One side is filled with exploding volcanoes and sizzling stars and the other with ship-sinking icebergs and frozen planets. The ultimate showdown between fire and ice!

Fact-hungry readers will discover exploding volcanoes, sizzling stars and fire-breathing dragons, rivers of fire, hot-air balloons and camels . . . there are more fascinating facts in The Hot Book to make you sweat! This stunning series is packed with cross-curricular information, case studies and dazzling photography and there is also a quiz, further reading section, a glossary and a comprehensive index, making this an ideal reference book for children aged 7+ that is both engaging and thought provoking. The perfect companion to The Cold Book. Expert author Dr Mike Goldsmith was formerly Head of Acoustics at the UK's National Physical Laboratory. Mike has written more than 40 science books for children and adults, which have been published in more than 28 countries. His books have been shortlisted for the Royal Society Young People's Book Prize twice. Miranda Smith has written and edited information books and articles for children and adults on a variety of subjects. Like the children she writes for, she likes to explore and find out about new things. In the last year, she has visited Peru's Macchu Picchu and jumped out of an aeroplane, and is currently deciding how to relate these to her writing and what to do next!

This Book Thinks You're a Maths Genius explores seven key areas of maths: geometry, space and volume, statistics, numbers and number patterns, codes and ciphers and the concept of infinity. Each spread centres on an open-ended question that introduces a key mathematical concept and suggests activities that engage the child in a fun and entertaining way. Activities include predicting the trajectory of a Malteser; building loo roll skyscrapers; mind-reading magic tricks; devising your own spy code; and working out the physical correlations between your dad and Usain Bolt. The end of the book includes a section of paper-based crafts including the kit to make a cardboard football and a data log for family quirks.

The Kingfisher Space Encyclopedia is an amazing 160-page volume and the perfect guide to space and outer space for children. Packed with colourful illustrations, step-by-step sequences, and detailed photography to keep children engaged and entertained.

Arranged thematically into key areas, the concise text is clear, accurate, and perfectly pitched, making this an unbeatable resource for home and school. This comprehensive guide includes the launch of the James Webb Telescope, the reusable Falcon 9 and NASA's advance space suit design. Plus, a glossary and index are included along with a list of websites for further learning.

Geometry does not have to be confusing! Inside Mathematics: Geometry helps make sense of all of those lines and angles by showing its fascinating origins and how that knowledge is applied in everyday life. Written to engage and enthuse young minds, this accessible overview introduces readers to the amazing people who figured out how shapes work and how they can be used to build spaces and study places we cannot go, like the beginning of the Universe. Filled with enlightening illustrations and images, Geometry is arranged chronologically, from Euclid's revolution to the Poincare conjecture, to clearly show how ideas in mathematics evolved from the Ancient Egyptians in 3000 BC to the present day. What began as scratched circles and squares in the dirt has evolved into a branch of mathematics used to create realistic landscapes in video games, build mile-high skyscrapers, and manufacture robots so tiny they can swim in your bloodstream.

This title is one of an exciting series from Oxford giving accessible introductions to the ideas, facts, and vocabulary behind an absorbing range of subjects. Meticulously researched and authoritative but written in simple and engaging way by experts in their fields, curious young readers will quickly get to grips with the story, basic principles and terminology of each subject. The Shocking Truth about Energy explains the different types of energy, including atomic energy, and how we use it - whether in a fridge or an internal combustion engine. It introduces the scientists behind our knowledge along with the language and terminology used with the 'Speak like a Scientist' features. Comic strips and illustrations, a timeline, glossary and index, all make this handy-sized book the perfect way to discover and think about energy and its future. Author Mike Goldsmith is a Doctor of Astrophysics, works as a scientist and was shortlisted for Royal Society Prize for Science Writing. Consultant Aimee Ambrose is Professor of Energy Policy at Sheffield Mallam University

If your kids are fed up with learning the names of kings and queens or dates of battles, then this is the history book for them. This book only contains some of the most brilliant bits about space in history. No rubbish diagrams or grainy photos - just really cool facts, intriguing people and of course the most awe-inspiring moments - all beautifully illustrated. It includes, early discoveries of moons and planets, the first rockets, probes sent to planets both near and far, the Space Race, the first humans in space and the men on the Moon, space shuttles, and more about our future in space. We've curated for kids some of the best examples of successes in space. The chronological order will help them get to grips with how and why one discovery can lead to another. It also shows how humans have continually strived to improve their lives and even the world by building on successes from the past, inspiring them to take leaps into the unknown or to reveal their genius to the world. Designed to spark the interest of children aged 8+ studying history and STEM topics at key stage 2, the text is snappy and completely relevant, so boredom is not an option. The 4-book series, A Short Illustrated History, celebrates some of the best thinkers, scientists, mathematicians, inventors, engineers and creative geniuses the world has ever seen! Titles in this series: Space Exploration Scientific Discoveries Inventions Medicine

We live in a world of waves. The Earth shakes to its foundations, the seas and oceans tremble incessantly, sounds reverberate through land, sea, and air. Beneath the skin, our brains and bodies are awash with waves of their own, and the Universe is filled by a vast spectrum of electromagnetic radiation, of which visible light is the narrowest sliver. Casting the net even wider, there are mechanical waves, quantum wave phenomena, and the now clearly detected gravitational waves. Look closer and deeper and more kinds of waves appear, down to the most fundamental level of reality. This Very Short Introduction looks at all the main kinds of wave, their sources, effects, and uses. Mike Goldsmith discusses how wave motion results in a range of phenomena, from reflection, diffraction, interference, and polarization in the case of light waves to beats and echoes for sound. All waves, however different, share many of the same features, and, as Goldsmith shows, for all their complexities many of their behaviours are fundamentally simple. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Unlock the mysteries of maths and discover the wonder of numbers. Readers will discover incredible information, such as why zero is so useful; what a googol really is; why music, maths and space are connected; why bees prefer hexagons; how to tell the time on other planets; and much much more. From marvellous measurements and startling shapes, to terrific theories and numbers in nature - maths has never been as amazing as this!

