Simple Introductions to Science

Discover the importance of mushrooms and fungi in this children's book that includes an introduction to mycology, as well as common mushrooms and fungi. Mushrooms are truly amazing! They are more closely related to animals than to plants, and there are some 150,000 different species-not counting the millions that are likely waiting to be discovered. Become a young mycologist. Learn all about mushrooms, fungi, and lichens. Debut author and mushroom expert Ariel Bonkoski presents a kids' introduction to mycology. From well-known fungi like puffballs and lion's mane to toxic varieties like destroying angels, this book provides the information kids need to know about fungi. A perfect guide for beginners, Mushrooms & Fungi for Kids starts with an introduction to the kingdom of Fungi. Then it guides readers through the shapes, colors, and forms of mushrooms. The book further discusses mushrooms' important role in the environment, their relationships with insects, and more. In the field-guide section, fungi are organized by shape and structure to help kids (and adults) start understanding the basics of the mushroom world. While this is not a guide to foraging, readers can gain a lifelong appreciation of mushrooms and fungi by learning to recognize the major groups of them. Inside You'll Find • Beginner's guide to mushrooms and fungi of North America • The basics of mycology and mushroom anatomy • Identification guide to common groups of mushrooms and fungi • Fun bonus activities for the whole family

Introduce children to geoscience-including a study of the Earth, rock formation, and landforms-in this fun guide that includes hands-on educational activities. The Earth is our amazing planet-and when we consider what it is and how it's formed, the answers are truly captivating! Become a young geoscientist. Learn about rocks and minerals, the layers of the Earth, the water cycle, and beyond. Dan R. Lynch, author of many field guides, presents an introduction to geoscience (or Earth sciences) in this easy-to-understand guide. Begin by learning about the Earth and what it's made of. That's followed by a look at what's inside the Earth. A special section on rocks introduces different kinds of rocks and what makes each of them unique, and a chapter on landforms presents everything from mountains and oceans to volcanoes and erosion. As an added bonus, you'll get 16 fun and simple activities to learn how crystals grow, how caves form, and how the Earth works. Build a molecule, make sandstone, and more. This kid-friendly guide is filled with full-color photographs and illustrations. It's engaging and informative as it starts children on a path toward becoming successful Earth scientists!

With bird facts, an identification guide, and how-to instructions, this is a perfect children's introduction to bird-watching. You've seen birds in your backyard or at the local park. Now become a young ornithologist. Learn all about the scientific study of birds. Author, birder, and outdoors researcher Erika Zambello presents a kids' introduction to birding. The children's book, ideal for early and middle-grade readers, conveys fascinating information for beginners. Kids gain an understanding of such topics as bird anatomy, life cycle, and habitat. From there, readers are introduced to 60 different species of important birds to know. With chickadees, hummingbirds, owls, woodpeckers, and more, the field guide section serves as an identification aid and offers information about when to look, where to look, and what to look for. A how-to section provides advice to help children get started birding-with practical tips on attracting birds to their yards. There are also fun activities for the entire family to enjoy, a wonderful way to turn birding into a shared hobby. The activities range from simple, like leaving out nesting materials, to advanced, such as planting a bird- and pollinator-friendly garden. Inside You'll Find • how-to section, including details on getting started • The basics of ornithology • Identification guide to common and important birds to know • Bird-related activities that the entire family can enjoy

With an introduction to astronomy basics and a special section on constellations, this is a perfect children's guide to stargazing. You've gazed at stars. Perhaps you've even identified a few constellations, planets, and other distant objects. Now become a young astronomer. Learn all about outer space. Author, educator, and naturalist Jonathan Poppele presents a kids' introduction to the night sky. The children's book, ideal for early and middle-grade readers, conveys fascinating information for beginners. Kids gain an understanding of stars, our solar system, and deep sky objects. From there, readers are introduced to more than 25 different constellations that are important to know and easy to locate. With the Big Dipper, Little Dipper, Orion, Perseus, and more, the constellations section serves as an identification aid and offers information about when to look, where to look, and what to look for. A season-by-season tour of the night sky provides advice to help children experience success while stargazing-with practical tips on locating each constellation. There are also fun ideas for the entire family to enjoy, a wonderful way to turn stargazing into a shared hobby. Inside You'll Find • A guide to more than 25 important-to-know constellations • Practical tips on locating each constellation • The basics of astronomy, the solar system, and outer space • Tips and tricks to help you spot the many amazing sights of the night sky

