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Discover the Desert: The Driest Places On Earth
Ever wonder what it would be like to visit the desert? Is it as dry and barren as it seems, or are there exciting discoveries waiting to be found? And how would you survive the extremes of temperatures, the rough terrain, and the vast distances? Discover the Desert takes readers ages 8 to 12 across breathtaking landscapes to explore the plants and animals of the desert, its lost civilizations, and today's desert-dwelling cultures.
Discover the Deserts wins 2010 Skipping Stones Award
Skipping Stones Magazine Summer 2010—This fun-filled, easy-to-read educational gem will inspire you to explore the diversity of our world’s deserts through their unique climates, geography and ecology. But that’s not all! Among the engaging illustrtions you will find helpful vocabulary, fascinating facts, survival skills and fun at-home projects. It may even compel you to pick up a sandboard. Imagine snowboarding in the desert! Projects ideas include solar cooking, building an underground shelter, or planting an indoor cactus garden. Don’t forget, pack a copy of this book on your next expedition to the desert!
School Library Journal - 3/2010—Chock-full of definitions and facts, this exploration of deserts provides a lot of information about their location, formation, and characteristics.. . Produced to promote conservation of resources, the book includes illustrations and backgrounds in various shades of brown and gray, a logical choice for the subject… Those who peruse even some sections, though, can come away with topics they want to investigate in more depth by consulting additional sources, including the many books and Web sites noted at the end.
Wired Magazine, GeekDad- 1/2010 - Discover the Desert gives a great overview of deserts of the world, with plenty of specifics and important safety tips. You will come away with a much greater knowledge of what the world's deserts are like, culturally, meteorologically and biologically....the included activities and projects will be very memorable.
Booklist February 2010— This large-format book introduces deserts and helps readers imagine traveling through different types, observing their features, and coping with the challenges they present…. These relatively simple, hands-on activities will be useful to teachers and parents looking for ways to engage children with the subject.
“Deserts are the least understood among the land features of the earth because of their vastness and harsh conditions. Yet they remain one of the most fascinating regions of the earth, invoking mysteries and legends, especially in young minds. This book explains in simple terms the various features of deserts with practical lessons of how to travel in and enjoy that wilderness. Today’s young individuals are concerned about preserving the natural features of our planet. This book teaches them how to learn about and how to appreciate one of the most fragile environments on Earth.”
—Dr. Farouk El-Baz, renowned desert explorer, Boston University
“Children will learn a great deal about what deserts are like. I enjoyed Discover the Desert. Combines science with the excitement of discovery.” —Andrew Goudie, Master of St Cross College, Oxford, Emeritus Professor in Geography, recipient of the 2007 Geological Society of America’s Farouk El-Baz Prize for desert research
“Important concepts about the diversity of deserts, human habitation and use, and
geology are reinforced in a child-friendly and accessible manner. Discover the Desert
provokes excitement about a biome that has been traditionally and erroneously treated
as barren and devoid of life. Readers will be left with an increased understanding of the desert and, perhaps more importantly, an increased appreciation for the value of
deserts.” —Frank van Breukelen, Ph.D., Associate Professor, School of Life Sciences,
University of Nevada Las Vegas
Deserts of the World
California Academy of Sciences: The Great Sahara Desert
Deserts: Geology and Resources by Alta Sharon
Walker (US Geological Survey)
Living Desert, Palm Desert, CA
Missouri Botanical Garden Biomes of the World:
Desert
National Geographic Deserts Information
United Nations Environment Program: Global
Deserts Outlook
Deserts of the United States
Desert Survivors (University of Nevada, Las Vegas)
USGS Death Valley National Park Virtual
FieldTrip
Utah Geological Survey
Desert Travel and Recreation
California Deserts Visitors Association
The Cultured Traveler (February 2006 issue)
Dreamride Mountain Bike Skills
United Nations World Tourism Organization:
Sustainable Development of Ecotourism in
Desert Areas
Desert Survival
Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety
Agency Clothing and Solar UV Protection
Discovery Survival Zone: Desert
Expert Village Video Series: How to Survive in the
Desert
Lawrence of Arabia (PBS)
Maricopa County Dept. of Emergency Management
Desert Awareness Booklet
U.S Army Field Manual 3-05.70: Survival (May, 2002)
Desert Preservation and Desertification
The Center for Sonoran Desert Studies of the Desert
Research Institute, NV
The International Center for Agricultural Research
in the Dry Areas
The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research,
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel
United Nations Conference on Desertification
United Nations World Food Program
General
Google Maps
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization World Heritage Convention
United States Department of the Interior Bureau
of Land Management
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
United States Geological Survey
BOOKS
Allaby, Michael. Deserts. Chelsea House, 2006.
