Turner, Matt

Printing words in books originated in China with the invention of movable type. But books aren't the only way we've communicated throughout history. Find out who invented the first radio, which complicated code took 267 years to crack, and how cloth weaving inspired computer programs. Learn more about the methods and machines people have used to communicate?from cave paintings and the earliest written alphabets to TVs and computers.

Before magnifying glasses, how did people make objects look larger? The ancient Romans filled glass bowls with water. Then microscopes and telescopes came along. But optical innovation didn't stop there. Learn how many lightbulb designs Thomas Edison tested, how spies used microfilm to carry secret messages, how satellites let us look at Earth from space, and more! Follow the trail of inventions and devices that have enabled us to see everything from distant stars to tiny cells.

Bicycles were only invented about two hundred years ago?and the first ones didn't have tires or brakes! But bikes aren't the only way we've tried to conquer the roads, seas, and skies. You'll discover how slow the earliest steam locomotives were, how Leonardo da Vinci designed a flying machine inspired by bats and birds, how the US Department of Defense invented GPS, and more! Chart the progress of transportation, from chariots and dugout canoes to bullet trains and spacecraft.

Introduces spiders, how they trap their prey, reproduce, and their relationship with other creatures, including humans.

"Some of the most powerful creatures are also the smallest! Some are easy to find, such as the woodlouse and centipede. Others are so tiny that they can only be seen clearly under a microscope ... [This book describes these] tiny creepy crawlers, including the indestructible tardigrade, the sea spider that has guts in its legs, and ticks that taste with their toes"--Back cover.

"Flying insects hold one of the great keys to survival: wings. And there are winged insects buzzing, flitting, and soaring all around us. Take a close-up look to see how the hummingbird hawk moth dodges predators as it feeds, how honeybees dance to show where food-rich flowers are, and howan emperor dragonfly can see-and fly-in all directions. You'll meet all kinds of incredible creepy crawlers with impressive flying techniques, from master-builder wasps to the always pesky mosquito."--Amazon.com.

Introduces young readers to extraordinary insects including antlions who suck out the insides of their prey, insects weighing more than mice, tower-building termites, flashing fireflies, and more.

Presents an introduction to the lives of beavers, discussing where they live, how and what they eat, and other aspects of their lifestyles, skills, and behaviors; and examines the threats posed to beavers by interaction with humans.

Describes the Earth from a variety of perspectives.