Books in Livewire Investigates Series series

Australia is the smallest continent in the world, but one of the largest islands. Most people live along the coast, as close as possible to the sea. Many who live inland are so far from the nearest town that they do their schoolwork at home. This ancient land is home to many unusual animals - kangaroos and koalas (marsupials that carry their young in pouches), platypuses (mammals that lay eggs and have the bill and webbed feet of a duck) and funnel webs (spiders that can kill humans with their deadly venom). In summer time surfboard riders take to the waves, a bushfire alert may mean that people can't light outdoor fires, and thousands of fans flock to cricket matches. Find out where the six states are on the colorful maps and look out for the stickers in the middle of the book.

Did you know that there are 53 independent countries in Africa? It means many different peoples, languages, religions, buildings and food are found there. And as if that wasn't enough, an amazing variety of animals and plants live there as well-zebras, elephants, lions, hippopotamuses, hyenas and rhinoceroses that roam the wildlife reserves created to protect them from human predators. Africa is also a continent of ancient monuments, like the pyramids of Egypt, as well as modern cities -- you'll find that the old and the new exist side by side. The maps show where each country is located, what it looks like and who its neighbors are. You'll also find each country's colorful flag displayed. In the middle of the book is a page of removable stickers and at the end you'll find an interesting activity and a useful glossary and index.

For as long as there have been cars, people have wanted to race them. Motor racing takes many forms, from children's go-karts to souped-up family cars and racing trucks, to the exciting world of Formula 1 racing. The name 'Ferrari' make people think of the famous original red racer, but what do the latest Ferraris look like? Do they come in colors other than red? The thrill and action for racing is captured in the detailed pictures in this book, such as a close-up view of a racing car cockpit and engine. Other spreads show how to modify the family car so you can race it on a track, what happens at a pit stop, new safety features for tracks and drivers and much, much more. And what about the problems you'd face if you took your Formula 1 racing car to the supermarket.

Have you ever wondered how scary it must have been flying in the flimsy planes built at the beginning of the twentieth century? Plane trips are quite common today, but in days gone by this form of travel was unbelievable. Unlocking the secrets of flight was a lifelong goal of pioneers such as the Wright Brothers, and modern day explorers break new boundaries in the space shuttle. This book shows you the old and the new: from the inventions of George Cayley and Lawrence Hargrave and the first hot air balloons to the planes used in both world wars to stealth fighter and trips beyond Earth. And it even provides handy hints for those of you who want to keep a Harrier jump jet in your family garage!

Whenever a whale comes close to shore, hundreds of people flock to see it frolicking in the water -- rolling over, spouting and slapping its tail at the waves. They hold their breath until it swims safely out to sea again in case the whale beaches itself on the sand and dies. Scientists have theories about why whales do this but no-one really knows why. Whales, dolphins and porpoises are mammals of the sea and have captivated people for centuries. These beautiful creatures come in all shapes and sizes, and each one has its own personality, way of feeding, communicating, and so on. Look inside this book and see the actual size illustration of a blue whale's eye, a fight between a giant squid and a sperm whale, how we can protect whales and how you can keep a whale in your swimming pool!