New Releases by Ruth Owen

Plants, animals, humans—all living things need water to survive. But what is this essential substance made of and why is it able to change from a liquid to a solid to a gas and back again? In this book, young students will carry out a series of fun and innovative experiments to learn all about water. What are water molecules and how do they behave? Why does water seem to disappear when it is warmed by sunshine? Why does water suddenly appear from nowhere on the sides of a cold soda can? How do rain and snow get up into the sky? And how does water travel through the parts of a plant and even through the cells in your body? Budding young scientists will love messing with water as they learn all about liquids, solids, and gases, evaporation and condensation, and the water cycle. They will ask questions, make observations, gather evidence, test theories, and record their conclusions. Students will also use scientific equipment and build and practice their science vocabulary.

Have you ever noticed a yellow dandelion growing from a crack in the sidewalk? It may be hard to believe, but this little wild plant has a very important role to play in its habitat. As readers spend 24 hours with a dandelion, they will discover: how dandelion nectar is an essential food for bumblebees in early spring. how a dandelion''s juicy leaves, stems, and flowers are food for many different munching critters. how the fluffy, flyaway seeds can become a meal for many creatures, such as ants, birds, and mice. This book is packed with core science vocabulary and a perfect introduction to plant lives and life cycles. The carefully leveled text and beautiful images are a great way to get young readers enthused about nonfiction books and will get little nature fans seeing the humble dandelion in a whole new light.

In spring, the garden bursts into life. Mo discovers how daffodils and other plants grow from bulbs, and the friends plant flower and vegetable seeds for the summer. The garden''s birds are busy building nests. And insects, spiders, and other minibeasts appear from their winter hiding places.

Everyone loves being wowed and tricked by hard-to-spot animals, and this book doesn''t disappoint. Each double-page spread presents a stunning photo of a camouflaged animal hiding in plain sight in its backyard habitat—if you can find it!

If you love spiders, or if you are terrified of spiders, or if you just want to be mind-boggled by some incredible arachnid facts, this book is for you! These little eight-legged creatures are often the stuff of people''s nightmares, but spiders are amazing animals that are essential for our world. In this book, spiders set out to convince their human doubters that they really aren''t out to scare or harm people. In fact, they are far too busy weaving beautiful silk structures, hunting, keeping insect pests under control, and raising their young to want to frighten humans. Meet some weird and wonderful spiders, including bat-eating spiders, scuba-diving spiders, and spiders that disguise themselves as poop Learn how spiders are essential to ecosystems everywhere Investigate why some people are afraid of spiders And celebrate the lives of these little animals that so often get ignored or are dismissed as scary Told from a spider''s point of view, this fascinating, fact-packed celebration of spiders is determined to turn kids everywhere into spider fans and protectors.

In this book, readers will explore a forest at night and discover how the nocturnal animals that make it their home form an ecosystem and rely on their habitat and each other for survival. This title cleverly takes young readers on a mini safari through a dark forest making connections between the plants, animals, and other living things that call it home. Packed with curriculum science information See how forest animals make their homes and what they eat Learn about the animals’ life cycles Discover how the animals use the forest’s trees as places to find food and shelter Controlled vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure Beautiful, labeled photographs throughout Close photo/text match Includes a nocturnal animals food web diagram Filled with facts about the natural world, this title is perfect for students studying habitats, animal and plant life cycles, and ecosystems.

Two groups of friends. Two tiny seedlings. And one BIG dream of a greener, tree-filled future. This engaging, science-packed picture book follows two very different groups of young friends as they each plant a tree and then share their excitement through a series of pen pal letters. In the USA, five friends plant an acorn that grows into an oak tree seedling. They learn about their tree''s life cycle and how it will become an ecosystem that gives food and a home to birds, insects, and other animals. In Senegal, Africa, five friends plant an acacia tree as part of Africa''s Great Green Wall Project. They learn how their tree will nourish the soil, trap water, shade the hot land, and help their village grow crops. Both groups of friends also discover that their trees will help fight climate change! A narrative story supported with high-interest science fact boxes Perfect for nonfiction reading Supports curriculum learning about plant life cycles Includes a "Plant an Oak Tree" project Beautiful mixed media images using illustration, photos, and collage This uplifting celebration of trees will encourage young readers to not only notice, value, and enjoy these giants of the plant kingdom, but also want to plant a tree themselves.

