SB&F'S 2016 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE · THE 2016 SB&F HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 421 SB&F December 2016 Amazing (Mostly) Edible Science: A Family Guide to Fun Experiments in the Kitchen, by Andrew

SB&F'S2016

HOLIDAY GIFTGUIDE

419 SB&F December 2016

The 2016 SB&F Holiday Gift Guide

ith the holiday season in full swing, SB&F is pleased to share with you our picks for science books that should put a smile on the faces of your friends and family. This year’s holiday gift guide has quite a few books that cover

everything from the microscopic cell to the wily crow to Einstein’s theory of relativity. All of these books have come highly recommended by our reviewers. The guide is divided into several sections. The first is for those special children on your list and contains some beautiful and engaging science picture books. The next section looks at science books for tweens and teens and covers topics that should stoke their interest in science. The third section is for adults and has suggestions for books on intriguing topics like avian intelligence and how movement is the key to all evolution. Finally, there’s a look at coding toys for the computer scientists in your life.

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THE 2016 SB&F HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE


Children’s Science Books About Marine Mammals, by Cathryn Sill. (Illus. by John Sill; from the About...Series.) Peachtree Publishers Ltd, 2016. 48pp. $16.95. 2015041866. ISBN 9781561459063. Glossary; C.I.P.

For children interested in wildlife, About Marine Mammals: A Guide for Children is a charming first glimpse into the majestic world of marine mammals. Author Cathryn Sill and wildlife artist John Sill provide readers with a thoughtful and enlightening study of what marine mammals are, where they live, and how they behave. The text is to the point, introducing basic features of the group in clear and simple language. Each page is also paired with beautiful watercolor imagery, highlighting a species that exemplifies the concept being presented. Ada's Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay, by Susan Hood. (Illus. by Sally Wern Comport.) Simon & Schuster, 2016. pp. $17.99. 2015004299. ISBN 9781481430951. “The world sends us garbage. We send back music.” This quote from environmental engineer and musician Favio Chávez sums up the amazing true story of children living in a Paraguayan landfill who reclaim bits of garbage to create a joyful orchestra. This lovely book tells a compelling story of the children and of the tremendous economic and social challenges that come with living on a landfill.

With few instruments to play, the engineer teaches the children and their parents how to build their own from trash. Over time, the orchestra grows in number, confidence, and musical proficiency. As years pass, the orchestra attracts international attention and even tours many other countries around the world. The book ends with these lines: “Buried in the trash was music. And buried in themselves was something to be proud of.” Ada Twist, Scientist, by Andrea Beaty. (Illus. by David Roberts.) Harry N. Abrams, 2016. 32pp. $10.77. ISBN 9781419721373. Inspired by real-life makers such as Ada Lovelace and Marie Curie, Ada Twist, Scientist champions girl power and women scientists, and brings welcome diversity to picture books about girls in science. Touching on themes of never giving up and problem solving, Ada comes to learn that her questions might not always lead to answers, but rather to more questions. She may never find the source of the stink, but with a supportive family and the space to figure it out, she’ll be able to feed her curiosity in the ways a young scientist should. The book is the perfect tool to remind both young girls and women that they have the intelligence and perseverance to achieve their dreams.



Amazing (Mostly) Edible Science: A Family Guide to Fun Experiments in the Kitchen, by Andrew Schloss. (Photographs by Chris Rochelle.) Quarto Publishing Group, 2016. 160pp. $22.99. 2015027557. ISBN 9781631591099. Index; C.I.P.

What do you get when you combine food, a kitchen, and science? This book! This book is full of more than 40 science experiments for kids that involve one of their favorite things—food. By following the recipes in this book, kids will make everything from marshmallows to brownies to fettuccine alfredo to popcorn to solid soup while learning all about the science behind their creations. Each recipe is ranked according to the “coolness factor,” the level of complication, the cost and availability of ingredients, and complexity. The recipes are easy to follow, the majority requiring much less than an hour to complete. Most of the recipes, as promised, are edible making this the perfect book for young, curious scientists. Because of an Acorn, by Lola M. Schaefer and Adam Schaefer. (Illus. by Frann Preston-Gannon.) Chronicle Books, 2016. 36pp. $16.99. 2014028071. ISBN 9781452112428. Because of an Acorn is an early childhood introduction to the complexities ecological relationships. The first illustration, the titular acorn,

proceeds to connect to tree, bird, seed, flower, fruit, chipmunk, snake, hawk, a cautious squirrel, and back to acorn – and forest. The broad brush of the varied ecological relationships is all accurate, and the illustrations are rich enough to enable each page spread to inspire a conversation. This is a beautiful book, with lots of potential for a patient teacher or parent to connect, ask questions, and help the child look closely and consider connections. A Beetle is Shy, Dianna Hutts Aston. (Illus. by Sylvia Long.) Chronicle Books, 2016. 40pp. $16.99. 2015002300. ISBN 9781452127125.

This picture book is well illustrated and has a nice variety of information about beetles. The artwork is colorful and realistic, using big drawings to highlight the diversity of form seen in beetles. Each two-page spread has a theme along with one to three short paragraphs that an adult would need to. A ladybug is the example used to describe the insect life cycle. There are pages devoted to beetles that are specialized for digging, sprinting, jumping, and swimming along with species that protect themselves with camouflage, mimicry, and toxins. Communication is addressed with examples of beetles that use pheromones, sound, or light to find



others of their own kind. Weevils are given as an example of a pest species but the point is made that humans use beetles as food in many parts of the world. Follow the Moon Home: A Tale of One Idea, Twenty Kids, and a Hundred Sea Turtles, Philippe Cousteauand Deborah Hopkinson. (Illus. by Meilo So.) Chronicle Books, 2016. 48pp. $16.99. 2015001678. ISBN 9781452112411. C.I.P.

Follow the Moon Home is an inspiring story about young Vivienne and her classmate Clementine who are challenged by their teacher to find and address a community problem. At the local beach, they observe firsthand the unfortunate effects of human light pollution on hatchling loggerhead turtles. Inspired by this, they rally their classroom and neighborhood to take action. The result is a community-wide Lights out for Loggerheads initiative involving local biologists, non-profit groups, media, residents, and tourists. Ultimately, the town’s efforts are rewarded as they watch hatchlings emerge from nests onto the newly darkened beach and scurry into the sea where they belong. Through this story, young readers are introduced to complex coastal development issues surrounding sea turtles and light pollution. The book’s themes echo the real-life mission of co-author Phillippe Cousteau, who follows in his grandfather’s footsteps as an ocean activist and educator. Reading level is for grades 1-4.

