NEW LIBRARY ACQUISITIONS FOR MEMBERS' LENDING
January -- 2002

California Academy of Sciences Library

Books
Children's Books
Multimedia & Audio/Visual
Curriculum Guides

BOOKS

Pub. F868 .S5 T52 2001
Across the Sierras in Winter / H. C. Tibbitts. San Francisco: California Historical Society, 2001.

This holiday keepsake edition of California History contains photos that tell of life in a different era, when crossing the Sierra Nevada Mountains in winter was treacherous and involved backbreaking labor. The photos depict difficulties of transportation, as well as glimpses of a time gone by. All the photos featured are from the California Historical Society collections.

Pub. QL641 .A4713 2000
Amphibians: The World of Frogs, Toads, Salamanders and Newts / Robert Hofrichter, editor.
Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books, 2000.
Individually authored chapters are a highlight of this encyclopedic work on amphibians. Sections as diverse as evolution and systematics, biology and physiology, ecology and ethology, and species protection are included and examined in detail.
Stunning color photographs, maps, charts, and more are presented, along with a bibliography and an index.

Pub. QP401 .D22 1998
The Expression of Emotions in Man and Animals / Charles Darwin.
New York: Oxford University Press, 1998.
First published in 1872, this new edition features an Introduction, Afterward, and Commentaries by Paul Eckman, Professor of Psychology and the University of California San Francisco. He uses current scientific knowledge to support, refute, and elaborate on Darwin's work.

Pub. QL696 .A558 H68 2002
Hummingbirds of North America: The Photographic Guide / Steve N. G. Howell.
San Diego, CA: Academic Press Natural World, 2002.
This fabulous volume includes information about and photographs of the 24 hummingbird species that have been seen and verified in North America north of Mexico. Each bird is covered individually, and the information included covers size, habitat, detailed description, behavior, similar species, voices and sounds, references, and more.
Each species merits color photographs, some as many as 24 different photos. Another great feature of the volume is that it helps the reader and bird watcher learn what to look for when trying to identify hummingbirds. It also provides a taxonomic breakdown and uses real photographs to identify anatomy and physiology. This book is a must have for people looking to identify the tiny and beautiful birds.

Pub. QH353 .I59 2000
Invasive Species in a Changing World / Harold A. Mooney and Richard J. Hobbs, editors.
Washington, D.C.: Island Press, 2000.
This book concentrates not on the benign or helpful species that have been introduced to new environments, but on the destructive introductions that cause devastating changes, wiping out native species and bringing about both natural and economic disaster. The individually authored chapters of the book are divided into four sections. Section one looks at the current status of invasive species and the physical factors that influence the species and habitats both now and in the future. The second of the volume records the various ways that people view the problem. The problem is examined in different parts of the world in section three, and section four summarizes the problem and proposes a management plan.
Charts, graphs, photographs, and maps are included in some of the chapters. An index is also included.

Pub. PN4390 .H56 1991
A Life in Hand: Creating the Illuminated Journal / Hannah Hinchman. Salt Lake City, UT: Peregrine Smith Books, c1991.

"The kind of journal I want to talk about in this book is an inclusive kind, one that maps actual inner places, that can be used for things as diverse as recipes or soul-searching inner dialogues." With that goal in mind, the author provides exercises to get you in the right frame of mind, from field observation to listing and more. Interspersed with her suggestions and text are drawings and observations and practical advice for keeping your own illuminated journal.

Pub. GN281 .D52 1992
The Rise and Fall of the Third Chimpanzee / Jared Diamond.
London: Vintage, 1992.
Human beings share more than 98% of their genetic material with chimpanzees. This book makes the claim that we are so close as to be known as the third chimpanzee. The volume discusses how change from chimp to human occurred so quickly by tracking history from several million years ago to 10,000 years ago and the appearance of agriculture, changes in the human life cycle, cultural traits that we use to distinguish ourselves from animals, and facing up to environmental problems we have caused with our uniquely human ways.
Further reading and an index are included.

Pub. HF5413 .R93 1997
Stuff: The Secret Lives of Everyday Things / John C. Ryan. Seattle, WA: Northwest Environment Watch, c1997.

Follow an ordinary, average citizen through an ordinary and average day and you'd be surprised at the amount of consumption that one person goes through, 120 pounds on average, in a single day! Find out how items are made and where they're made, the costs to the environment, and what you can do to make things better.
Shoes, coffee, and computers are just some of the items examined. A glossary and an index are also included.

