LAURA PERDEW Books

In Earth's 4.5-billion-year history, more than 5 billion species have gone extinct, some of them at the same time. How can 75-95 percent of species on Earth disappear at one time? What event could cause such a massive die off? These are the questions that scientists have asked for decades as they explore the causes of extinction. In Extinction: What Happened to the Dinosaurs, Mastodons, and Dodo Birds? readers ages 9 to 12 learn about the scientific detective work scientists perform to answer these questions and find the culprit behind mass extinctions.

Why does the green basilisk lizard run on the surface of water? What does the sidewinder snake do to earn its name? In Water-Walking, Sidewinding, and Other Remarkable Reptile Adaptations, children ages 5 to 8 dive into the fascinating world of reptile adaptations with accurate, vivid illustrations, layered text, a hands-on activity, and plentiful back matter. Perfect as a read aloud or early reader for science-curious kids!

So many stars and so little time! In Stars: A Gazillion Suns, a story narrated by the Universe, kids 5 to 8 explore these glittering cosmic objects and discover what stars are made of, what makes them twinkle, and what humans use them for! Two funny aliens provide fun facts about space and a hands-on activity makes for an educational opportunity perfect for all kinds of learners.

"How do sunscreen and mucus help amphibians survive? Detailed illustrations, funny narrative, layered text, and backmatter all point science-minded, curious kids toward the fascinating world of animal adaptation!"--Provided by publisher.

Not all birds build nests with sticks and have good manners. Some construct nests with their own saliva, while others use vomit as a defense! Spit Nests, Puke Power, and Other Brilliant Bird Adaptations is part of a set of five books in the Picture Book Science series that explore strange-but-true tales of adaptation.

Slather on the sunscreen and get ready to journey to the desert biomes of the world in this nonfiction picture book! In Destination Desert: Biome Explorers, kid scientists make the trek to four different types of deserts around the world--a hot and dry desert, a semi-arid desert, a coastal desert, and a cold desert. In each place, explorers discover the adaptations plants and animals such as cacti, shrubs, camels, ibex, and lizards have made to survive in these dry places! Plus, find out what humans can do to keep deserts from taking over too much of the land. Scientifically accurate illustrations, fascinating facts, and a hands-on activity are all part of the opportunity for deeper learning about biomes. An introductory poem and glossary encourage language arts connections. Perfect as a real aloud or for beginning readers. Destination Desert: Biome Explorers is part of a set of five books in the Picture Book Science series that explore the different biomes of Planet Earth. Other titles in this series include Grassland Globetrotting: Biome Explorers; Aquatic Adventures: Biome Explorers; Footsteps in the Forests: Biome Explorers; Tour the Tundra: Biome Explorers.

In Tour the Tundra: Biome Explorers, science adventurers ages 5 to 8 learn about the plants and animals that inhabit the Arctic, the Antarctic, and the alpine tundras. Fascinating fun facts and a science activity make this book a must-have in homes and classrooms.

Time to journey to the grasslands! In Grassland Globetrotting: Biome Explorers, kids ages 5 to 8 travel to temperate grasslands and tropical savannas to meet all kinds of plants and animals that make grasslands their home. Amazing fun facts and a hands-on science project make this book a must-have.

What's the sun good for, anyway? Find out as the Universe explains just what makes the sun so important to planet Earth in Sun: Shining Star of the Solar System. In this nonfiction picture book, children ages 5 to 8 learn how the sun creates the days, seasons, and years we experience on Earth and even affects our weather and water. Funny aliens provide a running commentary on the Universe's clear explanations of complex science topics and a hands-on activity makes for an extra layer of learning.

How did Earth form? Why is there life here? Why is water so important? In Earth: One-of-a-Kind Planet, kids ages 5 to 8 explore their own planet and its place in the solar system, as narrated by Universe with help from a couple of funny aliens! Compelling explanations of complex science topics and a hands-on science project make this book a must-have.