illustrations
From the author and illustrator who brought you the bestselling Britannica First Big Book of Why comes
First Big Book of How. Featuring compelling questions about space, Earth, machines,
Sally Symes
Developed
With
Symes
Developed by Sally
Taylor-Herbert Illustrations
Text by Sally Symes and Dr Saranne
by Kate Slater
Also by
Sally Symes
Kate Slater
vehicles, buildings,
animals and the human body, this magnificent volume provides answers for every inquisitive child (and their grown-ups!).
helpful
ultimate gift for kids
NOW!
jellyfish
stick to metal?
whatonearthbooks.com 9 408187 581166 ISBN 978-1-80466-118-5 £20.00
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are bogeys made? do black holes form?
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Big Book of Why comes
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First Big Book of How.
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by Kate Slater, including a host
and friendly diagrams, this is the ultimate
who need to know everything – and
How do seeds sprout?
Most plants start life as seeds. Seeds come in many shapes and can be big like a coconut, or small like a poppy seed. Inside the seed, a tiny plant is waiting to grow. All it needs is a dollop of soil, a splash of water and a few rays of sunshine to get things moving. After a while, the seed splits. A root grows down and a shoot grows up... and up... until it pops out of the soil. The seed has sprouted!
This stripy seed will grow into a sunflower.
As the root goes down, a shoot begins to grow up. A root starts to grow from the pointed end. root
shoot
WACKY FACT
The biggest seed in the world is the coco de mer, the seed of a palm tree.
The shoot appears above the ground.
The root continues to get bigger to hold the growing plant steady.
The first two leaves appear as the seed shell drops away.
WACKY FACT
Polar bears occasionally overheat! They cool down by rolling in the snow or by jumping into the sea.
Polarbearfur may look white, buteach hair is actually transparent.
Tuftyfurkeeps theirtoestoasty .
4
How do polar bears keep warm?
Not many creatures can survive the freezing temperatures of the Arctic – but polar bears can! A polar bear has a thick layer of blubbery fat under its skin that stops heat from escaping. The surface of its skin is black, and this dark colouring helps the skin absorb sunshine. Then on top of its skin are two layers of fur: a short, warm, fuzzy layer, and a longer waxy layer on top that keeps water out and warmth in. How cool is that?
long guard hairs
short fuzzy hairs
black skin fat
Long, thick guard hairs protect the bear’s soft undercoat. It’s rather like you or me wearing a raincoat over a warm, fleecy jumper.
. . . . . . . . . .
5
Look what’s inside a rocket firework
Pointed head so it flies fast and straight
Gunpowder
Gunpowder Star Outside fuse Inside fuse
Stick to stand it upright
6
How do fireworks explode?
WHOOSH! KABOOM! It might sound like fireworks explode only once, but they actually explode twice (or more)! When someone lights the fuse on the outside of the firework tube, the gunpowder inside burns very quickly, creating gas that shoots the firework into the air. That’s the WHOOSH! The second fuse inside the tube sets fire to little balls called ‘stars’. These stars are made of powdered metals and salts that burn particular colours and make different sparkling patterns. And that’s the KABOOM!
WACKY FACT
Fireworks were invented in China about 2,000 years ago – someone put bamboo stalks on a fire and they burst open with a bang!
.
7
. . . . . . . . .
Author: Sally Symes
Illustrator: Kate Slater
Ages: 4+ years
Price: £20.00
Format: Hardback
Extent: 256 pages
Trim size: 280 x 210 mm
Pub date: 5th September 2024
ISBN: 9781804661185
How do scientists see into space? How do we know what the dinosaurs looked like? How do snakes move? How do bugs walk on walls? How do bones grow? How do keys open locks? Featuring compelling questions about space, Earth, machines, vehicles, buildings, animals and the human body, this magnificent book provides answers for every inquisitive child. By encouraging children to question how things are happening in the world around us, First Big Book of How supports STEAM learning, offering a doorway into learning about the principles behind science, technology and engineering. With stunning photography and gorgeous original illustrations by Kate Slater, including a host of helpful and friendly diagrams, this is the ultimate gift for kids who need to know everything – and now!
• Created by the author and illustrator team behind the bestselling Britannica First Big Book of Why.
• Over 150 questions answered answered in a clear, yet playful style that gives warmth and charm to every page.
• Features a lavish blend of specially commissioned illustrations, detailed diagrams showing just how things work, and full colour photography.
• Every spread has been thoroughly fact-checked and reviewed by subject experts.
• Every chapter contains two ‘Tell me… NOW!’ quickfire question spreads, which offer snappy answers to a child’s most pressing questions.
Author
Sally Symes worked for many years as a designer of children’s books before turning her skills to writing them. Her collaborations with Nick Sharratt have won several awards, including The Educational Writers’ Award for The Gooey, Chewy, Rumble, Plop Book and she is the author of the bestselling Britannica First Big Book of Why. She works from a shed in Sussex, accompanied by her grumpy cat.
Illustrator
Kate Slater grew up on a beautiful farm in deepest Staffordshire, and studied illustration at Kingston University. Her children’s books include: Britannica First Big Book of Why, A is for Ant, The Birthday Crown, The Little Red Hen, ABC London, Magpie’s Treasure, Make Your Own Birds of Prey and Make Your Own Flying Machines. Alongside work for publishing, editorial and advertising, she has created several large-scale installations and window displays.
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Also by Sally Symes and Kate Slater
ISBN 978-1-80466-118-5
9 781804 661185
