Ana's NonFiction Blog

Confused mosquitoes, revealing bandages, and scuba spiders.

2011-11-21T06:21:00.001-06:00

It's Nonfiction Monday!Today I am posting about three magazine articles that were published in November.
In the November/December issue of YES MAG: The Science Magazine for Adventurous Minds (for ages 9-14) Dr. A. Ray tells us that he contracted malaria from mosquito bites and that when he became a scientist he decided to bite … or, fight back.(Check this video with Dr. Ray) He found a solution in natural scents that send these deadly creatures off track. Mosquitoes find their victims by following a scent track of carbon dioxide left when breathing out. Dr. Ray found out that two airborne chemicals released by ripening fruit, wine, and beer interfere with the CO2 tracking sensor, and mosquitoes cannot find their victims. The experiments are very intriguing and may spark ideas for science fair projects. Dr. Ray’s studies are very important because mosquitoes transmit several serious and deadly diseases, such as malaria, yellow fever, West Nile virus, and more. Hopefully a new line of effective and less expensive natural repellents will be available soon.

The November/December issue of KNOW: The Science Magazine for Curious Kids (for ages 5-9) has the two other articles. “Color-changing bandages” is the result of the scientific mind of Dr. Louise van der Werff, a good example of a women in science, solving a problem we all face: how to care for a wound. Combining chemistry and engineering, she invented fibers that change color with temperature, and weaved them into bandages. As wounds heal problems may arise. This is important for all types of wounds, but especially for those that take a long time to heal. If the wound gets infected, its temperature will increase. If it does not get enough blood, it won’t heal well either and the wound’s temperature will decrease. Dr. Louise’s bandages can give an early warning about these problems. Check out what inspired this young woman to pursue this project. I hope we can find these color-changing bandages available in the near future.
And finally, the scuba spider (on page 3 of KNOW). In European rivers lives "Argyroneta aquatica," a small spider that spends most of its life underwater. To me, it is always fascinating how nature finds a way to survive. Argyroneta builds a breathing chamber underwater weaving its silvery net around air bubbles.

Physics of gases in water come handy as air in water diffuses into the bubble replacing the air the spider consumes. Argyroneta can spend a whole day inside the underwater chambers. Even more, Argyroneta eats, molts, and lays eggs in her diving bell. And when her babies emerge, they apply S.T.E.M. right away too! How did scientists discover how the underwater chamber works? Check it out!
I am delighted my articles have contributed to these great science magazines for kids. YES and KNOW provide an upbeat and fun way to enjoy science. And I love the color photos, cartoons, funny captions, hands-on activities and book reviews by kids. I have been contributing to YES since 1999 and fewer years to KNOW (released several years after YES). And YES has been awarded the title of “Periodical of the Year” by the Association of Educational Publishers!

Check other Nonfiction Monday blogs in Books Together And if you have a minute, visit my website

Confused mosquitoes, revealing bandages, and scuba spiders.

2011-11-18T08:31:00.001-06:00

Welcome to S.T.E.M. Friday! I want to tell you today about three fascinating ways Science,Technology, Engineering and Mathematics have made life better. Two of these ways are the doings of people and the third is from a spider. Yes, in their own ways spiders apply S.T.E.M. to adapt and survive.
In the November/December issue of YES MAG: The Science Magazine for Adventurous Minds (for ages 9-14) Dr. A. Ray tells us that he contracted malaria from mosquito bites and that when he became a scientist he decided to bite … or, fight back.(Check this video with Dr. Ray) He found a solution in natural scents that send these deadly creatures off track. Mosquitoes find their victims by following a scent track of carbon dioxide left when breathing out. Dr. Ray found out that two airborne chemicals released by ripening fruit, wine, and beer interfere with the CO2 tracking sensor, and mosquitoes cannot find their victims. The experiments are very intriguing and may spark ideas for science fair projects. Dr. Ray’s studies are very important because mosquitoes transmit several serious and deadly diseases, such as malaria, yellow fever, West Nile virus, and more. Hopefully a new line of effective and less expensive natural repellents will be available soon.

Check other S.T.E.M. Friday blogs in Dig this Well! And if you have a minute, visit my website

HOW YOU CAN BEAT PNEUMONIA: A LIFE-SAVING COLORING BOOK.

