Backyard Biology: Investigate Habitats Outside Your Door

This addition to the Build It Yourself series incorporates 25 projects for kids to try as they explore the “ecosystems that are outside your door.” The book’s eight chapters cover biology (and microbiology), cells, and the life cycles of both plants and animals, among other topics; definitions of key terms appear throughout, as do Hetland’s cartoons and diagrams. Latham’s accessible, encouraging tone, along with such experiments as creating habitats for woodlice (aka roly-polies) and building bird nests using natural materials, should pique kids’ interest and get them outdoors. Ages 9–12. (Apr.)