Etta Kaner – författare

Young readers will learn about the habits of unusual animals and what they really need to exist.

Animals have some unusual ways to survive in the wild. That’s why a sleeping bear might not appreciate an alarm clock. In fact, a wake-up call could be dangerous. In If You Meet a Barfing Bird, kids discover why they should definitely NOT help the animals they meet. A red-lipped batfish doesn’t want water wings and a hairy seaweed crab isn’t looking for a haircut. Hilarious situations and outraged reactions from animals make for a laugh-out-loud read.

A kid-friendly introduction to invasive animal species that explores how they got into new ecosystems and the damage they’ve caused.

It might not seem like a big deal when a non-native animal species finds its way to another environment. But it can be! Invasive species reproduce quickly and often have no natural predators, allowing them to overtake native species, and even destroy the ecosystem of their new home. Here’s an intriguing look at 10 of these species from around the world — from tiny cactus moths to mighty Burmese pythons — and the problems they’re causing. As each section explains, humans were responsible for bringing all these animals to their new locations. And now it’s up to humans to do something about it!

In this unique, highly visual book, Etta Kaner’s accessible text and Phil Nicholls’s vibrant art reveal a fascinating world of “aliens” that invade new habitats. With two spreads for each animal, the book is chock-full of information, including the animal’s features, habitat and invasion route; a narrative describing how it became invasive and why it’s become a problem; and a list of ideas for what can be done, ending with the question, “If you were a scientist or conservation officer, what would you do?” The text is presented in fun, eye-catching formats, ranging from comic strips to posters to newspaper articles, keeping the engagement level high and highlighting what scientists are currently doing to solve the problems. There are strong life-science connections here on characteristics of living things, ecosystems and habitats. Contains a glossary, sources, further reading and how to help.

From cactuses to birds’ wings, termite towers to honeycombs, this book celebrates more than thirty examples of nature’s influence on building and bridge designs all over the world. In some instances, architects looked to nature to solve structural problems, like creating an earthquake-proof bridge by mimicking the long roots of a type of grass known for stabilizing riverbanks. Other examples show how nature provides artistic inspiration, like the famous buildings designed by Frank Gehry that evoke the beauty of moving fish. The incredible structures in this book prove that nature and architecture are perfect partners! Sidebar biographies tell us more about these famous architects who have used nature to spectacular effect in their designs. Fun activities throughout add an interactive element, with step-by-step instructions for science experiments and a design-your-own-structure activity.

Award-winning author Etta Kaner combines science and art in this unique look at nature’s influence on architecture and design. The emphasis on problem-solving and critical thinking make it an excellent choice for science and technology lessons on structures, mechanisms and engineering. The book could also be used for studying earth science and the environment, as it promotes sustainability and eco-friendly structures. Detailed and eye-catching illustrations by award-winning artist Carl Wiens help make the concepts clear and easy to understand. This book will fascinate budding architects and makers who love building and learning how things work. Includes a glossary, resources, author’s sources and an index.