Great Monkey Rescue: Saving the Golden Lion Tamarins, Sandra Markle. (Illus.) Millbrook Press, 2016. 40pp. $30.65 2014041353. ISBN 9781467780308. Glossary; Index; C.I.P. Sandra Markle's narrative of efforts to save the golden lion tamarins of Brazil captures the reader's interest from page one with the cliffhanger tale of a young female searching for a family group that will accept her. She fails, and her plight sets the stage for the recounting of a scientific and political drama that began in the 1960s. Scientists worked for many years to determine why tamarins, severely endangered in the wild due to habitat destruction, seldom reproduced in captivity. Government agencies, environmental activists, and volunteers joined forces to create new habitat corridors and expand the range available to the tamarins. The result is a success story that points the way toward similar rescue efforts for other endangered species. The story is also a model of the scientific process in action: how observational research methods can solve a mystery and how new knowledge can spur positive action in the political and social arenas. The book is visually appealing, featuring numerous photographs of the monkeys and of scientists at work to save them. The reading level is perfect for upper elementary and middle school readers, but younger children will be fascinated with the story when it is presented as a read-aloud book. Grow! Raise! Catch! How We Get Our Food, by Shelley Rotner. (Photographs by Shelley Rotner.) Holiday House, 2016. 32pp. $16.95. ISBN 9780823436439. Glossary. Grow! Raise! Catch! is a pitch-perfect picture book introduction to food sources. Even with the proliferation of green markets and urban farms, too many kids live in food deserts. This book (and its great color photos) expands kids’ knowledge beyond the annual apple picking school trip. It is a feast for the eyes, with gorgeous pictures of mouth-watering produce and smiling children participating in family farming. The book covers fruit and vegetable farming, fishing, beekeeping, and the raising of animals for milk, eggs, and meat. Farmers and their children describe their work in simple, effective language that is accessible for young



readers. The book’s colorful, simple design and glorious pictures will appeal to readers of all ages. High Tide for Horseshoe Crabs, by Lisa Kahn Schnell. (Illus. by Alan Marks.) Charlesbridge Publishing, 2015. 40pp. $16.95. 2013049024. ISBN 9781580896047. C.I.P. It starts on a spring night under a full moon with the arrival of adult horseshoe crabs as high tides carry them onto the beaches of Delaware Bay. Flocks of migratory shorebirds make a stop on their route from South America to the Arctic. Scientists and citizen scientists arrive to study the horseshoe crabs and the birds, and curious vacationers come to watch. Female horseshoe crabs, with males clinging to their backs, dig into the sand and lay clusters of eggs. The hungry shorebirds land to feed on the eggs. The scientists and their helpers tag horseshoe crabs. Then the leaving begins. The fattened birds continue their flight north; the scientist and vacationers depart; the adult horseshoe crabs return to the water; and about two weeks later, tiny horseshoe crabs hatch and crawl into the water. The annual spawning of the marine arthropod Limulus Polyphemus in May and June on the shores of Delaware Bay is clearly and accurately presented by the narrative text and realistic double-spread watercolor and pencil illustrations of this informational picture book. Hopping Ahead of Climate Change: Snowshoe Hares, Science, and Survival, by Sneed Collard, III. Bucking Horse Books, 2016. 64pp. $18.00. ISBN 9780984446087. Glossary; Index. In Hopping Ahead of Climate Change, the author combines beautiful pictures and captivating graphics with engaging writing to bring to life the story of how researchers are using the scientific method to help understand how climate change may impact snowshoe hares and the ecosystems that rely on them. Throughout the book, pages are devoted to topics including the genetics of coat changing, color changing species throughout the world, as well as other research being performed in the lab to understand the molting triggers for snowshoe hares. Beyond the engaging story, the book is a terrific example of how science, when

done well, can help us understand impacts on animals as our environment changes. Students often struggle with designing experiments that collect data without bias. These researchers were savvy enough to find a way to measure whether a hare was mismatched to its environment and use that data to make predictions about future hare survival. Readers will gain insight into how science works and also appreciate the challenges faced by animals as they attempt to adapt to a rapidly changing environment. Living Fossils: Clues to the Past, Caroline Arnold. (Illus. by Andrew Plant.) Charlesbridge Publishing, 2016. 32pp. $16.95. 2014049180. ISBN 9781580896917. Glossary; C.I.P.

Caroline Arnold and Andrew Plant have created a compelling and beautiful book for young readers about a subject that is fascinating, yet rarely addressed in any depth for pre-high school audiences—that of “living fossils”. Appropriately, they introduce the concept of living fossils through the discovery, off the coast of South Africa in 1938, of a living coelacanth, representative of a group of fishes that had been believed to be extinct for sixty-five million years. The main portion of the book consists of analyzing five examples of living fossils and their closest living relatives: horseshoe crabs, dragonflies, sphenodontids (lizard-like reptiles represented today by the tuatara of New Zealand), chambered nautiloids, and Latonia frogs (today only found in the Hula Valley of Israel). In each case, there is a two-page spread of “then,” where the



fossil forms are illustrated and discussed, followed by a two-page spread of “now,” discussing and illustrating the extant living fossil. Importantly, not only are the morphologies and natural histories of the species discussed, but also why the living fossils survived.

