Review: Working in Space by Ellen Lawrence

WORKING IN SPACE

by Ellen Lawrence

Bearport Publishing

Picture Book Non-Fiction

24 pages

ages 4 to 8

How does it feel to work in zero gravity in a laboratory more than 200 miles above Earth? What kinds of experiments do astronauts carry out aboard the International Space Station (ISS)? And how does it feel to step out of the space station into the darkness of space? In this new Science Slam! title, kids will discover the answers to all these questions and many more fascinating facts about working in space. Each book is expertly crafted to meet early elementary and science curriculum standards, as well as introduce young space enthusiasts to the latest space technology. Innovative, grade-appropriate activities and experiments, critical-thinking questions, and fascinating fact boxes will give kids a chance to think like an astronaut.

 MY TIDBITS

Little astronauts' hearts will pound faster as they not only learn more about what astronauts do in space, but take in the real life photographs of astronauts at work on the space station.

What do astronauts do in space? This book gives a nice overview, including everything from repairing the station to experiments to chores. The book is divided into nine, two-page chapters, each one concentrating on a specific task astronauts have. The information is clear and easy to understand, and offers interesting facts. Even more fun and, perhaps, surprising facts are presented in text bubbles referring to the colorful photographs. To wrap things up, an easy and interesting experiment is offered at the end—one even younger listeners can do. There is a glossary which helps define more difficult and specific terms along with pictures to make these definitions clear. At the end, there's an index to help locate specific information quickly; a list of books to find more information; and a website where more information can be found.

This is a great read for kids interested in learning more about astronauts and what they do on the space station. The text is clear and precise, while remaining interesting for the age group. The author never talks down to the kids, but presents the facts as they are. The addition of lesser known numbers and information make it fun to explore, and might even surprise adults at times.

The photographs make this book a real treat. Each one presents real life astronauts as they perform the respective tasks on the station. The photos are bright and clear. While some moments are serious, the book brings in several more humorous tidbits, which make it more fun to read. Even the astronauts are presented with different emotions and in different situations, giving everything a realistic feel, kids will be able to relate to. It's sure to be a treasure for kids who dream of flying to space themselves one day.

How do you become an astronaut? What’s it like to live and work in space? These books will take kids on a fascinating journey to discover the newest developments in space exploration. Today’s readers could become tomorrow’s space pioneers! Each book in this new Science Slam! series is expertly crafted to meet early elementary and science curriculum standards, as well as introduce young space enthusiasts to the latest space technology and missions. Innovative, grade-appropriate activities and experiments, critical-thinking questions, and fascinating fact boxes will give kids a chance to think like astronauts. Space-ology is part of Bearport’s Science Slam! program.

Six titles in this series:

Becoming An Astronaut
Investigation Asteroids
Living On Mars
Looking For Another Earth
Surviving In Space
Working In Space


Find out more ... https://bearportpublishing.com/shop/show/12449

Review: Poison Slimers by Ellen Lawrence

POISON SLIMERS

Poison Dart Frogs, Sea Cucumbers, and More

by Ellen Lawrence

Bearport Publishing

Picture Book / Non-Fiction

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

How does a poison dart frog release its deadly, toxic mucus when a predator attacks? And which underwater slime producer shoots sticky, poisonous, spaghetti-like threads from its butt to repel its enemies? In this brand-new title, learn the answers to these questions and more--and prepare to get slimed! This new Science Slam! title will introduce readers to some of the world's most toxic slimers. The book is expertly crafted to meet early elementary and science curriculum standards, as well as introduce children to bizarre and interesting facts. Innovative, grade-appropriate activities and experiments, critical-thinking questions, and fascinating fact boxes will hold readers' interests with a viselike grip. And, best of all, the activities are gooey and fun!

MY TIDBITS

Slime and animal fans will not only get their thrills when reading this but learn several things along the way.

