Showing results by author "Rebecca E. Hirsch" in All Categories

Explore the strange and remarkable stories of poisonous and even deadly plants. Science, history, and true crime converge in an informative and exciting look at Mother Nature's ghoulish garden. From a hallucinogenic fungus linked to the Salem Witch Trials to the weed that killed Abraham Lincoln's mother, learn how certain plants evolved toxicity to avoid being consumed by predators and became the predator on their own.

Discover what a humpback whale has in common with a gibbon or a caribou. Learn what sets a humpback whale apart from a hedgehog or a sloth. Listeners will compare key traits of humpback whales - their appearance, behavior, habitat, and life cycle - to traits of other mammals. Through gathering information about similarities and differences, listeners will make connections and draw conclusions about what makes this animal a mammal and how mammals are alike and different from each other.

Do plants really move? Absolutely! You might be surprised by all ways plants can move. Plants might not pick up their roots and walk away, but they definitely don't sit still! Discover the many ways plants (and their seeds) move. Whether it's a sunflower, a Venus flytrap, or an exotic plant like an exploding cucumber, this fascinating book shows just how excitingly active plants really are.

As the sun sets, night creatures awaken. In their rural backyard, a parent and child camp out, watching as fireflies flicker, bats flap, and rabbits race.

Learn what a mountain gorilla has in common with a hippopotamus. Find out what sets a mountain gorilla apart from a raccoon or a mountain lion. Listeners will compare key traits of mountain gorillas - their appearance, behavior, habitat, and life cycle - to traits of other mammals. Through gathering information about similarities and differences, listeners will make connections and draw conclusions about what makes this animal a mammal and how mammals are alike and different from each other.

Find out what an African elephant has in common with a wildebeest. Learn what sets an African elephant apart from a snow leopard. Listeners will compare and contrast key traits of African elephants - their appearance, behavior, habitat, and life cycle - to traits of other mammals. Through gathering information about similarities and differences, listeners will make connections and draw conclusions about what makes this animal a mammal and how mammals are alike and different from each other.

Find out what a platypus has in common with a beaver or a dolphin. Learn what sets a platypus apart from a giraffe or a wild dog. Listeners will compare key traits of platypuses - their appearance, behavior, habitat, and life cycle - to traits of other mammals. Through gathering information about similarities and differences, listeners will make connections and draw conclusions about what makes this animal a mammal and how mammals are alike and different from each other.

Find out what a gray wolf has in common with a red fox or an African lion. Discover what sets a gray wolf apart from a manatee or a giant panda. Listeners will compare and contrast key traits of gray wolves - their appearance, behavior, habitat, and life cycle - to traits of other mammals. Through gathering information about similarities and differences, listeners will make connections and draw conclusions about what makes this animal a mammal and how mammals are alike and different from each other.

Learn what a Siberian tiger has in common with an elk. Discover what sets a Siberian tiger apart from a Tasmanian devil. Listeners will compare and contrast key traits of Siberian tigers - their appearance, behavior, habitat, and life cycle - to traits of other mammals. Through gathering information about similarities and differences, listeners will make connections and draw conclusions about what makes this animal a mammal and how mammals are alike and different from each other.

Discover what a grizzly bear has in common with a jaguar. Find out what sets a grizzly bear apart from an armadillo. Listeners will compare and contrast key traits of grizzlies - their appearance, behavior, habitat, and life cycle - to traits of other mammals. Through gathering information about similarities and differences, listeners will make connections and draw conclusions about what makes this animal a mammal and how mammals are alike and different from each other.

Science writer and plant expert Rebecca E. Hirsch presents fun and gross facts about a variety of plants along with explaining the science behind why they do what they do. Featured plants include the Venus flytrap, an African tree that houses stinking ants to protect itself from hungry animals, a "vampire vine" that sucks nutrients from other plants, and fiendishly invasive kudzu.

Ever wonder what the capital of Alaska is? Or how many states share a border with New York? Political maps show state and national boundaries. They include major cities and places created by people. But how do you use political maps? And what map features help you answer geographical questions? Listen to become a map genius!

Have you ever wondered which countries have the most lakes? Or where the highest point in your state is? Physical maps show landscape features. They also often show land elevation, or how high the land is above sea level. But how do you use physical maps? And what do the different colors and symbols on these maps mean? Listen to learn all about physical maps!

Ever wonder which states are the cloudiest? Or what city gets the most snow? Climate maps can tell you. They show average weather conditions - in your neighborhood, around the world, or even on Mars! But how do you read a climate map? And how are these maps made? Listen to learn the details!

In the history of life on this planet, 99.9 percent of all species have gone extinct. But a few have survived almost unchanged. Author Rebecca E. Hirsch introduces listeners to six living fossils, including the chambered nautilus, the horseshoe crab with its sticky blue blood, and venomous platypuses that sting, as well as a comprehensive explanation of evolution and extinction for listeners who may not be familiar with the terms yet.

Polar bears rule the frozen sea, but their ancestors weren't always built for ice and snow.