Most Popular Books by Louise Spilsbury

Examines how people use the earth''s natural resources such as water, trees, air, and oil.

This volume provides a basic history of the printing press, and the printing industry.

Describes the world of plants and the various parts of specific plants, such as flower, seed, roots, trunk, and more.

All birds lay eggs, have feathers, and are warm-blooded. But even though they have these characteristics in common, birds are incredibly diverse in appearance, behaviors, and unique abilities. Giant wingspans, dizzying flying altitudes, and many more amazing facts are packed into this richly illustrated edition that brings the wonder of the skies to land-bound readers.

How did ancient people manage to find light sources? How do we know about light-based theories such as prisms? This fascinating book looks at the historical controversies that surround the discovery and theories of light and tells the stories of the scientists who worked on them. It also examines how the different theories based on light were arrived at, how they were tested, and what impact these theories and discoveries have had on our understanding of science today.

This book explores the fun parts about keeping mice as pets, and looks at their natural behavior. It describes how to properly care for a mouse including feeding, grooming, and health problems.

Discusses the invention and evolution of the airplane.

Search and rescue pilots do a tough and dangerous job. They fly into risky situations and put their lives on the line to save others. Search and rescue pilots must be team players, trustworthy, and brave. Readers will learn this and more as they are introduced to these community heroes. Readers get a glimpse at a day in the life of a search and rescue pilot and the requirements one must meet to become one. The text covers flying techniques, specialized equipment, and tasks such as search missions, sea rescue, and flying into combat zones. Readers can evaluate the risks and rewards of this career to determine if they want to pursue this heroic job one day. Fascinating photographs, sidebars, and fact boxes supplement the text’s information-rich content.

Sound produces some of the greatest joys in our lives. From the music we love to the mere sound of laughter, the vibrations our ears pick up play a major role in our life experience. This book shows readers just what sound is, how it travels, and how our ears understand the sounds that surround us all. Innovative flowcharts throughout the book give readers a fun alternative to plain text, showing the science of sound with vibrant colors and interesting fact boxes.

The place where plants live and grow is called their habitat. Different types of plants grow all over the world in many different kinds of habitats. Plants need light and water to live. Some habitats are cold and dark. Others may be hot and dry. Plants have different ways of surviving in these different habitats.

What is an alveolus? Why does blood look red? How can we keep our lungs healthy? The Human Machine asks the questions that young people want answered. Each chapter contains a different question, so readers can develop their knowledge.

The Children in Our World non-fiction picture book series helps children make sense of the larger issues and crises that dominate the news in a sensitive and appropriate manner. With relatable comparisons, carefully researched text and striking illustrations, children can begin to understand what racism and intolerance are, how they affect children, adults and daily life, and how readers can help. Where issues aren''t appropriate to describe in words, award-winning illustrator, Hanane Kai, uses striking and sensitive illustrations help children visualise they ways in which racism and intolerance affect people all around the world with images that are suited to their age and disposition. The series forms an excellent cross-curricular resource that looks at refugees, war, poverty and racism making them ideal for tying into discussions on race, ethnicity and current affairs.

Readers will learn about how mixtures and solutions are made and measured; what makes dissolving easier; how we can separate mixtures and solutions; what air is made from; and more.

Its ability to change colors is the first thing most people think of when it comes to chameleons. But did you know that a chameleon’s eyes can swivel independently of each other to look in two directions at once? The impressive, creepy, and weird things that reptiles do are compiled here and guarantee that readers will be left mesmerized and with a greater understanding of animal adaptations.

Looks at the impact of tourism around the globe and in such specific places as Mexico, Cyprus, and Kenya.

Discusses how people make sense of Earth by making maps and introduces globes, flat maps, and scale.

Police officers are some of our communities’ most important people. These men and women put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe and protect the people living in them. Readers learn about the life of police officers and the tough and unique tasks they face. Readers will learn what it takes to become a police officer and the paths they can take to one day have a career in law enforcement. Specialized careers—such as crime scene investigators, detectives, and animal-focused jobs—are examined in depth. The text also covers high-interest topics such as police equipment, crime fighting, and the risks and rewards that accompany this career. The main text is enriched by instructive diagrams, informative sidebars, and helpful fact boxes.

