For Bookworms

In 1893, the World's Fair came to Chicago, and the idea for a world-class museum was born. Created from the biological and anthropological exhibits assembled at the fair, the Field Museum was founded in 1894 in the Palace of Fine Arts and moved into its present location in 1921. Today, the Museum contains more that 24 million artifacts and specimens from around the world, including SUE, the world's most complete T. rex skeleton, chambers from an ancient Egyptian tomb, and meteorites that may be from Mars. Through magnificent images, archival photography, engaging text, scientific details, and fascinating facts, this ultimate commemorative book celebrates one of the world's largest and greatest natural history museums.

• Hardcover
• Field Museum exclusive
• Written by Cheryl Bardoe

Long regarded as a mysterious and desolate archipelago, this wildlife paradise is a true showcase of evolution in action. In recent years, the newly developed Marine Reserve fulfills the ultimate purpose of the National Park Service-protection and conservation.

• Paperback
• 316 pages
• Written by Pierre Constant

This collection features biographies of African American achievers, including Benjamin Banneker, George Washington Carver, Percy Julian, Meredith Gourdine, and George R. Carruthers, among others.

• Paperback
• 29 pages
• Written by Eugene Winslow

Commercial hair dyes contain thousands of different chemicals, some of which are reported to be carcinogenic — but you don’t have to choose between gorgeous color and good health. Natural hair care expert Christine Shahin shows you how to use nontoxic plant pigments — henna, indigo, amla, and cassia — to color your hair naturally, whatever your hair type or ethnicity, with beautiful results! These pigments are readily available at natural food stores and online, and they’re simple, safe, easy to use, and cost-effective. With clearly written instructions and step-by-step photography, Shahin shows you exactly how to apply these pigments, alone or in combinations, to achieve a full range of shades of brown, black, and red. She also includes instructions for transitioning from chemical dyes to natural ones and for using chemical and natural dyes together.

• Paperback
• 184 pages
• Written by Christine Shahin

The natural skin care industry is growing, with more and more consumers seeking nontoxic, all-natural products. Now they can make their own at home, less expensively and with fewer additives.

In Pure Skin Care, best-selling author and long-time formulator of natural products Stephanie L. Tourles shares her 78 all-time favorite recipes for facial cleansers and scrubs, masks, moisturizers, and steams, along with creams, balms, and exfoliants for the entire body, all formulated to meet the most up-to-date green beauty standards. Readers will find specialized formulas for feet, hands, and sun protection, along with instructions for customizing recipes for particular skin types and easy-to-make treatments for common skin conditions like rosacea, acne, and wrinkles. This book features soothing, pampering, healing, and restorative formulas for all ages and needs.

• Paperback
• 256 pages
• Written by Stephanie L Tourles

Following the spectacular success of the first four editions of Gemstones of the World, the revised fifth edition exhibits important updates and a beautiful new cover. All the gemstones ever discovered—now over 1,900—are treated in their many variations. More than 1,500 full-color photos showcase each precious and semiprecious stone in both its rough natural state and its polished and cut renditions. Each entry offers complete information on a gemstone's formation and structure, physical properties and characteristics, methods of working, cutting, and polishing. You’ll find full treatments of lesser-known gems, from andalusite to vesuvian, and a special section devoted to rocks as precious stones, including alabaster, onyx, obsidian, and fossils. Organic gem materials, such as coral, ivory, amber, and pearl, are also covered along with new-on-the-market stones like charcoite. Additionally, this all-inclusive volume includes imitations, synthetics, and combined stones. Charts and tables help you identify unknown gemstones and—when you're in the market—how to check for genuineness.

• Hardcover
• 320 pages
• Written by Walter Schumann

A singular atlas of 100 infographic maps from thought-provoking to flat-out fun

Which countries don't have rivers? Which ones have North Korean embassies? Who drives on the "wrong" side of the road? How many national economies are bigger than California's? And where can you still find lions in the wild? You'll learn answers to these questions and many more in Brilliant Maps for Curious Minds. This one-of-a-kind atlas is packed with eye-opening analysis (Which nations have had female leaders?), whimsical insight (Where can’t you find a McDonald's?), and surprising connections that illuminate the contours of culture, history, and politics.

Each of these 100 maps will change the way you see the world—and your place in it.

• Hardcover
• 208 pages
• Written by Ian Wright

Why aren't we more like other apes? How did we win the evolutionary race? Find out how "wise" Homo sapiens really are.

