Best Selling Books by Chris Oxlade

This series offers a clear introduction to simple machines - what they are, what they''re made of, and how we use them in today''s world. Exciting examples of each machine''s applications draw on the world familiar to a child - machines that we use all the time, including some that may be hidden in houshold objects or everyday fixtures. Amazing machine facts illustrate how we use machines to do tasks that would otherwise be difficult or impossible.

Each book in this series examines a key utility used by the average household. This book looks at garbage and recycling, and examines what they are, what happens to garbage when it is taken away, and environmental issues arising from the ways we dispose of garbage and choose to recycle in our homes.

Describes the properties and the many uses of wood.

Do you know that computers were only invented within the past 100 years? And that the smartphone was only recently invented, in the mid-1990s? Yet today, computers and other devices are everywhere in our lives--in classrooms, homes, and public places. From the first calculating machines made of cogs and wheels during the 1640s to virtual reality headsets such as Oculus Rift, this book charts the incredible history of computers.

How do planes fly? How many people can an ultralight carry? How does a space shuttle land? Planes looks at types of planes that are used for travel, work, and fun. Jet airliners fly thousands of feet above the ground. Harrier jets can take off without a runway. Some planes even go out into space. Each book contains: a timeline so the reader can put the developments into context, a glossary for explanations of some difficult words, an index for easy reference. Book jacket.

A young reader''s guide to understanding metal properties and uses that vary from ball bearings to jet engines.

Examines the evolution of the car, its design, and how vehicles affect today''s world.

Explains what a hurricane is, how it develops, and how it is measured, and describes ways to stay protected during a hurricane.

Learn about igneous rocks, what they are and how they are formed.

Traces the history of artificial lighting and the invention of the light bulb.

Presents an introduction to mixing and separating, describing how materials can change into something else by separating the pieces of one material or mixing two materials together; and includes simple experiments using household items.

Provides an overview of metamorphic rocks including how they are formed, where they are found, their characteristics, history, significance, and uses.

"This beginning chapter book introduces children to ins and outs of being a firefighter."--Amazon.com.

Contains examples of different emergency vehicles, telling how they work and what they are used for.

Provides information on friction and resistance.

Making Machines with Screws looks at everything from lifting, gripping and fixing with screws to the role of screws in more complex machines, such as microscopes.

Each application of materials acts as a starting point for learning about the properties of each material. For example, why is glass used in windows but not used to make shoes? For a unique perspective, "Don''t Use It" boxes describe how the matieral shouldn''t be used.

The mystery of the Bermuda Triangle has puzzled people for many years. Can ships and planes really disappear without a trace? If so, is there a strange, unknown force at work? Can we get to the bottom of this mystery using science and logic, or will it continue to mystify us forever? Discover all of the theories, from the reasonable to the ridiculous, then decide for yourself what to believe. Learn how scientists analyze and explain fakes and hoaxes. This book includes eyewitness accounts, dramatic photographs, up-to-date information, a glossary, further resources, and web search tips.

Did a meteor kill off the dinosaurs? What is the theory of an impact winter? What can fossils tell us? Some things are so strange that they cannot be explained. This series explains the connection between science and natural phenomena and how science can be used to try to explain mysteries.

Uses familiar examples to explain the science of crime detection, covering such aspects as fingerprints, clues in the human body, chemical evidence, and computers.