2011-11-14T06:59:00.001-06:00

Despite of science and medicine offering the tools to solve a major health problem, pneumonia in this case, the problem prevails. Pneumonia is the number one killer of children under five worldwide. Ninety eight percent of the children who die of pneumonia live in developing countries however, we are all susceptible. In the United States and other developed countries, vaccination of children under five and adults 65 years old and older saves many lives. However, many suffer the disease and die from it every year. In 2007, 1.2 million of people in the United States were hospitalized due to pneumonia and more than 52,000 died of this infection. [3]. Pneumonia is caused by bacteria therefore it is susceptible to antibiotics. The bacteria infect the lungs. Symptoms include cough, fever, elevated heart rate, difficulty breathing and whistling sounds, loss of appetite.

I thought it might be interesting to discuss in class how different it is growing up in the USA compared to growing up in a developing country from the health perspective to help understand why despite of having solutions available pneumonia persists. Controlling the spread of infectious diseases is possible but not easy. So far, only smallpox (caused by a virus) has been eradicated. For bacteria or viruses to spread and make many people ill, many things have to happen. The germ has to find enough susceptible or non-immune people, that is people who have not been vaccinated or suffered the disease before. Children are a large proportion of the susceptible population. Combine this with poor sanitary conditions, unbalanced and/or insufficient nutrition, the presence of other diseases at the same time, and other physical and psychological burdens and you have a fertile ground for the spread of infectious diseases. Developed and developing countries have public health problems, but in many areas of developing countries sanitary conditions are poor, proper nutrition is hard to come by, and other conditions favor the spread of infectious diseases. And many children die.

WORLD PNEUMONIA DAY IS NOVEMBER 12 and to help raise awareness on how to prevent this disease Johns Hopkins University students have created a coloring book with a story that simply and clearly shows how to prevent and treat the disease. This is a new way to spread the word about this disease. After a quick search, I did not find other coloring books about pneumonia. By coloring and reading, young readers as well as parents reading to their children will learn that pneumonia is something to take seriously, yet it is nothing to be scared of because it can be prevented and cured. Now, I’d love to see this coloring book in Spanish!

Download the booklet, it’s free, and pass the word if you can. Children can send pages they have colored here and submissions will be featured in an online gallery. Pneumonia is both preventable and curable and simple habits would help save the lives of millions of children. Check the YouTube video below. I thank my colleague Mary Bowman-Kruhm for bringing attention to this book and to World Pneumonia Day.

I invite you to pass the word and help spread awareness. Here are some links with more information in English and in Spanish if you would like to forward them to people who might be interested or find them useful:

1. World Pneumonia Day YouTube video
2. Countdown to World Pneumonia Day
3. World Pneumonia Day is November 12: Center for Disease Control
4. Center for Disease Control in Spanish:La Neumonía se Puede Prevenir
5. La Voz Libre (Spain): SEGÚN UN ESTUDIO PUBLICADO EN 'INTERNATIONAL HEALTH' Las vacunas contra la neumonía en países en desarrollo pueden salvar la vida a cuatro millones de niños en diez años. [According to a study published in ‘International Health’, Pneumonia vaccines in developing countries can save the lives of four million children in ten years.]

It's Nonfiction Monday! Check other blogs at Playing by the Book.

HOW YOU CAN BEAT PNEUMONIA: A LIFE SAVING COLORING BOOK

2011-11-10T11:49:00.000-06:00

WORLD PNEUMONIA DAY IS NOVEMBER 12.
Despite of science and medicine offering the tools to solve a major health problem, pneumonia in this case, the problem prevails. Pneumonia is the number one killer of children under five worldwide. Ninety eight percent of the children who die of pneumonia live in developing countries however, we are all susceptible. In the United States and other developed countries, vaccination of children under five and adults 65 years old or older saves many lives. However, many suffer the disease and die from it every year. In 2007, 1.2 million of people in the United States were hospitalized due to pneumonia and more than 52,000 died of this infection. [3]. Pneumonia is caused by bacteria therefore it is susceptible to antibiotics. The bacteria infect the lungs. Symptoms are cough, fever, elevated heart rate, difficulty breathing and whistling sounds, loss of appetite.

I thought it might be interesting to discuss in class how different it is growing up in the USA compared to growing up in a developing country from the health perspective to help understand why despite of having solutions available pneumonia persists. Controlling the spread of infectious diseases is possible but not easy. So far, only smallpox (caused by a virus) has been eradicated. For bacteria or viruses to spread and make many people ill, many things have to happen. The germ has to find enough susceptible or non-immune people, that is people who have not been vaccinated or suffered the disease before. Children are a large proportion of the susceptible population. Combine this with poor sanitary conditions, unbalanced and/or insufficient nutrition, the presence of other diseases at the same time, and other physical and psychological burdens and you have a fertile ground for the spread of infectious diseases. Developed and developing countries have public health problems, but in many areas of developing countries sanitary conditions are poor, proper nutrition is hard to come by, and other conditions favor the spread of infectious diseases. And many children die.

WORLD PNEUMONIA DAY IS NOVEMBER 12 and to help raise awareness on how to prevent this disease Johns Hopkins University students have created a coloring book with a story that simply and clearly shows how to prevent and treat the disease. This is a new way to spread the word about this disease. After a quick search, I did not find other coloring books about pneumonia. By coloring and reading, young readers as well as parents reading to their children will learn that pneumonia is something to take seriously, yet it is nothing to be scared of because it can be prevented and cured. Now, I’d love to see this coloring book in Spanish!

Download the booklet, it’s free, and pass the word if you can. Children can send pages they have colored here and submissions will be featured in an online gallery. Pneumonia is both preventable and curable and simple habits would help save the lives of millions of children. Check the YouTube video below. I thank my colleague Mary Bowman-Kruhm for bringing attention to this book and to World Pneumonia Day.

I invite you to pass the word and help spread awareness. Here are some links with more information in English and in Spanish if you would like to forward them to people who might be interested or find them useful:

1. World Pneumonia Day YouTube video
2. Countdown to World Pneumonia Day
3. World Pneumonia Day is November 12: Center for Disease Control
4. Center for Disease Control in Spanish:La Neumonía se Puede Prevenir
5. La Voz Libre (Spain): SEGÚN UN ESTUDIO PUBLICADO EN 'INTERNATIONAL HEALTH' Las vacunas contra la neumonía en países en desarrollo pueden salvar la vida a cuatro millones de niños en diez años. [According to a study published in ‘International Health’, Pneumonia vaccines in developing countries can save the lives of four million children in ten years.]

For other S.T.E.M. Friday posts, check the links below. And if you have a minute, visit my website. Thank you!

The Alligator's Super Sense, and More.

2011-10-31T06:07:00.001-05:00

It's Nonfiction Monday! I have something different today. I want to share the good news that my article “The Alligator’s Super Sense” has been published on the November 2011 issue of “Highlights” magazine. (Look for the little alligator at the bottom left of the cover) The discovery of how alligators and other crocodilians ‘feel’ their prey nearby is a tribute to a scientist’s curiosity and perseverance. Dr. Daphne Soares worked with baby alligators, getting her share of bites from the tiny, but sharp, teeth, and uncovered one of the reasons alligators have survived before, during and after the dinosaurs and through major extinction events. I hope her story engages young lady budding scientists everywhere.

For educators looking to introduce or discuss more about amazing crocodilians, I suggest “Alligators and Crocodiles! Strange and Wonderful”, by Laurence Pringle and illustrated by Meryl Henderson.
And to top it off, check “Highlights’” online complementary feature for my article about the magnetic sense. This combo of three, the article, the book and the online feature, is a good start for educators and all interested in animal senses, science in action, and learning more about some of the oldest inhabitants of our planet: the outstanding crocodilians.

Visit more Nonfiction Monday blogs today at Jean Little Library.
And, as usually, I invite you to visit my website.

The Alligator’s Super Sense, and more.

2011-10-28T10:11:00.000-05:00

Welcome to S.T.E.M. Friday! I have something different today. I want to share the good news that my article “The Alligator’s Super Sense” has been published on the November 2011 issue of “Highlights” magazine. (Look for the little alligator at the bottom left of the cover) The discovery of how alligators and other crocodilians ‘feel’ their prey nearby is a tribute to a scientist’s curiosity and perseverance. Dr. Daphne Soares worked with baby alligators, getting her share of bites from the tiny, but sharp, teeth, and uncovered one of the reasons alligators have survived before, during and after the dinosaurs and through major extinction events. I hope her story engages young lady budding scientists everywhere.

