New Releases by John Farndon

How Does Your Brain Work? is a fantastic introduction to the science behind what goes on in your head. The brain, nervous system and senses are explained through hilarious, colorful illustrations and an engaging question and answer format, designed to appeal to even the most reluctant readers. Packed with plenty of giggle-worthy gross bits, it's a fun, accessible look at an important subject. Stuff kids want to know, that need an answer... where are all those memories kept? can people hear when they are asleep? what are dreams exactly? is the brain our very own mission control? Find the answers to these questions and much more! Kids will love the hilarious illustrations and the fresh take on a popular topic. 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.

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.

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 our most recent past and see how the modern world arrived. The century 'took off' with the Wright Brothers' historic flight, then swing between two devastating world wars and people's revolutions around the globe. Discover how... *The Russian Revolution overthrew the tsars *The Cold War split Europe *Hippies celebrated the Summer of Love *Mandela became South Africa's first black president ...and lots more. Cool, illustrated maps show what was happening in different places at the same time, along with milestones such as talking pictures and TV, the first Moon landing and the World Wide Web. Breathtaking!

The molten rock just under Earth's solid crust sometimes erupts suddenly and violently, causing streams of red-hot lava and scorching high-speed avalanches called pyroclastic flows. Volcanoes can bury entire cities in ash, poison the air with suffocating gases, trigger earthquakes and tsunamis, and drastically alter our climate. Witness the world's most extreme volcanic disasters throughout history, from the Yellowstone supervolcano to Vesuvius and Krakatoa, and find out what could happen if they erupt again. Learn how volcanoes form, what causes them to erupt, and why the benefits may outweigh the dangers for the people who live near them. Discover the science and technology that could help volcanologists save lives by predicting future devastating explosions.

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.

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.

Just think, every single thing you do is handled by an amazing computer inside your head—your brilliant brain! And it's helped by your body's internet—your nervous system. Join the Stickmen to discover how spidery nerve cells send messages to the brain in seconds, how quick reflexes keep you safe, and how different parts of your brain are in charge of different thoughts and actions. Learn how all the parts of your body work together with the brain to help you to see, hear, smell, and make memories. Fun illustrations and fact-filled text reveal the mysteries of your brain and what it is that makes you so smart!

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.

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 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 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 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.

It's the year 1492, the height of the Aztec Empire, and Ten Vulture is learning to become a priest—and a deadly warrior. On his adventures, he has to learn a secret language and rituals and make human sacrifices to the gods. Visit the largest city in the Americas and take part in the ultimate bloodletting ceremony alongside Ten Vulture. You'll need a courageous heart and a strong stomach!

"Each spread of this high-energy book profiles a different plane and delves into records it has broken, stunts it has performed, and other amazing feats related to its speed"--Provided by publisher.

Jump behind the wheel of the sleekest, swiftest automobiles, both on and off the race track. Prepare to burn up the tarmac in the Bugatti Veyron—the latest version of the first supercar reaches 269 mph (433 km/h)! Race in the Ultimate Aero, whose carbon-fiber body weighs less than its driver. Get an adrenaline rush in the jet-powered Thrust SSC, it carries the world land speed record of 760.343 mph (1,223.65 km/h)! These streamlined supercars blast off the page in true-to-life illustrations alongside facts about top design technology, such as wind-tunnel testing and scissor doors.

Join the savvy Stickmen on a fun tour of modern cars and locomotives. See the inner and outer workings of these vehicles. The Stickmen share facts (and jokes), explain functions, and occasionally get doused in oil!

"Original edition copyright 2015 by Hungry Tomato Ltd."--Title page verso.

From the ever-curious mind that brought you the bestselling Do You Think You're Clever? comes a brand-new trip to the far reaches of the intellectual universe, courtesy of even more notoriously provocative Oxbridge interview questions. How would you poison someone without the police finding out? (Medicine, Cambridge) What makes a strong woman? (Theology, Oxford) Instead of politicians, why don't we let the managers of IKEA run the country? (Social and Political Sciences, Cambridge) How do you organise a successful revolution? (History, Oxford) Whether you're interested in going to Oxbridge or just want to give your brain a workout, join polymath John Farndon on another exhilarating journey through the twists and turns of thought, and explore just what it means to be genuinely clever – rather than just smart.

The Science Book explores how scientists have sought to explain our world and the universe, and how scientific discoveries have been made. A new title in DK's successful "Big ideas, simply explained" series, this book on science and the history of science looks at topics such as why Copernicus's ideas were contentious, how Galileo worked out his theories on motion and inertia, and what the discovery of DNA meant. The Science Book covers every area of science--astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, math, and physics, and brings the greatest scientific ideas to life with fascinating text, quirky graphics, and pithy quotes.

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.

With more than 20 million copies sold in 41 languages and more than 88 countries worldwide, DK Eyewitness has been the most trusted series in reference publishing for more then three decades. Visually engaging, informative, and lively, the more than 100 titles in the Eyewitness series focus on subjects that complement students' personal interests and areas of study to make learning simple and fun.The most trusted nonfiction series for teachers, librarians, and parents. Perfect for homework help. Combination of pictures and text make the series perfect for reluctant readers and ESL students.

"In consultation with The Cousteau Society."

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?