Prehistory has never been more exciting: New discoveries are overturning long-held theories left and right. Stone tools in Australia date back 65,000 years—a time when, we once thought, the first Sapiens had barely left Africa. DNA sequencing has unearthed a new hominid group—the Denisovans—and confirmed that crossbreeding with them (and Neanderthals) made Homo sapiens who we are today.

A Pocket History of Human Evolution brings us up-to-date on the exploits of all our ancient relatives. Paleoanthropologist Silvana Condemi and science journalist François Savatier consider what accelerated our evolution: Was it tools, our "large" brains, language, empathy, or something else entirely? And why are we the sole survivors among many early bipedal humans? Their conclusions reveal the various ways ancient humans live on today—from gossip as modern "grooming" to our gendered division of labor—and what the future might hold for our strange and unique species.

• Paperback
• 160 pages
• Written by Silvana Condemi and François Savatier

Science has a reputation as the most logical and rational of human pastimes-but this has not always been the case. From the inventor Nikola Tesla, who fell in love with his favorite pigeon and tried to broadcast his own thoughts, to the wannabe chemist August Strindberg, who injected apples with drugs to see if they could get high, numerous scientists have conducted bizarre experiments down the centuries. Some of them were genuine geniuses; others were simply lone loons. History is littered with their wreckage, and this book tells the story of the very strangest. Proposing that science has become a kind of modern religion, and telling the tale of such noted pseudoscientific fads and fallacies as alchemy, spontaneous generation, and the doomed quest to raise the dead, Forgotten Science is sure to make you laugh at the same time as making you think. Science at school was never this weird.

• Paperback
• 320 pages
• Written by S. D. Tucker

While a flash unit-either built in to the camera or a separate device-offers the advantage of adding light to your images, its biggest disadvantage is the complex nature of the flash, which prevents many from using it to its full potential. Seeking an understanding of the nomenclature, the buttons and dials on the flash itself, and the menus inside is akin to trying to learn a foreign language. What is FEC? What does TTL mean and how is it used effectively? What is high-speed synchronization? How can the less technically gifted photographer understand the complexities of such systems and put them to effective use in the field? Studying a manual full of technical jargon is a daunting task and just as confusing as the flash itself. Professional photographer Robert Harrington takes the confusion out of the subject of photographic lighting, and offers invaluable guidance and expert tips that will benefit all keen photographers. Jargon-free text explains: the basics of flash, both on- and off-camera; how to utilize direct and bounce flash the basics of off-camera flash; how to take great portraits with a single Speedlight; the use of off-camera flash modifiers, such as softboxes and grids; and the creative employment of Speedlights, including use outdoors. Includes four punch-out quick reference cards at the back of the book.

• Paperback
• 192 pages
• Written by Robert Harrington

Tyrannosaurus rex is the most celebrated dinosaur of all time, and SUE is the most spectacular example of the species.

Discovered in 1990, SUE is one of the largest, and the most complete Tyrannosaurus specimen ever found. SUE - the fossil- is the crown jewel of the Field Museum in Chicago (and an internet celebrity). But what about SUE, the living, breathing animal?

Join award-winning author/illustrator Ted Rechlin (Jurassic, End of the Ice Age) and examine SUE's imposing skeleton to learn what their bones can tell us about the life and times of the most famous T. rex in this exciting graphic novel. Welcome to the world of Tyrannosaurus rex. Welcome to Sue's world.

 

• Hardcover
• For readers ages 9-12 years
• Written and illustrated by Ted Rechlin
• Limited quantity of signed copies

From a very young age, Sue Hendrickson was meant to find things: lost coins, perfume bottles, even hidden treasure. Her endless curiosity eventually led to her career in diving and paleontology, where she would continue to find things big and small. In 1990, at a dig in South Dakota, Sue made her biggest discovery to date: SUE the T. rex, the largest and most complete T. rex skeleton ever unearthed. Named in Sue's honor, Sue the T. rex would be placed on permanent exhibition at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. When Sue Found Sue inspires readers to take a closer look at the world around them and to never lose their brave, adventurous spirits.

• Hardcover
• For readers ages 4-8 years
• Written by Toni Buzzeo, Illustrated by Diana Sudyka

In the hot, dry hills of South Dakota, a tiny Field Mouse lives a peaceful existence in a burrow beneath an old, sturdy bone. That is, until his life is turned upside down by the intrusion of noisy voices, clamorous clatters, and thunderous bangs! Leaving his cozy burrow, the mouse ventures outside and discovers a strange group of people chirping, scratching, and hammering all around him. Baffled, he returns to his home, only to find that his roof his very special bone is gone! Determined to recover his bone, the Field Mouse sets out on a search that leads him all the way to the halls of the world-famous Field Museum in Chicago, and face-to-face with a 67-million-year-old dinosaur named SUE.