Visit more S.T.E.M. Friday blogs today at NC Teacher Stuff.
And, as usually, I invite you to visit my website.

How to Befriend a Crocodile

2011-10-24T06:59:00.001-05:00

Welcome to Nonfiction Monday! I recently read “How to Clean a Hippopotamus: a Look at Unusual Animal Partnerships” by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page and discovered some collaborations I did not know. I loved that! Take the symbiosis between the tiny boxer crab that holds a small anemone on each of its little claws and uses them as ‘boxing gloves’ to deter a hungry grouper that wants to eat the crab. I was fascinated also by the team work of badgers and wolves to catch the elusive prairie dogs. These are just two examples of Jenkins’s style illustrated engaging book. For the more science-hungry readers, the back matter is satisfying with complementary information and more sources. I loved the authors’ symbiotic description on the flap and their silhouettes at the bottom. Do you have a symbiotic relationship with a person or a companion animal? (Besides your own in-house bacterial flora and other creatures …)
The book is available on hardcover and for Kindle.
“How to Clean a Hippopotamus: a Look at Unusual Animal Partnerships”, Steve Jenkins and Robin Page, Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2010; ISBN: 978-0-547-24515-7

Check other intriguing books in Nonfiction Monday today at Apple with Many Seeds.

Visit Ana's website.

Secret of the Sleepless Whales…and More!

2011-10-20T20:55:00.000-05:00

Welcome to S.T.E.M. Friday! Get ready to tag along with marine scientists and see what they see, follow their experiments, and uncover the secrets of deep-sea mammals.
Ah, the deepest seas … They are still a mysterious place full of surprises. Every time a scientific expedition returns home, it brings new animals and plants, and amazing stories of how those creatures have adapted to their constantly changing environment. In “Secret of the Sleepless Whales…and More”, readers, scientists, and their animal partners embark on an exciting adventure that will reveal some of the secrets of dolphins, killer whales, harbor seals, and Weddell seals. You will find out what killer whale Kasatka and her calf Nakai “don’t do” to survive the first weeks after the baby is born. Popolo the dolphin will reveal to scientists and readers how he manages to dive for long periods of time. Henry the harbor seal will show you why murky, dark waters are no problem for him to find a meal and Weddell seals will flush out a nice fish for you! With research color photos, a hands-on activity, and enough references to satisfy eager-for-more readers, “Secret of the Sleepless Whales…and More” will bring you closer to the mysterious ocean. I invite you to visit my website to find more secrets revealed in this series of books: Animal Secrets Revealed!

“Secret of the Sleepless Whales…and More,” Enslow, 200, ISBN: 978-0-7660-2957-6
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Visit more blogs today on S.T.E.M. Friday at Growing with Science Blog.

"Don't Let the Barber Pull Your Teeth."

2011-10-16T10:52:00.001-05:00

The Middle Ages has what it takes to appeal to young readers: a “yuck" factor. And this is big in Carmen Bredeson’s “Don’t Let the Barber Pull Your Teeth. Could you Survive Medieval Medicine?”Just released and available through the publisher and Amazon.com, you can find both the library and the paperback editions. This entertaining and “nose-wrinkling” read includes topics worth discussing in science, history and social studies classes. What and when were the Middle Ages? Why people did not care about filth? What belief was behind the practice of drilling a hole or holes in the head “of a person suffering from headaches”? Flowing text, mind-boggling facts are very well matched with colorful, humorous, and expressive illustrations by Gerald Kelly, “Don’t Let the Barber Pull Your Teeth” will transport readers to a time when life and medicine were very different from today’s. Just a warning. If you scoff at medieval time’s practices, just think about what 24th Century people will think of us!

Check the other books in this series here

"Don’t Let the Barber Pull Your Teeth. Could you Survive Medieval Medicine?", Enslow Publishers, 2012.

Visit Nonfiction Monday today at Simply Science for more useful nonfiction sources.

