Friday, September 30, 2011

Mice Sing, Truly.

Sometimes I wish I could speak other languages. I don’t mean other people’s languages. I’d love to speak whale, dolphin, bat and now, mouse. We have all heard mice squeaking, but it turns out they can also sing ultrasonic songs that sound just like bird songs. These songs play the same role serenades play for people, but people cannot heard them with plain ears, some techno-tweaking is necessary. Male mice sing when a female is close by, and she listens. The scientists that discovered this were not looking for it. Plain luck and paying attention to the experimental results led them to their discovery. Pasteur said it, “Chance favors the prepared mind.”
Animal communication using sound, scent, and visual clues is obvious in some instances, but quite subtle on many occasions. I just wonder, what are they saying? In “Secret of the Singing Mice,” I put together five fascinating studies about animal communication. Besides the singing mice, check out why baby bats babble, what’s the point of ground squirrel’s whispers, how in the world does the star nosed mole sniff underwater, and the aromatic degu’s double-take secret. I love discovering animal secrets. They bring me closer to the animal world. Check what secrets I have found.
This post is part of S.T.E.M. Friday today. Check the other posts here.
"Secret of the Singing Mice...and More", Ana María Rodríguez, 2009, Enslow Publishers, ISBN 978-0-7660-2956-9



Sunday, September 25, 2011

Otters and Owls in Nonfiction Monday!

A sea otter is quite large; a male can be as big as a German shepherd dog. They are good parents too. Sometimes sea otter moms will wrap their pup in kelp (a large, brown seaweed) to keep it in one place while she dives for food. River otters are half or a third of the size of a sea otter, but they are equally fascinating. River otters are speedy swimmers. They swim fast enough to catch fish, their favorite food. River otters hunt in the water and rest in dens on land, while sea otters stay in the water, finding shelter and food in forests of kelp. I like “Otters” very much. Its fluid and accurate text and its colorful, lovely illustrations combine well to introduce early readers to the otter world.
Same goes for “Owls.” There are about 180 species of owls in the world living in all continents, except Antarctica, but I am thankful to scientists who have agreed that all those species can be put together in one of two groups; barn owls or typical owls. Among all birds of prey owls are quite fascinating with their ability to glide so quietly not even a mouse can hear them. The great gray owl is the largest of them all, being almost as tall as a kitchen counter. The elf owl is the smallest of the owls. It would fit in a child’s palm. And here is an owl fact that made me giggle: “A group of owls is called a parliament.” A cool link to government studies!
Otters and owls are amazing animals, with fascinating adaptations that make them favorites of children and adults. Both books have a glossary and illustrations of the various species around the world, while focusing on the North American species. I believe these books will trap you in kelp or catch you with their talons (softly) and won’t let you go until you read the last page.
“Otters” (2003) and “Owls” (2004) are both written by Adrianne Mason and illustrated by Nancy Gray Ogle, and published by Kids Can Press, Toronto, Canada.
“Otters” ISBN: 1-55337-407-X “Owls” ISBN: 978-1-55337-624-8
Visit True Tales & a Cherry on Top, for more Nonfiction Monday blog posts.



Friday, September 23, 2011

Secret of the Puking Penguins is on S.T.E.M. Friday.



When does a stomach stop working like a stomach? When does it stop digesting food and start preserving it instead? What can be more important than having a daily dose of nutrition? It turns out that
the King penguin, which is the second largest penguin, has successfully adapted this strategy to increase its chick's chances of survival in a very cold place. French scientists travelled to the Crozet Archipelago, a group of islands south of Madagascar, where a large colony of King penguins lives. Like other birds, King penguin dads regurgitate on their chick's mouth to feed them. But in many occasions, dad had not eaten for the last three weeks, so their stomach should be empty. Hmm... Was it? The way to answer this question was to take a look at the penguin's stomach content, so imagine yourself surrounded by hundreds of noisy penguins with a very sharp beak and trying to take a sample of one of the big bird's stomach. Not easy, but the scientists succeeded and found out how the King penguin's stomach preserves fish and squid fresh for its baby chick. The baby gets the most needed food until mom gets back from a feeding feast at sea and trades baby care duties with dad. Amazing adaptations!
This is one of the secrets in "Secret of the Puking Penguins,...,and More!" In this book, and on the other five of the Animal Secrets Revealed! series, you will also discover the secret of the chameleon's strong tongue grip, learn about 'alligator feelings,' which animal is a master of disguise, and how the peacock catches the rainbow.
For more fascinating blogs, visit today's S.T.E.M. host Rasco from RIF.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Some Secrets Are Out in Nonfiction Monday!

