Books with author C Gifford

Kids will be left astounded by this book of crazy optical illusions, and they'll be amazed as they learn the science behind how our brain and eyes work to together to fool us all the time. The fun begins with an engaging look at the biology behind the brain and eyes, complete with cool diagrams and a colorful "map" of the brain. Then they'll get to the core of the illusions, learning why some printed pictures appear to swirl madly on the page, how two colors can appear to be different when they are actually the same, how our eyes can pick out complete images in random pattern, and much more. From color conundrums to plays on perspective, the illusions in this book will leave readers wondering if they can ever really believe what they see.

Children will find this comprehensive, and visually exciting encyclopedia gathers the essential geographical, physical, and cultural information they need for school assignments in one convenient and easy-to-use source.Illustrated with more than 1,500 photographs, maps and flags, this stunning volume covers all the world's 192 countries, including dependencies and islands. The authoritative and clearly laid out text, fascinating maps, and up-to-the-minute facts, will help children acquire essential geographical knowledge and expand their understanding of how people live in many different parts of the world. With its country-by-country layout, a glossary, index and a reference section at the back of the book, this new encyclopedia is an exciting reference book for the whole family.

An absorbing, fast-paced, and comprehensive guide to surviving in the wild, with a particular focus on the animals you might encounter–and want to avoid!–while you’re there. Whether you’re lost in the mountains, stranded the desert, or adrift at sea, if you’ve read this book, you might just have a fighting chance at staying alive. Vivid photos, maps and other colorful graphics provide plenty to inspire armchair explorers. Chapters cover survival at sea, on a Pacific island, in the Outback, the Sahara Desert, the Amazon Rain forest, Polar wilderness, and in the Rocky Mountains. Readers are provided with information on what to do first, the key rules for survival, the animals in each habitat, and how to signal for help. Feature pages highlight real-life survivors who escaped these harsh environments to inspire young explorers.

Soccer is the world's greatest game, played by billions of people around the globe, including countless millions of children. My First Soccer Book will inform and encourage all young soccer players already caught up in their love of the game and hungry to develop their skills and knowledge. Perfectly pitched text by an expert author provides a highly practical guide to every aspect of soccer, from basic skills such as passing, heading, and shooting, through more detailed explanations of tactics and game-play, to information about the world's great players, teams, and tournaments. Hints and tips throughout will help every child make the most of his or her soccer games and classes.

Science is not created in a vacuum, and no scientist creates an invention without influences from the past and an impact on the future. 10 Inventors Who Changed the World by Clive Gifford is look at 10 discoverers, beginning with Archimedes of Greece and ending with Sergey Korolyev, each scientist's biography is linked with another based on influences, events, and geography. By uncovering these unique and often overlooked connections, science history emerges as a chain of pattern and relationships, and readers will understand how these ten inventors shaped the course of human civilization.

The Kingfisher Soccer Encyclopedia by Clive Gifford is the definitive guide to the world's most popular sport. From the sublime skills of Pele to the lifestyle of a professional soccer player, this gloriously illustrated book explores every aspect of the game. Freshly revised and updated, this is a world soccer book for the 2014 World Cup and beyond. State-of-the-art digital illustrations and stunning photographs bring to life all the key rules, tactics, set plays, and skills. As well as offering practical advice, this informative book also provides an insider's view of the history of the game, profiles of the great clubs, and facts about women's soccer teams and players.Comprehensive and visually thrilling, this book captures all the drama and the passion of a game that unites billions of people across the globe.Includes free World Cup poster for readers to fill in as the tournament progresses

Perfect for inquisitive cosmic kids aged 8-12, this succinct, entertaining look at what really happens in space takes a rapid-fire approach, offering 30 key topics, each one explained in neat 30-second soundbites and supported by 3-second flash summaries and cool, cartoon-style artwork. 3-minute active missions throughout will challenge lively young minds to test facts or go further and find out more. The attention-grabbing format is perfect for space. Topics range from the Big Bang theory and ways in which scientists think the universe might end, to what we know about distant planets and galaxies. Mind-boggling ideas about worm holes, dark matter and aliens will test the limits of even the most creative imagination.