Most Popular Books by David Burnie

Change is an inescapable fact of life. The theory of evolution explains how and why living things change, generation by generation, as they adapt to the world around them. Here, David Burnie demystifies evolution, describing how it occurs, and why - 150 years after it was first proposed - it remains one of the most contested areas of human knowledge.

Publisher Description

Introduces some animals and plants that live in areas too dry for forests but too wet to be deserts.

Examines the planet Earth, looking at its climate, wildlife, and geology and examining how the planet, its ecosystems, and humans interact and the consequences of human actions.

DINOSAURS journeys around the world, delving through layers of fossil evidence to uncover the secrets of prehistoric life. Step back in time and unearth some of the most awesome dinosaur specimens yet discovered. Find out about fierce fighting dinosaurs and horned dinosaurs, and discover how dinosaur hunters build pictures of the lives of these amazing beasts.

ufeffKingfisher’s encyclopedias are award-winning, information-packed reference books for all the family. The new, updated Classic editions are beautiful versions of these trusted favourites – perfect for gifts and reference alike. THE KINGFISHER CLASSIC NATURE ENCYCLOPEDIA explores the amazing diversity of life on Earth, from microscopic organisms to giant redwoods and blue whales, and on every part of the Earth’s surface from tropical rainforests to dark ocean depths. If you want one nature encyclopedia, this is it!

Chronologically presents information on dinosaurs, including fossils, dinosuar habits, and habitats.

The most trusted nonfiction series on the market, Eyewitness Books provide an in-depth, comprehensive look at their subjects with a unique integration of words and pictures. DK''s classic look at the world of birds.

This compact marvel covers the animal kingdom from the tiniest protozoan to the mightiest mammal. Organized by classification and packed with vibrant photographs and informative detail, this visual safari covers the gamut of phylums, classes, orders, families, and genuses, including invertebrates, insects, amphibians, mammals, birds, and reptiles. Special feature panels that focus on various aspects of animal behavior including camouflage, migration, and hibernation enhance the clear layout. Easy-to-use, authoritative and a perfect gift for young animal lovers, this colorful volume is an ideal resource for the whole family. Special features include - Text that can be read section by section or as a complete article - Cross-references - Color-coded "Fact" boxes and fully annotated diagrams - Glossary and index

Meet an amazing menagerie of creatures on this breathtaking safari through the animal kingdom. The Kingfisher Animal Encyclopedia spans Earth from pole to pole, covering 2,000 animals from the tiniest protozoan to the mightiest mammal. Each entry describes the animal''s characteristics, behavior, and distribution, and gives their Latin names. The meticulously researched information is highlighted by clear, authoritative writing and more than 1,000 photographs and illustrations. Throughout the book, special feature panels focus on various aspects of animal behavior such as camouflage, migration, and hibernation. With comprehensive back-matter including a glossary, alternative name index, and general index, this one-stop reference tool is perfect for research or for browsing by animal-lovers of all ages.

An introduction to the physical characteristics, habits, and habitats of different types of insects and spiders.

Here is a spectacular, thought-provoking, and highly informative guide to the fascinating story of light. Superb full-color photographyof original equipment, intricate scientific instruments, revealing experiments,and offering a unique "eyewitness" view inside the incredible discoveries that have transformed our world. See, how light rays bend, why things glow when they are very hot, what creates a color television picture, how microscopesand telescopes were invented, and why a leaf looks green. Learn how fiber optics can transmit light, what happens during an eclipse, why images are reversed in mirrors, how a liquid crystal display works, and what makes a hologram. Discover what causes the eerie "Will o'''' the wisp," what creates a mirage, why we burnin strong sunlight, why we see rainbows, what a quantum is, how X-rays penetrate our bodies, and much, much more! Discover the amazing world of light from ancient myths to the optic discoveries that have revolutionized modern life.

Describes the anatomy of many animal species and explains how their bodies work to help them survive. Covers such animals as birds, butterflies, elephants, crocodiles, and wolves, and includes color photos, illustrations, and diagrams.

Step-by-step instructions for performing a variety of natural science experiments.

Provides a close-up look at some of the dinosaurs that lived during the Jurassic Period.

