{"id":5428618567,"title":"Bubble Homes and Fish Farts","handle":"bubble-homes-and-fish-farts","description":"\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/fiona-bayrock\" title=\"Fiona Bayrock bio\"\u003eFiona Bayrock\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/carolyn-conahan\" title=\"Carolyn Conahan bio\"\u003eCarolyn Conahan\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eA poppin good read!\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBubbles are for popping, fishing, finding food—and for sailing, playing, and shooting hoops! Who knew animals used bubbles for so many different things? Learn about how the water spider builds a bubble home underneath the water, how snapping shrimp use bubbles to talk to each other, or how dolphins play with bubbles as if it’s a game. Whether they are riding, breathing, or making bubbles, one thing is for sure—animals use bubbles in amazing ways.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReal-world science meets tongue-in-cheek humor to describe how animals use bubbles. Includes back matter and a glossary and index.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge-books.com\/previews\/bubble-homes-fish-farts\/bubble_homes_preview1.html\" target=\"new\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eRead an excerpt!\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/at-home-in-the-coral-reef\" title=\"At Home in the Coral Reef\"\u003eAt Home in the Coral Reef\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/the-underwater-alphabet-book\" title=\"The Underwater Alphabet Book\"\u003eThe Underwater Alphabet Book\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/frog-in-a-bog\" title=\"Frog in a Bog\"\u003eFrog in a Bog\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/bubble-homes-and-fish-farts-spread.jpg?4916109924519598946\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e\u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFiona Bayrock, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFiona Bayrock has always enjoyed playing with words, but was well into adulthood before discovering her passion for science. She has since written books for educational and specialty markets in Canada and the U.S., as well as 60+ articles, stories, and poems for children's magazines such as \u003cem\u003eHighlights for Children\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eOdyssey\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eKNOW\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eYES Magazine\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/fiona-bayrock\" title=\"Fiona Bayrock bio\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Fiona.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCarolyn Conahan, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCarolyn Conahan is the staff illustrator for \u003ci\u003eCricket\u003c\/i\u003e magazine and the author\/illustrator of \u003ci\u003eThe Twelve Days of Christmas Dogs\u003c\/i\u003e (Dutton). She lives in Portland, Oregon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/carolyn-conahan\" title=\"Carolyn Conahan bio\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Carolyn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJunior Library Guild Selection\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeystone to Reading Book Award, intermediate level winner\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBest Books for Kids \u0026amp; Teens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBayrock's love of \"way cool science\" bubbles over in this surprisingly substantial book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHow do animals use bubbles? For sailing, running, berthing, nesting--even playing (dolphins seem to blow bubbles just for fun.) Sixteen double-page spreads cover 16 wholly different ways that fish, insects, amphibians and mammals use bubbles. Did you know that one species of spider creates a bubble home to live in underwater? That the popping bubbles of a napping shrimp can be \"so loud it gets in the way of U.S. Navy sonar\"? That the water shrew can actually run across the surface of the water courtesy of the bubbles trapped between its hairy toes? Lively expository prose deftly combines straightforward facts (the scientific name of each animal), sound effects (the \"fwap-fwap-fwap-fwap\" of tree frogs creating foam) and kid-friendly comparisons (the gourami fish spitting eggs into its nest looks like it's playing basketball). Conahan's whimsical watercolor illustrations, complete with conversational bubbles, add humor and interest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThree pages of additional facts and a combined glossary\/index round out a volume that's sure to rise to the top.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf most children think bubbles are for blowing or bubbles are for bathing, Bayrock is here with a paradigm shift, showcasing sixteen different nonrecreational and nonhygenic ways that animals use bubbles. For the star-nosed mole, for instance, \"bubbles are for finding food,\" as he blows bubbles through his nose, breathes them back in, and follows the scent to his next meal. For the violet sea snail, on the other hand, \"bubbles are for sailing,\" and its raft of bubbles floats it along the ocean surface to \"feast on food that most shelled ocean animals can't reach.\" Each double-page spread includes the animal's common and scientific names, a paragraph explaining the use and survival advantage of the bubbles, and a watercolor scene of the habitat. The appeal of the topic is instantly obvious even without the irresistible lure of fish farts, and this will definitely give kids a different slant on water use. The soft haziness of the watercolor renderings occasionally obscures the action of the bubbles, but the closeup views and occasional insertion of humorous dialogue in--what else?--bubbles will keep readers interested. An appendix of brief entries for each animal expand the text with habitat, size, geographic location, and an \"amazing fact\"--the requisite information for novice report writers--and a glossary with page references is also included.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFast Repetitive Tick (FaRT) is the term scientists use to describe the flatulencelike noise that herring make as they communicate their locations to one another. That might be the most amusing description of the uses of bubbles in the natural world, but this entire book is enjoyable and engaging. From the protective hiding places young juniper spittlebugs create to the foamy nest that the African gray treefrog whips up around her freshly laid eggs in the branches above a pool, bubbles are described and pictured. The illustrations are pale and less-detailed versions of scientifically accurate drawings overlaid with entertaining comments, e.g., parent frogs admonish, \"Careful, kids!\" and \"Don't talk to any predators!\" The comments may be corny, but they infuse the information with fun. The single-page glossary defines terms simply and effectively, e.g. flatulence is described as \"The scientific name for farting.\" Two spreads of \"More amazing facts...\" offer additional information about each species' habitat, location, and physical attributes. Creative, accessible, and fact-filled.