Teaches about tsunamis including the causes, after effects, and major storms in history.

Emergency medical technicians are heroes on the move. As first responders, they have to stay calm and act quickly. They also need to operate complex equipment and do everything they can to save lives, all while under extreme pressure. Readers will get a glimpse at the exhilarating life of this heroic career, learning what it takes to be an EMT and what a typical day is like. This information-rich text covers training, specializations, certifications, and the steps necessary for getting involved in this career that counts. Readers will learn about the risks and rewards of being an EMT and are encouraged to think about if they, one day, could join their community’s team of heroes. Fact boxes, sidebars, and helpful infographics provide opportunities for additional learning.

Why do bees live in a colony? What is a waggle dance? Why do bees fan their nest? Find the answers to these and many more questions in A Colony of Bees. Some insects live alone, but most bees live in large groups called colonies. Read this book to look at the fascinating life and habits of bees and to see how a colony works.

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.

Jump into the past and visit the world of the mysterious Mayans. Get the lowdown on gruesome sacrifice. Discover why the Mayans wore the heads of their enemies. Take a peek inside the world of the spooky Mayan priest, find out why children were cross-eyed, and discover the world''s first chocolate money as you hunt down the secrets of the dead!

Describes the physical characteristics, life cycle, habitat, and individual and group behavior of the chimpanzee.

Describes how rocks become soil, the importance of soil in the environment, and the physical characteristics of different kinds of soils.

Not only are Froghoppers capable of concealing themselves within in a blanket of their own bubbly spit, they can also jump 140 times their body length. That’s the equivalent of a human jumping over a skyscraper! Think that’s interesting? It’s just the beginning of the unbelievable things that insects can do. From moths to ants to beetles, insects may be small in size but they’re giants in terms of their talents.

What are food chains like in different habitats? Who eats whom in forests? Why are decomposers so important? Investigate the curious world of life science. Find out for yourself about food chains and webs through activities that you can do at home. Learn about where all food chains and webs start. See which animals are at the top of a tundra food web. This book will show you the importance of investigating and understanding the world around you.

Visit the vicious Vikings and find out how these fearsome warriors lived! Learn about Viking loot and terrorizing raids. Discover the Viking gods and the mysteries of their afterlife. Read amazing Viking stories, find out about deadly blood feuds, and learn what would happen to you if you became a Viking slave as you hunt down the secrets of the dead!

Traces the evolution of the submarine, discussing the people, problems, discoveries, and future development of this technology.

Describes the characteristics and habitat of black rhinoceroses, and discusses the activities that threaten their existence and the ways these animals are being saved.

Is bamboo really as strong as steel? Do some flowers stink so bad that they attract flies? Can water lilies actually grow up to eight feet across? Find out these answers and more in this book. The facts and images will educate, shock, and fascinate budding botanists.

Describes the physical characteristics, habitat, and behaviors of emperor penguins.

Large bodies of water are all around us: rivers flow through our towns and cities, inland lakes collect pools of fresh water, and the salty ocean covers nearly two-thirds of the Earth’s surface. In this volume, readers will learn about the importance of these three natural sources of water, as well as their similarities and differences. Emphasis is also placed on the relationship between humans and these various water sources, both in terms of constructive use of these precious resources and the risks inherent in pollution. Readers will walk away with a better comprehension of the science behind bodies of water and the delicate balance of the ecosystem.

This book surveys the many uses of plants, including nutrition, fuel, building, gardening, and medicine.

Introduces bees, describing the different types of bees that live in a hive, how they make honey, and how the honey is collected by beekeepers.

Introduces sound and how it is made, explaining how sound waves travel through the air, and includes activities to help readers understand how to make sound.

What''s at the bottom of the Southern Ocean? Which rare animals are found in the Ross Sea? What do people use krill for?

Provides a series of questions and answers describing the importance of vegetables products in a balanced diet; and includes photographs, diagrams, and charts to encourage readers to cook and eat smart.

Where is the deepest point on Earth? How are tsunamis caused? Why do some people live in houses on stilts?

Contents include: What are Entomologists?; How do Entomologists study insects?; What have Entomologists discovered?; How do people become Entomologists?; an insect key.