New Releases by Tom Jackson

The essential illustrated guide to the ingenious techniques that insects use to construct an astounding array of natural structures, from nests to shelters to traps Insect Architecture takes you inside the amazing structures that insects build, from the paper galleries of yellowjacket wasps to elaborate termite mounds complete with royal chambers and air-conditioning systems. Each chapter focuses on a group of insect architects, describing the materials and methods they use while exploring the structures themselves in detail. Blending spectacular illustrations with illuminating case studies of representative species from around the world, this is the ultimate guide to insect artistry and innovation. Features a wealth of color photos, explanatory diagrams and blueprints, step-by-step sequences, and visual spreads Covers all major groups of insect architects and the broad array of structures they build Explains how anatomy, life cycle, and habitat are the ingredients to extraordinary creations Profiles the insect world’s most accomplished builders—from beetles, bees, and cicadas to moths, wasps, ants, and termites Discusses the ecological impacts of insect architecture Reveals how insect builders have inspired human design innovations

The allosaurus is a fierce meat-eater with sharp claws and teeth that hunts in groups. The stegosaurus is a much heavier plant-eater covered in thick, protective plates. When these dinosaurs meet, there is a showdown! Learn about each dinosaur’s traits and discover which one of them will win in a fight to the death.

Look out! The spinosaurus was the largest hunting dinosaur ever. It lived by rivers near the suchomimus, another bloodthirsty killer with more than one hundred teeth. When these dinosaurs meet, they are never friendly! Which one of them will win this showdown?

The velociraptor was a fast, deadly hunter armed with long, hooked claws. The protoceratops was built to fight back, with an armored head, thick skin, and a strong bite. These dinosaurs were sworn enemies. Which one of them will win in a battle to the death?

There’s going to be a fight! The giganotosaurus was an enormous hunter that was as tall as a house. But it was small compared to the Argentinosaurus, probably the largest land animal that ever lived. When these dinosaurs meet there is going to be a battle! Which one will win?

The T. rex is the most well-known dinosaur, famous for being fierce! It had a strong jaw to bite prey, and it could run fast. The ankylosaurus was protected against attacks with armor plates and a heavy clubbed tail. These dinosaurs are going to fight! Which one of them will win?

The triceratops was a massive monster with three sharp horns on its face. The Edmontosaurus was even larger, and with its speed and thick skin, it couldn’t be pushed around easily. Neither the triceratops nor the Edmontosaurus ate meat. But in the fight to survive on scarce resources, these herbivores may have been compelled to fight. Who would win?

Explore reptiles and amphibians with the bestselling Magnificent Book of series. Stunning illustrations, fun facts, and a detailed map bring the subject to life for readers 8-12. High in the treetops and deep under the water, you''ll encounter dozens of captivating creatures. From the mighty Komodo dragon to the tiny red-eyed tree frog, this book captures the essence of reptiles and amphibians through stunning illustrations. Here you will see impressive snakes, snapping crocodiles, rare tortoises, and even a lizard with a false head! With beautiful illustrations, intriguing facts, and full-color, poster-sized illustrations, this is the ideal reference for the whole family. 36 ROCKS AND MINERALS: Learn about dozens of reptiles and amphibians, from the alligator snapping turtle to the king cobra. BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED: Vibrant, detailed images bring these incredible animals to life. A map at the back of the book shows where each creature can be found. FASCINATING FACTS: Includes hundreds of fascinating facts in an easy-to-read format that will enthrall budding herpetologists of all ages. COLLECT THE SERIES: More bestselling, beautifully illustrated compendiums for all ages include The Magnificent Book of Endangered Animals, The Magnificent Book of Butterflies and Moths, The Magnificent Book of Dinosaurs, The Magnificent Book of Sharks, and The Magnificent Book of Dragons

Drone racing is an exciting sport. Racers must pilot their drones around a fast-paced course while avoiding other drones. Don’t crash! To become a pro drone racing pilot takes a lot of practice. Pilots often start out racing on game consoles before trying out a real drone. The best pilots get to fly high-speed drones around racing arenas all over the world.