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBooklist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis intriguing book shows the surprisingly varied ways in which bubbles are incorporated in animals' lives. A watercolor painting fills each double-page spread, while superimposed headings identify the species and the purpose of its bubbles (\"Keeping Warm,\" \"Running,\" \"Breathing,\" \"Playing\") and a paragraph of text explains what it does. For instance, a humpback whale swims in circles to create a \"bubble net,\" herding fish toward the center, where they can be scooped into its enormous mouth. Juniper spittlebug nymphs encase themselves in a mound of gooey foam that protects them until they are ready to molt. These and other animals' techniques for creating and using bubbles are well described in succinct paragraphs. Thought balloons, carrying brief comments from the animals, add a bit of levity. A glossary and four pages of \"amazing facts\" are appended. Illustrated with finesse, this attractive book introduces 16 bubble makers, from insects to humans.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Boston Globe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Bubble Homes and Fish Farts\" by Fiona Bayrock (with illustrations by Carolyn Conahan, Charlesbridge, ages 4-8, $16.95) gets my vote for the year's best book with the world's worst title. That level of bathroom humor, luckily, goes no further than a few \"comical\" bubble captions per page, but most of the text, and its lush double-spread watercolor illustrations deserve wide readership.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn it, Bayrock offers an elegant filed guide for young naturalists. \"Bubble Homes\" also serves as an introduction to marine animals that use bubbles in various ways, from the small violet sea snail (\"about the size of a large grape\") hanging upside down \"from its floating bubble raft,\" to medium-sized sea otters who utilize bubbles of air \"like a down comforter,\" all the way to the enormous humpback whale, \"with a mouth the size of a small living room\" breathing out a \"bubble net\" with which to catch fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe back of the book is packed with a glossary and handy appendix listing each creature's habitat and size, offering a few additional \"amazing facts\" about each one. Conahan provides a gently humorous and creature-populated watercolor backdrop, in a palette of soft blues, grays and greens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/bubble-homes-and-fish-farts-cvr.jpg?4916109924519598946\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/bubble-homes-and-fish-farts-hires.zip?4916109924519598946\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaperback\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-57091-670-0\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE-book\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e ISBN: 978-1-60734-124-6 PDF\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 6-9\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 48\u003cbr\u003e8 \u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\/\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e x 11\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]","published_at":"2016-03-02T10:14:00-05:00","created_at":"2016-03-02T09:43:19-05:00","vendor":"Charlesbridge","type":"Children's Book","tags":["Browse by Age_Ages 6-10","Browse by Fiction\/Nonfiction_Nonfiction","Browse by Format_Early Reader","Browse by Format_Picture Book","Browse by Language_English","Browse by Subject_Animals \u0026 Dinosaurs","Browse by Subject_Science \u0026 Nature"],"price":795,"price_min":795,"price_max":795,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":16928832455,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"16700","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Bubble Homes and Fish Farts - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":795,"weight":255,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":9,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"9781570916700","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/bubble-homes-and-fish-farts-cover.jpg?v=1586787045"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/bubble-homes-and-fish-farts-cover.jpg?v=1586787045","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":"Bubble Homes and Fish Farts book cover","id":2453744156751,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.772,"height":777,"width":600,"src":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/bubble-homes-and-fish-farts-cover.jpg?v=1586787045"},"aspect_ratio":0.772,"height":777,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/bubble-homes-and-fish-farts-cover.jpg?v=1586787045","width":600}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/fiona-bayrock\" title=\"Fiona Bayrock bio\"\u003eFiona Bayrock\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/carolyn-conahan\" title=\"Carolyn Conahan bio\"\u003eCarolyn Conahan\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eA poppin good read!\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBubbles are for popping, fishing, finding food—and for sailing, playing, and shooting hoops! Who knew animals used bubbles for so many different things? Learn about how the water spider builds a bubble home underneath the water, how snapping shrimp use bubbles to talk to each other, or how dolphins play with bubbles as if it’s a game. Whether they are riding, breathing, or making bubbles, one thing is for sure—animals use bubbles in amazing ways.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReal-world science meets tongue-in-cheek humor to describe how animals use bubbles. Includes back matter and a glossary and index.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge-books.com\/previews\/bubble-homes-fish-farts\/bubble_homes_preview1.html\" target=\"new\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eRead an excerpt!\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/at-home-in-the-coral-reef\" title=\"At Home in the Coral Reef\"\u003eAt Home in the Coral Reef\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/the-underwater-alphabet-book\" title=\"The Underwater Alphabet Book\"\u003eThe Underwater Alphabet Book\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/frog-in-a-bog\" title=\"Frog in a Bog\"\u003eFrog in a Bog\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/bubble-homes-and-fish-farts-spread.jpg?4916109924519598946\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e\u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFiona Bayrock, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFiona Bayrock has always enjoyed playing with words, but was well into adulthood before discovering her passion for science. She has since written books for educational and specialty markets in Canada and the U.S., as well as 60+ articles, stories, and poems for children's magazines such as \u003cem\u003eHighlights for Children\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eOdyssey\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eKNOW\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eYES Magazine\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/fiona-bayrock\" title=\"Fiona Bayrock bio\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Fiona.