NEW LIBRARY ACQUISITIONS FOR MEMBERS'LENDING
May -- 2001

California Academy of Sciences Library

BOOKS

Pub. TR729 .W54 M33 1992
The Complete Guide to Wildlife Photography: How to Get Close and Capture Animals on Film / Joe McDonald. New York: Amphoto, 1992.
From the basics to selecting and packing for a photo tour or safari, McDonald provides the information you'll need to get close to and photograph animals with skill appreciation. Illustrated with 166 color photographs, you cannot help but hope that you will gain skill and artistry by reading McDonald's words and viewing his photographs.
Equipment needs are described, including information on lenses and flashes. A list of equipment suppliers and an index are also included.

Pub. QK47 .P33 1995
The Diversity and Evolution of Plants / Lorentz C. Pearson. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1995.
This book takes on the topics of evolution and plant diversity by examining all classes and divisions of plants. Groups are arranged so that similarities among taxa are emphasized.
Each chapter contains student exercises, suggested readings, charts, and graphs. A glossary, index, and bibliography are also provided.

Pub. GF21 .A93 1999
God's Last Offer: Negotiating for a Sustainable Future / Ed Ayres. New York: Four Walls Eight Windows, 1999.
The author, editor of World Watch and editorial director of the Worldwatch Institute, identifies four dangerous overarching environmental phenomena causing problems for the Earth today. These problems are caused by humans, and only humans can solve them. The problems are a rise in carbon gas emissions, the rate of biological extinction, unsustainable consumption, and an exploding human population.
Ayres explores these problems, and writes of how possibly deliberate miscommunication by corporations and the government have kept people from being as concerned as they should be. He provides information to the reader, backed by science, to convince them of the need for involvement, the enormity of the problem, and more. The book contains notes by chapter and an index.

Biodiv. QH91.57 .A1 M3 1997
Marine Biodiversity: Patterns and Processes / Edited by Rupert F. G. Ormond, John D. Gage, and Martin V. Angel. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 1997.
This volume, which is the direct outcome of a conference by the Marine Biological Association of the UK and the Scottish Association for Marine Science, brings together key studies on different marine habitats, including deep sea, tropical seashore, and others, to consider patterns and processes in diversity in the different habitats.
Eighteen articles are included, with topics ranging from coral reefs to the Baltic to the North Atlantic. Each article contains its own graphs, charts, and reference. The volume contains, as a whole, an author, species, and subject index.

Pub. TR721 .B73 1990
Photographing the Patterns of Nature / Gary Braasch. New York: Amphoto, 1990.
The first lesson that Braasch provides in his book is how to recognize patterns. Examining shapes, curves, spirals, color, background, and other features, Braasch provides definition and meaning to the word 'pattern' as it relates to nature photography. The author also takes the time to discuss time honored precepts of photography like composition and positive and negative space.
Also discussed is the profession of nature photography, required equipment, and developing assignments. A selected bibliography and an index are also provided.

Pub. TR724 .B53 1987
Photographing Wildflowers: Techniques for the Advanced Amateur and Professional / Craig and Nadine Blacklock. Stillwater, MN: Voyageur Press, 1987.
With guidance on everything from selecting a subject to choosing equipment, this guide is a helpful reference for the flower photographer. In easy to explain language, and with frequent photo and illustration examples, much of the mystery is taken out of close-up photography.
The appendix provides some of the scientific formulas used in the Blacklock's photography and an index is provided, as well.

Pub. QH541.5 .S3 L47 1985
Undersea Life / Joseph S. Levine, with photographs by Jeffrey L. Rotman. New York: Stewart, Tabori & Chang, Inc., 1985.
A fantastic layperson's introduction to marine biology, this volume provides clear and interesting explanations of the interdependence of marine life, contributing to the underwater ecosystem and the broader global environment. Each section is supported with gorgeous color photographs and scientific explanation given in an easy to understand way.
The volume includes color photographs, a selected readings guide, and an index.

[Back to the top]

CHILDREN'S BOOKS

Pub. Juv QH541.14 .A98 1999
Guess Where I Live / Anni Axworthy. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press, 1999.
Habitat is the name of the game in this colorfully illustrated and fun volume! Anials present themselves on the pages and ask you to guess where they and their neighbors live. They provide a few clues, and you get to guess whether it might the jungle, desert, or some other kind of place.
A peephole in the page lets you look at a part of the habitat before turning the page. You get your own built-in clue!