Annerino, John. Desert Survivor: An Adventurer’s
Guide to Exploing the Great American Desert.
Four Walls Eight Windows, 2001.
Brown, John. Journey Into the Desert.
Oxford University Press, 2002.
Castaldo, Nancy F. Deserts: An Activity Guide
for Ages 6-9. Chicago Review Press, 2004.
Davenport, Gregory J. Surviving the Desert.
Stackpole Books, 2004.
Flegg, Jim. Deserts: Miracle of Life.
Facts on File, 1993.
Guiberson, Brenda Z. Cactus Hotel.
H. Holt, 1991.
Harris, Nathaniel. Atlas of the World’s Deserts.
Fitzroy Dearborn, 2003.
Jenkins, Martin. Deserts.
Lerner Publications, 1995.
Lazaroff, David Wentworth. Arizona-Sonora Desert
Museum Book of Answers. Arizona-Sonora
Desert Museum Press, 1998.
Le Rochais, Marie-Ange. Desert Trek:
An Eye-Opening Journey Through the World’s
Driest Places. Walker & Co., 2001.
Pipe, Jim. Desert Survival.
Gareth Stevens Pub., 2008.
Reynolds, Jan. Sahara: Vanishing Cultures.
Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1991.
Rozario, Paul. Spreading Deserts.
Raintree, 2004.
Silver, Donald M. Cactus Desert.
W. H. Freeman, 1995.
Simon, Seymour. Deserts. Morrow Junior
Books, 1990.
Stilwell, Alexander. The Encyclopedia of Survival
Techniques. The Lyons Press, 2000.
Storm, Rory. Desert Survivor’s Guide.
Scholastic, 2001.
Warren, Andres and Tony Allan. Guide to Deserts.
Firefly Books Inc., 2006.
Sam Carbaugh received a BA from Cornerstone University and is earning his MFA from the Center for Cartoon Studies. He currently lives in Vermont and enjoys hiking and playing Scrabble with his wife, Kristin. Check out his website at Carbaughcomics.wordpress.com
Learn how light rays bend as they go from lower-density air to
higher-density water. The object you’re looking at will appear to be floating upside down
above the table!
Discover National Monuments, National Parks: Natural Wonders
National Monuments, National Parks: Natural Wonders introduces readers ages 8–12 to the history and science behind some of the most amazing natural sites in our country that have been named national monuments. These natural phenomena have been created by the forces of wind, fire, water, and time. All of these monuments, many of which are now national parks, belong to everyone in America. Each has a fascinating story to tell about America’s past. Kids will learn about some big concepts, such as how a coral reef is formed, or what causes volcanoes to erupt. They can also explore these concepts with hands-on experiments that include making stalactites and discovering how a river can erode rock into a canyon. By understanding the science behind the growth of a coral reef or the petrification process at work in fossil formation, kids will feel invested in the future of the natural areas where these phenomenon occur. History, science, culture, and a wow factor sure to get the attention of this age group will enlighten kids about the importance of safeguarding our world’s treasures.
CLEAR REVIEW (SWON Libraries) February 2010— The science and history is explained behind the monuments featured in this book. This includes "words to know" and activities with supply lists for each chapter. This is a great resource for explaining science concepts in natural environments.
Schoolhouse Magazine May 2009 — Discover National Monuments is a fifteen-chapter activity book for ages 8 and up. It covers a combination of 14 National Parks and Monuments...The pages are colorful and full of graphics in addition to the text... There are plenty of excellent descriptions of specific terminology related to volcanoes, caves, and fossils..Reading the book and doing the activities would definitely enhance your experience.
— Booklist February 15, 2009 "With an inviting, browsable design and a chatty style, this large-sized volume in the Discover Your World series covers 15 national monuments and parks in the U.S. that celebrate and protect natural phenomena - from volcanoes and caves to glaciers, trees, and sand dunes - and discusses their geology, botany, chemistry, zoology, and much more... The informal talk does away with intimidating jargon ("Slug slime is one of the best natural glues"), and the science will excite readers... Always the conservation message is rooted in the truth of what is being lost and what to do about it. "
Websites
National Park Service main website. From here, you can click on links to find specific national parks and monuments, as well as pages on nature & science or for kids & teachers:
http://www.nps.gov/
National Park Service, Nature & Science:
http://www.nature.nps.gov/studentsteachers/linkstolearning/index.cfm
Click on links on the left about Biology and Geology
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment. For general information and links for geology, biology, geography, and water:
http://www.usgs.gov/
USGS website for Geology of the National Parks. From this page you can click on links for specific national parks, as well as subjects such as plate tectonics, sand dunes, glaciers, volcanoes, and more:
http://geology.wr.usgs.gov/parks/index.html
Blair D. Shedd was educated at the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, Inc. In 1999, he formed oneGemini Studios, where he now works as a freelance illustrator and writer. Since then he's worked with numerous clients, including Marvel Entertainment, Upper Deck Entertainment, Kellogg's Pop Tarts, the Rittenhouse Archives among many others, as well as taking on storyboarding and character concept chores for independent films and television. His work can also be found in many private collections across the United States, Canada, Central America, Europe, and Australia. Blair is currently writing and illustrating a comic book based on his Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognized screenplay, Wayward Son.