Catch All the Buzz About Bugs! Kids love the thrill of discovery-especially when it comes to bugs. Become a young entomologist. Learn all about bees, butterflies, spiders, and other creepy crawlies. Jaret C. Daniels, author of many bug books, presents a kids' introduction to entomology. From ants and beetles to dragonflies and mosquitoes, this easy-to-understand book is a perfect guide for beginners. It features expert insights on a variety of common and important insects. It delves into such topics as what the various species eat, how long they live, and whether or not they migrate during winter. In the field-guide section, featured species are organized by where they are commonly found. Full-color photographs and descriptions of key markings help readers to identify the species they see in nature. Inside You'll Find • Beginner's guide to bugs of the USA and southern Canada • The basics of entomology and bug anatomy • Identification guide to common and important bugs to know • Fun bonus activities for the whole family

Learn about beaches and coastal life with this children's introduction to animals, plants, and seashells. Ocean beaches capture our attention like few places on Earth-and for good reason. Two vastly different ecosystems merge here, attracting a wide variety of life forms. Become a young oceanographer. Learn all about beaches and the plants and animals found there. East Coast expert Erika Zambello and West Coast naturalist Stephanie Panlasigui present a kids' introduction to beach life. The children's book, ideal for early and middle-grade readers, conveys fascinating information for beginners. Start by learning about beaches and their various habitats, as well as tips on beach safety, collecting etiquette, and Leave No Trace principles. That's followed by an introduction to the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and an identification guide to common and noteworthy types of shells, plants, and animals-including birds, dolphins, manatees, and more. Seashells & Beachcombing for Kids is rounded out by family-friendly beach activities and Citizen Science Projects. Inside You'll Find • Beginner information with beachcombing tips • The basics of oceanography • Identification guide to coastal animals, plants, and seashells • Beach-related activities that the entire family can enjoy

Discover the fascinating world of prehistoric life with this children's book that includes an introduction to paleontology and a guide to dinosaurs. Dinosaurs are as mysterious as they are captivating. Children hunger to better understand them. Become a young paleontologist. Learn all about the Mesozoic Era. James Kuether, an acclaimed paleoartist, presents a kids' introduction to paleontology. From some of the earliest predators, like rauisuchians, to the most famous dinosaurs, such as Tyrannosaurus rex, this comprehensive book provides the information that kids want to know. Dinosaurs for Kids starts with an introduction to fossils and an explanation of what makes an animal a "dinosaur." Then it guides readers through the history of plant- and animal-life in the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods. The book further discusses types of dinosaurs and how they lived. In the field-guide section, 150 species are organized by type. James's incredibly lifelike paleoart (digital reconstructions of extinct animals) portrays the dinosaurs as they may have appeared, and his text offers glimpses into their amazing lives, based on the latest information in dinosaur science. Inside You'll Find • Beginner's guide to the Mesozoic Era • The basics of paleontology and the history of life on Earth • Identification section to 150 dinosaurs and non-dinosaurs Of course, no amount of research can tell us how dinosaurs behaved or interacted with their environments. For that, we need to get creative. Dinosaurs for Kids perfectly balances what we know with what we can imagine.

Learn about the importance of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators in this children's book that includes an introduction to botany and a plant identification guide. Native plants surround us every day, so it's easy to take them for granted. But they are vital to the existence of all animals-including humans! Native plants provide sources for food and shelter that wildlife can't live without. Become a young botanist. Learn all about native plants, wildflowers, trees, and shrubs. Professional entomologist Jaret C. Daniels presents a kids' introduction to botany. From beautiful wildflowers like the common sunflower to majestic trees like the red maple, this easy-to-understand book is a perfect guide for beginners. Pollinators & Native Plants for Kids begins with an introduction to plants. Then it guides readers through the process of pollination, spotlighting the essential role that bees, butterflies, and other pollinators play. The book further discusses why native plants are important to a healthy ecosystem and outlines how children and families can take action to help them. In the field-guide section, 150 wildflowers, trees, and shrubs are organized by type. Full-color photographs and visual descriptions help readers to identify the species they see in nature. Inside You'll Find • Beginner's guide to native plants and pollinators • The basics of botany and how pollination works • Identification guide to common wildflowers, trees, and shrubs • Garden plans and bonus activities for the family