The true story of the largest, most complete T. rex ever found is given a whimsical treatment in this imaginative storybook. With its breathtaking illustrations, this tale will bring the fascinating story of the dinosaur named Sue to life for children of all ages.

• Hardcover
• For readers ages 3 years and up
• Written by Jan Wahl and Illustrated by Bob Doucet

Based on a true story, Rosie the Tarantula: A True Adventure in Chicago's Field Museum is a beautifully illustrated introduction to the Field Museum's treasures through the eyes of Rosie, a member of the Museum's live arachnid collection.

Several years ago, Rosie went on an expedition to the wonders of the Field's soaring halls, such as SUE the T. rex, as well as the secret specimens of animal fossils and human artifacts hidden away in drawers, cabinets, and bins. Renowned Field Museum artist-in-residence Peggy Macnamara brings the marvels of the museum to vivid life in a set of gorgeous and meticulously accurate watercolors. Peggy's daughter Katie narrates the story of this restless arachnid in rhyme ideal for reading aloud to children.

A keepsake quality book that will delight budding young scientists and their families, Rosie the Tarantula provides a colorful, interactive experience with one of Chicago's foremost cultural institutions. This one-of-a-kind book is rounded out by fascinating notes for adult readers, and other fun features for further reading.

Take home a Rosie the Tarantula Plush as a cuddly companion for your little one while you read the book.

 

• Hardcover
• Age range: 5 - 8 years
• Written by Katie Macnamara and illustrated by Peggy Macnamara

Introduce your little one into the wonderful and whimsical world of little Jurassic, with everyone's favorite chomp dinosaur character! Featuring 10 full-color and beautifully designed pages of unique artwork by our talented Madelyn Kozlowski, and a soft, padded cover for your young one. This is the perfect book to read to your young one before bed. They will instantly connect and fall in love with chomp and the adventure that awaits, and slowly drift off to sleepy land. Let their imagination run wild and introduce your young one to this amazing book today.

• For ages 6 months and up
• Board book
• 10 pages
• Illustrated by Madelyn Kozlowski

When it comes to color, nothing can surpass the vast palette found in nature, from a bright green leaf in a sun-dappled forest to the rich red feathers of a cardinal and the muted greens, ambers, and browns that make up the shell of a tortoise. Wildlife artist Peggy Macnamara, Artist-in-Residence at the Field Museum, has been recreating the natural world through her drawings and paintings for decades, and, with Nature's Portraits, she invites the rest of the world to join her.

 

• Paperback
• 128 pages
• Illustrated by Peggy Macnamara

Three young heroes test their strength, mettle, and physics knowledge against a diabolical assortment of obstacles they can only solve with the clever application of simple machines - ramps, wedges, screws, levers, pulleys, wheels, and axles. Can they push past these games and their own personal problems over six chapters - one for every simple machine - and prove themselves worthy Science Ninjas?

Along the way, readers 8 and up learn principles of force, work, mechanical advantage, and compound machines. There's even an illustrated appendix of experiments readers can do at home to build their own simple machines!

 

• Hardcover
• For readers ages 8 to 12 years
• Written by Nathan Schreiber

With a voice both wise and witty, Gwendolyn Brooks crafted poems that captured the urban Black experience and the role of women in society. She grew up on the South Side of Chicago, reading and writing constantly from a young age, her talent lovingly nurtured by her parents. Brooks ultimately published 20 books of poetry, two autobiographies, and one novel. Alice Faye Duncan has created her own song to celebrate Gwendolyn’s life and work, illuminating the tireless struggle of revision and the sweet reward of success.

• For readers ages 5 and up
• Hardcover, 48 pages
• Written by Alice Faye Duncan and illustrated by Xia Gordon

Children will see the natural world around them with brand new eyes, as they learn to follow its signs, hear its language, and understand its secrets. With this unique and compelling book written by expert environmental educator Devin Franklin, kids aged 8 to 13 will build their own relationship with nature through finding a “Sit Spot” — an outdoor space in the backyard, in a field or in the woods, in a vacant lot or a city park — where they can stop, observe, and become familiar with the flora and fauna that live there.