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCarolyn Conahan, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCarolyn Conahan is the staff illustrator for \u003ci\u003eCricket\u003c\/i\u003e magazine and the author\/illustrator of \u003ci\u003eThe Twelve Days of Christmas Dogs\u003c\/i\u003e (Dutton). She lives in Portland, Oregon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/carolyn-conahan\" title=\"Carolyn Conahan bio\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Carolyn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJunior Library Guild Selection\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeystone to Reading Book Award, intermediate level winner\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBest Books for Kids \u0026amp; Teens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBayrock's love of \"way cool science\" bubbles over in this surprisingly substantial book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHow do animals use bubbles? For sailing, running, berthing, nesting--even playing (dolphins seem to blow bubbles just for fun.) Sixteen double-page spreads cover 16 wholly different ways that fish, insects, amphibians and mammals use bubbles. Did you know that one species of spider creates a bubble home to live in underwater? That the popping bubbles of a napping shrimp can be \"so loud it gets in the way of U.S. Navy sonar\"? That the water shrew can actually run across the surface of the water courtesy of the bubbles trapped between its hairy toes? Lively expository prose deftly combines straightforward facts (the scientific name of each animal), sound effects (the \"fwap-fwap-fwap-fwap\" of tree frogs creating foam) and kid-friendly comparisons (the gourami fish spitting eggs into its nest looks like it's playing basketball). Conahan's whimsical watercolor illustrations, complete with conversational bubbles, add humor and interest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThree pages of additional facts and a combined glossary\/index round out a volume that's sure to rise to the top.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf most children think bubbles are for blowing or bubbles are for bathing, Bayrock is here with a paradigm shift, showcasing sixteen different nonrecreational and nonhygenic ways that animals use bubbles. For the star-nosed mole, for instance, \"bubbles are for finding food,\" as he blows bubbles through his nose, breathes them back in, and follows the scent to his next meal. For the violet sea snail, on the other hand, \"bubbles are for sailing,\" and its raft of bubbles floats it along the ocean surface to \"feast on food that most shelled ocean animals can't reach.\" Each double-page spread includes the animal's common and scientific names, a paragraph explaining the use and survival advantage of the bubbles, and a watercolor scene of the habitat. The appeal of the topic is instantly obvious even without the irresistible lure of fish farts, and this will definitely give kids a different slant on water use. The soft haziness of the watercolor renderings occasionally obscures the action of the bubbles, but the closeup views and occasional insertion of humorous dialogue in--what else?--bubbles will keep readers interested. An appendix of brief entries for each animal expand the text with habitat, size, geographic location, and an \"amazing fact\"--the requisite information for novice report writers--and a glossary with page references is also included.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFast Repetitive Tick (FaRT) is the term scientists use to describe the flatulencelike noise that herring make as they communicate their locations to one another. That might be the most amusing description of the uses of bubbles in the natural world, but this entire book is enjoyable and engaging. From the protective hiding places young juniper spittlebugs create to the foamy nest that the African gray treefrog whips up around her freshly laid eggs in the branches above a pool, bubbles are described and pictured. The illustrations are pale and less-detailed versions of scientifically accurate drawings overlaid with entertaining comments, e.g., parent frogs admonish, \"Careful, kids!\" and \"Don't talk to any predators!\" The comments may be corny, but they infuse the information with fun. The single-page glossary defines terms simply and effectively, e.g. flatulence is described as \"The scientific name for farting.\" Two spreads of \"More amazing facts...\" offer additional information about each species' habitat, location, and physical attributes. Creative, accessible, and fact-filled.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBooklist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis intriguing book shows the surprisingly varied ways in which bubbles are incorporated in animals' lives. A watercolor painting fills each double-page spread, while superimposed headings identify the species and the purpose of its bubbles (\"Keeping Warm,\" \"Running,\" \"Breathing,\" \"Playing\") and a paragraph of text explains what it does. For instance, a humpback whale swims in circles to create a \"bubble net,\" herding fish toward the center, where they can be scooped into its enormous mouth. Juniper spittlebug nymphs encase themselves in a mound of gooey foam that protects them until they are ready to molt. These and other animals' techniques for creating and using bubbles are well described in succinct paragraphs. Thought balloons, carrying brief comments from the animals, add a bit of levity. A glossary and four pages of \"amazing facts\" are appended. Illustrated with finesse, this attractive book introduces 16 bubble makers, from insects to humans.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Boston Globe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Bubble Homes and Fish Farts\" by Fiona Bayrock (with illustrations by Carolyn Conahan, Charlesbridge, ages 4-8, $16.95) gets my vote for the year's best book with the world's worst title. That level of bathroom humor, luckily, goes no further than a few \"comical\" bubble captions per page, but most of the text, and its lush double-spread watercolor illustrations deserve wide readership.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn it, Bayrock offers an elegant filed guide for young naturalists. \"Bubble Homes\" also serves as an introduction to marine animals that use bubbles in various ways, from the small violet sea snail (\"about the size of a large grape\") hanging upside down \"from its floating bubble raft,\" to medium-sized sea otters who utilize bubbles of air \"like a down comforter,\" all the way to the enormous humpback whale, \"with a mouth the size of a small living room\" breathing out a \"bubble net\" with which to catch fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe back of the book is packed with a glossary and handy appendix listing each creature's habitat and size, offering a few additional \"amazing facts\" about each one. Conahan provides a gently humorous and creature-populated watercolor backdrop, in a palette of soft blues, grays and greens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/bubble-homes-and-fish-farts-cvr.jpg?4916109924519598946\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/bubble-homes-and-fish-farts-hires.zip?4916109924519598946\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaperback\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-57091-670-0\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE-book\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e ISBN: 978-1-60734-124-6 PDF\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 6-9\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 48\u003cbr\u003e8 \u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\/\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e x 11\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]"}