This vibrant, colorful science book brings STEM to life and gets students thinking and working like scientists as they investigate how animals, plants, and microbes make their homes in tiny microhabitats. The book will get readers asking and answering questions, making observations, collecting, recording, and analyzing data, performing tests, using scientific language and equipment, and having fun with experiments and science activities. Learn about the fungi, insects, and other minibeasts that make a compost heap their home. See the microscopic animals that inhabit moss and muddy puddles. Learn how the body of a dead whale becomes a home and food for animals at the bottom of the ocean. And discover some of the microhabitats on and inside the human body. Throughout readers will explore how living things rely on their microhabitat for survival. The book is supported with free, downloadable worksheets, activities, and resources for teachers. Packed with facts and incredible close-up photographs, this title is perfect for non-fiction reading and gives students and teachers a fresh and exciting approach to the topic of habitats.

Readers are sure to have a frighteningly fun time making Halloween crafts when they follow this spooky guide to origami. Witches, ghosts, and black cats are just some of the fun paper folding projects to be found. Readers can even make their own chilling monster claws! The step-by-step instructions are supplemented by helpful visual examples, and important tips and materials lists help readers prepare for their projects. Fun facts about Halloween are also included, making this both an educational reading experience and an artistic adventure.

High above the rest of the world, many animals make their homes in Earth’s mountains, content in a habitat that would challenge many others. In this book, readers will learn more about creatures such as mountain goats, leopards, and yaks through exciting facts and full-color photos—and they’ll also learn how to create their own paper replicas of these amazing creatures. Clear instructions and illustrations will show young crafters how to use the art of origami to make their own mountain animals.

Would you like your own mighty elephant sitting on your desk? Maybe if it’s a paper elephant! In this book, readers will learn to turn sheets of paper into grassland animals such as giraffes, zebras—and, yes, elephants! Each origami project features simple instructions and clear illustrations, as well as photos of the real animals to intrigue those interested in these magnificent creatures.

What’s under the sea? A lot of fascinating animals! Readers of this book will learn how to fold origami versions of many of these creatures--including whales, crabs, and fish--while also learning facts about the animals and their lives in the ocean. Illustrations will guide them on each step, and color photographs of the real animals in their natural ocean habitat help readers make meaningful connections with the text.

Practical jokes and pranks can be fun to plan and even more fun to carry out! Readers are introduced to safe and funny tricks and jokes that they can use on family and friends in this creative DIY guide. As they explore each set of step-by-step instructions, they master another round of hilarious hijinks while also practicing independent reading and following directions. Safety tips and materials lists help ensure that each prank happens safely and successfully, and colorful photographs make this reading experience even more enjoyable.

Swoop, snatch, slurp, suck—welcome to the world of bats. Join the natural world''s only flying mammals on their night-time flights as they use echolocation to hunt for insects, feed on fruit or nectar, and even suck blood from other living animals. The exceptional photography in this book will allow young readers to examine these beautiful creatures up close, learn about their physical characteristics and see how they are adapted to obtain food and live in their varied habitats. Bat life cycles will also feature with stunning imagery of moms and pups. The book supports learning across all areas of life sciences curriculum. After reading, put your knowledge to the test with a simple science project.

Why do racing cyclists crouch low over their handlebars to go faster? Why do you fall back down when you bounce on a trampoline? And why does the refrigerator door close as if it''s being pulled by something invisible? The answer is forces. Gravity, friction, gears, pulleys, levers, and magnets are all explored in this title. Readers will learn how trainee astronauts experience "zero gravity" on the aircraft known as the "vomit comet," how air resistance protected the Curiosity rover during its landing on Mars, why magnets are used at recycling plants, and how trains powered by magnets may one day travel at thousands of miles per hour!

Imagine a giant flying creature as big as a plane. It''s time to meet the enormous flying reptiles that swooped through the skies during the time of the dinosaurs. Each title in this new series digs deep into one fascinating area of the Dinosphere. The expertly crafted text with strong visual cues to support new vocabulary will engage early readers as they build their reading confidence. This 24-page book features controlled text with age-appropriate vocabulary and simple, clear sentences. A fresh design and fantastic artwork closely align with the descriptive text that will captivate young readers.

In this title, join a tiny harvest mouse as she munches on blackberries, crunches on grasshoppers, weaves a nest from grass in a wheat field, and raises her family. The book combines repetitive text with high-frequency and familiar sight words. Unfamiliar vocabulary is supported by detailed photographic images with labels, close photo/text matches, and a picture glossary.

They came from the icy north of Europe. They were skillful sailors and fearsome warriors. They were traders, explorers, and ruthless raiders. Armed with axes, spears, and swords, they attacked from the sea, stealing treasure and capturing prisoners. They were the Vikings!

In days gone by, fearsome armies of warriors did battle in Japan. The warriors fought with swords, spears, and bows and arrows. They were highly skilled, brave, and brutal. They lived and died by the rules of a strict warrior code. They were the samurai—those who serve.

In this title, join a tiny stag beetle as he grows from a larva that lives underground, to an adult insect. Watch as the stag beetle emerges from the dirt and flies through the forest, ready to do battle with other males, using his magnificent stag-like antlers. The book combines repetitive text with high-frequency and familiar sight words. Unfamiliar vocabulary is supported by detailed photographic images with labels, close photo/text matches, and a picture glossary.

Ghosts, witches, pumpkins, and candy are great baking inspiration. This book is chock-full of themed Halloween recipes for young bakers to tackle during the spookiest time of the year. Including baked items for every taste preference, this book breaks down each yummy recipe into an easy-to-follow set of instructions, as well as provides an ingredient and equipment list. Safety tips remind readers to ask for help with sharp or hot baking tools, but recipes have been specially chosen to be appropriate for young bakers of all experience levels.

Specially created to support early years teaching, this beautiful new words and pictures book is perfect for children learning to read. As young readers turn the pages, they will have lots of opportunities to: practice counting 1 to 20; understand more or less; practice adding and subtracting; solve problems including doubling, halving, and sharing.

Specially created to support early years teaching, this beautiful new words and pictures book is perfect for children learning to read. As young readers turn the pages, they will have lots of opportunities to: explore a wide variety of colors in everyday life; understand color, design, texture, form, and function; explore and discuss how ideas are presented through art; understand the use of tools (such as pencils) and materials (such as paper and fabric).

Specially created to support early years teaching, this beautiful new words and pictures book is perfect for children learning to read. As young readers turn the pages, they will have lots of opportunities to: tell and understand time; explore the importance of physical exercise, healthy eating, basic hygiene, and keeping healthy and safe; understand behavior and consequences; find out about technology in homes and schools; and look at the similarities and differences between everyday places and objects all over the world.

In a world of technology and pollution, gardening is a therapeutic and green hobby that anyone can enjoy. This accessible guide helps readers blossom into masterful gardeners with ease! Engaging projects and gardening crafts will entice even reluctant readers to try out their green thumbs. Charmingly designed, helpful visuals and simple step-by-step instructions make projects easy and fun. Readers will love innovative and eco-friendly activities, such as upcycling old rain boots into delightful flowerpots! They�ll gain confidence in their gardening skills and creativity. Projects act as springboards to help readers design and cultivate their own unique gardens. With inspiring ideas and easy instructions, this introduction to gardening will be popular in any library.

Most reptiles aren''t thought of as cute and cuddly, but when made out of paper crafts, it''s a whole other story. This accessible introduction to origami reptiles is the perfect way for readers to slither into this peaceful craft. In addition to a plethora of step-by-step projects, this fun guide is stuffed with cool facts about Earth''s reptiles. Readers will learn about these amazing creatures as they fold their own paper playmates and create a reptilian world of beautiful objects. Full of interesting information and accessible projects, this guide will be a favorite in any library or classroom.

In this title, readers will investigate and discover a range of animal life cycles. How does a tadpole become a frog? In what ways do lambs, puppies, baby mice, woodpecker chicks, and caterpillars change and grow? And how do animals care for their young?

What plants and animals live in a garden? What do the living things in this habitat need from their environment? And who eats who in a garden ecosystem? In this title, readers will investigate simple food chains and natural habitats, including a garden, forest, tide pool, desert, and even a tree stump micro-habitat.

Instead of wood or plastic, imagine a woven Easter basket made of duct tape! Using materials from around the house, including recycled items, the crafts in this book are sure to make preparing for Easter even more fun. Readers are guided by detailed step-by-step instructions to create table centerpieces for Easter dinner, try great twists on traditional painted eggs, and more. Spring can be a rainy time of year, but these Easter crafts can help readers pass afternoons inside with creativity, imagination, and practice reading and following directions.

Ghosts, pumpkins, spiders, and witches are great subjects for Halloween craft projects. Through the step-by-step directions in this book, readers can take on a plethora of fun crafts to celebrate the spookiest holiday, including a witchu0092s hat piñata, a spider bracelet made from duct tape, and a pumpkin candy dispenser made from recycled cardboard boxes. Whether Halloween is soon or itu0092s simply a rainy day, these crafts engage readers of all ages with their simplicity and the ability of each crafter to make the project uniquely theirs.