A Beginner's Guide to Immortality: From Alchemy to Avatars
Maria Birmingham
(Author)
Josh Holinaty
(Illustrator)
Description
Is it possible to live forever? People have been trying to figure out a way to escape mortality since, well, forever. This book takes readers on a fast-paced tour of several wacky and wise methods humans have used to try prolonging their lives, from ancient immortality elixirs and quests for a fountain of youth to modern-day research into cryogenics and robotics. Touching on folklore from around the world, famed literary immortals, and studies of animals that seem unaffected by aging, the book delves into topics as diverse as genetics, religious rituals surrounding the afterlife, and research into basic lifestyle choices, like eating blueberries or getting a pet, that could help you live longer. Each page is a playful mix of fascinating facts that open up cross-curricular topics in history, science, and social studies to explore. Illustrations of historical figures, imaginary places, and scientific specimens add a touch of whimsy and bring out the beauty, sincerity, and playful side of human curiosity. Informational text features: table of contents, introduction, chapters, sidebars, fact boxes, headers and labels, map, index, and sourcesProduct Details
Price
$16.95
$15.76
Publisher
Owlkids
Publish Date
October 13, 2015
Pages
48
Dimensions
7.4 X 9.7 X 0.6 inches | 0.95 pounds
Language
English
Type
Hardcover
EAN/UPC
9781771470452
BISAC Categories:
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About the Author
Maria Birmingham is a long-standing contributor to OWL and chickaDEE magazines, writing numerous features and recurring sections for both. She also served as the managing editor of OWL. She has published two previous titles with Owlkids Books: Weird Zone: Sports and Tastes Like Music. She lives in Brampton, Ontario. Josh Holinaty is an illustrator whose works include public art commissions and book, magazine, and newspaper illustrations. He also teaches illustration at Guru Digital Arts College. He has illustrated one previous title with Owlkids Books: It's Catching. Originally from Alberta, he now lives in Toronto.
Reviews
"A great introduction to a subject not often covered in children's nonfiction...seamlessly blends history, mythology, science and technology."
--Canadian Children's Book News "Birmingham takes readers on a lively tour of the many ways people have sought to cheat death throughout history...a visually striking, thought-provoking look at a topic that will encourage further investigation."
--School Library Journal "This fun, enjoyable read manages to inform and entertain--a combination perhaps as rare as the fountain of youth--and will be a welcome addition to both school and public libraries."
--Booklist "A tasty distillation of history, religion, chemistry, biology, technology, and pop culture."
--Kirkus Reviews "Birmingham offers a wide-ranging look at the myths...scientific efforts...and religious traditions surrounding the extension of life."
--Publisher's Weekly "A must-read for anyone interested in science, magic, and everything in between."
--Foreword Reviews, a Best YA Title of Winter 2016 "Humorous but informative...with fun facts and thought-provoking info...that is sure to pique the interest of even the least morbid kids."
--Quill & Quire "A Beginner's Guide to Immortality has it all. Highly recommended."
--Canadian Review of Materials "A cornucopia of wise and wacky ways people have tried to achieve immortality, Birmingham's witty book will appeal to even the most reluctant readers...this handy reference tool offers an endless bounty of possible cross-curricular discussion ideas and topics for teachers, including science, social studies, and history."
National Reading Campaign "Whimsical...quirky...humorous and engaging. A must-read for anyone interested in science, magic, and everything in between."
--Foreword Reviews "A highly recommended title that will fascinate readers from 9 to 90."
--Resource Links "Light-hearted and, often, tongue-in-cheek...breezy enough in its style to be an enjoyable casual read, this beginner's guide also asks interesting questions. Recommended."
--School Library Connection
--Canadian Children's Book News "Birmingham takes readers on a lively tour of the many ways people have sought to cheat death throughout history...a visually striking, thought-provoking look at a topic that will encourage further investigation."
--School Library Journal "This fun, enjoyable read manages to inform and entertain--a combination perhaps as rare as the fountain of youth--and will be a welcome addition to both school and public libraries."
--Booklist "A tasty distillation of history, religion, chemistry, biology, technology, and pop culture."
--Kirkus Reviews "Birmingham offers a wide-ranging look at the myths...scientific efforts...and religious traditions surrounding the extension of life."
--Publisher's Weekly "A must-read for anyone interested in science, magic, and everything in between."
--Foreword Reviews, a Best YA Title of Winter 2016 "Humorous but informative...with fun facts and thought-provoking info...that is sure to pique the interest of even the least morbid kids."
--Quill & Quire "A Beginner's Guide to Immortality has it all. Highly recommended."
--Canadian Review of Materials "A cornucopia of wise and wacky ways people have tried to achieve immortality, Birmingham's witty book will appeal to even the most reluctant readers...this handy reference tool offers an endless bounty of possible cross-curricular discussion ideas and topics for teachers, including science, social studies, and history."
National Reading Campaign "Whimsical...quirky...humorous and engaging. A must-read for anyone interested in science, magic, and everything in between."
--Foreword Reviews "A highly recommended title that will fascinate readers from 9 to 90."
--Resource Links "Light-hearted and, often, tongue-in-cheek...breezy enough in its style to be an enjoyable casual read, this beginner's guide also asks interesting questions. Recommended."
--School Library Connection
