Saturday, October 15, 2022

The Naturalist's Notebook

 


About the book

Become a more attentive observer and deepen your appreciation for the natural world. The unique five-year calendar format of The Naturalist’s Notebook helps you create a long-term record and point of comparison for memorable events, such as the first songbird you hear in spring, your first monarch butterfly sighting of summer, or the appearance of the northern lights. Biologist Nathaniel T. Wheelwright and best-selling author Bernd Heinrich teach nature lovers of all ages what to look for outdoors no matter where you live, using Heinrich’s classic illustrations as inspiration. As you jot down one observation a day, year after year, your collected field notes will serve as a valuable record of your piece of the planet. This deluxe book, with a three-piece case, gilt edges, a burgundy ribbon bookmark, and a belly band with gold foil stamping, is a perfect gift for all nature lovers.

My Thoughts

This notebook is divided into two sections - one to teach you on how to become more observant and see what the nature can show us and the 5-year calendar journal.

The first portion of the book is composed of six chapters which will help you become more attentive to your surroundings and become an observant naturalist.   It will provide you with tips and tricks on how to observe the nature wherever you are and will give you some useful tools to have on hands.  One specific chapter provides some ways of learning through the seasons.   The first 95 pages will be instructive on how to become an observant naturalist.

Here are some examples of the pages found in the first section of the book.






The second portion of the book contains the 5-year calendar of observations.  The pages are presented like the example below.  You can use this notebook for a period of five years if you are dedicated in doing so every year or you could span it to every second year if you prefer to make it last longer.   One thing is for sure, you need to spend time outdoors to be able to fully use this book. This notebook will allow you to track the changes happening in the natural world around you.


In conclusion, if you enjoy the outdoors and take the time to stop and observe, you will enjoy having this notebook in your backpack to jolt down your observations.

This book can be found at your favorite bookstore.

Disclaimer: Thanks to Thomas Allen for sending me the above mentioned product for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Thursday, October 13, 2022

Zen Doodling


 About the book

Today's hectic lifestyle can leave us burned out. It's no wonder that more and more people are engaging in healing activities such as yoga, meditation, and massage. Artistic expression is also a great way to de-stress. Barron's Zen Doodling, combines the calming benefits of meditation with the soothing effects of drawing for a unique new take on relaxation.

Zen doodling doesn't require any artistic training, and there's no need for special tools or equipment. With just a pen and a scrap of paper, many find that the simple repetitive nature of drawing patterns is spiritually rewarding and can boost creative confidence.

Here, professional illustrator and artist, Carolyn Scrace offers simple instructions and tons of beautiful examples that will inspire artists of all levels to get started in this unique art form. You'll find:

  • A range of exercises from simple patterns using lines and shapes, to more complex mandalas, portraits, and even unique personal alphabets that incorporate depth and color
  • Great ideas for adding a Zen touch to fabric, journals, china, glass, and more
  • Basic lessons on color theory, light and shade, and a helpful glossary of relevant terms

    With down-to-earth language and engaging design, 
    Zen Doodling offers a distinctive approach to artistic creativity, and a method for achieving personal serenity.

My Thoughts

I personally find it relaxing and calming to draw whenever I can.  It takes time and patience to get something you have in your mind on a piece of paper.   I remember doodling when I was in school on the side of my paper.  Today doodling has become more sophisticated and can become a piece of art in itself.  We can find numerous books on doodling on the market.  Today I am writing about Zen Doodling.

The book is divided into five sections covering the basics, mandalas, how to be inspired, techniques to experiment, as well as how to use doodles daily.



The book is colorful and offers a ton of ideas to develop your doodling on the go. You will find interesting doodle exercises that will inspire you to be better at it and create your own at some point. If you love to doodle this book can definitively inspire you to expand on your doodling skills.

This book is available at your favorite bookstore.

Disclaimer: Thanks to Thomas Allen for sending me the above mentioned product for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

How Food Works

 


About the book

Is red wine good for your heart? Will caffeine raise your blood pressure? How Food Works gives you answers to these and several more questions by investigating claims surrounding a variety of foods and examining them from a biological standpoint. Discover nutritional facts about the food you eat, learn the benefits of superfoods and antioxidants, and go behind-the-scenes of modern food production.

Packed with infographics and colorful images, the book delves into the science behind ways of eating including gluten-free and veganism, as well as the benefits of different diets from around the world. Turn the pages to understand why food intolerances occur, what actually makes food organic, how important sell-by dates really are, and how much salt you should really be eating. 

Readers will also learn about the social and economic implications of food choices, such as eating disorders and fair-trade businesses. 

Indispensable and accessible to young and old, 
How Food Works is the perfect health and dietary companion.

My Thoughts

This book is packed with interesting information related to food.  Let's admit it sometimes it is hard to follow nutrition and dietary recommendation.   Written by 

The book is divided into 6 sections:  Food Fundamentals, Storing and Cooking, Types of Food, Drinks, Diets, as well as Food and Environment.

Food Fundamentals: In this section, you will learn about the basics of nutrition, how hunger works, flavor, smell and taste, nutrients and much more.

Storing and Cooking: This section presents all you need to know about preservation from storing and freezing, fermentation, how food is processed, additives and how to cook food.

Types of Food: This section presents all the types of food that can be eaten and prepared.

Drinks: This section concentrates on all the different type of drinks that can accompany our meals.