A Nest is Noisy, by Dianna Hutts Aston. (Illus. by Sylvia Long.) Chronicle Books, 2015. 40pp. $16.99. 2013047998. ISBN 9781452127132. C.I.P. Upon opening the front cover, the reader is immediately struck by appealing and detailed illustrations of 24 nests of not just birds, but also frogs, ants, orangutans, and alligators, among others. Most people associate the word “nests” with birds. This book tries to shift that frame of thought to include all the other animals that also build or use nests. Nests are presented in all their variety, including nests that are enormous (Dusky scrubfowl), tiny (Bee hummingbird), peculiar (army ants, Cave swiftlets), bubbly (gourami, African gray tree frog), or hot (South American ovenbirds, alligators). Every beautiful and detailed illustration is labeled to species. The final two pages show illustrations of all the highlighted species without their nests. This image really demonstrates the variety of species which utilize nests. This is a wonderful, detailed book suitable for kindergarten

through fourth grade. Older children and adults will also take pleasure in both the information and illustrations presented in this book. Outdoor Science Lab for Kids: 52 Family-Friendly Experiments for the Yard, Garden, Playground, and Park, by Liz Lee Heinecke. (Photographs by Amber Procaccini.) Minneapolis, MN: Quarto Publishing Group, 2016. 144pp. $24.99. 2016003845. ISBN 9781631591150. C.I.P. This is an awesome book for kids and the adults in their lives. In it, the reader will find 52 science experiments dealing with topics involving botany, physics, solar science, and ecology. The experiments are geared toward kids from preschool to middle school—although the majority is more appropriate for a younger crowd. Each experiment includes a list of materials, enrichment ideas, safety tips, and a brief explanation of the science that made the experiment possible. The experiments are largely easy to perform, fun and engaging for kids, and use relatively inexpensive or readily available materials. Some experiments require access to ponds or streams or fields, while others can be done in a more urban setting. The Protocol section of each lab (the scientific procedure) typically has very few steps but is easy to follow. Safety tips and warnings give the adults supervising the experiments a heads up, although the author did fail to mention concerns over pollen allergies. There is enough slime, and bugs, and icky stuff in this book to hold the interest of just about any curious kid. Plants Can't Sit Still, by Rebecca E. Hirsch. (Illus. by Mia Posada.) Minneapolis, MN: Millbrook Press, 2016. 32pp. $19.99. 2015036957. ISBN 9781467780315. Glossary. Plants Can’t Sit Still is my new favorite children’s picture book about plants. As a weed scientist, I am particularly fond of the dandelion on the inside cover pages, shown from seed to aging fluff, and the common morning glory twining across the title page captures just the right luminous indigo, the fused petals, and arcing, delicate bright green stems. In fact, every page features perfectly identifiable specimens from a wide range of fascinating taxa, with apt descriptions of the actions



they take. “Plants can hide from a hungry grasshopper…” (sensitive plant, Mimosa pudica) “or surprise a fly. Snap!” (Venus flytrap, Dionaea muscipula) Animals hide, motionless, while—for once—the plants provide the drama. “Plants even explode! They fling their seeds into the world to make new plants,” we learn, on a page with a frog resting on a leaf of Devil’s cucumber (Ecballium elaterium). Plants take rides, whirl, float, glide, and hitchhike; and while the idea of such active plants may seem fanciful, each illustration is both perfectly accurate and perfectly artistic. Plants Can’t Sit Still carries its own infectious energy and momentum, finally giving plants the opportunity to be literary protagonists. Recycled Science: Bring Out Your Science Genius with Soda Bottles, Potato Chip Bags, and More Unexpected Stuff, by Tammy Enz and Jodi Wheeler-Toppen. Capstone Young Readers, 2016. 111pp. $9.95. 2015045605. ISBN 9781623706975. C.I.P. In Recycled Science, the authors present over 30 projects that use common household items to demonstrate scientific principles. Projects are divided into chapters by main material and bits of “reusable knowledge” scattered throughout the book provide background on the science at work. There is a heavy focus on physics, though the book also touches on earth science, chemistry, and biology. Projects range in complexity from a simple wooden chain to a flashlight, and many are quite clever in their design. True to its claim, most projects rely only on materials that can be found around the house. Calling them recycled may be a bit misleading, though, as in many cases brand new or uncommon materials will need to be purchased. That said, the simplicity of the designs in the book means that even the most complicated demonstrations require only a quick trip to the grocery store, and can be put together quickly enough to keep kids entertained. The authors do a good job laying the foundation for the science at work, but there is a missed opportunity here for teaching about recycling and conservation. Furthermore, there is no continuity between projects—they are all separate and cover different ideas. As a result, this book probably works better

for rainy day science fun than for a companion to a science curriculum. Ricky's Atlas: Mapping a Land on Fire, by Judith L. Li. (Illus. by M.L. Herring.) Oregon State University Press, 2016. 109pp. $17.95. 2015039873. ISBN 9780870718427.

Ricky Zamora and his mother travel from their home in Blue River, on the western side of the Cascade Mountains in Oregon, to his Uncle John’s ranch on the eastern side of the Cascades. Ricky uses his trip as an opportunity to draw maps of what he sees as the terrain changes from the western side of the range to the eastern side. As they approach the ranch, they witness a severe thunderstorm with lightning which ignites a wildfire. Ricky uses this experience to learn more about wildfires and document his knowledge on a variety of maps. The author uses a narrative, hand-drawn maps, illustrations, and diagrams to provide a great deal of content. In an easy-to-read style, the author contrasts the climate and vegetation on the windward and leeward sides of the Cascade Mountains, details how firefighters contain a wildfire, and how wildfires help the growth of



vegetation and specific types of trees. The maps show changes in vegetation, elevation, amount of rainfall, and include scales to show distance. The section of prehistoric fossils helps the reader understand that at one time, a prehistoric sea and sea creatures covered the region. This helps students understand the climatic differences of moist air traveling over a mountain range and creating lush vegetation on one side and a drier climate on the leeward side. Solving the Puzzle under the Sea. Marie Tharp Maps the Ocean Floor, by Robert Burleigh. (Illus. by Raul Colon.) New York, NY: Simon & Schuster (Paula Wiseman Books), 2016. 40pp. $17.99. 2014010158. ISBN 9781481416009. Glossary; C.I.P.

