New Releases by John Farndon

Explore rocks and minerals with the bestselling Magnificent Book of series. Stunning illustrations, fun facts, and a detailed map bring the subject to life for readers 8-12. Delve beneath the earth’s surface to discover the wonders that hide there, from glittering minerals to stunning patterned rocks. See the watermelon colors of tourmaline, the shimmering glow of beryl, and the radiant beauty of amethyst. Each rock and mineral is depicted in stunning and accurate original illustrations. Find out how these incredible natural creations are formed, why they are such vivid colors, and why some are so rare. With incredible illustrations, intriguing facts, and full-color, poster-sized illustrations, The Magnificent Book of Rocks and Minerals is the ideal reference for the whole family. 36 ROCKS AND MINERALS: Learn about dozens of rocks and minerals, from the shining emerald to the huge crystals of fluorite. BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED: Vibrant, detailed images bring these incredible rocks and minerals to life. A map at the back of the book shows where each specimen can be found. FASCINATING FACTS: Includes hundreds of fascinating facts in an easy-to-read format that will enthrall budding geologists and petrologists 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.

What''s in Your Guts? is a fantastic introduction to the science behind the human digestive system for young kids. Hilarious, colorful illustrations and an engaging question-and-answer format makes this key subject fun and accessible for even the most reluctant readers. It''s also packed with plenty of giggle-worthy gross bits that kids love to read about! Stuff kids want to know, that need an answer... how does your body turn food into poop? why do farts smell bad? why do we need to pee, it''s sometimes very inconvenient! what''s so good about our liver? Find the answers to these questions and much more! With so many fun facts to uncover, science has never been more fun!

From wild tornadoes to blinding blizzards, learn what makes our climate and weather work in this stunning visual guide. Fiercer hurricanes, hungrier wildfires, flash floods, and desertification are becoming a part of daily life as our climate shifts and changes. Weather covers the most important areas of this timely topic, delivering up-to-date expert information on everything from the water cycle to winds, cloud galleries, fog, and snow, and from extreme weather like hurricanes, supercell tornadoes, firestorms, and dust storms to the people who predict them and try to save others.Beautifully laid out images of weather objects and processes using satellite imagery, time-lapse photography, and eyewitness reportage put readers in the eye of the storm for close-up learning. A must-read for curious young scientists interested in the weather systems that shape our world.

Beautifully illustrated, packed with maps and diagrams, and containing up-to-date data on the status of endangered marine species, Atlas of Oceans is a celebration of Earth''s vibrant and awe-inspiring oceans and seas and an urgent call to action to protect one of our planet''s most vital resources. A tragedy is playing out beneath the surface of the world''s bodies of marine waters, one that began long before the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Although many books have explored the environmental problems being faced on land, Atlas of Oceans is the first one for a general audience that examines how creatures of the marine environment are, if anything, more vulnerable than their land-based counterparts. Fully illustrated with stunning photography of the most interesting aquatic areas, including: â??Ocean currents and climate Changing shorelines Tropical and polar waters Layers in the ocean Black and Caspian Sea Wildlife and habitat focuses And many more! You will be introduced to the dazzling diversity of creatures that inhabit the oceans and seas, and to the nature of the problems they face. Special features focus on the threats to particular animals, plants, and habitats, as well as on specific issues like over-fishing, global warming, and pollution. The book also includes success stories, recommendations for what can be done to preserve ocean ecosystems, and a complete rundown of the most endangered species of marine life. Explore Earth''s oceans and discover all that there is to preserve in Atlas of Oceans.

In this fascinating introduction to Planet Earth, large, colorful diagrams are brought to life by tiny people running around performing the actions that are explained in the text. With Earth’s processes visualized in this imaginative and fun way and accompanied by bite-sized, informative text, even complex ideas are easy to understand. Readers can take an in-depth look at the workings of our planet, from the water cycle and the atmosphere, to how the seasons change and why hurricanes happen. Double gatefolds give a large space in which to explore complex processes such as the rock cycle and evolution. A follow-up to the successful book, Stuff You Need to Know About the Human Body.

Go on a globetrotting adventure with the Smithsonian! Head off on a globetrotting adventure in this interactive atlas! Learn about the diverse cultures, customs, wildlife, and natural beauty that form our world through informative text and full-color photograph. Children will love the hands-on aspect to learning as they blow up their inflatable globe and build the cardstock models of some of the wonders of the world. Smithsonian Exploration Station: World Atlas is the perfect way to engage kids in the amazing world around them! Includes a 56-page fact book, 30 stickers, 1 inflatable globe, and 3 cardstock models to assemble: the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal, and a Mayan pyramid.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Step back into the recent past and discover the moments that defined the modern world. The century took off with the Wright brothers'' historic flight, then swung between two devastating world wars, while people''s revolutions around the globe shook up society and transformed politics. Discover how the Russian Revolution overthrew the tsars, the Cold War split Europe, suffragettes won the right for women to vote, Nelson Mandela became South Africa''s first black president, and more. Cool, illustrated maps show what was happening in different places at the same time, including milestones such as talking pictures and television, the moon landing, and the World Wide Web.

