they are scientifically interesting.
In summary, the book is good for teaching kids about dinosaur anatomy, but not so good for showing them what an actual paleontologist does.
Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities
by Amy Stewart
Colourful flowers, trees, and shrubs - we use them to decorate our homes and gardens. But watch out! Some of these plants can be deadly. In Wicked Plants, you'll meet all sorts of evil greenery that'll make you think twice before buying them, especially if you have kids and pets. There are plants that grow poisonous berries, plants with venomous thorns, vines that strangle trees, plants that intoxicate, and plants that burn. Some may merely irritate, but others kill, and in very painful ways.
Stewart helpfully labels each plant as dangerous, poisonous, illegal, destructive, painful, intoxicating, deadly, or merely offensive, and cheerfully describes the agonies each plant imparts. Lovely botanical etchings form a nice juxtaposition with witty stories of unfortunate encounters. As well, gruesome drawings add a macabre touch.
Excellent for ages 12 and up.