Pub. Juv QH104.5 .P32 M84 2001
The Pacific Coast / Maria Mudd Ruth. New York: Benchmark Books, 2001.
This reference book for young adults provides a great deal of information on the Pacific coast of North America. What exactly is the Pacific coast? Where does it start and stop, what lives there, and more questions are answered in its pages.
The first portion of the volume is a general overview of the Pacific coast, including setting the limits over the covered area. More in-depth examinations are then provided for the rocky coast, salmon, the subtidal zone, and more. The book also contains a glossary, an index, and further reading and organizations.

Pub. Juv QL666.O69 A76 2000
Rattlesnake Dance / Jim Arnosky. New York: Putnam, 2000.
It's hot in the sun, so the rattlesnake looks for a place to cool down. The snake finds a cave, and other snakes are there already resting from the heat. Suddenly the snakes are in a trance, swaying from side to side, and dancing. More and more snakes join the dance, and soon it's just like a rattlesnake ball! The best part is, it'll all happen again at the same time next year.
The book is filled with vivid images, a song score that matches the text of the book, great illustrations, and wonderful color.

Pub. Juv QH541.5 .S35 M67 2000
A Tide Pool on the Seashore / Sally Morgan. North Mankato, MN: Thameside Press, 2000.
This children's reference book on tide pools provides information on life found in the pools, tidal change, environmental issues, and, perhaps most important if all, the definition of a tide pool and what can be found there.
Color photographs highlight the diversity of the environment, and a list for further reading, a glossary, and an index are provided for further clarification.

Pub. Juv QL756 .N37 2000
What Do You Call a Termite Home?: And Other Animal Homes / Emma Nathan. Woodbridge, CT: Blackbirch Press, Inc., 2000.
Do you know the names for the homes that animals live in? When the beaver goes home, where does he go? What happens if the termite is giving you directions? The beaver lives in a lodge and a termite makes its home in a termitaria, but what about other animals? Find out the names of some animal homes in this fun book! A little about each home is included, along with color photographs, a glossary, and an index.

[Back to the top]

MULTIMEDIA/AUDIO VISUAL

Pub. AV&M QB98.2 .C74 1995
The Creation of the Universe. Atlanta, GA: Turner Home Entertainment, 1995.
This 92 minute video explores the history and origin of the universe, the structure and life of the atom, and much, much more. Explained at an easy to understand level, the information provided in the video brings the viewer to an understanding of science that is both entertaining and educational. Cosmologists, physicists, and astronomers are all included as they discuss their work and its implications on the beginning of the universe.
Some of the areas covered during the program include the Big Bang, atoms, stars and the body, the history of the particle accelerator, and more.

Biodiv F3741 .G2 G343 1996
Galapagos: Beyond Darwin. Bethesda, MD: Discovery Communications, Inc., 1996.
During an expedition to the Galapagos Islands in the mid-1990s, more than two dozen new species were found. 55 deep dives were accomplished via a submersible, and an even higher number of shallow dives were completed by SCUBA. This 100 minute video documents that month long trip and takes you on a fantastic journey from caves on the Islands to 3,000 feet below the surface of the water.
The Academy's own John McCosker was a member of the expedition, and he provides some of the scientific information during the video. Not only do we get to see the exploration itself, but we also are privileged to watch the scientists interact with each. History of the Islands and scientific exploration in the Galapagos, starting with Darwin, are woven throughout the program.

[Back to the top]

CURRICULUM

Pub. Q181 .V295 2001
Janice VanCleave's Teaching the Fun of Science / Janice VanCleave. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2001.
This curriculum guide is keyed to the National Science Education Standards. It provides activities in areas of physical science, life science, and earth and space science. Each activity contains benchmarks, new science terms presented in the lesson, materials required, clear instructions, and what the results should be.
The guide also contains a glossary, an index, and a list of sources which sell scientific supplies.

[Back to the top]

All of the materials above are available for check-out to Academy members.

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

Last update: May 31, 2001.