Pub. QL86 .T64 2001
Tinkering with Eden: A Natural History of Exotics in America / Kim Todd.
New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2001.
Kim Todd has taken a fascinating and diverse history and tied it together in one volume. Exotic species have been a reality in the United States and the "new world" since explorers first set their boats in the bays and their toes in the soil. Todd has taken some of the those species and locations, mosquitoes in Hawaii, gypsy moths, and others, and identified the social and natural climates into which they were introduced, and the problems that they helped to solve and/or cause. Her research shows how man cannot help changing his environment, from creating cities to introducing birds and plants from far away homes.
References, an index, and illustrations are included.

Pub. G200 .P65 2001
Women of Discovery: A Celebration of Intrepid Women who Explored the World / Milbry Polk and Mary Tiegreen.
New York: Clarkson Potter/Publishers, 2001.
More than 80 women are profiled in this volume detailing the lives and achievements of "women who explored the world." Starting with early exploration like Dutch voyager Elizabeth van der Woude, 1657-1694, and ending up with Jill Cornell Tarter, born in 1944 and an astrophysicist, the books examines the lives of women who, even today, are counted as something special for their interests and abilities. Sylvia Earle, Alice Eastwood, Zora Neale Houston, Margaret Mead, and many more featured.
Each segment of the volume is beautifully illustrated and/or photographed. A selected bibliography, notes, and an index are also included.

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CHILDREN'S BOOKS

Pub. Juv G73 .A683 2001
The Geography Book: Activities for Exploring, Mapping, and Enjoying Your World / Caroline Arnold.
New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2001.
This entertaining book will open your eyes to the ways that geography is used in every day life. n fact, it tells you how you can use geography and learn by doing through activities. Each chapter is on a phenomenon that has something to do with geography: continents, relief maps, hurricanes, etc. Each chapter also contains an activity that has something to do with what you've just read about. For instance, you can make your own tornado in a jar!
Each activity is presented with clear instructions, and, if required, a list of materials needed to complete the task. A glossary, index, and further reading are also provided.

Pub. Juv QH70 .A1 W97 1998
How to Take Your Grandmother to the Museum / Lois Wyse and Molly Rose Goldman.
New York: Workman Publishing, c1998.
Grandmother likes to take Molly to her favorite places and teach her about interesting things. But Molly is shocked to discover that Grandmother has never been to one of her favorite places, the Museum of Natural History! Molly is determined that this lack in Grandmother's education won't last long, and they set out together for the Museum. Once there, Molly gets to have the fun of introducing Grandmother to new things like the Apatosaurus.
This charming book and it's role-reversal of child teaching elder is bright and entertaining. The illustrations are charming, and are interspersed with real photos in some of the museum exhibits.

Pub. Juv QB46 .V34 2002
Janice VanCleave's A+ Projects in Astronomy: Winning Experiments for Science Fairs and Extra Credit / Janice VanCleave.
New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2002.
This books contains 30 sample projects on astronomical subjects ranging from the sun to planets to meteors and more. Each project contains goals and objectives, materials needed for completion, procedure, and tips on designing your own project.
Help for assembling a display is also provided, along with a glossary and an index.

Pub. Juv PZ8.1 .K5 Ko 1997
Konte Chameleon Fine, Fine, Fine!: A West African Folk Tale / Retold by Cristina Kessler.
Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press, c1997.
Konte Chameleon begins to think that he's sick, sick, sick! He has suddenly, and without warning, turned bright red! Off to Dr. Jalloh he runs, where he learns a thing or two about chameleons and that sometimes being red is what it's all about. The illustrations are lush and beautiful, and the repeated words in the story will entertain both children and adults.

Pub. Juv Q126.4 .N48 2001
The New York Public Library Amazing Scientists: A Book of Answers for Kids / Jim Callan.
New York: Wiley, 2001.
This great book is divided into sections: Scientists of the Ancient World, biologists, chemists, physicists, astronomers, and earth scientists. The volume is an easy and friendly work for children and adults. It discusses scientists and their theories, putting them in a context that the lay person can understand, appreciate, and enjoy.
Photos, illustrations, charts, and graphs are included. A glossary, selected bibliography, and an index are also available.

