Elise Tobler – författare

In chemistry, compounds are made whenever two or more different elements come together. You use compounds every day, probably without realizing it. If you''re baking a cake, you''re using compounds. If you''re swimming, you''re using compounds. When you breathe, you''re actually making compounds, because you inhale oxygen, and exhale carbon dioxide. What other compounds are there? Elementary readers will explore all four kinds of compounds and discover why they''re essential for everyday life, with simple diagrams and age-appropriate vocabulary.

Mixtures are easy and fun to make, because they don''t need a chemical reaction like compounds do. If you have a bowl filled with red candies and pink candies, you have a mixture. Even your favorite pizza is a mixture. Mixtures are made whenever two or more different things come together but can also be easily separated. Mixtures can be solids, liquids, or gases. Your budding scientists will explore each and every kind of mixture with fun diagrams and elementary-level vocabulary.

Have you ever gone swimming in the ocean? If you have, you''ve been swimming in a solution. Oceans are made of salt water, and salt water is a solution. A solution is a kind of mixture where one of the substances dissolves into the other one and cannot be easily separated. Readers will learn about all the kinds of solutions in the world, and explore how they can make their very own with ingredients from the kitchen. The narrative was crafted for elementary readers, and is supported by simple diagrams and a full glossary.

Matter is anything that takes up space, including us. Everything that takes up space has different properties, like weight, length, color, and odor. Sneakers have different properties than peanut butter. The state of the matter will also change its properties; water has different properties when it is a liquid than it does as a solid. Readers will explore the properties of matter and how they interact with each of them every day without even realizing it.

Sulfur has been known since ancient times, used by Indians, Greeks, and Egyptians. This distinctive and often smelly element was sometimes called brimstone. Sulfur is present in garlic, a skunk''s defensive spray, and is also responsible for the horrible smell of rotten eggs. Sulfur also lends strength to feathers, adds a tang to grapefruit, and is an important ingredient of fertilizer. Readers will explore sulfur from A to Z: from how it''s used in matches, to how it''s a critical macronutrient for every living body.

Every cell requires zinc in order to reproduce, you couldn''t have been born without it. Zinc boosts brain activity, and is an essential trace element for humans, but it requires a delicate balance, being toxic in higher quantities. It is a component to sunblock, but can also protect skin against windburn and other irritations. Readers will explore every aspect of zinc, from how it contributes to health even prior to birth, to how it''s inside every penny we spend.

Many people know that chameleons have the ability to change colors, but not everyone knows exactly how they do it. Your readers will discover the secret behind the chameleon''s colorful alterations. They''ll also learn many more interesting facts about these incredible lizards. Colorful photographs give readers an up-close look at these fascinating creatures while fact boxes relay interesting tidbits. Manageable and informative text supports key science curricula and encourages both curious and developing readers to become engrossed in the topic.

Geckos can live in many different habitats and have unique features that help them stay alive. This book introduces readers to many different kinds of geckos, from those living in the desert to the geckos found in the pet store. Reptile lovers will enjoy learning all sorts of science facts such as how they are able to walk on walls and the ins and outs of their life cycle. Full-color photographs and fascinating fact boxes reinforce key ideas and keep readers engaged.

These creatures might not be the first image that comes to mind when one hears the word "monster," but a Gila monster''s bite can be deadly to its prey. While this reptile moves slowly, it is able to protect itself from predators in a fascinating way. Accessible text conveys important aspects of elementary science curricula while eye-catching photographs keep readers of many ages and levels engaged. Curious and developing readers will be thrilled to recite the many fun facts they learn from this volume.

Imagine all the ways having an extra eye could make life easier. Lucky for iguanas, they don''t have to imagine! With the help of this stimulating volume, reptile-loving readers will learn about these scaly creatures, from their diets and habitats to how exactly that extra eye comes in handy. Colorful photographs provide a close-up view of these wonderful reptiles and keep readers engaged while they absorb important life science concepts. Informative text is laid out in sections that are easy to digest, making for a book that your readers will benefit from.

While they''re not exactly the mythical fire-breathing monsters that their name brings to mind, Komodo dragons are still fierce predators. They''re also the world''s largest lizards and can weigh as much as an adult person. With the help of accessible text, fact boxes, graphic organizers, and vibrant photographs, readers learn all about these unique reptiles. They may not be the kind of dragons most stories are about, but they certainly make for a fascinating and informative topic.

Unlike many other creatures, snapping turtles aren''t very picky when it comes to their food. They''re usually happy to eat almost anything they can get their mouths on! Readers of this innovative volume are introduced to these often-aggressive animals and learn key facts about them, such as the differences between the common snapping turtle and the alligator snapping turtle. Eye-catching photographs correlate closely with engaging text, supporting a solid understanding of this narrative''s scientific and curricular content.