Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: facts

  • World-whizzing Facts

    World-whizzing Facts

    Awesome Earth Questions Answered

    Have you ever examined animal poo? Which animal has square poo? Which creature’s delicious vomit might actually be good for you? On which planet(s) might it rain diamonds? You can find the answers and more in Dr Emily Grossman’s book ‘World-Whizzing Facts; Awesome Earth Questions Answered’.

    Dr Emily Grossman, science communicator, broadcaster and champion of science education, first asks the question and then challenges you to figure out the answer by giving you four options, before providing the random and often weird explanation for this answer.  

    If you enjoyed her ‘Brain Fizzing Facts’ book, you’ll definitely delight in figuring out the answers and finding out more things about the world in this book. You’ll laugh, you might even be shocked at some of the gross facts, but you’ll definitely learn a lot from this easy to read book with its great cartoon illustrations.

  • Aliens & UFOs : A Young Person’s Guide

    Aliens & UFOs : A Young Person’s Guide

    There are many “Young person’s guide to…” books available now. This is a terrific series to introduce subjects which are not diluted by stories, but just involve facts, theories and speculation. The book on cannibalism should be popular. This book focusses on Aliens and UFOs in an organized and linked manner.

    The first chapter poses the question,” Is anybody out there?” The following information is provided in a dot point format which makes it easy to follow. It is made clear which points are facts and which are theories. Again, the author makes the facts clear, and suggests that the numbers mentioned mean there is a chance that other planets have evolved life forms.

    A discussion follows about actual sightings or close encounters which have been reported. Not surprisingly, pilots are among the people most likely to report strange objects from a distance, and close encounters can come in many forms. In World War 2, a squadron of B29 bombers was flying towards Japan when the co-pilot noticed a strange craft. It was also spotted by other planes in the formation, and it was reported.

    Many countries have files on aliens and it seems the “Greys” are the most common kind. Their physical features show that they spend most of their time in spacecraft or indoors. Possibly Greys communicate using telepathy, so they don’t need a large mouth. Another thing is they don’t appear to have sexes. That is, they are androgynous. Fascinating!

    Along with the multitude of facts presented in this book, examples of drawings of aliens are copied from rock art in the Kimberley Ranges. There are helpful charts for the would- be Astrophysicist, such as an “Alien Hunter’s Field Kit,” and a check sheet to see if you have been abducted by Aliens.

    This is a book that can be read at any chapter and the reader can appreciate the sheer volume of facts (and theories) presented. The drawings support the text beautifully and blend in with the black and white format. This is a great fun, and almost, reference book to mull over.

  • Facts! One for every day of the year

    Facts! One for every day of the year

    This wonderful hardback picture book is just the thing to impress a young reader who is at the inquisitive age. It contains a fact for every day of the year. These are well set out, with small blocks of text and plenty of lively, colourful illustrations. In the introduction, the author says, “No one should ever be without a fascinating fact at their fingertips…..Find out which animal does a cube shaped poo, and some ancient cures for toothache.”

    Facts which happen on specific dates are circled so the reader may be aware of that date. For example, the first of November is the Day of the Dead, celebrated in Mexico. Families decorate the graves of their loved ones with flowers, and they have a picnic and tell happy stories about the relative who has died. Another date to remember is the twenty second of May when the strongest earthquake ever recorded happened in Chile. It registered 9.5 on the Richter scale.

    There is a mixture of scientific fact, such as the information about DNA and how it is the instruction manual for all of your cells. Amusing facts, claiming that playing the didgeridoo can help reduce snoring, are also included, as well as many facts about animals such as cockroaches can live for up to a week without a head…are shared. Information about nature and the natural world, mechanical devices, and the human body are also presented. We learn that ancient Egyptians took great care with the preparation of dead bodies, but they didn’t think the brain was useful and so threw it away.

    This is certainly a book for every day of the year but see if you can stop there! The book is beautifully presented, with each double- page spread having a different background colour. The text is clear and concise. Each day of the year is given as a heading and the information for that day is presented. Did you know that in Chile on the thirty first of December, people eat a spoonful of lentils for prosperity?

    The front cover of the book shows many small pictures to invite the reader’s curiosity to open it. This is a great concept and one that could be shared as a family activity, or even a classroom game. No matter where your interest lies, there is something for everyone. With Christmas approaching, this would be an ideal gift for young readers, (and their families).