Happy 200^th Birthday, Charles Darwin! (February 12, 1809-April 19, 1882)

 

This month let’s celebrate the naturalist who revolutionized the way we think about ourselves, our world, and our relationship to everything (and everyone!) in it. Let’s also celebrate a kind and humane man. And, of course, let’s celebrate books that make evolution fun!

Publisher: Prometheus Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 11/1/2006
ISBN: 9781591024798
ISBN-10: 159102479X

This pithy little book pulls no punches in debunking commonly held misperceptions about the “theory” of evolution, e.g.:  Myth Two: It’s Just a Theory. No, the word “theory” here carries the scientific definition, which means “a logical, tested, well-supported explanation for a great variety of facts.”

First Chapter  Table of Contents  

Publisher: Knopf
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 5/1/1994
ISBN: 9780679400035
ISBN-10: 0679400036

Evolution continues and the author sees it in action over the course of his 20 year observation of finches in the Galapagos Islands. Popular science writing at its best.

Publisher: Pantheon Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 1/15/2008
ISBN: 9780375424472
ISBN-10: 0375424474

Comparative anatomist, evolutionary biologist and “fish paleontologist” Shubin take us on a joyous adventure of discovery, illustrating how the human body has evolved into its present form, and this body’s commonality with various creatures, from million-year-old fossil fish to the humble sponge.

First Chapter  

Publisher: Norton
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 12/30/2007
ISBN: 9780393330755
ISBN-10: 0393330753

Sykes and a team of researchers from Oxford University construct the first map of the genetic history of the British Isles. Filling in the holes left in the archaeological and historical records, the relatively new science of genetics tells a remarkably complete story of  Britain’s ancient inhabitants and subsequent conquerors and settlers.

 

Also check out Sykes’s  The Seven Daughters of Eve: the Science that Reveals our Genetic Ancestry. Sykes states that “a traveler from an antique land lives within us all.” He studies this traveler—mitochondrial DNA—to trace the pattern of human settlement in Europe, and to find that nearly all modern Europeans are descendants of one of seven "clan mother," who lived at different times during the Ice Age. Sykes is a master of science writing for the general reader. He makes it all fascinating, fun, and understandable.

Table of Contents  

Publisher: Atlas Books/Norton
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 7/1/2006
ISBN: 9780393059816
ISBN-10: 0393059812

A short (253 pp.) and highly readable biography of Darwin—a reclusive, cautious, shy homebody and family man— and his great idea.

Table of Contents  

Publisher: Oxford University Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 8/15/2002
ISBN: 9780195148305
ISBN-10: 0195148304

Wallace truly did live in Darwin’s shadow. Considered the co-discover of natural selection, he was not as well born, well-connected, or as politically savvy as Darwin and  lacked Darwin’s powerful friends. He also devolved into spiritualism and the study of unorthodox beliefs, none of which, however, take away from his monumental scientific achievements as one of the greatest naturalists of his age. Shermer has written a biography worthy of this great man.

Publisher: Meadowbrook Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 9/6/2005
ISBN: 9780689046469
ISBN-10: 0689046464

Entertain yourself and your child while learning about potty training or sitting on the potty with fun songs such as “Humpty Dumpty Sat on the Pot,” “If you Sprinkle” sung to the tune of “Alouette,” “If you Pee-Peed in the Potty” sung to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” “Itsy-Bitsy Poo-Poo” sung to the tune of “Itsy-Bitsy Spider,” and the title song “Tinkle, Tinkle, Little Tot” sung to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.”  Cute illustrations add to the entertainment.  Who knew that potty training could be so much fun! 

Publisher: David Fickling Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 2/1/2004
ISBN: 9780385750202
ISBN-10: 038575020X

Bing Bunny can dress himself but he runs into trouble when he puts some clothes on in the wrong order and is so interested in dressing that he forgets to go potty and has an accident.

Publisher: Penguin Group USA
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 7/7/2005
ISBN: 9780399243981
ISBN-10: 0399243984

Princess Smartypants doesn’t want to be a Mrs. despite her parents’ urgings so she devises difficult tasks for her suitors to remain single.  When one prince proves crafty enough to pass her tests she has one last trick up her sleeve.

Publisher: Scholastic Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 10/1/2008
ISBN: 9780439023481
ISBN-10: 0439023483

Every year the Districts have to pay the Capitol for their wrongdoings by sending two teens to the Hunger Games, a fight to the death. When Katniss takes the place of her younger sister, she teams up with Peeta for District 12 in hopes that one of them will finally come back alive, even though deep down they know one of them will have to kill the other...or will they? This edge of your seat, amazing sci-fi thriller will keep you locked in after the first page.

Publisher: Sony Bmg Music
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 1/22/2008
UPC: 00886971951226

The unique album from this Brooklyn duo will have you loving every track, but wondering why! It's fun, engaging and makes you want to get up and dance. Tracks like "Time to Pretend" and "Kids" are recognizable from local radio stations. Check it out!

Publisher: Europa Editions
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 9/2/2008
ISBN: 9781933372600
ISBN-10: 1933372605

This novel, told in diary form, is the story of two lonely people both hiding the light of their keen intelligence under a bushel. Renee is a 54 year old concierge of an upper class Parisian apartment building and Paloma is a precocious, 12 year old resident.  In alternating chapters they muse on life in language both beautiful and humorous.

Table of Contents  

Publisher: Delacorte Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 6/24/2008
ISBN: 9780385340137
ISBN-10: 0385340133

When I read fiction, a strong sense of place adds much to the experience. Couple it with interesting characters and an intriguing plot and it’s a memorable read. San Francisco’s Richmond’s latest is a cold case murder revisited by the victim’s sister. Lila was a Stanford grad student in mathematics when she was found murdered in a North Bay park twenty years ago. The case became well-known when her sister’s UCSF professor wrote a highly praised true crime novel with an implied solution. Were his conclusions correct? Sister, Ellie, a coffee buyer, examines the facts anew in this engaging literary mystery.

First Chapter  

Publisher: Frances Foster Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 9/18/2000
ISBN: 9780374355036
ISBN-10: 0374355037

Come celebrate the Lunar New Year, American style!

This picture book lists all the fun things you can do and eat during this special holiday.

Publisher: Chronicle Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 7/1/2003
ISBN: 9780811834964
ISBN-10: 0811834964

Lunar New Year is known as Tet in Vietnam.  Count up to ten with the mice as they celebrate the holiday.

Publisher: Kane/Miller Book Publishers
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 3/1/2007
ISBN: 9781933605296
ISBN-10: 1933605294

A little girl is very excited and can’t wait to put on her new clothes.  It’s the lunar new year, and with the holiday comes a brand new beginning to the year.

Publisher: American Girl Pub.
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 9/1/2007
ISBN: 9781593692919
ISBN-10: 1593692919

Julie is celebrating the first Christmas since her parents’ divorce and their move to a new neighborhood.  Things are not exactly the same, but at least she can still visit with her best friend Ivy.  Julie gets to participate with Ivy and her family in preparing for the Lunar New Year.

Publisher: American Girl Pub.
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 9/1/2007
ISBN: 9781593693565
ISBN-10: 1593693567

Ivy misses her best friend Julie, but she needs to choose between a gymnastics competition or a family reunion.  It’s not easy to make a decision.

Publisher: H. Holt
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 10/1/1995
ISBN: 9780805029772
ISBN-10: 080502977X

Here is the story of the Jade Emperor, and how he chose the order of the twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac.  In the Vietnamese zodiac, the Rabbit is replaced by the Cat, and the Ox is replaced by the Water Buffalo.