Solving the Puzzle under the Sea is a story about Marie Tharp, an oceanographic cartographer. When Marie Tharp was a little girl in the 1930s she used to travel with her father who made maps to help farmers understand different kinds of soil. Marie loved to watch her dad draw the maps. She became fascinated with the oceans on the world maps hanging in her class. She became obsessed with finding out what the seafloor really looked like. She went to college to become a scientist. There were

not many women scientists at that time. She wanted to go out on a research ship, but her boss said that a woman couldn't do that. She continued working but never gave up her dream of eventually going out on a ship. Eventually she began working with Bruce Heezen, a colleague who was also fascinated with the seafloor. They both wanted to know if the seafloor could be mapped. Marie began drawing coastlines and then collected all the soundings (measurements of the depth of the ocean) available and placed their numbers carefully where they belonged on her map. She discovered that some parts of the ocean were deeper than others, leading her to the conclusion that there were mountains beneath the ocean. She created maps using colors to show similar depths. She also discovered something else, which was new and important: a deeper, narrow valley dividing the seafloor of the mid-Atlantic into two parts. Scientists had begun to theorize that these divisions or "plates" were being forced apart by deep-sea earthquakes and volcanoes. A new theory emerged called "continental drift." The final map that she created was finally published and appears in museums, schools, and even in many homes. Her map helped prove that the earth's surface is moving, although very slowly, only about an inch or two each year! The color illustrations contained in this book are detailed and vivid. Sounds of the Savanna, by Terry Catasus Jennings. (Illus. by Phyllis Saroff.) Arbordale Publishing, 2015. 32pp. $17.95. 2015009000. ISBN 9781628556322. Sounds of the Savanna is not a storybook, as such, but a science book relating a series of incidents involving animals in African savanna. The incidents illustrate animal predator-prey relationships, animal communication, and social structure, with some physics of sound thrown in. There is plenty to discuss about what’s going on and what might happen next on nearly every page. In addition, the authors provide additional material and activities about sound waves, and an activity about predators and prey. The illustrations are adequate to provide support to the text. Tooth by Tooth: Comparing Fangs, Tusks, and Chompers, Sara Levine. (Illus. by T.S. Spookytooth.)



Millbrook Press, 2016. 32pp. $26.95. 2015001021. ISBN 9781467752152. Glossary; C.I.P.

Fun, stylistic drawings (including a floret of broccoli wedged between two molars) make this book entertaining to read. Yet, the book certainly does not rely on just the illustrations to appeal to its readers. The book is written in engaging terms and evokes imagination (“What if you had . . .?”). Together, the text and drawings are playful, appealing, and wonderfully accurate and informative. For instance, while young readers learn about tooth differences among mammalian carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores, they see humans with those types of teeth. They read about specialized teeth like tusks and see an elephant’s tusk accented by a compact, red backpack. When learning about the absence of teeth in some mammals, they also see ants perched on an anteater’s tongue. Sketches of skulls successfully balance the study of natural history and accessibility to readers just gaining scientific literacy. The book concludes with some additional information, a glossary, and suggestions for further reading. Because creatures are biologically accurate, yet whimsically presented, readers will enjoy learning about critters’ teeth. Treecology: 30 Activities and Observations for Exploring the World of Trees and Forests, by Monica Russo. (Photographs by Kevin Byron; from

the Young Naturalists Series.) Chicago Review Press, 2016. 114pp. $15.99. 2015050678. ISBN 9781613733967. Glossary; Index; C.I.P. Author Monica Russo is a devoted naturalist, expert birdwatcher, and founder of the Maine Entomological Society. In her latest book, she once again partners with photographer Kevin Byron to create an engaging and accessible hands-on science book for young readers. As Russo states in her introduction to the book, “Trees can be seen almost everywhere we live: in front of our homes and apartments, around schools and playgrounds, and near libraries.” The subject alone makes the book a great exploration tool for children no matter where they live. The book is filled with 30+ hands-on activities ranging from the ordinary (counting tree rings to determine age) to the unique (creating “paint” bark to attract moths). The book starts by going over the parts of the tree and basic identification tips. From there, it delves into more detailed information about the ecology and importance of trees. The text is broken up into manageable sections, with lots of side bars and detailed photographs. The overall format of the book is inviting and won’t overwhelm younger readers. Whose Eye Am I?, by Shelley Rotner. (Photographs by Shelley Rotner.) Holiday House, 2016. 32pp. $16.95. 2015021764. ISBN 9780823435586. Glossary; Index; C.I.P. From the cover art through the story-line text the young reader literally will learn through and about the eyes of different animal forms. If this book is read by or read to a young inquirer, the pictures, subjects, short sentence content will all be appreciated. Interesting facts about the eyes of domesticated and wild animals, four-legged, two-legged, and non-legged forms are all covered. The guess the eye plates should add fun. There is an index but no additional aids for further study or research.



Junior High and Young Adult Science Books Baby Birds: An Artist Looks into the Nest, by Julie Zickefoose. (Illus.) Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2016. 352pp. $28.00. 2016302978. ISBN 9780544206700. Index; C.I.P.

This lovely book could turn anyone into a birdwatcher, or take an ordinary birdwatcher to greater heights. Zickefoose is an excellent storyteller and observer. She leads readers on an account about the early days—from egg to fledgling and sometimes beyond—of 17 different species of bird she’s watched mainly from her home over a period of 13 years. She lifts the littlest hatchlings from their nests, lovingly feeds them the innards of mealworms or other preferred “baby” foods as she quickly draws their emerging features, and returns them to grow another day for yet another sitting in her studio. The result is a hand-illustrated book showing the brief span of bird development from infinitesimal feathers and gaping maw to independent adolescent. The author considers her book a scientific document and I agree. It is well researched and documented. She raises theories like why a particular point of maturation takes days in some species and just hours in others. The fastest among the 17 is the yellow-billed cuckoo whose

“...sudden transformation from pin cushion [long blue quills] to a miniature of its parents...has been likened to popcorn popping.” (318) The author describes the birds amongst fields, trees, shrubs, flowers, and weather conditions in much the same way John James Audubon’s placed his birds in their native environment. Zickefoose’s writing is lively, like the birds she’s getting to know. Candid Creatures: How Camera Traps Reveal the Mysteries of Nature, by Roland Kays. Johns Hopkins Press, 2016. 280pp. $39.95. 2015017512. ISBN 9781421418889. Index; C.I.P. Camera traps are transforming wildlife management and conservation biology. They have become a major tool for field biologists, complementing such traditional gear as nets, tracking collars, and field glasses. Candid Creatures features 613 photographs, color and infrared, culled from thousands of images taken by camera traps from 153 research groups at 52 locations worldwide. The author, director of the Biodiversity Research Laboratory at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, has extensive experience with camera trapping in North and South America. The earliest attempts to catch wildlife in-the-act involved cumbersome cameras, creature-manipulated baited triggers, and disturbingly loud or brilliant flashes. Today's camera traps are compact, weather-proof digital devices, triggered by an infrared sensor when movement from an animal, or its body heat, is detected. Some record video and sound, and some can transmit live images to a cell phone or computer. Although camera traps can be deployed to do the work of an army of field biologists, or to send continuous data from sites too remote to frequently visit, the thousands of pictures generated must be analyzed often frame by frame to make positive identifications. While photographic documentation of an animal's presence may be important, data analysis programs are needed to convert thousands of pictures from biodiversity surveys to numbers. Crow Smarts: Inside the Brain of the World's Brightest Bird, by Pamela S. Turner. (Photographs by Andy Comins; Illus. by Cuido de Filippo.)



Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2016. 73pp. $18.99. 2015013903. ISBN 9780544416192. Index; C.I.P. In Crow Smarts, Pamela S. Turner makes the case for the New Caledonian being the world’s brightest bird. Turner and nature photographer Andy Comins join Dr. Gavin R. Hunt and his research team from the University of Auckland in field expeditions to observe crows using and producing wood-probing tools in the New Caledonian forest. The local species of crow uses sticks and makes hooked tools from twigs or the leaves of the pandanus plant to dig out grubs from logs. Adult crows also teach their young to use and produce these tools. Turner briefly covers the use of multiple tools by other animals (humans, chimpanzees, orangutans, and capuchin monkeys) and notes that only humans and New Caledonian crows are known to make hooked tools. The book does a marvelous job of introducing young readers to the connections between nature and nurture in animal behavior. And, like all the other books in the Scientists in the Field series, it provides an intimate and realistic portrait of the researchers who devote their professional lives to studying nature. Faster, Higher, Smarter: Bright Ideas that Transformed Sports, by Simon Shapiro. Annick Press, 2016. 132pp. $12.95. 9781554518135. Index. Generally, in most sports, there is someone who always seems to excel above others. While talent and hard work are big parts of the success equation, physics plays an important role. It takes an innovator to take advantage of the laws of physics and come up with a better way of jumping, vaulting, batting, kicking, skating, biking, swimming, ski jumping, playing tennis, and more. There are chapters for each of these and also for wheelchair sports and blade running. Bungee jumping isn’t exactly a sport, but it is covered, and so is how to use statistics to hire players for your major league baseball team. There is also a chapter on cheating in sports and why it doesn’t pay. The innovations described in Faster Higher Smarter changed sports in many exciting ways. The illustrations help make the scientific concepts easy for middle school readers to follow although readers of all ages will enjoy the book. The athletes featured in the book

include women, those who are physically challenged, and cross the spectra of age and diversity. Fish Tricks: The Wild & Wacky World of Fish, Haude Levesque, PhD. Quarto Publishing Group, 2016. 80pp. $14.95. ISBN 9781633221147. Glossary; Index.

Fish Tricks: The Wild & Wacky World of Fish presents the survival strategies of various species of fish in an engaging and thoughtful manner. The colorful illustrations work well with the nicely detailed, accessible text to bring readers into the world of fish and how they go about surviving in an underwater environment. From the sea dragons and flatfish that use camouflage to hide from predators to the archerfish that can knock land insects into the water with streams of spit to the anglerfish that grow glow-in-the-dark fishing lines from their heads to lure prey, this book covers the fascinating ways fish go about protecting themselves from predators, communicating with each other, and obtaining food. The Great White Shark Scientist, by Sy Montgomery. (Photographs by Keith Ellengoben.) Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2016. 70pp. $18.99. 2015003494. ISBN 9780544352988. Index; C.I.P.



In her latest Scientists in the Field book, Sy Montgomery introduces readers to the great white shark. Montgomery follows the work of shark biologist Dr. Greg Skomal and his research team from the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries during one summer as they video record and tag great white sharks in the waters off Cape Cod. In the fall she gets a close-up look at great white sharks in a dive in a submersible cage with Mexican biologist Erick Higuera in the crystal-clear waters off Guadalupe Island. By including numerous quotations, Montgomery shows the enthusiasm of the researchers for their work despite some disappointments such as weather conditions frequently prohibiting taking boats out or flying spotter planes and some days spent on the water without any shark sightings. The book is illustrated with an abundance of color photographs taken by award-winning photographer Keith Ellenbogen from underwater, from the research vessels, and from a small spotter plane. One-to-four page inserts at the end of chapters provide additional information on research and conservation efforts related to the great white shark. Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War, by Mary Roach. W.W. Norton & Company, 2016. 288pp. $26.95. 2016008754. ISBN 9780393245448. C.I.P. A popular science writer examines how the military protects soldiers and submariners against heat, infection, noise, missiles, and sharks by clothing, diet, armor, and training. Real war experiences and

laboratory research with soldier volunteers after animal tests are examined to produce better clothing, armor, diets, and medical practices that save lives. The lessons are tastefully and humorously written. Maggots. After a soldier was brought to an aid station after days of exposure, the wounds were filled with crawling maggots. But when the wounds were cleaned, the dead tissues had been debrided and healing could follow. A science of maggot debridement was born. Submariner escape hatches and how to breathe to protect against the "bends" led to special hatches and escape equipment for each vessel. Training before use saves lives. Regulating sleep and feeding times maximized periods of alertness and kept peace in the submarine wardroom. Control of fluid loss from sweating and diarrhea and improved replacements before and during action changed field practices. Kevlar underpants and genital transplant replacement surgery are lessons with applications in civilian life. The author's unearthed military lessons are an exciting and well-written adult read that is highly recommended. Hair: A Human History, by Kurt Stenn. Pegasus Books, 2016. 256pp. $26.95. ISBN 9781605989556. Glossary; Index; C.I.P. This compelling narrative takes an honored place alongside such informative and fascinating historical essays as Henry Petroski’s The Pencil (1990) and The Toothpick (2007), Mark Kurlansky’s Salt: A World History (2002), and—most closely—Skin: A Natural History (2006) by Nina Jablonski. These seemingly mundane subjects are entertaining and informative works written for public audiences. Like these authors, Stenn is a well-published expert on his subject with 30+ years of expertise studying hair as a Professor of Pathology and Dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine and Director of Skin Biology at Johnson & Johnson. Supposedly the idea for this book came to him while sitting in a barber’s chair. He clearly illustrates how hair has played a crucial role in fashion, the arts, sports, commerce, forensics, and industry. He divides his subject into three parts: defining hair and related materials such as fur and feathers (biology, physiology, and history, genetics, cell biology, and human evolution); hair as “the ultimate communicator” (head hair and



