50 Questions

Most of us take our underwear for granted, but throughout history our undies have revealed a lot about who we are (king or peasant), how we work (in fields or factories) or the shapes we value (manly calves or tiny waists). The third book in Annick's 50 Questions series tackles questions such as "What's that smell?" (Medieval Europeans thought bathing made you sick) and "Did boxers arrive in the Nick of time?" (When blue jean model Nick Kamen stepped out of his denims to reveal his boxers, sales of the underwear soared.) Underwear has played a role in ancient crusades, city sieges and even modern economic predictions. Obviously, it's time to uncover the facts about everything from loincloths and T-shirts to bloomers and lingerie. Young readers will laugh their pants off at the accompanying cartoons and get the bare, but fascinating, facts about the history of our unmentionables.

Climate is a hot topic. Turns out, it's been a major mover and shaker since time began. Climate has made it possible for new species to evolve, yet has wiped out others. We might not think about it this way, but it has a hand in determining where we live, what we do, and how well we survive. The fourth book in Annick's highly engaging 50 Questions series gives readers the answers to earth-shattering questions such as 'How big was the wallop that KO'd T. rex?' (Huge! Scientists believe a Manhattan-sized asteroid killed off dinosaurs by creating thick dust that cooled the earth's climate.) Or 'Would you call this a BIG help?' (Giant poop from sperm whales is helping to reduce greenhouse gases-go, whales, go!) You'll be surprised to read about the dangers of belching cows, or about the hailstorm that started a revolution. Discover the topsy-turvy world of climate in these electrifying pages, while enjoying the madcap illustrations along the way.

If we took time to examine the flames in our world-fires that have built civilizations, sparked entire religions, and literally changed the surface of the Earth-can you imagine how many questions we would have? The 50 questions in this book may be just the beginning, but they will intrigue and excite young readers. From the question of "Who's for dinner?" (before mastering fire, humans were more likely to be prey than predators), to "Who were the first firefighters?" (Romans over 2,000 years ago), to "Why don't firewalkers get toasted feet?" (theories abound, but no one knows for certain), the amazing answers reveal the crucial role fire has played for millennia. With a humorous touch ("Who was the first hairy potter?"), Tanya Lloyd Kyi presents fascinating facts alongside innovative activities for kids, like sending breath through a glass jar and playing spy games with a flashlight. Each sidebar turns up the heat on the subject, while comical illustrations make for a fun and fiery visual presentation.

It's a toxic world out there. Poisonous snakes, toxic herbicides, noxious fumes - poisons in one form or another are all around us. An innocent-looking flower may be lethal, and smog can make it impossible to breathe. Poisons can be the death of us, but they can also cure disease. The second book in Annick's 50 Questions series provides answers to many intriguing questions, such as:• Should you pee on a jellyfish sting? No, douse it with vinegar!• Why was the Mad Hatter mad? From working with mercury nitrate.• Can venomous lizards cure diabetes? Yes, a drug used to treat the disease comes from the Gila monster's venom. Poison Puzzles at the end of each chapter then test the readers' knowledge. Young readers who want to avoid paint that kills or leaves that give blisters can explore the fascinating and dangerous world of poisons. And don't be afraid! The killer cartoons and dead-funny text are venom-free.

Most of us eat, run, or sleep without thinking about it. But our bodies are masterful machines of intricate design that perform amazing feats daily. The fifth book in Annick's successful 50 Questions series guides readers through the details of how our bodies function, from the miracles of genetics, to immune cells shaped like sea monsters. With her engaging, lucid style, Lloyd Kyi incorporates recent scientific research to explain our body's complex workings. Kids will love finding the answers to questions such as: • Do blood cells travel single fle? (In our capillaries, blood cells have to squeeze through one at a time.) • How is your spine like a racetrack? (Messages race down the nerves in your spinal cord faster than a NASCAR driver.) • Is your brain like plastic? (Your brain's ability to change is called 'plasticity.') • Can your lungs take a hike? (Your lungs and blood vessels adapt to altitude changes.) • Are there aliens inside you? (The invasion of microscopic living organisms started the moment you were born.) You'll discover how people avoided epidemics in ancient Pakistan and why your goldfish can see things you can't. Hilarious illustrations will keep kids laughing as they learn.