From the Six Arts of Tracking (Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How) and making a habitat map to walking in smooth silence like a fox and learning the basics of bird language, exploration exercises lead young readers on a fascinating journey of discovery as they watch, listen, map, interpret, and write about the sounds, sights, scents, and patterns they encounter. With prompts and write-in spaces for journaling, map-making activities, and observational tracking throughout, Put On Your Owl Eyes is an interactive and thought-provoking guidebook.

• For readers ages 8 - 13 years
• Paperback, 160 pages
• Written by Devin Franklin

Jump-start curiosity with this take-along field guide for children ages 4 to 8. From worms, birds, and spiders to trees, flowers, and clouds, young explorers learn what to look and listen for wherever they are — whether in a nature preserve, an urban park, or a suburban backyard. Seek-and-find lists, on-the-trail art projects, and discovery games get kids engaged in hands-on learning about nature, and a real pull-out magnifying glass helps them get a close-up glimpse of leaf veins, seed pods, and tiny insects. Filled with activities, checklists, and stickers, this interactive nature guide belongs in every kid’s backpack.

• For readers 4 - 8 years
• Hardcover
• 48 pages

This beautifully illustrated picture atlas takes children on a magical journey around the world. Each map is crammed with fascinating details to pore over and talk about, making this a wonderful book for sharing.

• For readers ages 5 and up
• Hardcover, 48 pages
• Written by Ruth Brocklehurst and illustrated by Linda Edwards

One full moon, 2 little dogs, 10 red peppers, 100 twinkling stars… Counting to 100 becomes effortless and fun with this gorgeously illustrated, hardback picture book for little children. Each page has a certain number of things to count, from boats and trees to swirling leaves and pretty flowers, with lots of things to spot and talk about too.

There are number patterns, pictures, and lots of extra things to spot along the way. A double gatefold at the end opens to reveal an impressive array of 100 stars.

• For readers ages 3 years and up
• Board book, 24 pages
• Written by Felicity Brooks and illustrated by Sophia Touliatou

The Boys' Book of Survival meets Dav Pilkey with a prehistoric twist, in this definitive, go-to book about everything AWESOME you EVER wanted to know about dinosaurs. Discover a wealth of weird, wacky, and wild facts about dinosaurs, told in Mike Lowery's signature comic style with bright and energetic artwork, fresh framing devices, and hilarious jokes. This will be the go-to book for dinosaur enthusiasts that kids will put in their backpacks and obsess over, bridging the gap between encyclopedic nonfiction content and lighter picture book fare, filling the need with a one-stop shop for the legions of 6-9 year olds who want to know absolutely everything there is to know about dinosaurs.

• Hardcover
• For readers ages 7 - 10 years
• Written and Illustrated by Mike Lowery

Get ready to meet the Titanosaur -- the biggest, heaviest creature to ever walk the Earth!

This book tells the story of the discovery of this new dinosaur from the mouths of the paleontologists who led the dig! From its discovery by a local herder, to the organization and completion of the excavation, this riveting story will have readers on the edge of their seats, and the beautifully painted illustrations will mesmerize. The final spread will open up into a gatefold showing a photograph of the full Titanosaur skeleton on display at the museum. Chock-full of back matter like a glossary and extra information and photographs from the dig, and an inside jacket poster of the Titanosaur, kids of all ages will devour this book.

• Hardcover
• For readers ages 5 - 7 years
• Written by Diego Pol & Jose Luis Carballido, Illustrated by Florencia Gigena

Tuck your child in and snuggle up for a bedtime story as the ten dinosaur children of this New York Times bestseller tell you how they say goodnight. Whether it's pouting or throwing his teddy bear around, demanding a piggyback ride, or another book, each little dino eventually tucks in his tail and says good night.

• Hardcover
• For readers ages 3 - 5 years
• Written by Jane Yolen, Illustrated by Mark Teague

Dinosaurs are revealed in this jam-packed book of gorgeous illustrations and riveting facts. Plus you get five unique dinosaur replica fossils. From a dinosaur tooth to dinosaur poop! These fossils are unique and will be a real find for all dinosaur aficionados.

• Paperback
• For readers ages 8 - 12 years
• Written by Heather Dakota, Illustrated by Daniel Jankowski

Say, Good Morning to the plants, trees and animals with this bestselling book featuring artwork by Native American Pacific Northwest Coast artist, Paul Windsor.

• Board Book
• For readers newborn and up
• Good Morning World by Haisla, Heiltsuk artist, Paul Windsor