50 Questions

Unbelievable facts about an amazing specimen -- YOU! Most of us eat, run, or sleep without thinking about it. But our bodies are masterful machines of intricate design that perform amazing feats d

Unbelievable facts about an amazing specimen -- YOU! Most of us eat, run, or sleep without thinking about it. But our bodies are masterful machines of intricate design that perform amazing feats daily. The fifth book in Annick's successful 50 Questions series guides readers through the details of how our bodies function, from the miracles of genetics, to immune cells shaped like sea monsters. With her engaging, lucid style, Lloyd Kyi incorporates recent scientific research to explain our body's complex workings. Kids will love finding the answers to questions such as: Do blood cells travel single file? (In our capillaries, blood cells have to squeeze through one at a time.) How is your spine like a racetrack? (Messages race down the nerves in your spinal cord faster than a NASCAR driver.) Is your brain like plastic? (Your brain's ability to change is called "plasticity.") Can your lungs take a hike? (Your lungs and blood vessels adapt to altitude changes.) Are there aliens inside you?

Who knew that climate has been a leading actor in the drama of human history? Climate is a hot topic. Turns out, it's been a major mover and shaker since time began. Climate has made it possible fo

Who knew that climate has been a leading actor in the drama of human history? Climate is a hot topic. Turns out, it's been a major mover and shaker since time began. Climate has made it possible for new species to evolve, yet has wiped out others. We might not think about it this way, but it has a hand in determining where we live, what we do, and how well we survive. The fourth book in Annick's highly engaging 50 Questions series gives readers the answers to earth-shattering questions such as "How big was the wallop that KO'd T. rex?" (Huge! Scientists believe a Manhattan-sized asteroid killed off dinosaurs by creating thick dust that cooled the earth's climate.) Or "Would you call this a BIG help?" (Giant poop from sperm whales is helping to reduce greenhouse gases--go, whales, go!) You'll be surprised to read about the dangers of belching cows, or about the hailstorm that started a revolution. Discover the topsy-turvy world of climate in these electrifying pages, while enjoying the

You are what you wear (underneath)! Most of us take our underwear for granted, but throughout history our undies have revealed a lot about who we are (king or peasant), how we work (in fields or

You are what you wear (underneath)! Most of us take our underwear for granted, but throughout history our undies have revealed a lot about who we are (king or peasant), how we work (in fields or factories) or the shapes we value (manly calves or tiny waists). The third book in Annick's 50 Questions series tackles questions such as "What's that smell?" (Medieval Europeans thought bathing made you sick) and "Did boxers arrive in the Nick of time?" (When blue jean model Nick Kamen stepped out of his denims to reveal his boxers, sales of the underwear soared.) Underwear has played a role in ancient crusades, city sieges and even modern economic predictions. Obviously, it's time to uncover the facts about everything from loincloths and T-shirts to bloomers and lingerie. Young readers will laugh their pants off at the accompanying cartoons and get the bare, but fascinating, facts about the history of our unmentionables.

Warning: do not kiss golden dart frogs! It's a toxic world out there. Poisonous snakes, toxic herbicides, noxious fumes -- poisons in one form or another are all around us. An innocent-looking flower may be lethal, and smog can make it impossible to breathe. Poisons can be the death of us, but they can also cure disease. The second book in Annick's 50 Questions series provides answers to many intriguing questions, such as: Should you pee on a jellyfish sting? No, douse it with vinegar!Why was the Mad Hatter mad? From working with mercury nitrate.Can venomous lizards cure diabetes? Yes, a drug used to treat the disease comes from the Gila monster's venom.Poison Puzzles at the end of each chapter then test the readers' knowledge. Young readers who want to avoid paint that kills or leaves that give blisters can explore the fascinating and dangerous world of poisons. And don't be afraid! The killer cartoons and dead-funny text are venom-free.

A red-hot feast of fiery facts -- the first book in Annick's new 50 Questions series If we took the time to examine flames in our world -- fires that have built civilizations, sparked entire religion