Bubble Homes and Fish Farts

By: Fiona Bayrock / Illustrated by: Carolyn Conahan

A poppin good read!

Bubbles are for popping, fishing, finding food—and for sailing, playing, and shooting hoops! Who knew animals used bubbles for so many different things? Learn about how the water spider builds a bubble home underneath the water, how snapping shrimp use bubbles to talk to each other, or how dolphins play with bubbles as if it’s a game. Whether they are riding, breathing, or making bubbles, one thing is for sure—animals use bubbles in amazing ways.

Real-world science meets tongue-in-cheek humor to describe how animals use bubbles. Includes back matter and a glossary and index.

Read an excerpt!

Maximum quantity available reached.

Fiona Bayrock, author

Fiona Bayrock has always enjoyed playing with words, but was well into adulthood before discovering her passion for science. She has since written books for educational and specialty markets in Canada and the U.S., as well as 60+ articles, stories, and poems for children's magazines such as Highlights for Children, Odyssey, KNOW, and YES Magazine.

Read more about Fiona.


Carolyn Conahan, illustrator

Carolyn Conahan is the staff illustrator for Cricket magazine and the author/illustrator of The Twelve Days of Christmas Dogs (Dutton). She lives in Portland, Oregon.

Read more about Carolyn.

  • Junior Library Guild Selection
  • Keystone to Reading Book Award, intermediate level winner
  • Best Books for Kids & Teens

Kirkus Reviews

Bayrock's love of "way cool science" bubbles over in this surprisingly substantial book.

