Richard Spilsbury

This book introduces children to the Indian Ocean, looking at islands and how the Equator affects temperature and weather. Children are encouraged to use geographical skills to locate information by reading maps and interpreting simple keys. This series complements the Introducing Continents series.

This book introduces children to the Pacific Ocean, looking at climate, ports and features of its geography. Different types of islands and the ocean floor are explored using key geography terms. This series complements the Introducing Continents series.

This book introduces children to the Atlantic Ocean, looking at its resources, famous places and people who live along the coast. Children are encouraged to use geographical skills to locate information by reading maps and interpreting simple keys. This series complements the Introducing Continents series.

Hot days, cold nights, and constant dryness: welcome to life in the desert This fascinating biome is home to diverse plants, animals, and insects whose ability to survive in such a harsh environment will fascinate readers. Important life science concepts such as adaptation and survival are taught through age-appropriate language. Readers learn about desert creatures' interdependent relationships and how each creature plays an important role in keeping its ecosystem balanced. Readers also learn how human intervention can harm desert biomes, which are identified through a simple yet informative global map. Colorful photos complement this information-rich science text

Discover the most amazing aircraft designs since 1900. From the Wright brothers' Flyer to supersonic jets, this book charts the story of design that led to some amazing machines. We look at the needs that prompted their design, the designers responsible for breaking boundaries and the technology that made them possible.

This book looks at the different places light comes from, including natural and artificial sources. - Discover the difference between a light source and a reflective object and how you can tell which is which. - Look at our largest and most important light source - the Sun - and what happens when you take sunlight away. - Explore light technology by finding out how we use lasers and fiber optics. And much more

Discover the most amazing car designs since 1900. From the Mini Cooper to the gull-wing doors of the Mercedes 300SL, this book charts the story of design that led to some amazing machines. We look at the needs that prompted their design, the designers responsible for breaking boundaries and the technology that made them possible.

Why do astronauts feel heavy after take-off? Why are rockets long and thin? How do spacecraft orbit Earth? Covering lots of different aspects of space exploration, including looking at how spacecraft such as rocket launchers, satellites and space stations work and more human questions such as why astronauts need to keep so physically fit and what kit they need in their spacesuits, Fly to Mars takes a fun look at forces in space. While learning about forces you will find that you also find out the answers to many questions that you have asked yourself about astronauts and space, and more. This Feel the Force series shows how forces and motion work in the world around us, in a set of high-interest situations. Each book includes three simple activities or investigations for readers to try. Overlays over large photos, plus diagrams, show how forces are acting in a given situation. Topics covered in the series include basic pushes, pulls and friction, air resistance, gravity, mass, weight and springs.

This book looks at what reflections are and how we can use them. - Mirrors reflect light back at exactly the same angle. You can make a "mirror book" to explore symmetry and multiple reflections. - Why does a straight straw look bent in a glass of water? Experiment using air, oil, and water to see how different materials affect the speed of light. - Look at how our eyes use reflected light to see and make a pinhole camera to show how the eye works. And much more

The rocks that cover Earth's surface wouldn't exist without crystals. Written to support elementary science curricula, this text encourages readers to get up close and personal with the crystals contained in Earth's rocks. Along the way, they'll learn important Earth science skills, such as how crystals form, how to identify crystals based on their physical properties, and where in the world they're found. The text also teaches readers how we use crystals in everyday life, and what kinds of hobbies and careers involve working with crystals. This information-rich text features engaging images, fact boxes, and sidebars, which offer opportunities for additional learning.

It's hard to imagine the fiery orange lava that explodes from volcanoes as a hardened, black mass of rock, but that process is what forms igneous rocks--one of the three kinds of rock that make up Earth's surface. This important Earth science concept is explored in the text, which also covers the different kinds of igneous rocks, how to use their physical properties to identify them, and what clues they offer about Earth's past. The text also clues readers in to how we use this tough rock as a resource, and how people living near volcanoes use their environment to their advantage. Sidebars, fact boxes, and interesting photos supplement the text's information-rich content.

It's hard to imagine the fiery orange lava that explodes from volcanoes as a hardened, black mass of rock, but that process is what forms igneous rocks--one of the three kinds of rock that make up Earth's surface. This important Earth science concept is explored in the text, which also covers the different kinds of igneous rocks, how to use their physical properties to identify them, and what clues they offer about Earth's past. The text also clues readers in to how we use this tough rock as a resource, and how people living near volcanoes use their environment to their advantage. Sidebars, fact boxes, and interesting photos supplement the text's information-rich content.

Heat and pressure are constantly at work below Earth's surface, but sometimes, their amazing effects can be seen aboveground. These powerful forces shape metamorphic rocks, one of the three kinds of rock that cover our planet's surface. Readers will learn how plate tectonics play a role in rock formation, where these rocks appear, and how to identify them based on their physical properties. This text takes its standards-based curricula out of the classroom and into the real world, showing readers how metamorphic rock shapes our lives. The science-rich text is completed with full-color photographs, fun fact boxes, and informative sidebars.

Minerals are the building blocks of rocks. Formed without any human assistance, these natural substances are used in almost everything people use on a daily basis. Readers will learn how minerals shape our lives and how they've shaped Earth's past and present, as well as how they'll shape Earth's future. The text explores the origins of minerals, where they're found, and why they're important. The age-appropriate text supports elementary science curricula, covering important Earth science and geology concepts. Exciting images show readers Earth's most dazzling minerals, while informative fact boxes and sidebars provide a comprehensive learning experience.

Minerals are the building blocks of rocks. Formed without any human assistance, these natural substances are used in almost everything people use on a daily basis. Readers will learn how minerals shape our lives and how they've shaped Earth's past and present, as well as how they'll shape Earth's future. The text explores the origins of minerals, where they're found, and why they're important. The age-appropriate text supports elementary science curricula, covering important Earth science and geology concepts. Exciting images show readers Earth's most dazzling minerals, while informative fact boxes and sidebars provide a comprehensive learning experience.

Robotics is already used to protect people in cities all around the United States. As robot technology continues to grow, patrolling human police officers could someday be a thing of the past Humanoid robots might be rolling around city streets or heading into dangerous situations in place of police officers. From surveillance cameras to bomb disposal, the incredible robots already used in law enforcement will engage and surprise readers. The main text explains the real-life technology used today, and full-color photographs enhance the science and engineering content.

NASA wouldn't know nearly as much about the planet Mars without space probes. A special kind of robot that can fly through space, space probes have gone to the asteroid belt and even traveled near Jupiter to take pictures of it Readers learn all about these incredible robots as well as other space technology including robotnauts, or robot astronauts Examples of the robots used in space are shown in full-color photographs, complete with explanations of their abilities. The main content and sidebars delve into the technological and scientific side of creating robots and how important they've become to space exploration.

Most people don't think about the soil under their feet, but basic dirt can reveal a lot about Earth's past. Soil is formed from tiny grains of rock that existed many years ago. It can also form in the wake of landslides, volcanoes, and everyday weathering. This text takes readers underground to examine Earth's many kinds of soil, the microorganisms and inorganic matter that make it up, and the critical role it plays in ecosystems around the world. Helpful diagrams, fact boxes, and sidebars support the information-rich text, which supports elementary science curricula, and colorful images will keep readers engaged from start to finish.