beards, barbers and beauticians, styling, coloring, ethnic differences, wig-making, and uses in art); and lastly focuses on “hair in human service” (beaver pelts, wool, spinning and weaving, and uses beyond clothing – such as rope and musical instruments, and DNA analysis). Although not comprehensive (American bison could be included in part three), there is a recurring theme that all hairs, from wherever they arise (human, sheep, beaver, platypus, or porcupine) are alike, though they vary in degree: long or short, stiff or soft, black or white, sticky or smooth. Lab Girl, by Hope Jahren. Alfred A. Knopf, 2016. 290pp. $26.95. 2015024305. ISBN 9781101874936. C.I.P. Reading Hope Jahren’s Lab Girl is almost like reading three books for the price of one. In addition to being a memoir by a three time Fulbright-winning geobiologist, it is also a fascinating tutorial on botany, paleontology, and soil studies. Of even greater value to school- and college-age readers (and their parents and teachers) is how well the author describes the life of a real scientist as one who “doesn’t perform prescribed experiments,” but “develops her own and thus generates wholly new knowledge.” The author’s obvious love of science and the book’s exquisite writing show how thoroughly she has channeled and extended her parents’ interests. Lab Girls begins with Jahren accompanying her father to his teaching lab, with table surfaces so solid they couldn’t be damaged with a hammer, and includes her undergraduate and graduate education, subsequent teaching positions, and research postings as far afield as an isolated Arctic Ocean island. Jahren also addresses the compound challenges she faced as a woman scientist in a male-dominated profession, coupled with her eventual diagnosis as a manic-depressive. This book is highly recommended as one of the very few scientist memoirs that is also a great read. The Most Perfect Thing: Inside (and Outside) a Bird's Egg, by Tim Birkhead. Bloomsbury USA, 2016. 204pp. $27.00. ISBN 9781632863690. Bibliography; Glossary; Index.

Renowned ornithologist Tim Birkhead is a British zoologist and professor of animal behavior and evolution at the University of Sheffield. This long and well-rounded background in ornithology enabled him to write a very complete and entertaining book on bird eggs. Birkhead begins with a selection entitled “Climbers and Collectors” in which he discusses the history and techniques of collecting bird eggs, which is now illegal in most countries. In subsequent chapters, he discusses every aspect in the production and life of a bird’s egg, enabling the reader to “see the bird’s egg for what it really is—an independent, self-contained, embryo-development system.” This is one of the most, if not the most, complete books ever written on bird eggs. Since there is still much that we do not know about bird eggs, it leaves many questions unanswered. The author states that his aim is “to tell you what we know.” Perhaps this book will stimulate other researchers to fill in the missing information. Numerous black-and-white illustrations and a few color pictures of bird eggs are included in the text. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it not just to readers interested in ornithology but to anyone interested in nature.



Originals: How Noncomformists Move the World, by Adam Grant. Viking, 2016. 336pp. $16.20. ISBN 9780525429562. Index.

Originals presents a broad overview of how a few people have changed the political, artistic, technology, and business worlds with their ideas. Using several familiar examples, sometimes with not well-known details, Grant contrasts successful decisions with failures as well as demonstrating that success in one field does not guarantee success in others. One example is the story of Dean Kamen’s Segway, which was a market flop despite his previous success with medical equipment and the backing of people like Steve Jobs. Grant discusses how the internal battles among Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Lucy Stone derailed their fight for women’s suffrage for decades because they could never agree on whether supporting the racial suffrage amendment would help or hinder their own efforts. Grant uses the tension among those three as a starting point for a discussion of how original thinkers sometimes need to moderate their proposals to align with others on their side instead of seeing every debate as a zero sum game. With the individuals and groups

described in the book providing an easily understood framework, the book shows how those people avoided groupthink in business discussions, fomented revolutions (political or corporate), learned that being first-to-market isn’t always a guarantee of success, and became more effective at self-promotion. Outside: A Guide to Discovering Nature, by Maria Ana Peixe Dias and Inex Teixeira do Rosario. (Illus. by Bernardo P. Carvalho.) Quarto Publishing Group, 2016. 368pp. $27.99. ISBN 9781847807694. Glossary. Outside: A Guide to Discovering Nature is a hands-on science book that takes us outside to arouse our curiosity about flora, fauna, and other aspects of the natural world. It has beautifully designed black and white line drawings and water color that go well with the text. The book encourages parents and children to go outside and explore. It also answers many questions about animals and other aspects of the natural world, like, “How can birds fly like that?” or “What are rocks?” The book was written in collaboration with a team of natural history experts and they cover everything from what to take with you when you explore outside to the weather. The authors also provide information for finding nature no matter where a person lives—from living in a city to being in the country. Patterns in Nature: Why the Natural World Looks the Way It Does, by Philip Ball. (Illus.) University of Chicago Press, 2016. 288pp. $$35.00. 2015034568. ISBN 9780226332420. Glossary; Index; C.I.P. Patterns in Nature is an amazing coffee table book. The book is one of the best collections of images showing the various forms of patterns created in nature. The book’s text is concise with the goal being to make connections between the patterns and not necessarily explain the creation of the patterns. The text can be read in a few hours. The images are well placed, and even a reader experienced in the topic will find an image that draws them in. New readers will be amazed at the diversity and complexity of patterns that range from lightning strikes to leaves. The book starts with symmetry before moving into fractals, spirals,



chaos, waves, bubbles, crystals, cracks, and finishing up with spots and stripes. To accompany these relatively standard topics are the complex patterns formed by insect swarms and flocks of birds. The hidden order of flowing water is covered in the twists and turns of a meandering river. This is a well-illustrated book, with examples of scientific photography covering just about every type of pattern seen in nature. This book would be a welcome addition to any nature lover’s library. Pollination Power, by Heather Angel. (Illus.) University of Chicago Press, 2016. 208pp. $40.00. 2015948593. ISBN 9780226366913. Index; C.I.P.