Audisee® eBooks with Audio combine professional narration and sentence highlighting for an engaging read aloud experience! Miley Cyrus looks up to Dolly Parton. But Parton isn''t just Cyrus''s godmother—she''s also her inspiration. From performing onscreen to creating music together, learn how they write songs, what their relationship is like, and how they give back to their fans.

Audisee® eBooks with Audio combine professional narration and sentence highlighting for an engaging read aloud experience! One of Beyoncé’s biggest idols is Whitney Houston. The two met in a hotel lobby for the first time when she was just fifteen, but even before then, Beyoncé was influenced by Houston’s singing. Discover how both artists made it big, how they stole every stage, and more.

The sport of robot obstacle courses is new but it already has many fans across the world. The goal is to get around a course or maze as quickly as possible. Don’t hit anything! Racers often build and program their own robots. In many races, the robots drive themselves and must find their own way around the course. Don’t get lost!

Audisee® eBooks with Audio combine professional narration and sentence highlighting for an engaging read aloud experience! Kendrick Lamar draws influences from many areas in his life when it comes to music, but his biggest inspiration is Tupac Shakur. Discover both performers'' history in the music industry, their lives offstage, and more with the help of captivating photos and accessible text.

The Bell family thought they were being haunted. For three years, an angry ghost bothered them. It finally stopped after the father died. Did the ghost kill him? What happened to the family? Can you solve the mystery?

Journey back in time to see the world’s most magnificent prehistoric beasts close up. The Magnificent Book of Prehistoric Beasts takes you on a journey back in time to an ancient world, where peculiar beasts roamed the Earth and swam in the seas. Meet the mighty woolly mammoth with its huge tusks for finding food, a saber-toothed cat with teeth as long as your arm, the Megalodon shark with a mouth big enough to swallow you whole, and the millipede Arthropleura with a body bigger than an adult human. Each prehistoric beast is depicted in stunning and accurate original illustrations. Find out about why the Trilobite’s legs had gills, how the giant fish Tiktaalik could walk on land, and why the elephant-sized slothlike Megatherium had such a long tongue. With stunning illustrations, intriguing facts, and full-color, poster-sized illustrations, this is the ideal reference for all the family. 36 PREHISTORIC BEASTS: Learn about dozens of ancient beasts, from Hallucigenia with its spiky, tentacled body shaped like a worm, to Titanoboa, the largest snake that''s ever existed. BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED: Vibrant, detailed images bring these incredible animals to life. FASCINATING FACTS: Includes hundreds of fascinating facts in an easy-to-read format that will enthrall animal lovers of all ages. MAP OF THE PREHISTORIC ANIMAL WORLD: A full-page color map shows where each animal lived in the ancient world. COLLECT THE SERIES: More beautifully illustrated compendiums for all ages include The Magnificent Book of Animals, The Magnificent Book of Extinct Animals, The Magnificent Book of Dangerous Animals, The Magnificent Book of Sharks, and The Magnificent Book of Birds.

NEW 2024 UPDATED EDITION Here is the essential guide to engineering, an authoritative reference book and timeline about how technology has given shape to our civilization. Engineering predates humanity; Homo habilis was knapping hand axes from fist-sized flints more than a thousand centuries before the dawn of modern humans. Admittedly the development of technology was slow back then--but we''ve made up for lost time since. Striding from the Stone Age to Silicon Valley in 100 steps, we will see how our inventors have seized every scientific breakthrough, new material, and better under-standing to improve daily life and expand the scope of civilization. From reshaping rivers and containing the forces of nature to constructing artificial lifeforms and perhaps one day even taming alien planets, engineers think big. These men and women of action make our world. A guide to each field of engineering and the materials they employ gives and insight into their achievements, their limits, and what might come next. Includes biographies of the great engineers, such as Archimedes, Tesla, and Watt, showing the inspirations that lay behind their goals. A graphical representation of engineering milestones, showing the first, biggest, and fastest from across the field boosts the contents for all readers. Includes a 12-page fold-out Timeline - stretches out to 8.5 feet (2.6 meters) long.