How do animals use bubbles? For sailing, running, berthing, nesting--even playing (dolphins seem to blow bubbles just for fun.) Sixteen double-page spreads cover 16 wholly different ways that fish, insects, amphibians and mammals use bubbles. Did you know that one species of spider creates a bubble home to live in underwater? That the popping bubbles of a napping shrimp can be "so loud it gets in the way of U.S. Navy sonar"? That the water shrew can actually run across the surface of the water courtesy of the bubbles trapped between its hairy toes? Lively expository prose deftly combines straightforward facts (the scientific name of each animal), sound effects (the "fwap-fwap-fwap-fwap" of tree frogs creating foam) and kid-friendly comparisons (the gourami fish spitting eggs into its nest looks like it's playing basketball). Conahan's whimsical watercolor illustrations, complete with conversational bubbles, add humor and interest.

Three pages of additional facts and a combined glossary/index round out a volume that's sure to rise to the top.

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

If most children think bubbles are for blowing or bubbles are for bathing, Bayrock is here with a paradigm shift, showcasing sixteen different nonrecreational and nonhygenic ways that animals use bubbles. For the star-nosed mole, for instance, "bubbles are for finding food," as he blows bubbles through his nose, breathes them back in, and follows the scent to his next meal. For the violet sea snail, on the other hand, "bubbles are for sailing," and its raft of bubbles floats it along the ocean surface to "feast on food that most shelled ocean animals can't reach." Each double-page spread includes the animal's common and scientific names, a paragraph explaining the use and survival advantage of the bubbles, and a watercolor scene of the habitat. The appeal of the topic is instantly obvious even without the irresistible lure of fish farts, and this will definitely give kids a different slant on water use. The soft haziness of the watercolor renderings occasionally obscures the action of the bubbles, but the closeup views and occasional insertion of humorous dialogue in--what else?--bubbles will keep readers interested. An appendix of brief entries for each animal expand the text with habitat, size, geographic location, and an "amazing fact"--the requisite information for novice report writers--and a glossary with page references is also included.

School Library Journal

Fast Repetitive Tick (FaRT) is the term scientists use to describe the flatulencelike noise that herring make as they communicate their locations to one another. That might be the most amusing description of the uses of bubbles in the natural world, but this entire book is enjoyable and engaging. From the protective hiding places young juniper spittlebugs create to the foamy nest that the African gray treefrog whips up around her freshly laid eggs in the branches above a pool, bubbles are described and pictured. The illustrations are pale and less-detailed versions of scientifically accurate drawings overlaid with entertaining comments, e.g., parent frogs admonish, "Careful, kids!" and "Don't talk to any predators!" The comments may be corny, but they infuse the information with fun. The single-page glossary defines terms simply and effectively, e.g. flatulence is described as "The scientific name for farting." Two spreads of "More amazing facts..." offer additional information about each species' habitat, location, and physical attributes. Creative, accessible, and fact-filled.

Booklist

This intriguing book shows the surprisingly varied ways in which bubbles are incorporated in animals' lives. A watercolor painting fills each double-page spread, while superimposed headings identify the species and the purpose of its bubbles ("Keeping Warm," "Running," "Breathing," "Playing") and a paragraph of text explains what it does. For instance, a humpback whale swims in circles to create a "bubble net," herding fish toward the center, where they can be scooped into its enormous mouth. Juniper spittlebug nymphs encase themselves in a mound of gooey foam that protects them until they are ready to molt. These and other animals' techniques for creating and using bubbles are well described in succinct paragraphs. Thought balloons, carrying brief comments from the animals, add a bit of levity. A glossary and four pages of "amazing facts" are appended. Illustrated with finesse, this attractive book introduces 16 bubble makers, from insects to humans.

The Boston Globe

"Bubble Homes and Fish Farts" by Fiona Bayrock (with illustrations by Carolyn Conahan, Charlesbridge, ages 4-8, $16.95) gets my vote for the year's best book with the world's worst title. That level of bathroom humor, luckily, goes no further than a few "comical" bubble captions per page, but most of the text, and its lush double-spread watercolor illustrations deserve wide readership.

In it, Bayrock offers an elegant filed guide for young naturalists. "Bubble Homes" also serves as an introduction to marine animals that use bubbles in various ways, from the small violet sea snail ("about the size of a large grape") hanging upside down "from its floating bubble raft," to medium-sized sea otters who utilize bubbles of air "like a down comforter," all the way to the enormous humpback whale, "with a mouth the size of a small living room" breathing out a "bubble net" with which to catch fish.

The back of the book is packed with a glossary and handy appendix listing each creature's habitat and size, offering a few additional "amazing facts" about each one. Conahan provides a gently humorous and creature-populated watercolor backdrop, in a palette of soft blues, grays and greens.

Paperback
ISBN: 978-1-57091-670-0

E-book
ISBN: 978-1-60734-124-6 PDF

Ages: 6-9
Page count: 48
8 1/2 x 11