Diets: Diets, what are they?  How many are there? What are the differences between them? You questions are answered in this section.

Food and Environment: How does food affect our environment is explained in this portion of the book.

The text is easy to understand.  The book contains numerous illustrations and graphs to help the visualization of what you read as well as understand the differences between different techniques of cooking and how food affect your body.




If you are interested in learning more about food, this book is one to explore.

The book is available at your favorite bookstore.

Disclaimer: Thanks to DK Canada for allowing me to promote their books. I was not monetarily compensated for this post . Please note that the post was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Sunday, October 9, 2022

 

This Big Fat Notebook makes it all “sink in” with key concepts, mnemonic devices, definitions, diagrams, and doodles to help you understand computer science. Perfect for Junior High; grades 7, 8 and 9.

 
Including:

  • Computing systems
  • Binary code
  • Algorithms
  • Computational thinking
  • Loops, events, and procedures
  • Programming in Scratch and Python
  • Boolean Expressions
  • Web development
  • Cybersecurity
  • HTML
  • CSS
  • …and more!

 
The 
Big Fat Notebook series is built on a simple and irresistible conceit―borrowing the notes from the smartest kid in class. Each book in the series meets Common Core State Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, and state history standards, and are vetted by National and State Teacher of the Year Award–winning teachers. They make learning fun and are the perfect next step for every kid who grew up on Brain Quest.


My Thoughts


Similar to the other Big Fat Books on Math, Science, English, World History and American History, this book is well made and very colorful.  It explains all you need to know about computer science and coding. 


Each chapter is written in easy language and contains clear illustrations and explanations.  Chapters end with a Check your Knowledge section which you can answer and a Check your Answers to confirm if you were right or wrong.


I really love the style in these books as they are perfect to help understand complex information linked to computer science.







This book and the other ones in the One Big Fat Notebook series are available at your favorite bookstore.


Disclaimer: Thanks to Thomas Allen for sending me the above mentioned product for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Sunday, June 19, 2022

The Sickening History of Medicine

 The Sickening History of Medicine books  are published at Lerner Books publishing.  It is a series who will take the readers through the history of medicine, using fascinating and sometimes gruesome illustration to describe ancient epidemics, early remedies, and the scientific discoveries that broght us to where we are today.

I have received four titles from this series.

Plague! Epidemic and Scourge Through the Ages

Being sick is horrible but it used to be worse.  Inside this book, you will see evidence of the plagues of the past- rotting skin, dissolving lungs, and sinister swelling all over the body. Diseases like the Black Death wiped out whole towns and villages.  Tuberculosis consumed young people like a bloodsucking vampire.  Smallpox left its victims scarred for life - if they survived.  At the time, no one knew where these killer diseases came from or how to treat them.  Eventually, doctors discovered how these diseases and others were spread.  Being sick isn't quite as sickening as it was in the past.

Strange Medicine, A History of Medical Remedies

It is easy to take a pill when we aren't feeling well.  But did you know that the art of making medicines goes back thousands of years?  Early remedies weren't always so easy - or effective.   Some seemed downright disgusting.  Wine infused with a venomous snake was used to cure fatigue and hair loss.  Snail slime soothed burns, and a mixture of ear wax and mud treated headaches.  Discover more about how medicine was practiced centuries ago and how, eventually, scientists discovered some truly amazing remedies, from the magic bullet that treated syphilis to the insulin used for diabetes.

Quacks & Con Artist, The Dubious History of Doctors

People have always needed doctors. But the doctors of the past might not look like the doctors you are used to seeing!  Sometimes their healing methods were weird, disgusting, or even dangerous.  Doctors in the Middle Ages sniffed patients' urine to diagnose disease, and barbers might cut off a person's injured arm or leg.  The ancient Chinese fought smallpox by blowing powdered pus up the nose.  Many of these old remedies turned out to be dangerous, but others paved the way for modern blood transfusions, vaccines, and anesthetics.  If you're not too squeamish, read this book to learn more about the history of doctors.


Tiny Killers, When Bacteria and Viruses Attacks

Invisible microbes cause sickness by invading our bodies and multiplying.  But doctors didn't always know that sickness was caused by germs.  Most people thought diseases came from smelly, damp air.  But over time, those ideas changed.  A Dutch scientist saw bacteria through his microscope.  Doctors realized that when they washed their hands, fewer people died.  And a doctor in London recognized that disease could spread through contaminated water.  Because of these discoveries, people eventually learned that hygiene was the key to stopping disease.  Hospitals used clean surgical instruments, and cities developed trash removal and sewage systems.  Learn more about the discovery and defeat of bacteria!

My Thoughts

The books are beautifully illustrated and contain fascinating information. The information found is short and direct.   It is easy to read in one sitting or for reading assignments.   I think they would make great starting reference book for a science assignment.  I would recommend to also investigate other source of information as well.  

The drawings are well made and fun to look at.  These books are designed with late elementary children in mind. They are fun to read and look at.  Below are examples of pages found in each of the books.



The books end with a timeline and a glossary for definitions.  This series is geared for grades 3 to 6 children and is packed with interesting information about medicine.   If you have a child who is interested in science particularly medicine, these would be a great series to explore.

This series can  be found at your favorite bookstore.

Disclaimer: Thanks to Thomas Allen and Lerner Publishing Group for sending me these books for review purposes.  I was not monetarily compensated for this review.  Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way.  All opinion expressed here are only my own.