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.

Food is the body''s fuel—but what happens to each yummy mouthful from the moment you take a bite? The Stickmen unravel the long process of digestion carried out by your winding system of guts. Learn about your stomach and its army of acids, the chemical powerhouse in your liver, and your busy kidneys that keep you toxin-free. Find out how you get energy and heat from food and how your body gets rid of the stuff it doesn''t need. Illustrations, diagrams, and text tell all about the mashing, squeezing, pushing, and filtering that happen along your digestive system.

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.

Modern medicine''s understanding of bacteria, germs, and viruses evolved over time. What were some early beliefs about what caused illnesses? And what ground-breaking discoveries advanced medical knowledge? Learn the history behind the science of what makes us sick.

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!

Meet some of the most intriguing sea-dwelling animals on Earth and learn about their superstar abilities—from hunting and hiding to solving puzzles and playing. Discover how these spectacular marine animals and others use their smarts and skills to thrive in oceans all over the world.

"How do chimpanzees know how to use tools? What makes a dog so loyal? Get to know more about these land-based animals and learn about their unique survival skills."--

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.

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.

Are you ready to take off with the world''s fastest supersonic aircraft? Strap yourself in for a trip in the MiG-25 Foxbat interceptor and clock up to 2,100 mph (3,380 kmh/h)! Soar in the NAA X-15 rocket plane, which set a record of 4,520 mph (7,274 km/h) in 1967! Hop into the world''s fastest jet, the NASA Hyper X-43 scramjet, but hang on—it has the potential to go 7,000 mph (11,265 km/h)! Detailed illustrations put you in the cockpits of these mighty, streaking aircraft, while bite-sized facts explain how they work, their pilots'' daring risks, and the thrill of supersonic flight.

How does a giant cruise ship stay upright? Just how big is an aircraft carrier? How are submarines powered? Join the Stickmen for a close look at how watercrafts work, though be careful—you may get into deep water!

Motorcycles are made for speed—but some get there louder and faster than others! You''ll need your toughest gear to ride the turbo-charged MTT Turbine Superbike Y2K—perhaps the most powerful (and expensive) road bike ever. Blow past speeds of 200 mph (320 km/h) with the Kawasaki Ninja of the Night. Ride the world''s fastest production motorcycle, the Suzuki Hayabusa, and hit 188 to 194 mph (303 to 312 km/h). Hang on tight as detailed illustrations take you on the road, around the track, and across salt flats on these powerful bikes. Get the latest facts on how they reach those extreme speeds—and stay on the road.

From pregnancy to toddlerhood, Super Bright Baby: 50 Things You Really Need to Know will help parents nurture their child''s burgeoning mind. Expert author John Farndon recommends strategies - including ways to bond, intelligence-building play and teaching your child to read - that can be used throughout every stage of a baby''s development. With a timeline covering learning and growing milestones, boxes outlining the scientific facts for each topic, and quotes from leading childcare experts, this book is the smart choice for parents who want a great future for their children.

This book provides the reader with a concise yet accessible introduction to the major scientists from the Ancients to the modern day.

This volume describes the properties and facts about stars and galaxies.

Where would humanity be now without fire, vaccinations, farming ... or wine? A great idea is one that has changed the path of human civilisation. But which is the greatest of them all? John Farndon, author of the bestselling Do You Think You''re Clever?, has set out to find the answer. A distinguished panel of experts agreed on a list of 50 ideas, and each chapter of The World''s Greatest Idea sees Farndon explore the argument for a different one. The candidates are intriguingly varied: Electricity grids enable us to power our cities, but then sewers allowed those cities to grow. Without the wheel, modern civilisation would be pretty much impossible, but take away Logic and we''d lose the essential structures for rational thought ... But then what would be the point of all of this without the idea of romance? The World''s Greatest Idea is an enthralling voyage of discovery through the most powerful intellectual, social, scientific and creative brainwaves humans have ever had. They are ranked in the book determined by a public vote on www.theworldsgreatestidea.com But will you agree with the verdict?

What happens if I drop an ant? What books are bad for you? What percentage of the world''s water is contained in a cow? The Oxbridge undergraduate interviews are infamous for their unique ways of assessing candidates, and from these peculiar enquiries, professors can tell just how smart you really are. John Farndon has collected together 75 of the most intriguing questions taken from actual admission interviews and gives full answers to each, taking the reader through the fascinating histories, philosophies, sciences and arts that underlie each problem. This is a book for everyone who likes to think they''re clever, or who thinks they''d like to be clever. And cleverness is not just knowing stuff, it''s how laterally, deeply and interestingly you can bend your brain. Guesstimating the population of Croydon, for example, opens a chain of thought from which you can predict the strength of a nuclear bomb ...and that''s just the start of it.

Presents an introduction to the solar system and provides information on the Sun, its planets, and their moons.