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The amazing science of sunlight, smartphones, microphones, mushrooms and everything in-between.
Have you ever stopped to think about all the stuff you encounter every day? There’s the stuff you breathe, the stuff you eat, the stuff you wear, the stuff you read, the stuff you walk on, the stuff you ride in, the stuff your body is made of… plus water, trees, sunlight, soap, electricity, vaccines, smartphones, and so much more!
In The Greatest Stuff on Earth, Steve Tomecek and John Devolle show us how this stuff works, including the miracle of transforming energy into matter and matter into energy. Stars do it…and also internal combustion engines…and living things, including grass and bacteria and worms and cheetahs and even us humans.
With contagiously enthusiastic and chatty explanatory text, fast facts, and clever, stylish and sometimes funny photos, illustrations, and diagrams, this fantastically browsable book offers hundreds of entry points for knowledge-hungry kids.
Steve holds a degree in Geology and has 30 years’ experience educating children (and their teachers) about science in a super fun, friendly way – as a writer, a radio and television presenter, and a live performer. He’s the perfect person to introduce middle-grade kids to the inner workings of the material world.
Includes a glossary and index.
"Begins with pithy overviews of such basics as atomic structure, elements, and electricity before recapping watershed events in our planet’s history... From there, it’s on to a history of technology, with... a handful of crucial inventions." - Kirkus Reviews
"The book looks great and the short sections make for a breezy reading experience." - Youth Services Book Review
"There's a great 1980s vibe to this book." - YA Books Central
"Tomecek excels at sparking curiosity by shining a light on the stuff kids often take for granted, encouraging them to look at their surroundings with new eyes..." - Children's Literature, (CLCD)
"A joyous celebration of matter, energy, and the marvels of everyday materials. Brimming with charm, curiosity, and cleverness, it's the perfect introduction to the inner workings of the world." - ALLWOMENSTALK
Page 5: INTRODUCTION
Page 8: STUFF THE BASICS
Page 10: SOMETIMES IT'S MATTER
Page 12: Atoms and Elements
Page 14: Compounds
Page 16: OTHER TIMES IT'S ENERGY
Page 20: NATURE STUFF
Page 22: IT CAME FROM THE BIG BANG
Page 24: Stars
Page 26: THE GROUND BENEATH US - ROCKS
Page 28: Magnets
Page 30: YUM...DIRT
Page 32: AWASH IN WATER
Page 34: Frozen
Page 36: LIFE-GIVING LIGHT
Page 38: WEATHER-FILLED AIR
Page 40: Our GreenhousePage 42: Fire
Page 44: THE COOLEST FEAT - LIFE
Page 46: DNA
Page 48: Cells
Page 50: Chloroplasts
Page 52: Mitochondria
Page 54: Microbes
Page 56: STUFF HUMANS MAKE AND USE
Page 58: FABULOUS FOOD
Page 60: Nutrients
Page 62: Food and Fire
Page 64: Ovens
Page 65: Pots and Pans
Page 66: Preserving Food
Page 68: Refrigeration
Page 70: FEELING FUELISH
Page 72: Alternative Energy
Page 74: Electricity
Page 76: Batteries
Page 78: GIVE ME SHELTER
Page 80: Building Materials
Page 82: COVER UP WITH CLOTHES
Page 84: First Fabrics
Page 86: SPIN THE WHEEL
Page 88: Motors
Page 90: THE WRITE STUFF - PAPER
Page 92: Type
Page 93: The Printing Press
Page 94: HERE'S TO YOUR HEALTH!
Page 96: Disinfectants
Page 98: Germ Fighters
Page 100: Painkillers
Page 102: Replacement Body Parts
Page 104: LIGHTS, CAMERA, SMARTPHONE!
Page 106: Mics & Speakers
Page 108: Connections
Page 110: PROBLEMS WITH STUFF
Page 114: But There's More Stuff!
Page 116: Glossary
Page 120: Note on the Research
Page 121: Selected Sources
Page 123: Photo Credits
Page 124: Index