A good introduction to animal communication, with many illustrations.

If you''re wild about animals, this visual encyclopedia is the ultimate page-turner, bringing our planet''s creatures together in spectacular style. This inspiring children''s reference guide welcomes you to the animal kingdom where you can meet more than 1,500 species, ranging from ants to zebras and everything in between. Stunning pictures bring you face to face with giant predators you know and love, including polar bears and tigers, as well as mysterious microscopic life, including amoebas and bacteria. A variety of animal habitats are shown in beautiful detail, while accessible information, additional fact boxes, and amazing galleries complete the stories. A jaw-dropping spectrum of animal types - from fish and birds to reptiles and mammals - provides a learning experience like no other. Whether you''re a budding naturalist or simply want to complete a school project, The Animal Book has got it covered.

In this updated and revised edition of Tree, readers can see a seed grow into a sapling, the changing colors of fall leaves, and the tiny insects that live in rotting leaves on the forest floor, plus learn why deciduous trees lose their leaves in the fall, how a tree breathes, how bark defends trees from attack by animals, and more. Each revised DK Eyewitness book retains the stunning artwork and photography from the groundbreaking original series, but the text has been reduced and reworked to speak more clearly to younger readers. Still on every colorful page: vibrant annotated photographs and the integrated text-and-pictures approach that makes DK Eyewitness a perennial favorite of parents, teachers, and school-age kids.

Explore the world of bugs with more than 30 fun activities! Enter the kingdom of creepy crawlies, from beetles and bees to spiders and scorpions. Identify bugs of all kinds, study them in their natural habitats, and even raise your own caterpillars with the help of this book.

This is a an original and exciting look at the fascinating natural world of plants. Stunning real-life photographs of flowers, fruits, seeds, leaves, and more offer a unique "eyewitness" view of the natural history of plant anatomy and growth. See the biggest flower in the world, where a seed develops, what the inside of a plant stem looks like, how a flower attracts insects, what a plant''s reproductive organs look like, how a dandelion spreads its seeds, and much more.

An illustrated overview of mammals from deserts and rainforests to grasslands and frozen tundra, exploring their life cycles, habitats, diets, and homes.

This book is designed to open up the world of natural history to both children and adults alike. It involves the reader in actually doing things in order to learn and contains text linking each experiment with the wider world of natural history, to all aspects of science in general. The experiments and demonstrations have been photographed in stages and are designed with the use of safe and easily obtained materials.

Go on a journey to the top ten most amazing natural wonders on Earth - from awesome mountains to steamy jungles, icy glaciers to dusty deserts. Find out how they were formed, meet the wildlife who live there and explore their breathtaking features. Discover how the Grand Canyon got so grand, what makes Antarctica so icy and why Mount Everest is higher than the rest. Spectacular pictures, maps and charts will take you face-to-face with nature in astonishing detail. It''s an eye-popping tour of the natural world.

Discover the principles of science and how it has revolutionized our lives.

A detailed, well-illustrated guide to the major systems, functions, and structures of the human body.

The Concise Dinosaur Encyclopedia is the most compact and comprehensive volume available for all the family. This portable encyclopedia uses a highly visual approach to a popular subject, with show-stopping artwork of dinosaurs in action. The book combines hard facts with interesting and intriguing feature spreads detailing dinosaur lifestyle, behavior, families, and habitat. From how life on earth began and how animals evolved to the catastrophic events that brought about the end of the dinosaurs, this book is a must for every dinosaur enthusiast. Timelines, a detailed glossary, and a comprehensive index help guide the reader through the book.

This exciting & original thematic volume is ideal for home, school, or library use. It vividly explains more than 2,000 key words in biology, biochemistry, botany, zoology, & anatomy. Full explanations make understanding nature easier than ever. Thematic arrangement allows readers to access information by subject & explore related topics. Chapters: what is nature; the science of life; cells; the chemistry of life; inheritance & genetics; evolution; classifying living things; microorganisms; plants; fungi; plant biology; animals; animal biology; ecology; & pioneers of biology. Over 500 specially commissioned full-color illustrations reveal the structure & function of living things.