Strange New Species
Astonishing Discoveries of Life on Earth
by
Ages 9 to 14
Hardcover: 96pp | 8 1/2 x 11 | $29.95
ISBN: 978-1-897066-31-7 (US $24.95)
Paperback: 96pp | 8 1/2 x 11 | $19.95
ISBN: 978-1-897066-32-4 (US $16.95)
Astonishing Discoveries of Life on Earth
by
Ages 9 to 14
Hardcover: 96pp | 8 1/2 x 11 | $29.95
ISBN: 978-1-897066-31-7 (US $24.95)
Paperback: 96pp | 8 1/2 x 11 | $19.95
ISBN: 978-1-897066-32-4 (US $16.95)
"Kelsey’s infectious eagerness and her eye for the kid-friendly detail may
have what it takes to convert the most confirmed science-phobes."
— Kirkus Review
"The press blurb calls this book ’riveting’ and ’groundbreaking’ and it really is. ...This is a fascinating science book, well-written and full of glorious color photographs."
— Canadian Children’s Book News
ABOUT THE BOOK
— Kirkus Review
"The press blurb calls this book ’riveting’ and ’groundbreaking’ and it really is. ...This is a fascinating science book, well-written and full of glorious color photographs."
— Canadian Children’s Book News
ABOUT THE BOOK
In the riveting pages of this groundbreaking book, readers will meet scientists from around the world who search for new species on our planet—with everything from submarines to spaghetti strainers.
Adventure and discovery wait in the depths of the oceans, Earth’s varied surfaces, the vast expanse of sky, and beyond. Elin Kelsey’s outstanding narrative, complemented by stunning photos, draws readers right into the field with intrepid researchers, and into a world of wondrous and surprising forms of life.
- Leagues beneath the sea, highly specialized communities of tubeworms, clams, and shrimp flourish in temperatures that reach a scorching 426 °C (800 °F).
- Surviving on saltwater slush bubbling up from the extremely harsh landscape of the great Gobi desert in north central Asia, the wild bactrian camel might be a new species.
- The discovery of a new species of microbe growing in the oxygen-deprived mud of Mono Lake in northern California suggests that life exists within similar environments on Mars.
Scientists are discovering new species everyday. Why are so many new species turning up? Advancements in technologies allow scientists to safely study remote parts of the world that were previously impossible to visit. DNA testing and genetic sequencing has become instrumental in identifying new species. Meanwhile, genetic modification has become a hot topic among scientific communities, adding a new dimension to our already-teeming pool of life on Earth.
New species—they’re new to you, new to science, and sometimes even new to the Earth. Strange New Species features the very latest discoveries, and its “you are there” pages involve readers right in the action.
REVIEWS:
BookLoons Reviews
"Strange New Species gives a fascinating overview, in an engaging format, of the current state of knowledge about all the weird and wonderful critters that share the planet with us."
Canadian Children’s Book News
"The press blurb calls this book ’riveting’ and ’groundbreaking’ and it really is. ...This is a fascinating science book, well-written and full of glorious color photographs."
Kirkus Reviews
"Kelsey’s infectious eagerness and her eye for the kid-friendly detail may have what it takes to convert the most confirmed science-phobes."
Booklist
"With many excellent photos, this introductory book on new species will be an intriguing addition to classroom units on classification or biology."
Globe & Mail (Books)
"A multitude of photographs, capsule biographies of scientists and modern explorers, and a seemingly bottomless supply of amazing facts and figures about creatures, great and small, make this book a most appetizing prospect for the curious."
Globe & Mail (Focus)
"Published by Maple Tree Press, [Strange New Species] is aimed at kids 7 to 15, but is interesting enough to keep an adult flicking the pages."
Island Parent Magazine
“Utterly absorbing, Elin Kelsey’s excellent discussion of recently discovered species boggles the mind with every turn of the page. ....Fantastic photographs, amazing facts, cutting edge information about cloning, transgenic pets, GM foods, and recently discovered species that scientists are busily classifying and studying, make this a real page-turner, a classic case of truth being stranger than fiction.”