Volcano Atlas shows you how volcanoes are formed, the most violent eruptions in history, and how future eruptions may change the world as we know it!

''Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less'' Marie Curie The Short Story of Science is a new introduction to the complete subject of science. Covering 60 key experiments, from Archimedes'' investigations of buoyancy to the discovery of dark matter, and then linking these to the history of science, as well as to the key theories and methods, the book simplifies and explains all the key breakthroughs. Accessible and concise, generously illustrated throughout, and with all the essential information presented without jargon, readers are given all the tools they need to enjoy the fascinating history of scientific knowledge.

Meet fire-breathing dragons, magical fairies, ancient monsters, and shapeshifting spirits as you take a journey through the fantastic realm of legend, myth, and folklore. From the blood-sucking vampire and the three-headed dog Cerberus to the beautiful unicorn and the powerful centaur, a myriad of fantasy creatures from across the globe and many different cultures are brought to life in this large-format volume bursting with detailed full-color images. Fascinating facts accompany each illustration, so you can find out why looking at a basilisk means certain death, where to find a Yeti, and why you should never disturb an ogre. DOZENS OF FANTASY CREATURES: Learn about 36 giants, spirits, demons, and monsters. BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED: Vibrant, detailed images bring these creatures of myth, folklore, and legend to life. FASCINATING FACTS: Includes hundreds of fascinating facts in an easy-to-read format that will enthral mythology lovers of all ages. CLASSROOM TO COFFEE TABLE: This beautiful volume is equally at home on a school bookshelf to support student learning as in a living room to be enjoyed by the whole family. COLLECT THE SERIES: More fascinating compendiums for all ages include The Magnificent Book of Monsters, The Magnificent Book of Dragons, The Magnificent Book of Extinct Animals, and The Magnificent Book of Sharks, and more!

A richly illustrated guide to the marvelously diverse plankton of the world and their fundamental role in planetary food webs Plankton are the unsung heroes of planet Earth. Passive drifters through the world’s seas, oceans, and freshwater environments, most are invisible or very small, but some are longer than a whale. They are the global ocean’s foundation food, supporting almost all oceanic life, and they are also vitally important for land-based plants, animals, and other organisms. Plankton provides an incomparable look at these remarkable creatures, opening a window on the elegance and grace of microscopic marine life. This engaging book reveals the amazing diversity of plankton, how they belong to a wide range of living groups, and how their ecology, lifestyles, and adaptations have evolved to suit an enormous range of conditions. It looks at plankton life cycles, the different ways plankton feed and grow, and the vast range of strategies they use for reproduction. It tracks where, how, and why plankton drift through the water; shares perspectives on migrations and population explosions or “blooms” and why they happen; and discusses the life-sustaining role of plankton in numerous intertwined food webs throughout the world. Beautifully illustrated, Plankton sheds critical light on how global warming, pollution, diminishing resources, and overexploitation will adversely impact planktonic life, and how these effects will reverberate to every corner of our planet.

Taking readers deep beneath the surface of the world''s oceans and seas where they''ll meet 36 magnificent marine creatures, including whales, sea turtles, humpback anglerfish and sea otters, this beautiful book is overflowing with hundreds of facts as well as poster-sized illustrations.

Take a journey around the world to visit some awesome buildings. Look at the view from the world’s tallest skyscraper, explore underground rooms where everything is made from salt, and check out a building that appears to be inside out! Travel across the globe to learn about these places and more. Let the adventure begin!

Take a journey across the world ... and into the wild. Explore Earth''s weirdest forests, plants that kill, and more in this engaging text. Visit a woodland of golden trees that is actually one vast plant, an underwater seaweed forest, and the world’s largest flower—which smells like rotten meat! With full-color photographs and a traveler''s checklist, travel across the globe to learn about the world of amazing plants. Let the adventure begin!