Visit my website

Ants Are Smart

2011-10-13T18:34:00.001-05:00

It’s S.T.E.M. Friday! Join us and enjoy learning about the mysteries of science, the wonders of technology, the ingenuity of engineering, and the usefulness of math. “Secret of the Plant-killing Ants” is mostly about the ants’ fascinating ability to communicate and work together in a way quite familiar to us. Ants have “business cards”, ants go to school, they are dedicated gardeners, and they work as an army of one. Scientists are now discovering more and more behaviors that were not even considered years ago, but now it’s clear more than ever that the word ‘impossible’ should not be in a scientist’s vocabulary. Look at the book cover, for example. It doesn’t seem that much is going on, but these two ants are having a sort of conversation in which important information is exchanged. It’s much more than just “Hi!” Both ants want to know “Are you from my nest?” “What is your job?” “Can you tell me where food is located?” “Where is home?” And ants really know how to work together. I was simply amazed when I read about ants plugging gaps and holes on the ground with their bodies to make a ‘bridge’ over which the rest of the colony will speed their way to the nest. What an amazing team work for the colony’s sake. Click here for more "Secrets" books, and go to Shelf-employed for other posts on S.T.E.M. Friday.

I want to share the wonderful news that on January 1, 2012, my new four-book series Extreme Animals in Extreme Environments will be available in paperback and in library binding. I am very excited about this series!
“Secret of the Plant-Killing Ants…and More,” Enslow Publishers, 2009.
Visit my website

Tales from the West Coast

2011-10-03T09:28:00.001-05:00

They are enthralling, true, and well told. From record-breaking tea clippers, to rum runners and sea monsters, life on the west coast has never been dull. Tales from the West Coast is rich in seafaring legend and adventure, and will take you on a voyage of discovery into the past and around the world, alongside smugglers, sea monsters, and unusual adventurers. They are a portal to the history and culture of the West Coast.
Cady might not be as popular as the Loch Ness creature, but it's equally fascinating: "Toward the tail it appeared serrated,...with something moving flail-like at the extreme end. The movements were like those of a crocodile. Around the head appeared a sort of mane, which drifted around the body like kelp."

Check Nonfiction Monday for more blogs at 100 Scope Notes.

Tales from the West Coast, Adrienne Mason, 2003, Altitude Publishing.

Ana's website

Mice Sing, Truly.

2011-09-30T13:30:00.000-05:00

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

Otters and Owls in Nonfiction Monday!

2011-09-25T09:26:00.000-05:00

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.

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

2011-09-23T10:34:00.001-05:00

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.

Some Secrets Are Out in Nonfiction Monday!

2011-09-12T11:51:00.001-05:00

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

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

2011-09-09T00:01:00.000-05:00

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!

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

2011-09-06T12:16:00.002-05:00

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!

Slime Attack!

2011-09-01T22:30:00.000-05:00

"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.

Not the Cool Kids.

2011-08-20T15:26:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Nonfiction Monday!

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My name is Ana María Rodríguez and I am your host today. I invite you to explore the timely post I have prepared for you. It is right on time because children are back to school and parents, teachers, and librarians are getting organized for a new year filled with fun learning experiences.

Reading is one of such experiences and one of my interests as a writer is to get kids excited about reading in a way that will motivate them to develop a life-long habit that will enrich their lives. Reading opens our eyes to the world, helps us make better decisions, entertains us, and offers sources of inspiration and motivation to overcome what keeps us from planning and tirelessly pursuing life-changing goals.

I am quite interested in reluctant readers who have low expectations for themselves. Regardless of the causes of their feelings, books for this audience can play a powerful role changing their perspective of themselves, and instilling the courage to try harder and never give up. So, when I read Sandra McLeod Humphrey’s Dare to Dream!:25 Extraordinary Lives, I knew I had found a valuable tool to place in front of the eyes of a child or teen in need of inspiration.

I believe a child with little natural inclination toward reading will find the short and to the point chapters appealing. The 25 Extraordinary Lives presented in Mrs. McLeod’s book include past and present real women and men who accepted the challenge of dire circumstances and succeeded at living meaningful lives. I was lucky the day I contacted Mrs. McLeod for an interview. She was getting ready for a book fair, but kindly answered my questions:

ANB: What motivated you to become a children's author?

