New Releases by John Farndon

Explore the beauty and power of planet Earth with this fantastic book. Packed with hundreds of mind-blowing photographs and extraordinary facts, children will be pulled in and engrossed from start to finish. The Earth Book explores natural forces such as fierce tornadoes, mighty ocean features such as colossal currents, Earth''s natural wonders such as Ayers Rock and explosive activity such as volcanic eruptions.

Learn how number systems and measurements allow us to make sense of the world. Discover how important addition and subtraction are and look at cell division with illustrated spreads designed to give readers fast, digestible facts that keep them engaged.

How do hurricanes form? Why do the seasons change? What are tetonic plates? Step inside the inner workings of Planet Earth to find out... This book takes you on an access-all-areas tour of the planet you call home. Dig deep underground, float amoung the clouds, and surf the ocean currents to get a close-up look at the fascinating processes that shape our world.

"Explore human history as nations emerge and fall, from the empires of Spain, Russia, and China to revolutions in Europe and the USA. Engaging illustrations, maps, and a continuous timeline detail important events, achievements, and cultures from 1500 to 1900"--

Explore the structures you encounter in your everyday life and around the world that exist because of engineering. Discover how the world''s tallest building stays standing and more with full-color illustrations designed to keep young readers engaged and entertained while they learn.

"Illustrated spreads designed to engage young readers and keep them captivated as they learn accessible, fun facts."--

Jump back in time to discover what was happening during the mysterious Middle Ages. Some people occupied themselves with putting crowns on their heads, others kept busy discovering and spreading new religions, and some focused on invasion and conquest. Follow along as warlords carve out kingdoms in Europe, China''s only empress comes to power, Vikings set foot in America, and Mongol hordes create the greatest land empire. Fun, illustrated maps sweep you across the world from the Incas'' Machu Picchu to medieval Mali and shogun Japan and on to the court of Kublai Khan. What a ride!

"Discover the wave of invention and the destruction from recent wars that shaped the world of today. Engaging illustrations, maps, and a continuous timeline detail important events and inventions and the changes they created from 1900 to the millennium"--

Describes the development of ancient civilization, from the Stone Age and the first Mesopotamian cities to the vast empires of China, the Mayans, and Rome.

From cyber worlds to nano-technology, discover an array of always-changing technologies. High-interest, humorous illustrations and bite-sized facts will keep young readers engaged.

Step back into our most recent past and see how the modern world arrived. The century ''took off'' with the Wright Brothers'' historic flight, then swing between two devastating world wars and people''s revolutions around the globe. Discover how... *The Russian Revolution overthrew the tsars *The Cold War split Europe *Hippies celebrated the Summer of Love *Mandela became South Africa''s first black president ...and lots more. Cool, illustrated maps show what was happening in different places at the same time, along with milestones such as talking pictures and TV, the first Moon landing and the World Wide Web. Breathtaking!

"Learn more about the destructive force of volcanoes through powerful images and stories. Clear text emphasizes scientific efforts to better understand how to prepare for volcanic eruptions, while appropriately high-impact visuals keep readers engaged"--Provided by publisher.

"With clever text, vibrant illustrations, and simple diagrams, this book gives readers a look into their circulatory and respiratory systems. Humorous text and imagery make this complex topic fun and engaging."--

Discusses the cause and impact of hurricanes and tornados.

In just a few seconds, a spark can turn a forest into a rapidly spreading inferno of intense heat and suffocating smoke. Firefighters try to control the wildfire—a battle that might last for months. Water can be used to fight wildfires, but too much water can cause deadly floods. Floods reduce land to swamp and sweep away houses and bridges. In their wake, they leave food shortages, contaminated drinking water, and diseases like cholera and typhus. Follow the scorched trail of the worst wildfires ever, learn what causes flash floods, and discover the technology that helps predict these devastating disasters.