Blair resides in Vermont with his wife Sarah, son Devon, and brand-new daughter Madlyn. www.oneGemini.com
Make Your Own Cavern
Discover the Oceans
Discover the Oceans: The World's Largest Ecosystem leads kids ages 8 and up on an adventure to one of Earth's most mysterious places. Home to colorful reefs, strange and exotic creatures, deep canyons, and enormous mountain ranges, the world's oceans cover 90 percent of the planet and a world of extremes. Seemingly invincible, it can be hard to understand just how threatened the oceans really are.
“Discover the Oceans offers readers an amazing journey into our underwater world.
CLEAR REVIEW (SWON Libraries) — The book on oceans is an amazing resource for any child interested in the world's largest ecosystem. If you had a question to be answered about the ocean, you would more than likely find it in the eighty-six page resource guide. The cartoon-type pictures, maps, charts, and boxes of "fascinating facts" bring the complex information to life for children.
"Discover the Oceans is a lively, engaging, and accurate description of all facets of our Oceans. This entertaining resource will capture the imagination of the budding ocean explorer." -Dr. S. Bradley Moran, Assistant Vice President for Research Administration and Professor of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, 02881, USA.
Books
Bailey, Maurice and Bailey, Maralyn. Staying Alive! New York. David McKay Company, 1974.
Ballard, Robert.The Eternal Darkness: A Personal History of Deep-Sea Exploration. Princeton, NJ. Princeton University Press, 2000.
Broad, Williams J. The Universe Below: Discovering the Secrets of the Deep Sea. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1997.
Day, Trevor. Oceans. New York: Facts on File, Inc., 1990.
Ganeri, Anita. The Oceans Atlas: a Pictorial Atlas of the World’s Oceans. London: Dorling Kindersley, 1994.
Gatty, Harold. Finding Your Way Without Map or Compass. Mineola, New York: Dover Publications, 1999.
Hall, Michele and Hall,Ward. Secrets of the Ocean Realm. New York: Carol & Graf Publishers, 1997.
Hickman, Pamela. Turtle Rescue. Buffalo, New York: Firefly Books, 2005.
Hutchinson, Stephen and Hawkins, Lawrence. Oceans: a Visual Guide. Buffalo, New York: Firefly Books, 2005.
Kiley, Deborah Scaling. Albatross. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1994.
Kunzig, Robert. The Restless Sea: Exploring the World Beneath the Waves. New York: W.W. Norton, 1999.
Kurlansky, Mark. The Story of Salt. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2006.
Leslie, Edward. Desperate Journeys, Abandoned Souls: True Stories of Castaways and Other Survivors. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1988.
Natural History of the Oceans. New York: DK Publishing, 2001.
O’Hanlon, Redmond. Trawler. New York: Knopf, 2005.
Robertson, Dougal. Survive the Savage Sea. New York: Praeger Publishers, 1973.
Sauvain, Philip. Oceans. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Carolrhoda Books, 1996.
Viera, Linda. The Seven Seas. New York: Walker & Company, 2003.
Magazine Articles
“Biologists Close In on Mystery of Seat Turtles’ ‘Lost Years.’ University of Florida, October 3, 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2008 from www.sciencedaily.com.
“Canteen Science: The Soggy Spud.” Odyssey Magazine, February 2008, p. 26.
“Castaways Died Insane from Thirst.” The New York Times, May 19, 1914.
“Dust Storms in Sahara Desert Trigger Huge Plankton Blooms in Eastern Atlantic.” National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton, February 10, 2008.
“Water from Thin Air—Harvesting Dew.” Odyssey Magazine, February 2008, p. 27.
“World’s Largest Marine Protected Area Created in Pacific Ocean.” Conservation International, February 18, 2008.
Black, Richard. “Protection needed for ‘marine Serengitis.” BBC News, April 8, 2004.
Young, Emma. “Polynesians Beat Columbus to Americas.” The New Scientist, June 2, 2004.
Chuck Forsman is an award-winning cartoonist and a recent graduate of The Center for Cartoon Studies. He currently resides in Vermont where he works in a deli and a library when he isn’t drawing. He also has a website showcasing his work, www.chuckmcbuck.com.
Believe it or not, you can actually create freshwater from seawater through
a process called distillation.