CM Magazine
“In a conversational writing style that young readers will find inviting, Kelsey clearly chows she enjoys her topic. On every page, intriguing facts will encourage kids to sharpen their observation skills…Sidebars throughout the book will inspire debate…Highly recommended.”
Victoria Times Colonist
“With the help of vivid photographs on every page, Strange New Species tells…many…believe-it-or-not tales from biology, and includes short profiles of the fascinating scientists uncovering them.”
School Library Journal
’’You may think there is nothing new under the sun, but Kelsey shows readers that there’s a lot that is ’new’--and there’s plenty more out there...Colour photos and glossy pages catch the eye...and it’s full of tidbits to entice browsers into further investigations, and perhaps lure them into scientific careers of their own."
Resource Links
’’Strange New Species, is filled with amazing information and anecdotes. [It] will be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in the fascinating natural world stil unfolding around us. It is highly recommended."
Brandon Sun
"Elin Kelsey has assured prolonged interest in her newest book through design and ease of access to her information. The photographs are telling, the text is easy to follow, and the information provided is quite amazing."
BC Parent
"Kelsey packs her book with colourful photos, interesting facts, and scientist/explorer profiles. A great book for those keen to learn more about the world around them."
Science News
"[A] new and notable book of scientific interest...this guide is sure to inspire some chldren to investigate the animals in their own backyards."
Deakin Newsletter
"This valuable introduction to the field is the kind of text that stimulates young science lovers into exploring a scientific career"
NB Telegraph-Journal
’’This fascinating book for biology enthusiasts is drenched with glossy colour photographs.’’
HI-RISE Community Newspaper
’’With profiles of researchers and scientists, this is a fascinating book for ages 9 to 14.’’
The Californian.com
’’... the information in this well-illustrated book will interest adults as well... five gold pens out of five!’’
Okanagan College
’’The text... is not only clear and informative, but also engaging and lively. This valuable introduction to the field is the kind of text that stimulates young science lovers into exploring a scientific career.’’
Yes Mag
’’... a wonderful tribute to life itself - dynamic and unpredictable.’’
San Francisco Chronicle
"Kelsey’s captivating text, buoyed by luscious color photographs, draws readers into remote worlds and bizarre-looking creatures from the Amazon to the Arctic, from the depths of the sea to outer space."
Know Magazine (Emil, Age 9)
"I found all of the topics interesting and the photographs were beautiful. I didn’t know there were so many cool species in the world! I had a lot of fun reading this book, and I wouldn’t change a thing."
Infotech, Instructional Technology Division, Resources Development and Evaluation, NC Department of Public Instruction
"If the picture of the baby dwarf marmoset (about the size of a finger) on the cover doesn't get you, maybe the lizard that can fit on a dime or the pig-nosed frog that only comes out of its underground burrow for two weeks a year will. This beautifully photo-illustrated book about new species that scientists have discovered is sure to be a page-turner favorite among budding naturalists. Constantly changing fonts along with bright colors make the book visually appealing. Captions are chock-full of information, Hot Debate boxes posit interesting questions, and bios of scientists are short, snappy and very kid-friendly. It\'s a great resource for teaching animal and plant classification and for luring
reluctant readers."
AWARDS:
2008
British Columbia Library Association, Finalist, Red Cedar Book Award
2007
Ontario Library Association, Silver Birch Award (Non-Fiction), Finalist
2007
Alberta Children's Choice, Finalist, Rocky Mountain Book Award
2006
Canadian Children's Book Centre, "Our Choice" starred selection
2005
USA Book News, Finalist, Best Books 2005, Children’s Non-Fiction Category
2005
Curtis Memorial Library (Maine), Nominee, Cornerstones of Science
2005
Ontario Library Association (OLA), Best Bets List, Top Ten Canadian Children's Books, Non-Fiction
2005
ForeWord Book of the Year Award, Finalist
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