Pollination Power is filled with vivid, close-up images of flowers and their pollinators, but it is much more than a picture book. The book opens with a chapter on pollination, which discusses different ways flowers can get pollinated, including wind, insects, and vertebrates. Throughout this chapter, and the entire book, is example after example of flowers interacting with pollinators. The close-up photography is so vivid one can see the pollen grains dusting the wings of a bee. Photographs are taken in such a way as to show the co-evolutionary relationships between examples such as a hawk-moth proboscis and the tube-shaped flower it is pollinating. The accompanying narrative is equally thorough. Detailed discussion

about how flowers attract pollinators with scents, sugars, and color patterns of flower parts, as well as benefits to pollinators are among the topics discussed. Scientific vocabulary is appropriately used and terms are often illustrated with the photographs. This book could be used for general awareness of these topics, but also lends itself to be used as examples of evolution, symbiosis, and biodiversity. Depending upon how the book is used, it would appeal to smaller children as a picture book of organisms, and to older students seeking specific examples. Resurrection Science: Conservation, De-Extinction and the Precarious Future of Wild Things, by M.R. O'Connor. St. Martin's Press, 2015. 266pp. $25.99. 2015004485. ISBN 9781137279293. Index. Brilliant! Resurrection Science by M.R. O’Connor takes readers on a well-researched and comprehensive yet understandable tour of the field of conservation science. Using examples ranging from toads to whales, Florida panthers to Hawaiian crows, and more, O’Connor identifies not only the herculean efforts and opportunities associated with perpetuation of endangered species, but also the options available through modern scientific methods to “de-extinct” species, such as Passenger Pigeons, using new genomic techniques. O’Connor has a good grasp of the biological issues and she identifies the precarious future of many wild creatures. O’Connor also clearly presents the ethical, social, economic, and political factors that must be considered, elevating this book well above the typical feel good overview of efforts to prevent species extinction. Readers will gain a broad understanding of the choices that must be made for each species, and will be better able to appreciate whether outcomes will be worth the required investments. In a world increasingly altered by humans to the detriment of wild creatures, this book should be required reading for everyone involved in management of natural resources. Rocks, Minerals and Gems: The Definitive Visual Catalog of the Treasure beneath Your Feet, Sean Callery and Miranda Smith. (Photographs by Gary Ombler.) Scholastic Nonfiction, 2016. 224pp. $19.99. ISBN 9780545947190. Glossary; Index.



Rocks, Minerals & Gems is a beautifully well-done, visually appealing, durable, 223-page, softcover book that provides a glimpse into our rich geological heritage. The book begins with a brief definition and explanation of minerals, rocks, and gems. A mineral gallery provides information on specific minerals, including their group, chemical formula, where they are found, how they form, color, hardness, cleavage, and other properties as well as present and historical uses of the minerals. A rock gallery goes into further detail on how rocks form and includes information on type, locations they are found, the major minerals they contain, color, form, texture, uses, and more. A gem gallery explains the specific qualities gemologists use to judge quality and value minerals that make them especially treasured by humans. Hundreds of amazingly stunning photographs by Gary Ombler are provided throughout the book and complement the text amazingly well by providing colorful, clearly identified examples of the item being described. This book would be enjoyable and useful whether the reader is an expert, enthusiast, or just being introduced to rocks and minerals. Space Junk: The Dangers of Polluting Earth's Orbit, by Karen Romano Young. (Illus.) Twenty-First Century Books, 2016. 64pp. $33.32. 2015013396. ISBN 9781467756006. Glossary; Index; C.I.P. In the past sixty years, about 6,600 satellites have been launched in different types of orbits around the Earth. Only about 1,000 of these satellites are still in operation. The author of “Space Junk” warns readers of the dangers of polluting the low, middle, and high altitude orbiting space. This book is very well researched and presents very interesting and thoughtful information for students in grades 5-8. Both the many types of orbits and uses of satellites and the problems of increasing amounts of space garbage are discussed. The book also describes the magnitude of the space junk problem and potential solutions. Finally, this book also presents fascinating stories about the space programs in the USA as well as in other countries. It also provides a timeline of the major events of the space junk problem. For educators, who are looking for important and interesting resources for STEM examples, this monograph is must reading for themselves and

their students. It should be part of the STEM section of the school library. This is Your Brain on Parasites: How Tiny Creatures Manipulate Our Behavior and Shape Society, by Kathleen McAuliffe. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2016. 268pp. $27.00. 2016002949. ISBN 9780544192225. Index; C.I.P.

This is Your Brain on Parasites by Kathleen McAuliffe is worthy of its catchy title. Written for the general audience, this book describes how parasites can manipulate not only individual organisms, including humans, but groups and even cultures. An example includes the female jewel wasp that manipulates American roaches via venom that she injects into the roaches’ brains. The author provides descriptions of a number of scientific observations and studies, leading the reader through the process of asking questions, testing hypotheses, and making observations to support or refute those hypotheses. The book also describes how the human microbiome, the tiny organisms living throughout our bodies, impacts our immune systems, nervous systems, emotions, cognition, etc. Other sections describe how animals and humans



have developed mechanisms to resist parasites and other infectious agents, and the role that disgust plays in protecting ourselves from potential deadly conditions but also societal interactions. Throughout, McAuliffe also describes the researchers fascinated by these interactions between tiny organisms and those much larger, explaining how they came to study the creatures that are often misunderstood and reviled. Adult Science Books Bird Brain: An Exploration of Avian Intelligence, by Nathan Emery. (Illus.) Princeton University Press, 2016. 192pp. $29.95. 2016932443. ISBN 9780691165172. Glossary; Index; C.I.P.

