A rhyming text and detailed illustrations combine to reveal bees’ activity, culminating in a large gatefold to reveal a lush garden. Backmatter provides information about types of bees and their role in pollination.
It Starts with a Bee
Intended for young readers, adults will likely be as intrigued at the graphical presentation of information which can be consumed in large bites or small chunks.
Britannica’s Encyclopedia Infographica
The title says it all! Brief but accessible information about a range of topics is ideal to dip into or spend hours poring over.
Absolutely Everything! A History of Earth, Dinosaurs, Rulers, Robots, and Other Things too Numerous to Mention
The “ick” factor combines with humorous illustrations and solid information to present the plagues that have afflicted people for centuries. From the bubonic plague to scurvy, the informal narrative is edifying, engaging, and well-documented — offering young readers a unique look at the history of disease.
Plague-Busters: Medicine’s Battles with History’s Deadliest Diseases
The deep-sea submersible named Alvin can carry three people. “In its [50 year] lifetime, Alvin has changed minds, science, and lives.” Join the exploration of how this was achieved in an accessible but fully sourced narrative, punctuated with black and white photographs.
The Last Unexplored Place on Earth
Wrap-around stories are used to present fascinating information in an inviting, accessible, and authoritative way. This title from the Science Comics series provides information about commonplace creatures now at risk. Another book, World War II: Fight on the Home Front (opens in a new window) (from the History Comics series), provides a look at the impact of the last century’s war on those not engaged on the frontline.
Frogs: Awesome Amphibians
Are the creatures in this lighthearted look at dangerous animals out to get humans or are they just doing what they need to survive and thrive? Common names as well as Latin names are presented alongside a humorous illustration and an invented name for the critter’s survival mechanism.
The World’s Most Atrocious Animals
An expert presents information about how plants can combat some of the world’s biggest problems. Colorful illustrations and solid text features (including a glossary) create a hopeful look at combating climate change.
Plants to the Rescue!
An expert invites the reader to join him as he explains how animals communicate. From insect stridulation (chirping, really) to underwater clicks and cracks, each sound is presented and then explained (translated, really). Well-organized and illustrated in full-color comics engage as well as inform.
How to Chat Chicken, Gossip Gorilla, Babble Bee, Gab Gecko, and Talk in 66 Other Animal Languages
Physics can be fun, and just as important, its principles are seen in everyday activities. Straightforward language complemented by basic illustrations present information and encourage experimentation.
Hands-On Science: Motion
Science continually evolves as new information is uncovered — literally, in the case of fossilized dinosaurs. Accessible, digestible, and engaging information is presented in an oversized, generously illustrated format.
Everything You Know About Dinosaurs Is Wrong!
Folk art and crisp language introduce the human heart to readers (along with some interesting tidbits about other creatures’ hearts). Accessibly written by a pediatric cardiologist, this handsome book can be read from cover to cover or dipped in and out of.
All About the Heart
Following each rhyming clues is the animal that inspired various inventions such as snowshoes and water fins. More familiar inventions are followed by lift-the-flaps to intrigue or confound more sophisticated readers.
Copy That, Copy Cat! Inventions Inspired by Animals
Budding backyard scientists can start exploring their world with this stunning introduction to these flowery show-stoppers — from seeds to roots to blooms. Learning how flowers grow gives kids beautiful building blocks of science and inquiry.
What’s Inside a Flower?
Dip in or start at the beginning to follow the trail to amazing, unique, and always intriguing tidbits of information about a world of animals. Silly and often laughable illustrations open the format for an open and appealing book.
Animal FACTopia! Follow the Trail of 400 Beastly Facts
What is wind? How does it help people and animals? Is there wind in space? These and other intriguing questions are asked then briefly answered on each briskly illustrated double page spread. Though there is no back matter, both author and illustrator thank authoritative sources.
Wind
Though a whale dies and sinks to the ocean floor, it creates life that is sustained for another 50 years. Illustrations evoke the deep water while introducing the various creatures that come to feed on the carcass over time. Additional information adds depth to the riveting exploration.
Whale Fall: Exploring an Ocean-Floor Ecosystem
Have you ever looked up and wondered what’s up there? Voyager 2 joined Voyager 1 as only the second interstellar spacecraft to explore the solar system up close. Evocative illustrations and a narrative by the spacecraft is likely to intrigue budding astronomers and set them on a course for further information.
The Sky Is Not the Limit
Lush illustration in an accessible format demonstrates the wonder of plants. From how they breathe (and help other organisms breathe) to how they cooperate with other creatures, and more is included. A table of contents and glossary (though no additional resources) conclude the brief, attractive, and informative presentation.
The Language of Plants
Sophisticated readers will enjoy this poetic exploration of light. Luminous illustrations show light’s variations in both the familiar and abstract as a child awakens to first light, and later views stars — after all, “light speaks.” Back matter includes brief information about light and related light topics.
Light Speaks
DK Eyewitness Books: Robot
When Ms. Frizzle drives the Magic School Bus full speed ahead into the ocean, the class takes a submarine expedition that’s anything but ordinary. With a well-meaning lifeguard in tow, the class takes a deep breath and learns about hot water vents, coral reefs, plant and animal life on the ocean floor, and more!
The Magic School Bus on the Ocean Floor
Some people collect stamps. Other people collect coins. Carol Otis Hurst’s father collected rocks. Nobody ever thought his obsession would amount to anything. They said, “You’ve got rocks in your head” and “There’s no money in rocks.” But year after year he kept on collecting, trading, displaying, and labeling his rocks. The Depression forced the family to sell their gas station and their house, but his interest in rocks never wavered. And in the end the science museum he had visited so often realized that a person with rocks in his head was just what was needed.
Rocks in His Head
This book provides a good introduction to basic science concepts like photosynthesis, gravity, and the sun’s effect on weather in an easy-to-understand format. Science vocabulary such as “nuclear fusion,” “electromagnetic energy,” “photosphere,” are explained in both text and illustrations. The book includes 10 comic-strip-style panels of “Did You Know?” interesting facts.