Margery Facklam

Written for kids, this is also a good intro for anyone who wants to know about bees--or about how scientists do research. When I visited the Barro Colorado Island research station, I wanted to bring something back that would show my grandkids why I went. Facklam breaks down scientific inquiry into it's separate steps: how scientists' questions developed from their observations and from what was already known; how they studied bee communication by isolating messages about food distance, show more height, and direction; and the different types of equipment and devices they created to do the experiments. Filled with neat sketches and photos, this is sure to captivate a young reader's interest. The words are definitely at a higher reading level. There is a glossary, but readers may need help sounding out words.
Specific chapters are:
1)overview of bee species, anatomy, how they pollinate, and research on bee communication
2) bee life cycle & care of young, using sweat bees as an example, studying bee homes in the ground, taxonomy & classifying specimens
3)studying nocturnal bees, measuring flight speed, how bees see
4)Africanized bees, bee stings
5)glossary
6)further reading. show less

What do you know about New York? Empire State Building, Central Park, Manhattan, "The city that never sleeps", September 11,...but have you ever thought that there is more about New York? New York isn't just a wonderful town, moreover, it is a state, filled with rich history, culture and a wonderful landscape. The books shows well-chosen pictures, gives an insight about things a majority of the people (at least Europeans) have never dealt with. The book does not focus on only one topic, it show more varies from history over geography to demographics. I especially like, that the author gives information about rememberable people, having lived in the state. He includes, for instance, Harriet Tubman, who is famous for her work as nurse, scout, Union spy during the Civil War era and as conductor of the Underground Railroad. In conclusion, this is a good book and I will definitely use it at school to get to know more about New York! show less

Very well written and illustrated book highlighting the various regions and locations in New York. Written for capable young raeders, the book highlights history, popular destinations, events, etc. The artwork is attractive and informative and maintains interest in the subject matter. Spending the first half of my life in the Adirondacks, this book provides a great overview of the entire state, not just the city.

I really enjoyed the rhyming text presented in this book pack full of bugs and bug facts. At the end multi-cultural children are shown eating bugs!! YUCK!! The back of the book has a glossary of buggies!! Its really cute. I would use this book for science, ss, to hook a reader, reluctant readers, & boys. Grades PreK-6