The title of the book already says it: 'Poisons dart frogs, sea cucumbers, and more'. So much more. The pages are packed with colored creatures from around the world, including everything from land to sea. Some are probably not surprising, while others are less known and might even surprise the reader. Each two-page spread displays a bright, real life photograph of the creature in its natural habitat, along with a smaller photo(s) of closer details, possible attackers or other possible varieties of the creature.

While this is a book of facts, it's created with idea of keeping things fun. Each creature is introduced with an exciting title such as 'Killer Slime!' and the page with the animal's information appears to be dripping with goopy slime. The information is clear, but held at the right level for the intended audience. It's explained how slime is used by the creature, what type and its purpose. Extra bits of information along are sprinkled across the pages in word bubbles with arrows to make it clear what is going on. It gives the book a lively flair.

At the end of the book, is the recipe for a slime readers can make themselves. Then, there's an index, references where readers can find more information, and a link to a website which offers more fun in correlation with the book and topic. It's informative, interesting and fun.

It’s slippery, it’s sticky, and it can even be stinky. Get ready to get slimed! In this new Science Slam! series, children will love learning all about icky, gooey slime. From the deadly toxic slime produced by poison dart frogs to the bubble of mucus burped up by parrotfish to use as a sleeping bag, readers will gobble up this fascinating goo.

Each book in this new series is expertly crafted to meet early elementary and science curriculum standards, as well as introduce children to bizarre and interesting facts. Innovative, grade-appropriate activities and experiments, critical-thinking questions, and fascinating fact boxes will hold readers’ interests with a viselike grip. These features will also introduce children to two fundamental components of scientific inquiry: making observations and drawing inferences. And, best of all, the activities are gooey and fun!

There are six titles in this series, all of which can be found at Bearport Publishing here.

Review: Rock Stars: Limpets, Barnacles and Whelks by Ellen Lawrence

ROCK STARS: 

LIMPETS, BARNACLES, AND WHELKS

by Ellen Lawrence

Bearport Publishing

ages 4 to 8

24 pages

At the beach, there are tide pools surrounded by rocks. The rocks are covered with millions of tiny shells. Inside the shells are small animals--the rock stars! When the tide comes in, the rocks and shells disappear beneath the water. Then it's time for the tide pool rock stars to come to life. Filled with information perfectly suited to the abilities and interests of its primary-grade audience, this colorful, fact-filled book gives readers a chance not only to learn all about tide pool animals and their seashore habitat, but also develop their powers of observation and critical thinking. Children will investigate, for example, how a limpet stays firmly stuck to a rock, and why tiny barnacles have trap doors in their shells. Get ready for a fun and interesting day at the beach! Rock Stars: Limpets, Barnacles, and Whelks is part of Bearport's A Day at the Beach series.

MY TIDBITS

This is a great read for all of those, who are curious about the little creatures clinging to rocks by the sea, or fans of sea life and little biologists.

With bright and real life photographs, this dives into the world of limpets, barnacles and whelks. These small, subtle creatures might seem mundane, but there's more to them than what is seen at first glance. The book begins with limpets, moving on to barnacles, and then to whelks. After a short, easy-to-understand description of what the small creature is and where it is found, more detailed bits of information are revealed about feeding habits, reasons for living where it does as well as any other interesting details.  Never does the information bog down, but keeps the facts short and, many times, fun. 

The photographs are taken in real-life settings, allowing the reader to see the creatures and their habitats as they are to be found in nature. They are bright, detailed and often include interesting scenes, which show the little guys in action. Little boxes with terms point to the features, making the meaning clear. There's a pretty sea-shell box on each two-page spread which offers a curious detail or added information, which is sure to interest the reader. To add to the fun, every now and then, a question appears, which makes readers think. The answers to these are found at the end of the book.

The text is written in large print, making it easy to read. The vocabulary fits ages four to eight nicely, while introducing a few new terms (which can be found in a glossary in the back of the book). It's well organized while keeping enough variety to hold interest the whole way through. Although this doesn't dive into extremely exact attributes of the creatures, it gives a very nice overview as well as a few lesser known facts. There's definitely something new for small ocean biology fans to discover and learn.