Perfect for any child who wants to stay one step ahead of their classmates, this fantastic book is packed with informative titbits that will fascinate and enthrall young minds. I Wish I Knew That is full of interesting stuff that parents and grandparents used to learn at school that every child ought to know today. From classic books children should read, a quick grammar guide, an introduction to foreign languages, who that Pythagoras chap was, to a look at all the kings and queens, countries and their capitals, an introduction to classics and much more, it covers all subjects.

Think math is boring? Think again! Algebra to Calculus: Unlocking Math's Amazing Power tells the story of algebra and calculus to explore the surprising, fascinating and sometimes mind-boggling evolution of mathematics through the ages. How do you make a decision with numbers? You have to use a kind of math called Boolean algebra. It's a little strange because it only ever uses two numbers 1 or 0, and 1+1 always equals 1. Despite this weirdness, this algebra is used to create the nanoscale circuits in every microchip. Do you want to know more? Written to engage, entertain and enthuse readers young and old, Algebra to Calculus: Unlocking Math's Amazing Power takes an entirely new approach to the wonderful world of mathematics. Along the way, readers will meet with geniuses, such as Diophantus and Newton, who figured out how to turn math problems into general techniques that worked whatever the situation. Readers will not only learn how computer chips process their programs, but also how a smartphone knows where it is, what the link is between snowflakes, cannonballs and wine barrels, and how Carl Gauss figured out how to add up all the numbers between 1 and 100 in less than a minute when he was just 10 years old! Algebra to Calculus: Unlocking Math's Amazing Power shows there is a lot more going on than just x + y = z.

This is the second title in the important new series from Oxford which provides accessible introductions to the ideas, facts, and vocabulary behind an absorbing range of subjects. Meticulously researched and authoritative but written in simple language by experts in their fields, curious young readers will quickly get to grips with the basic principles and terminology of each subject. The Secrets of the Universe explains, in clear and interesting way, the theories of the beginning of the Universe, what it is, how it works, the lives of stars, and possible futures. The engaging design highlights the Heroes of the subject from early beginnings to modern day and explains tricky terminology in 'Speak like a Scientist' features. Comic strips and illustrations, amazing photographs, and a timeline, glossary and, index, all make this handy-sized book the perfect way to learn. If you love this title, why not collect them all? The Secrets of the Universe is part of a collectible set which will build into a diverse range of subjects.

Filled with bite-size facts and amazing original illustrations, the Small and Mighty range is the ultimate pocket-sized collectible series for young readers who can't get enough of their favourite topic. In The Small and Mighty Book of Space, readers will discover everything they could ever want to know about the cosmos. With amazing bite-size facts on everything from the planets in the solar system to the number of stars in our galaxy, this fully illustrated book is filled to the brim with space info. Discover the rockets that took us to the moon, the robots exploring mars, the astronauts that took part in the Space Race, and lots more. With tons of original illustrations and infographics, it's ideal for any young reader who's obsessed with space.

Sound is integral to how we experience the world, in the form of noise as well as music. But what is sound? What is the physical basis of pitch and harmony? And how are sound waves exploited in musical instruments? In this Very Short Introduction Mike Goldsmith looks at the science of sound and explores sound in different contexts, covering the audible and inaudible, sound underground and underwater, accoustic and electric, and hearing in humans and animals. He also considers the problem of sound out of place - noise and its reduction. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

This amazing 320-page volume is the perfect guide to everything for children aged seven plus! It is packed with colourful illustrations, step-by-step sequences and the latest photography. From glaciers and galaxies to computers and chromosomes, it's sure to keep children engaged. Arranged thematically into key areas, covering core curriculum subjects, the concise text is clear, accurate and perfectly pitched, making this an unbeatable resource for home and school. Plus, a glossary and index are included along with a list of websites for further learning.

Eureka tells the stories of the of revolutionary scientific discoveries throughout history. Through a fusion of history and popular science, readers are introduced to the contributions made scientists such as Galileo, Louis Pasteur, and Marie Curie, and the passion and inspiration that fueled their discoveries. The book is divided into key subject areas, including medicine, the human body, atoms and molecules, planet Earth, and the universe. Read the gripping real-life experiences of scientists who often risked injury and sometimes even their lives to change the way we think. Each thrilling Eureka moment is brought vividly to life with fascinating details of experiments and equipment and stories of the scientists terrible blunders and lucky mistakes. This book brings the excitement of scientific exploration vividly to life for young readers who are increasingly urged to pursue professions in the sciences."

Noise is a widely recognized problem and health concern in the modern world. Given the importance of managing noise levels and developing suitable 'soundscapes' in contexts such as industry, schools, or public spaces, this is an area of active research for acousticians. But noise, in the sense of dissonance, can also be used positively; composers have employed it from Baroque music to Rock feedback; medicine harnesses it to shatter kidney stones and treat cancer; and even the military uses it in (real and rumoured) weapons. Mike Goldsmith looks back at the long history of the battle between people and noise - a battle that has changed our lives and moulded our societies. He investigates how increasing noise levels relate to human progress, from the clatter of wheels on cobbles to the sound of heavy machinery; he explains how our scientific understanding of sound and hearing has developed; and he looks at noise in nature, including the remarkable ways in which some animals, such as shrimps, use noise as a weapon or to catch prey. He concludes by turning to the future, discussing the noise sources which are likely to dominate it and the ways in which new science and new ideas may change the way our future will sound.