Book Bundles: Nature's Designs

(3) 4-6 Orca Footprints series. "Nature runs on sunlight and water. Humans...use fossil fuels and toxic chemicals." Nature's adaptations have a lot to teach us about sustainable design and environmental stewardship. The authors discuss technological advances that have benefited humans (e.g., synthetic fibers, refrigerators, cell phones) and how these innovations are threatening the health of the planet. The approachable text, supported by lots of captioned photos, spotlights some of nature's more remarkable innovations and some engineering feats inspired by nature. A final chapter focuses on "Reducing Our Footprint." A reading list, websites, and links to relevant TED Talks are appended, as are a glossary and index.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Paul Boston. Each of eight inventions is profiled over two double-page spreads; Boston's colorful, stylized illustrations take center stage, homing in on details in the brief text. Nordstrom's focus is on the inventions rather than the inventors, and coverage includes only select facts about the individuals and their work. Back matter includes a list of related jobs; small photos of, and occupations for, each of the ten mimic makers mentioned; more about biomimicry; and suggestions for becoming a mimic maker. A glossary, selected bibliography, reading list, and websites are appended.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Twelve double-page spreads feature a striking animal photo on the left-hand page and, on the right, an up-close photo of a robot designed to move like the featured animal. The verso's two lines of text focus on the creature's movements (e.g., "HOVER like a hummingbird, / FLYING overhead"); text on the recto offers a bit more detail about the corresponding robot and how its design is helpful to humans ("The Nano Air Vehicle (NAV)...was designed for spy missions in cities"). This is a straightforward and engaging introduction to the topic for early elementary-age readers; those who want to know more will find the final page's discussion of biomimicry and an appended reading list useful. A glossary is also included.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn