Cirrus@Austlit

'Find out where rain comes from and what geysers look like! Read about soil becoming too salty and why greenhouse gases are increasing. Did you know that fog is a cloud sitting on the ground and that ice can tell you about the environment of millions of years ago? And what is lightning anyway? Australian Backyard Earth Scientist is full of fantastic photos and fascinating information that help explain different aspects of earth science - a science that discovered how old the Earth is, what fossils tell us, how mountains were created, what causes earthquakes, what the difference between weather and climate is, and why glaciers are melting. 

'From the beginnings of the planet through to climate change, 'Australian Backyard Earth Scientist' includes interesting and fun facts and projects help develop an understanding and appreciation - like making your own fossils, collecting cloud types, and using tree rings to find out about past weather. Young readers can discover the influences that have fashioned our earth - and are still acting to change it.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'This book is written by Peter Macinnis, the recipient of the Eve Pownall award in the 2010 Children's Book Council of Australia Awards for the sister publication, Australian Backyard Explorer. In Australian Backyard Naturalist, Peter enthusiastically explores the animals that inhabit the places in which we live, from the furry to the slimy, the large to the tiny. He keeps readers entertained with stories about his own adventures with Australia's creepy crawlies and other creatures, as well as collectors' and naturalists' stories from the times of first European settlement to recent times. ' (Publisher's blurb)

'"Have you ever wondered why sometimes after you have washed your socks, one of them mysteriously disappears? Or why your shoelaces always seem to get tangled into tricky knots? The answer is, you probably have a monster problem or, more specifically, two monster problems with a gobblesock living behind your washing machine and a shoelace monster nesting under your bed. The Monster Maintenance Manual is a field guide for monster-philes of all ages, focusing on sixty-four curious creatures. This spotters manual explains what they look like, what annoying habits they have and even if they are useful for anything. With big colour profile pictures for each monster and a handy section on how to keep them (or get rid of them), The Monster Maintenance Manual is a must have book for any aspiring monster expert.' (Publication summary)

'Australian Backyard Explorer tells the stories of many intrepid individuals who explored the Australian continent in the first 120 years of European settlement. It includes little-known explorers as well as the old favourites, such as James Cook, Edward John Eyre, Robert O'Hara Burke and William John Wills.

'There are tales not only of tragedy, conflict and death, but also of loyalty, amazing perseverance and wonder over the new animals and landscapes they encountered.' (Trove)

As the tree snake searches for food it takes us on a journey deep inside an Australian rainforest. We meet the fascinating creatures that inhabit all levels of the rainforest, from the dark forest floor to the thick, spreading canopy. (Source: back cover)

From under a rock slowly slithers a bandy bandy. It rests in the sun, letting the early morning rays warm its cold blood.

And so begins another day in the desert. Despite its harshness, the desert is an extraordinary place which teems with life. Lizards, snakes, birds and insects, kangaroos, kowaris and other small mammals, even frogs and shrimps, can all be found in the desert.

This is the story of a day in the Australian desert. The lyrical, evocative text combined with Kim Gamble's superb illustrations bring to life this fascinating environment.