John Farndon

An introduction to the vast universe, explaining what stars are and how they are born, discussing galaxies, dark matter, and black holes, and looking at the levels of stars and galaxies that exist across the universe.

Discover the story of petroleum, and the many ways it shapes the world we live in--why we need it, where we get it, and how we use it.

Explore the structures you encounter in your everyday life and around the world that exist because of engineering. Discover how the world's tallest building stays standing and more with full-color illustrations designed to keep young readers engaged and entertained while they learn.

Provides in-depth descriptions of over 125 species of animals including their habitats, life cycles, and behavior. The newly revised Kingfisher First Encyclopedia of Animals is the perfect reference for children who are just learning to look up information for themselves. The entries are clearly presented with simple, informative text and more than 1,500 exciting color illustrations and photographs, arranged thematically by animal group. Cross-reference...

From riverbeds to beaches, cliff faces to fields, unearth the earth's most precious rocks, minerals and gems, no matter where you are in the world. Learn how to read the landscape for clues and identify different rock types -- from dazzling diamonds to grainy sandstone. Discover how the three main types of rock form and all the major mineral groups. Packed with fascinating facts and beautiful close-up photography, this book will help you become a...

Unlock the secrets and rituals of how to prepare for the afterlife in Ancient Egypt more than three thousand years ago. But make sure to keep safe by using spells from the Book of the Dead!

How do planes stay in the air? What is vertical takeoff? How does a pilot control altitude in a hot-air balloon? Join the Stickmen to find out how mechanisms work. Get an insider's view of these airborne wonders!

Earthquakes can destroy entire cities in mere minutes and send shock waves rippling around the world. These devastating quakes become even more deadly when followed by monster waves. Tsunamis may travel faster than a jet across thousands of miles of ocean. Once they reach the coast, these huge walls of water can wash away everything in their path in one fatal whoosh. No place on Earth is entirely safe from earthquakes. But the technology to detect...

Meet some of the most fascinating insects and arachnids on Earth, and learn about their incredible abilities-from building and weight-lifting to long-distance migration and hunting.

The molten rock just under Earth's solid crust sometimes erupts suddenly and violently, causing streams of red-hot lava and scorching high-speed avalanches called pyroclastic flows. Volcanoes can bury entire cities in ash, poison the air with suffocating gases, trigger earthquakes and tsunamis, and drastically alter our climate. Witness the world's most extreme volcanic disasters throughout history, from the Yellowstone supervolcano to Vesuvius and...