A beach is home to many fascinating animals--big, small, and bizarre! Look around to find noisy herring gulls nesting on a cliff, chubby harbor seals sunbathing on the sand, and hermit crabs looking for the perfect shell. Take an even closer look to catch a glimpse of feathery-legged barnacles and slimy ocean-dwelling worms. Filled with information perfectly suited to the abilities and interests of its primary-grade audience, these colorful, fact-filled books give readers a chance to discover all about seashore animals, from the common to the more unusual. With built-in activities and focused questions, students will also get to develop their powers of observation and critical thinking. Can you hear the gulls screeching and the gentle lapping of the waves? Get ready for a good read at the beach!

There are six books in this series.

You can find out more. . .

HERE

Review: What Are Rocks Made Of? by Ellen Lawrence

WHAT ARE ROCKS

 MADE OF?

Rock-ology, The Hard Fact About Rocks

by Ellen Lawrence

Bearport Publishing

24 pages

ages 4 to 8

A chunk of granite rock may look gray and boring, but take a closer look under a microscope and its possible to see that the rock is made from billions of tiny colorful grains. Each microscopic grain is a substance called a mineral, and its minerals that are the ingredients that make up all the rocks on Earth. In this book, readers will learn how different combinations of minerals create different types of rocks. Theyll discover that metals, such as gold, are actually minerals that can be found in rocks. And theyll learn that some minerals grow as beautiful shapes called crystals that can be made into precious gemstones such as rubies and sapphires. Filled with information perfectly suited to the abilities and interests of an early elementary audience, this colorful, fact-filled volume gives readers a chance not only to learn, but also to develop their powers of observation and critical thinking. From stunning photographs to high-interest facts, this book makes exploring the topic of rocks and minerals a lively, engaging experience.

MY TIDBITS

Bringing rocks down to a microscopic view, this book shows what rocks are composed of and how they fit our world.

There are thousands of different types of rocks, but they have more in common than one might think. After a table of contents, the first pages dive into a basic look at rocks and what happens when they are taken under a microscope. From various mineral compositions to crystals and gems, the basics of rocks and their variety is introduced in a way young readers will understand. Each page spread, or chapter, has a main theme, which is then explained in a few short sentences. Small pictures with extra tidbits and explanations are added here and there, adding more interesting pieces of information curious readers are sure to enjoy. Each spread also includes a large, real-life picture which shows the mineral, crystal or rock in an actual setting.

After the reader learns what rocks are composed of and the difference between rocks and crystals, there are several more pages at the end, which help deepen this knowledge. A mineral chart gives a quick view at very common minerals; a science lab hints at a way readers can build their own types of rocks; a  glossary not only defines several more difficult terms but also has a quick picture for each one; and the address to a website, where readers can discover more about rocks, is given.

This book presents the world of rocks in an easy to understand manner, while keeping the topic from growing too dry. The bits of added information give it a little more charm, and the pictures ensure that the knowledge can be tied into everyday life. Young readers will see rocks in a different light after reading this book, and are sure to investigate stones on their own.

Eight books in the series.

From tall mountains and deep canyons to tiny pebbles on a beach, our Earth is a very rocky place. How do rocks form, though? What are rocks made of? How do people use rocks? And where in the world can we see Earth's most amazing rocks? This new Science Slam series takes a fresh look at rocks, giving children the chance to learn about igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks, metamorphic rocks, the rock cycle, weathering and erosion, minerals and crystals, everyday uses for rocks, and famous rocks. Every book in the series is expertly crafted to meet early elementary and science curriculum standards. Innovative, grade-appropriate activities and experiments, critical-thinking questions, and fascinating fact boxes will keep the pages turning and the pace lively and interactive.

http://bearportpublishing.com/shop/show/10650