What do we mean by intelligence in birds? Do birds think in the same ways as our primate cousins, or is a bird brain really a stupid brain? Nathan Emery‘s noteworthy book explores the very core of what is meant by intelligence. If intelligence is related to the ability to flexibly solve novel problems, then are some birds, like the famous Grey parrot, Alex, or the talented tool-using New Caledonian crows, truly intelligent? Emery provides a broad overview of the

diversity of avian cognitive abilities, and he describes and illustrates cognitive experiments in a way that makes them readily comprehensible. We learn that pigeons have a remarkable gift for discriminating between different objects and that humming birds have enormous brains relative to their body size. The book, lavishly and artfully illustrated throughout, is organized as a series of short essays embedded in chapters with such entertaining titles as, From Birdbrain to Feathered Ape, Where Did I Hide that Worm? and The Right Tool for the Job. The Cell: A Visual Tour of the Building Block of Life, by Jack Challoner. (Illus.) University of Chicago Press, 2015. 192pp. $40.00. 2015008716. ISBN 9780226224183. Glossary; Index; C.I.P. The pictures are amazing! They are used not just to impress, but to illustrate the narrative of the book. This narrative traces the beginning of cells to their death, giving attention to the incredible specialization and function of cells. The explanation of cellular processes is understandable without specialized knowledge, though I do think that with some knowledge of cells the book is even more fascinating and a review without being boring. The book includes recent discoveries, such as information about the Archae, and use of T cells to activate apoptosis. So the reader is accessing very up to date material. Additionally, there are factoids that amaze all on their own: "...a typical retina, with an area of 1 1/2 square inches… has around 120 million rod cells and about six million cones." One statement that surprised me, and I could not verify, is that Euglena did not have chloroplasts, but their photosynthetic capability was due to the algae that they consumed (93). It did seem that in an effort to keep information understandable to an audience without extensive cell biology knowledge, a few times things were simplified, such as the section on plastids. Everything that I could find indicates that chloroplasts are a type of plastid and that plastids are not organelles slightly different from chloroplasts that do photosynthesis (109). This book would be useful to teachers as a resource to give real visuals to concepts being learned. Definitely, it is a book that would spark conversation about cell biology for anyone that picks it up to browse.



Einstein at Home, by Friedrich Herneck. (Illus.) Promotheus Books, 2016. 200pp. $18.00. 2016007972. ISBN 9781633881464. Index; C.I.P. Almost 60% of this book is a translation of a series of 1978 interviews with Herta Waldow, who was the housekeeper for Albert Einstein and his second wife, Elsa, from 1927 to 1933. Herta recalls many details of the everyday life of the Einstein family, including the many prominent visitors who came to their house in Berlin and summer cottage in Caputh. In the process, she corrects multiple errors (or imaginings) in various biographies of Einstein. The translation seems excellent, including several poems written by Einstein that are translated into rhyming English without distorting the meaning significantly. The first third of the book prepares the reader with a three-page timeline of Einstein's life, some general background about Herta, a translation of some remarks about Herneck, and a 35-page summary of Einstein's life and accomplishments. This is a very personal view of an important man at the height of his international fame. He was considered the most prominent resident of Berlin, and the author compares his popularity to that of the Beatles, although the adulation often annoyed him. Jazz of Physics: The Secret Link between Music and the Structure of the Universe, Stephon Alexander. (Illus.) Basic Books, 2016. 272pp. $27.50. 2015050500. ISBN 9780465034994. Index; C.I.P. This book explores the analogy between cosmology and music while making the case for the value of using musical and improvisational thinking in doing physics. No background in music theory or relativistic cosmology is required to understand the text. Equations are few and always well explained in words. The author asserts that storytelling is an engaging and effective device for transmitting complex ideas in physics. This technique is expertly applied throughout the book. The author explores the importance of major historical and contemporary scientists in physics. The unique approach of the text is to demonstrate how the musical theory of jazz-great John Coltrane has an intentional, verifiable basis in physics. Ornette Colman, Sonny Rollins, and the musical explorations

of Brian Eno are also examined in the text. Thanks to mentors, the way science is done, the power of improvisational thinking, and his experience as a jazz saxophonist, the author has made significant contributions to the field of cosmology. Topics covered include string theory, black holes, neuroscience, quantum field theory, inflation, the horizon problem, and others. This is a text that is at once an expression of what science is, how it is done, and why analogy and improvisation are vital to the progress of science. Perhaps most importantly, this is a work that delivers solid, contemporary science while inspiring readers. Restless Creatures: The Story of Life in Ten Movements, Matt Wilkinson. Basic Books, 2016. 320pp. $28.99. 2016387258. ISBN 9781785780455. Index; C.I.P.

Matt Wilkinson's Restless Creatures is a truly amazing book. It takes us from the earliest evolutionary progenitors, to those of us reading the page, by examining how these creatures, (and even plants) moved from one place to the next. Perhaps unique? Certainly groundbreaking as a coherent argument that movement is THE key to all



evolution. Mr. Wilkinson discusses genetics, physiology, paleontology, zoology, embryology, botany, and even engineering in such a down to earth manner that, though far from simple, doesn't require advanced degrees to follow. It would be helpful, though, if you have a working understanding of the disciplines. You will learn of Hox genes, which determine what structures a body segment produces, showing us the similarity of life from centipedes to people. You’ll also learn how gulping air brought fish to land, as they sought new foods and refuge, and why a walking baby beats a crawling baby every day of the week!

Seven Brief Lessons on Physics, by Carlo Rovelli. Riverhead Books, 2016. 96pp. ISBN 9780399184413. Index.

“These lessons were written for those who know little or nothing about modern science.” The author opens with this assurance for those afflicted with a phobia of science. He delivers on this promise by making contemporary physics comprehensible, complete, and poetic. Rather than using arcane thought experiments that physicists are fond of to explain science to lay readers, the author continually relies upon literature, philosophy, and myth to explain physics. The approach is refreshing and provides a reliable avenue to understanding for non-scientists. The book is an expansion of a series of articles published in the Sunday supplement of the Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore. Lesson one addresses Einstein’s general theory of relativity. Lesson two explains the vexing topic of quantum mechanics. Lesson three explores the architecture of the universe. Lesson four treats the subject of

elementary particles. Lesson five discusses quantum gravity and modern attempts to synthesize the major discoveries of the twentieth century into a unified theory. Lesson six is about heat, probability, and black holes. The final lesson addresses the question of how to think about human existence in light of the odd world described by physics. The author is simultaneously one of the founders of loop quantum gravity theory and an extraordinarily gifted writer. Although non-scientists are the intended audience, science writers would do well to read this work as an example of how to make an opaque subject accessible to a wide audience.

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SB&F'S 2016 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE · THE 2016 SB&F HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 421 SB&F December 2016 Amazing (Mostly) Edible Science: A Family Guide to Fun Experiments in the Kitchen, by Andrew