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Library | Shelf Number | Material Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Searching... Caneside Library | J 608 LEE | Juvenile Non-Fiction | Searching... Unknown |
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Summary
Summary
Biomimicry examines the extraordinary innovations of the natural world and the human inventions they have inspired. Readers will learn about marvels such as high-performance swimsuits modeled after sharkskin and the sleek front ends of Japanese bullet trains based on the long, streamlined beak of the kingfisher. There's also plenty about what glimmers on the horizon: A Brazilian beetle may be key to developing computers that run on light, and the gecko's humble foot may hold the secret to revolutionizing the way surgical wounds are closed. Best of all, nature's inventions are lean, green machines that are self-sustaining and generate zero waste --- yet another cue humans are taking from the natural world. Astounding facts, easy-to-understand prose and luminous illustrations bring the wonders of nature into the science lab.
Author Notes
Dora Lee lives with her family in Vancouver, Canada. From an early age, she was interested in both science and writing. As she grew older, writing took a backseat to jobs in biotechnology research and development.
Margot Thompson is an illustrator of children's books including the award-winning Tree of Life, Sea Monsters, Make a Change: Shapes, and Make a Change: Opposites. She also works as a designer at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto.
Reviews (2)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 5-7-Nature has been inspiring scientists for a long time-think Newton and that apple. However, it has been an inspiration in purely practical matters as well-think of Velcro, of camouflage, of solar cells, of pottery. Then add the maybes, the possibles, the probables, as Lee has done in this slim volume. The readable text is broken down into specific areas such as "Medical Marvels" and "Dealing with the Tough Stuff," consisting of an overview and a series of examples already in use or dreams on a design board. The term "biomimicry" may not be familiar to all, but the science has been around for some time, and Lee's discussion provides food for thought. Thompson's elegant acrylic-on-canvas illustrations, softly realistic in execution, give the book a goodly measure of eye appeal. Softer in approach and appearance than Phil Gates's Nature Got There First (Kingfisher 2010), this book will be of interest not only to budding scientists and science fair hopefuls, but also to those who like a splash of art with their science.-Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Defining biomimicry as a way of thinking that uses nature as a model for developing ideas, processes and technologies, this large-format book presents applications already in use as well as the potential for future inventions inspired by the natural world. Several colorful, attractively textured illustrations appear on each double-page spread. Some one-page chapters simply introduce an area with potential for innovation, such as Magic materials or Medical marvels. Longer (two- or three-page) chapters, such as Smart structures and Pollution-free power, combine an introduction with a series of specific ideas that have been or could be developed for practical use. Each idea is discussed in a single paragraph, and the book's lack of source notes makes it difficult for readers to follow up on concepts that intrigue them. Still, few books are available on this topic, which could be useful for classroom units and projects on inventions.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2010 Booklist