Just think, every single thing you do is handled by an amazing computer inside your head—your brilliant brain! And it''s helped by your body''s internet—your nervous system. Join the Stickmen to discover how spidery nerve cells send messages to the brain in seconds, how quick reflexes keep you safe, and how different parts of your brain are in charge of different thoughts and actions. Learn how all the parts of your body work together with the brain to help you to see, hear, smell, and make memories. Fun illustrations and fact-filled text reveal the mysteries of your brain and what it is that makes you so smart!

Earthquakes can destroy entire cities in mere minutes and send shock waves rippling around the world. These devastating quakes become even more deadly when followed by monster waves. Tsunamis may travel faster than a jet across thousands of miles of ocean. Once they reach the coast, these huge walls of water can wash away everything in their path in one fatal whoosh. No place on Earth is entirely safe from earthquakes. But the technology to detect these hidden terrors is constantly improving. Discover the most fearsome earthquakes and tsunamis throughout history, as well as the science behind how and where these disasters strike.

"Using ... examples, vivid imagery, and ... diagrams, this ... guidebook to muscles and bones will keep readers engaged while teaching them all about how their bodies hold together, move, and grow stronger"--

Presents information on how to get energy from food and what happens along in the digestive system.

Discusses such elements of weather as clouds, wet air, frost, ice, wind, and air pressure. Includes some projects.

Being sick is horrible. But it used to be worse. Inside this book, you''ll see evidence of the plagues of the past—rotting skin, dissolving lungs, and sinister swelling all over the body. Diseases like the Black Death wiped out whole towns and villages. Tuberculosis consumed young people like a bloodsucking vampire. And Smallpox left its victims scarred for life—if they survived. At the time, no one knew where these killer diseases came from or how to treat them. But eventually doctors discovered how these diseases and others were spread. Being sick isn''t quite as sickening as it was in the past!

People have always needed doctors. But the doctors of the past might not look like the doctors you are used to seeing! Sometimes their healing methods were weird, disgusting, or even dangerous. Doctors in the Middle Ages sniffed patients'' urine to diagnose disease, and barbers might cut off a person''s injured arm or leg. The ancient Chinese fought smallpox by blowing powdered pus up the nose. Many of these old remedies turned out to be dangerous, but others paved the way for modern blood transfusions, vaccines, and anesthetics. If you''re not too squeamish, read this book to learn more about the history of doctors!

It''s easy to take a pill when we aren''t feeling well. But did you know that the art of making medicines goes back thousands of years? Early remedies weren''t always so easy—or effective. Some seemed downright disgusting. Wine infused with a venomous snake was used to cure fatigue and hair loss. Snail slime soothed burns, and a mixture of ear wax and mud treated headaches. Discover more about how medicine was practiced centuries ago and how, eventually, scientists discovered some truly amazing remedies, from the magic bullet that treated syphilis to the insulin used for diabetes.

Meet some of the most interesting birds on Earth, and learn about their remarkable abilities—from elaborate nest-building and singing to logical thinking and language skills. Discover how these fascinating birds and others use their smarts and skills to thrive in diverse environments.

Meet some of the coolest land animals on Earth, and learn about their amazing abilities—from camouflage and communication to super senses and use of tools. Find out how these clever creatures and others use their smarts and skills to thrive in even the harshest environments.

Meet some of the most fascinating insects and arachnids on Earth, and learn about their incredible abilities—from building and weight-lifting to long-distance migration and hunting. Find out how these surprising creatures use their instincts and skills to thrive despite their small size.

"What do whales sing to one another? How are dolphins so brainy? Learn more about these fascinating underwater animals'' unique survival skills."--

It''s 1718 and the world goes dark for Jamie Flynn, who''s been snatched from the docks to join Blackbeard''s crew of the fearsome pirates. Join him on board as he learns to fight with a cutlass and pistol, and follow him as he storms a treasure ship and shares in the spoils. You''ll need your sea legs and strong nerves to live like a Caribbean pirate!

At the age of five, Takeshi joins the other youngsters in a samurai''s castle to train as a noble fighter. Join him in action as he fires arrows while riding on horseback and defeats three foes in bare-handed combat. Take on the samurai''s "way of the warrior" lifestyle and it will make you strong—but always remember that honor can be more important than life.