Books with author Ellen Lawrence

A chunk of granite rock may look gray and boring, but take a closer look under a microscope and it's possible to see that the rock is made from billions of tiny colorful grains. Each microscopic grain is a substance called a mineral, and it's minerals that are the ingredients that make up all the rocks on Earth. In this book, readers will learn how different combinations of minerals create different types of rocks. They'll discover that metals, such as gold, are actually minerals that can be found in rocks. And they'll learn that some minerals grow as beautiful shapes called crystals that can be made into precious gemstones such as rubies and sapphires.Filled with information perfectly suited to the abilities and interests of an early elementary audience, this colorful, fact-filled volume gives readers a chance not only to learn, but also to develop their powers of observation and critical thinking. From stunning photographs to high-interest facts, this book makes exploring the topic of rocks and minerals a lively, engaging experience.

For many months a tiny seed has been warm and safe underground. Now it's spring and a little green shoot bursts from the seed and appears from under the soil. Beneath the surface, the new plant's roots spread out in search of water and nutrients. One day the little shoot will be a tall, strong tree. None of this would be possible without soil! Inside this book, readers will discover how important soil is to plant life. How do plants get water and nutrients from soil? Why would trees fall over if there was no soil? And why is good, healthy soil essential to farmers who grow and produce most of the foods we eat? Filled with information perfectly suited to the abilities and interests of an early elementary audience, this colorful, fact-filled volume gives readers a chance not only to learn, but also to develop their powers of observation and critical thinking. With its stunning photographs and surprising, high-interest facts about a material that most of us take for granted, the book makes learning about soil a lively, engaging experience.

Did you know that Saturn's rings are made up of billions of bits of rock that can be as tiny as specks of dust, or as large as skyscrapers? And did you know that Saturn is the lightest planet in the solar system and would float in water―if you could find a bathtub big enough to hold it? These and dozens of other fascinating facts provide a perfect high-interest introduction to the planet with the incredible rocky rings, Saturn. Filled with information perfectly suited to a second-grade audience, this accessible, high-impact book combines solid science, technology, and even math with up-to-the-minute information, odd and often quirky facts, and astounding space photography. It also provides plenty of surprises and teachable moments that will draw young children into a rewarding, kid-friendly reading experience.

From space, our planet looks blue. That's because about 71 percent of Earth's surface is covered in water. From vast oceans to long rivers, massive ice sheets to backyard ponds, this book looks at all the different places we find water on our blue planet's surface. Readers will discover fascinating facts about oceans, seas, lakes, streams, and glaciers. They'll also learn the answers to these questions: How much of Earth's water is salt water? How do lakes and rivers form? Where is Earth's frozen fresh water found? And how does water get into the clouds that float high above our planet's surface? Filled with information perfectly suited to the abilities and interests of an early elementary audience, this colorful, fact-filled volume gives readers a chance not only to learn, but also to develop their powers of observation and critical thinking. With its stunning photographs and surprising, high-interest facts, this book makes learning about water an engaging experience.

It’s early morning in the Amazon rain forest. A caiman glides through the waters of a muddy river. Suddenly, with a huge splash, a jaguar leaps from its hiding place on the riverbank. In an instant, the jaguar sinks its sharp teeth into the caiman’s thick, scaly skin. The caiman struggles and tries to fight back, but it’s no match for the powerful jungle cat. Filled with information perfectly suited to the abilities and interests of its primary-grade audience, this colorful, fact-filled book gives readers a chance not only to learn all about jaguars and their Amazon rain forest home, but also to develop their powers of observation and critical thinking. Built-in investigations, such as figuring out how the jaguar’s fur pattern helps it to hunt, and measuring the predator’s sharp canine teeth, give readers a chance to gain insights beyond the facts and figures.

In a shallow pond, an enormous alligator is waiting, its nostrils breaking the surface of the dark waters. Suddenly, a duck lands on the pond. The alligator’s huge, gaping jaws emerge from the water and snap shut! The duck quickly flaps its wings and escapes. The alligator sinks below the water again. The swamp is home to lots of other prey, and the stealthy alligator will soon catch a tasty meal. Filled with information perfectly suited to the abilities and interests of its primary-grade audience, this colorful, fact-filled book gives readers a chance not only to learn all about American alligators and their swamp habitat, but also to develop powers of observation and critical thinking. Built-in activities, such as using a measuring tape to see how long alligators grow and guessing how a mother alligator takes care of her young, give readers a chance to gain insights beyond the facts and figures.

What is happening when we see a honeybee covered with yellow dust busily buzzing from flower to flower? How exactly is the little bee helping the flowers in a garden? This book explores how plants reproduce, and features a clear, accessible, step-by-step explanation of how insects and other animals pollinate flowers. Packed with information perfectly suited to the abilities and interests of an early elementary audience, this colorful volume gives readers a chance not only to learn, but also to develop their powers of observation and critical thinking. From stunning photographs to high-interest facts about plants and their pollinators, What Lily Gets from Bee: And Other Pollination Factsmakes learning about plant reproduction a lively, engaging experience.What Lily Gets from Bee: And Other Pollination Factsis part of Bearport's Plant-ology series.

One summer night, a young child witnesses a huge green sea turtle laying her eggs on a Florida beach. As he watches, he decides to record what happens in a diary. Readers will follow along as the narrator observes baby turtles hatching from the eggs, climbing out of their sandy nest, and then making a treacherous run to the ocean. As the tiny hatchlings begin their new lives at sea, the young diarist researches how turtles grow, the dangers they face, and how female turtles eventually return to the beach where they hatched to lay their own eggs. Colorful photos and clear, age-appropriate text will engage young readers as they explore the life cycle, natural habitat, physical characteristics, diet, and behavior of these endangered animals. The diary format models scientific observation and critical thinking—and encourages children to keep notebooks recording their own investigations into the natural world.