Following today's theme for Nonfiction Monday, I present an old jewel. Old, yes; outdated and boring, never! "Secrets of Animal Survival", a Book for World Explorers by National Geographic Society was released in 1983, but don't be too quick to dismiss this book because of age. It covers animal adaptations in the Polar Regions, deserts, rain forests, savannas, and mountains with focus on the basics plus cool details (secrets) all young readers will love to find out. What I like the most about this book is the illustrations. It has a load of color photos, sometimes three or four per page. It has full page color diagrams and smaller maps. One of my favorites is the cutaway of a bromeliad plant on page 59 showing trapped rainwater and the whole micro-ecosystem living inside this environment: frogs, spiders, tadpoles, mosquitos, and slugs. It's a great example of life systems in miniature. Turn to page 7 to witness what not many people have laid eyes on: a polar bear mom with her cubs sleeping inside their den under the snow. Check out desert travelers ( of various deserts), treetop life of the rain forest, helpful disguises, giants with tusks, grounded birds, animals built for speed, long-legged runners, termites, gliders and mountaineers. There are no hands-on activities, but there is a long list of additional reading. I just can't take my eyes of the amazing animal photos! For more literary treats, visit Wrapped in Foil, today's Nonfiction Monday host.
"Secrets of Animal Survival", a Book for World Explorers by National Geographic Society, 1983, ISBN: 0-87044-431-X

Friday, September 9, 2011

S.T.E.M. FRIDAY, September 9, 2011

Welcome to S.T.E.M Friday! Your place for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math for kids of all ages (including all educators). Fellow bloggers, please leave your name and blog link in the comments section below.

My contribution is the award-winning book of Marianne Dyson, "Space Station Science." It was published in 1999, but I bring it up today because the topic of the Space Station is again on the news. There are now six astronauts in the station,three Russians, two Americans and a Japanese, waiting for supplies from Earth, and the attempt to deliver them on August 24th has failed, the unmanned spacecraft crashed in Siberia with its 3 tons of supplies. On September 21 there will be another mission to resupply the station. Keep your eyes on the news to follow how this unfolds. Because the Shuttle program concluded on July 21, 2011, with its 135th mission, the Russian agency is now resupplying the station and transporting astronauts to and from it using the Soyuz rockets.

I knew more about the Space Station back when it was growing, especially thanks to Marianne's book. But time has passed and I have to read it again to remember the details of how astronauts live in it, what they do, and what risks they face, to really capture the importance of the current affairs of this amazing mega-piece of engeneering. Through its journey, the Space Station has brought together scientists and engineers of similar and different nations into a common goal, and spurred unprecedented technical and scientific contributions to medical, biological, and engeneering fields down on Earth. How long will the Station stay in orbit? Will astronauts be able to continue working on it? What's next?

I propose to teachers, librarians and parents (and all the people interested in current affairs), to check the news about the Space Station and the astronauts waiting for supplies (they are still well supplied for now after the last Shuttle mission) and encourage students to follow these events as well as to compare them with their daily lives. Down on Earth, if we run out of supplies, there is a grocery store not too far away, but in space.... And to complement these current affairs (see the news clips I have added above in links), I recommend to pick up "Space Station Science" and introduce it to the current generation of young readers who were too young to read it when it was released. Understanding science and engeneering is an elementary piece in the students' future. This is a perfect opportunity to link science, engineering and careers with the story of the astronauts today and with people of many nations who have worked on the space program. For the future, which is what students face, I suggest discussing in class the plans NASA has for the years to come. And if you would like to invite an amazingly qualified expert to talk about the latest in space, Marianne is available to speak at schools and other events. Just email her or give her a call and your audience will boost their vision of their future to infinity and beyond!


Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Random Acts of Publicity. Marianne Dyson's "Space Station Science."


I am delighted to participate in Darcy Pattison's event Random Acts of Publicity! Thank you Darcy for putting this together! I am looking forward to come across exciting books and authors I have not had the pleasure of meeting before.

My contribution is the award-winning book of Marianne Dyson, "Space Station Science." It was published in 1999, but I bring it up today because the topic of the Space Station is again on the news. There are now six astronauts in the station,three Russians, two Americans and a Japanese, waiting for supplies from Earth, and the attempt to deliver them on August 24th has failed, the unmanned spacecraft crashed in Siberia with its 3 tons of supplies. On September 21 there will be another mission to resupply the station. Keep your eyes on the news to follow how this unfolds. Because the Shuttle program concluded on July 21, 2011, with its 135th mission, the Russian agency is now resupplying the station and transporting astronauts to and from it using the Soyuz rockets.

I knew more about the Space Station back when it was growing, especially thanks to Marianne's book. But time has passed and I have to read it again to remember the details of how astronauts live in it, what they do, and what risks they face, to really capture the importance of the current affairs of this amazing mega-piece of engeneering. Through its journey, the Space Station has brought together scientists and engineers of similar and different nations into a common goal, and spurred unprecedented technical and scientific contributions to medical, biological, and engeneering fields down on Earth. How long will the Station stay in orbit? Will astronauts be able to continue working on it? What's next?

I propose to teachers, librarians and parents (and all the people interested in current affairs), to check the news about the Space Station and the astronauts waiting for supplies (they are still well supplied for now after the last Shuttle mission) and encourage students to follow these events as well as to compare them with their daily lives. Down on Earth, if we run out of supplies, there is a grocery store not too far away, but in space.... And to complement these current affairs (see the news clips I have added above in links), I recommend to pick up "Space Station Science" and introduce it to the current generation of young readers who were too young to read it when it was released. Understanding science and engeneering is an elementary piece in the students' future. This is a perfect opportunity to link science, engineering and careers with the story of the astronauts today and with people of many nations who have worked on the space program. For the future, which is what students face, I suggest discussing in class the plans NASA has for the years to come. And if you would like to invite an amazingly qualified expert to talk about the latest in space, Marianne is available to speak at schools and other events. Just email her or give her a call and your audience will boost their vision of their future to infinity and beyond!

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Slime Attack!

"The severed head of a dead fish with its mouth propped open looked a little odd, its is true." But the scientists didn't worry about the odd looks and the comments their colleagues whispered about their strange experimental set up. They were seriously studying how hagfish survive in the "bigger-fish-eats-smaller-fish" deep ocean world. The story of the discovery of how the hagfish, an eel-shaped bottom feeder, survives predator attacks takes readers into a "fishy" laboratory where slime is the center of attention. Where does the sticky slime come from? How does the slow-paced fish avoid getting "slimed" itself? This is one of five chapters in the book "Secret of the Suffocating Slime Trap,..., and More" in which readers tag along with scientists trying to uncover how sea animals do the amazing things they do to survive their hostile environments. The other chapters are: "Fish Fight the Big Freeze (not your usual anti-freeze), "Bubbleheads Never Heard So Well" (some fish rely on bubbles to listen to their surroundings), "Fish Get Hooked on Decorating" (it's true, some fish decorate their nests), and "Eyes on the Stars" (the unusual eye of brittle stars).
Cool fact about the hagfish:They are the only animals known to tie themselves in a knot!
"These books offer fascinating accounts of how scientists systematically analyzed, tested, and proved their theories or how their findings led to other, serendipitous discoveries." –School Library Journal, February 2009, Reprinted with permission from School Library Journal, copyright Media Source, Inc.
"Secret of the Suffocating Slime Trap,..., and More" Ana María Rodríguez Enslow Publishers, 2009 ISBN: 0-7660-2954-9 Grades 4-9 Color photos, sidebars, hands-on activity, bibliography.