Pub. Juv Q173 .S393 2001
Q is for Quark: A Science Alphabet Book / David M. Schwartz.
Berkeley, CA: Tricycle Press, 2001.
How about going through the alphabet with science in mind? That's just what the author did in this interesting and informative book. E is for element, J is for jet propulsion, and, yes, Q is for quark. But what do all those words mean? Each letter is given a word, and then the word and its concepts are defined in an easy to understand way. This isn't your typical alphabet book, set up for those learning alphabet. This book uses the alphabet as a way to organize science in a new and different way.
A glossary and an index are included, along with fun illustrations.

Pub. Juv QL617.2 .C72 1999
Ripley's Big, Weird, & Dangerous Fish / Bob Cranston.
Orlando, FL: Ripley Entertainment, Inc., 1999.
Color photographs and brief but interesting text introduce you to the world below the sea and some of its inhabitants, fish! Big, Weird, and Dangerous are all represented, from the ocean sunfish, to the sea horse, to the barracuda.

Pub. Juv QL125 .P47 2000
Ripley's Coral Colony Creatures / Doug Perrine.
Orlando, FL: Ripley Entertainment, Inc., 2000.
Find out all about the creatures that live in and near a coral reef in this bright and entertaining book. Color photos are a highlight of this book that covers everything from coral to mollusks to sea slugs. A glossary and an index are included.

Pub. Juv QL737 .C25 D44 1999
Sea Otters / Marfé Ferguson Delano.
New York: Scholastic, c1999.
This cute and entertaining board book features an introduction to the sea otter. The stunning photographs include the otter diving, eating, and snuggling with Mom.

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MULTIMEDIA/AUDIO VISUAL

Pub. AV&M QL49 .A34 2000
All About Animal Adaptations.
Wynnewood, PA: Schlessinger Media, c2000.
Children in grades K-4 are treated to an entertaining and educational introduction to adaptation in this 25 minute video. Designed to meet National Science Education Standards for Life Science, the video how adaptations occur, why adaptations occur, and the areas in which they are likely to occur. Eating, defense, caring for young, climate, and movement are some of the adaptations that are examined, and examples include the length of the giraffe's neck and the ears of a jackrabbit. An experiment that uses a Madagascar hissing cockroach is demonstrated.
A teacher's guide is included with the video and is also available on the web at: http://www.libraryvideo.com/guides.asp?mscssid=JBT4386FL5XL9GBFJF73DJUJN8UL1QQ9.

Pub. AV&M QH367.1 .E96 1999
Evolution.
Wynnewood, PA: Schlessinger Media, c1999.
Designed for grades 5-8, this 25 minute video is based on the National Science Education Standards for Life Science. The video talks about how evolution links the living organisms of today with life from the past. The video uses a geologic clock to show where events fall in a time frame that everyone can understand. DNA and genetics are discussed, along with topics like adaptation, mutation, variation, natural selection, and survival of the fittest. A do-it-yourself experiment is shown, including a Punnett square and a family of people who can and cannot curl their tongues.
A teacher's guide is included with the video and is also available on the web at: http://www.libraryvideo.com/guides.asp?mscssid=JBT4386FL5XL9GBFJF73DJUJN8UL1QQ9.

Pub. AV&M SF487 .N37 2000
The Natural History of the Chicken.
[Alexandria, VA]: PBS Home Video, c2000.
This video is an examination of the relationships between chickens and people, the feelings that people have for chickens whether they keep them as pets or raise them for food. The examinations of people and situations are interspersed with factual information and trips to a hatchery and other places. Watch mouth-to-beak resuscitation, see the egg and chick drawers at a hatchery, and thrill to the tales of lawsuits over roosters by popping in this 60 minute video.

Pub. AV&M QL496 .S29 1997
The Savage Garden with Leslie Nielsen. [Washington, DC]: National Geographic Video : Distributed in the U.S. and Canada by Warner Home Video, c1997.

Grab your magnifying glass, put this video in the VCR, and, in 60 minutes, learn about what's really hidden in your garden. Leslie Nielsen takes you on a frightening and sometimes gory journey into a peaceful-on-the-surface garden, filled with shrews, garter snakes, fire ants, and more. Close up looks at the animals who make your garden their home are highlights of the film, along with battle scenes between a praying mantis and a bat, mating between black widow spiders, and much, much more.

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CURRICULUM

No titles yet in January.

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All of the materials above are available for loan to Academy members.

This page will not be complete until the end of January. Please check back for more materials and reviews.


 

 

 

 

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Last update: January 30, 2002