Elementary

Insects do the Strangest Things

Book cover: Insects do the Strangest Things
Author(s): 
Leonora and Arthur Hornblow
Illustrator(s): 
Michael K. Frith

Interesting and informative stories of the strange but fascinating behavior of various types of insects. The pictures are of the somewhat cheezy 60s variety, but the text is quite good and written at approximately a second grade level.

Egg: A Photographic Story of Hatching

Book cover: Egg: A Photographic Story of Hatching
Author(s): 
Robert Burton
Illustrator(s): 
Jane Burton (Photographer)
Kim Taylor (Photographer)

When you think of eggs hatching, do you tend to think of birds and chicks? Think again! Reptiles, fish and insects can hatch from eggs as well. This book provides the photo stories of the hatching of 27 different animals including Ostrich, Moorhen, Japanese Quail, Starling, Leopard Tortoise, Cornsnake, Leopard Gecko, Ladybug, Common Frog, Great Crested Newt, Goldfish and Kerry Slug. Each hatching includes numerous photos with detailed descriptions of the process and how long it takes. A final photo generally shows the creature a day or two later.

The Way Things Work Kit

Book cover: The Way Things Work Kit
Author(s): 
David Macaulay

This kit provides dozens of special cardboard pieces, wooden dowels string, wheels, etc. for making simple machines (inclined planes, scales, etc.) that can be used for understanding basic concepts of mechanics – how things work. Based upon the bestselling "The Way Things Work" by David Macaulay, the kit continues the theme of Wooly Mammoths as props and characters for use in these experiments.

Dead Log Alive!

Book cover: Dead Log Alive!
Author(s): 
Jo S. Kittinger

This book provides an interesting and detailed look at what comes to live in and around a dead log – woodpeckers, squirrels, mushrooms, fungi, moss, molds, porcupines, foxes, snakes, scorpions, millipedes, centipedes, pill bugs, salamanders, ants, termites, and beetles. Includes many interesting color photos and details about each species, how to tell them apart and much more. The book also includes an index, a glossary and suggestions for further reading.

Birds do the Strangest Things

Book cover: Birds do the Strangest Things
Author(s): 
Leonora and Arthur Hornblow
Illustrator(s): 
Alan D Singer

Twenty-two stories of the natural but strange and fascinating behavior of various birds. The text covers ostriches, hummingbirds, kiwis, loons, peacocks, emperor penguins, woodpeckers and much more. The text is somewhat lengthy (approx. 12-20 lines per page), but in fairly large print and at a fairly easy reading level. My children find this book completely fascinating. Part of the "Step-Up" series which includes "Meet George Washington" et al.

Viking Adventure

Book cover: 'Viking Adventure'
Author(s): 
Clyde Robert Bulla
Illustrator(s): 
Douglas Gorsline
This book tells the story of Sigurd, a young Viking boy who hears his father tell tales of adventures sailing to far lands and longs for adventures of his own. It looks like his dreams may come true when his father's friend Gorm comes to his home and tells of his plan to sail for the legendary land of Wineland, west of Greenland.

Heroes of Virtue

Book cover: 'Heroes of Virtue: A Timeline-manual of New World Saints and Blessed'
Author(s): 
Sister Elizabeth Ann
We have enjoyed using this manual in our home for almost a year now and have found that it has added a dimension that was lacking from our homeschool before. The author, a member of the congregation Sisters of Saint Joseph the Worker, has done an outstanding job organizing the saints of the Americas by chronology and geographical area. This manual includes saints from both North and South America. Sister Elizabeth Ann begins her book with reasons for studying these saints along with many ideas for incorporating them into ones ongoing historical or geographical studies.

Switch On! Switch Off!

Book cover: Switch On! Switch Off!
Author(s): 
Melvin Berger
Illustrator(s): 
Carolyn Croll

A very simple children's book designed to explain how electricity works and how it is harnessed to be used in everyday life. The thing my husband (the electrical engineer) liked about this book was that it, quite simply, doesn't have any flaws. It is simple, but substantive.

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