Take a journey across the world to places ruled by animals. Discover a land where dragons roam, an icy beach where penguins gather, and an island where millions of crabs march to the sea. Travel across the globe to learn about these places, and more. Full-color photographs and fun traveler''s checklists help bring these amazing places to you. Let the adventure begin!

This expansive guide to endangered animals answers all these questions and more as you journey around the world and marvel at the biodiversity of the planet, and how much it needs to be protected. An important yet gentle introduction to the impact of climate change and human activity on the environment, it explores how everyone can help save our planet and enjoy its beauty.

"Travel back in time to meet the most magnificent dinosaurs in close up. The Magnificent Book of Dinosaurs takes you back to prehistoric times to meet 36 incredible beasts. From the terrifying T. rex to the speedy Velociraptor, this book depicts some of the most incredible dinosaurs in stunning and accurate original illustrations. Intriguing facts accompany every illustration, so you can learn which is the largest land predator ever found, how the feathered Deinonychus kept its huge hooked claws sharp, and why Triceratops had a large bony frill. This is the perfect book for dinosaur-lovers everywhere."--

Learn how to collect the evidence and crack the case in Basher’s eye-opening guide to the world of forensic science. - What secrets do Tyre Track, Fingerprint and Bloodspatter hold? - How do DNA Collection and DNA Profiling help identify criminals? - Why are maggots, flies and beetles Forensic Entomologist’s best friends? With age-appropriate real-world examples, Basher’s world of forensic science has the answers to these questions, and more. Every crime scene is laced with traces left behind by the people doing wrong. Bagged, tagged and analysed, these traces help investigators work out how a crime unfolded. From Protective Clothing and Ballistics to Facial Recognition and Fire Investigator, Basher introduces the key players at the crime scene, back in the lab or out in the field. Look inside to get the lowdown on their crime-solving skills! Perfect for home or school, Basher''s highly original books have sold over 3 million copies worldwide. They make difficult concepts tangible, understandable and even lovable. Chatty first-person text and stylish, contemporary character illustrations give a voice, personality and story to each topic – a brilliant way to communicate science.

"The Magnificent Book of Animals takes you across the globe, from the Arctic tundra to the African savanna, to meet 36 fascinating animals. Intriguing facts accompany every illustration, so you can learn how a tiger marks its territory, why a polar bear isn''t really white, and how long a giraffe''s tongue actually is. From the tiny Rondo dwarf bush baby to the massive white rhinoceros, this book depicts some of the world''s most incredible animals in stunning and accurate original illustrations. This is the perfect book for animal lovers everywhere." --

Things are heating up, but not in a good way! Every year, millions of people across the globe find themselves at the mercy of Heat Wave, Drought, or Flood—they’re friends of Climate Change, who is wreaking havoc on our planet. Step inside to learn more about these extreme characters. But first, let Weather System, Seasons, and Climate tell you how weather works. Find out just what it is about Climate Change that is making things more intense. And, whatever you do, don’t panic! Just as there are troublemakers in this turbulent world, there are heroes who want to calm things down: Flood Defenses and Firefighting will bring you up to speed. Basher Science Mini: Extreme Weather gives kids the lowdown on one of the most pressing problems that we face: extreme weather. Basher''s unique illustrations combine with chatty, first-person text by expert author Tom Jackson to hook even the most reluctant readers and help them to understand the science behind the headlines. Perfect for home or school, Basher''s highly original books make difficult concepts tangible, understandable, and even lovable. With sales of over 3 million copies around the world, they are a brilliant way to communicate science, history, and geography.

Filled with bite-size facts and amazing original illustrations, the Small and Mighty range is the ultimate pocket-sized collectible series for young readers who can''t get enough of their favorite topic. In The Small and Mighty Book of the Human Body, readers can learn all about the weird and wonderful human body, discovering everything from how we see, smell and taste to how our muscles work. Packed full of interesting facts and information about the body, as well as fun, highly detailed illustrations, this book will answer any questions a curious mind might have about exactly how the body works.