SMH: After 31 years as a clinical psychologist, I retired and began my second career as a children's author. This is what I fondly refer to as "the dessert" of my life! I love kids and I love to write, so it makes for a perfect second career!

ANB: You have several books published on topics that affect kids directly, such as bullying. But, why did you write Dare to Dream?

SMH: I did a lot of school visits and I found so many kids who felt like "outsiders," who felt they "didn't fit in." They were discouraged, they didn't believe in themselves, and they had no dreams. Just as I wrote Hot Issues, Cool Choices: Facing Bullies, Peer Pressure, Popularity, and Put-Downs to share the students' personal bullying experiences with my readers, I wrote Dare to Dream!: 25 Extraordinary Lives to give kids hope and a reason to dream. The book is for all kids everywhere, but it is especially for those kids who are not the "cool kids." It's especially for those kids who need a dream and hope for the future. All the biographies in Dare to Dream! are about people who were not accepted by their peers or who were considered "social misfits" or who just did not believe in themselves in the beginning. They all had great obstacles to overcome: some were physical, some were psychological, some were financial, and some were social. Through hard work and perseverance, each of these individuals overcame their particular obstacle and attained his or her dream. What I want to show kids is that even with a rough start, you can still find yourself and get back on track to a great life. So often it's the "loners" or the kids who are "different" who end up making the greatest societal contributions in the end.

ANB: Can you give us a sneak preview of your next book coming in November, They Stood Alone? What will readers find in this book that is different from Dare to Dream?

SMH: Whereas the subjects of the biographies in Dare to Dream! had problems "fitting in" and being accepted by their peers as youth, the biographies in They Stood Alone!: 25 Men and Women Who Made a Difference are all about people who refused to conform to the current societal beliefs, restrictions, and expectations of their time and by stepping out and away from the crowd, they changed their world (and ours).

ANB: Any last words for children, teachers, librarians, and parents?

SMH: I write books to help kids believe in themselves and to make good choices, and I also write books to inspire our kids to follow their hearts and never give up their dreams. My advice for all adults would be to encourage their kids/students to believe in themselves and to provide a variety of good role models who can show kids that "success" can be defined as doing what you love and loving what you do and that there are innumerable routes to that success. And, for kids, as I've already said, I want them to discover their passions, follow their hearts, never give up their dreams, and not forget to give back to society when they can.

Thank you, Sandra!

Dare to Dream! is based on many autobiographical works and includes a long list of references for young readers who would like to know more about these real-life heroes and heroines. Dare to Dream! is a starting point. It could lure reluctant readers into reading and help building a life-long love for books that will change their lives.

Dare to Dream!: 25 Extraordinary Lives.

Sandra McLeod Humphrey, (2005) Prometheus Books, Amherst, NY ISBN: 1-59102-280-0

Available on paperback and for Kindle (As of August 20, 2011, it is on the top 100 Kindle books, children’s books, biographies category)

"SECRET OF THE BLOODY HIPPO...AND MORE!" receives an outstanding review!

2011-08-17T14:46:00.000-05:00

I begin my first post with a celebration. SIMPLY SCIENCE blog has given "SECRET OF THE BLOODY HIPPO...AND MORE!" high praise. Thank you, SIMPLY SCIENCE! This book is one of six in the Animal Secrets Revealed Series! each book presents five "secrets" or amazing animal adaptations, such as why the hippo's skin looks pink-red, what's the lion's mane for, how horses cool their brains, or what makes the chameleon's tongue so powerful. To discover each of the secrets, readers tag along with scentists as they plan and execute the experiments and delight us with anecdotes. For example, the chameleon's scientist had a good laugh when a chameleon shot its sticky tongue at his nose. It took a while until the chameleon released him! The books are illustrated with color photos, most of them courtesy of the scientists I interviewed. I added short sidebars, activities, a bibliography, and a list of websites with more information. I invite you to listen to my interview in BlogTalk Radio, check The Animal Secrets Revealed Series! in my publisher's page and my page in Amazon.com Cheers! and I'll see you August 22nd when I'll host Nonfiction Monday. I hope to see you then!