Why do rabbits and guinea pigs feed on their own droppings? How is munching on hyena dung helpful to an African leopard tortoise? And why might you spot scientists carrying buckets of fox poop and dirty diapers into the woods? To humans, eating poop sounds disgusting, but many members of the animal kingdom regularly chow down on poop! This new Science Slam! title will engross readers--and gross them out! Filled with information perfectly suited to...

How do African Himba people use cattle manure to build their homes? Why is a dung home healthier than one made from stone? And how are students in Indonesia turning cow patties into sustainable, eco-friendly bricks? When you think of a building material, brick, wood, or, concrete might come to mind. For many people, however, a handful of poop is the building material for constructing a home! This title will engross readers--and gross them out! Filled...

Why did medieval physicians fill a patient's nostrils with hog's dung? Can eating camel poop really help cure dysentery? And why are 21st-century doctors carrying out fecal transplants on patients with serious digestive problems? We often think of poop as yucky and dirty, but since ancient times, doctors have explored how it can be used as a treatment for illnesses and injuries. This title will engross readers--and gross them out! Filled with information...

For many months a tiny seed has been warm and safe underground. Now it's spring and a little green shoot bursts from the seed and appears from under the soil. Beneath the surface, the new plant's roots spread out in search of water and nutrients. One day the little shoot will be a tall, strong tree. None of this would be possible without soil! Inside this book, readers will discover how important soil is to plant life. How do plants get water and...

From ants, beetles, and worms, to moles, rabbits, and groundhogs, soil is home to many different animals. As they eat, produce bodily waste, and build their underground homes, all these soil-dwelling creatures are making new soil and helping to keep soil healthy. Inside this book, readers will discover a secret world of underground animals and the big part they play in the story of soil. How do animals recycle dead plants and turn them into new soil?...

Soil can be brown, black, crumbly, dry, wet-but so can dirt. So what's the difference? People often use the words "soil" and "dirt" to mean the same thing, but in science they are not the same at all. Soil is a material that plants can grow in, while dirt is the muddy footprints you leave on the floor on a wet day. Inside this book, readers will get down and dirty as they investigate what makes soil special and why dirt is something we need to wipe,...

We see and use it every day, but what exactly is water, and what are its properties? In this title, students will get the opportunity to conduct experiments that show how water can be a liquid, a gas, or a solid. Kids will also get the chance to investigate questions such as "What floats in water?" and "What dissolves in water?" Using everyday items that kids can easily find around the house, students will turn into scientists as they carry out step-by-step...

What are different types of soil made of, and just how is dirt made? In this title, students will get the opportunity to conduct experiments that will help them learn all they ever wanted to know about dirt! Kids will also get the chance to investigate what types of things live in dirt, and they will even get to make their own compost! Using everyday items that kids can easily find around the house, young students will turn into scientists as they...

Which tree weighs as much as 450 elephants and is the heaviest living thing on Earth? How can a tree have bark on its trunk that grows in rainbow colors? What is the strange red liquid that pours from the trunk of the dragon's blood tree? And where in the world can you see a 1,000-year-old tree that has two churches carved into its trunk? In this title, young readers are introduced to some of the plant kingdom's most extreme trees. While children...

What water plant can clean up a polluted river by removing bacteria, chemicals, and even oil from the water? What water plant has such big leaves that a person can sit on it? What carnivorous pond plant feeds on small fish, tadpoles, and insects? And what plant grows in the ocean and is the favorite food of manatees? Young readers will find out as they are introduced to an exciting range of plants that grow and live in water. While children enjoy...