Books by David Burnie

Bird (DK Eyewitness Books)

by David Burnie

A photo essay on the world of birds examining such topics as body construction, feathers and flight, the adaptation of beaks and feet, feeding habits, courtship, nests and eggs, and bird watching.

Smithsonian: Bird-watcher (Smithsonian Nature Activity Guides)

by David Burnie

With activities ranging from bird watching to raising caterpillars and growing your own crystals, the new Nature Activity series helps children explore the natural world in fun and exciting ways.

Smithsonian: Bug Hunter (Nature Activities)

by David Burnie

Presents general information about different insects and includes more than thirty activities to help study insects, such as building nets to capture butterflies and building moth traps.

Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide to the World's Wildlife

by David Burnie

Unrivaled in its breadth and visual impact, this unique guide sets out to illustrate, describe, and explain the incredible range of creatures that make up the animal kingdom. Exceptional Coverage. This authoritative volume starts with a clear introduction to the animal world, examining the reasons for the apparently infinite variety of animal forms and major evolutionary developments. Animal anatomy, life cycles and the principles of classification are also explored. This is followed by a superbly illustrated survey of world habitats, showing how they have adapted to each environment, and the threats that face both wildlife and plants today. The main part of the book, an up-to-date and comprehensive animal catalog, looks in detail at each major group and provides fascinating profiles of over 2,000 individual species. Visually Breathtaking. Spectacular photographic portraits bring a vast array of animals vividly to life, with special features on well-known and important animals such as the Galapagos tortoise. Each species profile is supported by maps and symbols showing distribution and habitat, as well as key information on size, population, and conservation status, forming an invaluable reference database. Outstanding Reference. Clear, comprehensive, and thought provoking, the Smithsonian Animal is essential reading for wildlife enthusiasts of all ages and levels of experience.

The Kingfisher Illustrated Nature Encyclopedia

by David Burnie

The incredible diversity of life on Earth--from microscopic single-celled organisms to giant redwoods and blue whales-is studied in more than 1,000 stunning photographs and illustrations.

The introductory section, "A Planet Apart," guides the reader through the formation of the planet and the beginning of life, to evolution and animal and plant life today. The second section, "The Living World," introduces the kingdoms of life on the planet, from microscopic life, through plants to animals. The third and main section of the book, "Wildlife Habitats," takes a detailed look at the world's habitats, with "species features" that focus on animals and plants that are of particular interest, such as the vampire squid and the bristlecone pine.

The Kingfisher Illustrated Dinosaur Encyclopedia

by David Burnie

Come jaw-to-jaw with an amazing array of awe-inspiring prehistoric reptiles and other incredible creatures in this dramatic trek back in time to the dawn of life on our planet and the age of the dinosaurs. Spectacular, full-color illustrations, photographs, and realistic dinosaur reconstructions based on the latest scientific discoveries bring each creature to life. The text combines hard facts about dinosaurs with interesting and intriguing details about their lifestyle and behavior. Species spreads detail the members of specific dinosaur families, giving information about their habitats and behavior, sizes, and the locations of fossil finds, while special subject spreads focus on various aspects of dinosaur life. Packed with dramatic photographs and illustrations, this colorful volume is an indispensable reference for young dinosaur enthusiasts and a captivating resource for the whole family. Special Features: Comprehensive, chronological encyclopedia of dinosaurs through the ages. Timelines give a visual guide to prehistoric periods. Up-to-the-minute research focuses on the latest finds. Includes glossary and general index.

The Concise Animal Encyclopedia

by David Burnie

This compact marvel covers the animal kingdom from the tiniest protozoan to the mightiest mammal. Organized by classification and packed with vibrant photographs and informative detail, this visual safari covers the gamut of phylums, classes, orders, families, and genuses, including invertebrates, insects, amphibians, mammals, birds, and reptiles.

Special feature panels that focus on various aspects of animal behavior including camouflage, migration, and hibernation enhance the clear layout. Easy-to-use, authoritative and a perfect gift for young animal lovers, this colorful volume is an ideal resource for the whole family.
Special features include
- Text that can be read section by section or as a complete article
- Cross-references
- Color-coded "Fact" boxes and fully annotated diagrams
- Glossary and index

The Concise Dinosaur Encyclopedia

by David Burnie

The Concise Dinosaur Encyclopedia is the most compact and comprehensive volume available for all the family. This portable encyclopedia uses a highly visual approach to a popular subject, with show-stopping artwork of dinosaurs in action. The book combines hard facts with interesting and intriguing feature spreads detailing dinosaur lifestyle, behavior, families, and habitat.

From how life on earth began and how animals evolved to the catastrophic events that brought about the end of the dinosaurs, this book is a must for every dinosaur enthusiast. Timelines, a detailed glossary, and a comprehensive index help guide the reader through the book.

Kingfisher Knowledge: Endangered Planet

by David Burnie, Tony Juniper

Endangered Planet is a timely examination of the state of the earth's ecosystems. Today, humans influence every natural habitat on the planet. The consequences can be devastating--dozens of species are wiped out each year, coasts and oceans are fouled with oil spills, and grasslands and forests are destroyed to feed the appetite of modern agriculture. Endangered Planet also reveals how renewable energy, recycling, and wildlife protection will play a key role in the survival of Earth.

DK Eyewitness Books: Bird: Discover the Fascinating World of Birds―their Natural History, Behavior,

by David Burnie

Discover the fascinating world of birds―their natural history, behavior, and secret lives. Be an eyewitness to the breathtaking moment when a chick hatches from its egg, the growth of young birds in their nest, and how birds camouflage themselves, fly, hunt, and feed. See inside a nest of baby blue tits during their first few days of life, find out why wings are different shapes and sizes, discover which are the world’s biggest, smallest, fastest, and slowest birds, and much, much more!

The most trusted nonfiction series on the market, Eyewitness Books provide an in-depth, comprehensive look at their subjects with a unique integration of words and pictures.

Insect (DK/Google E.guides)

by David Burnie

Looks at core topics from many angles, using facts, 3-D models, data boxes, charts, and more, bringing together the best of the Web with DK's outstanding reference books.

Bird: The Definitive Visual Guide

by David Burnie, BirdLife International, Ben Hoare

Unrivaled in scope for a single-volume reference work, this visual guide to every bird order and family profiles more than 1,400 species, photographed in their native environment by photographers around the globe. Authoritative, comprehensive, and completely up to date, this is a must-have reference for anyone with even a passing interest in the world's birds. Illustrates the full range of birds, bird behavior, and bird-watching locations. Organized in taxonomic order with detailed introductions to every bird order. Special double-page features on the most spectacular birds. Breathtaking images of the bird world.

Science: The Definitive Visual Guide

by David Burnie, Robert Dinwiddie, Giles Sparrow, Jack Challoner, Carole Stott, Marcus Weeks, David Hughes

This remarkable reference book tells the story of science from earliest times to the present day, taking in everything from ancient Greek geometry to quantum physics, and the wedge to the worldwide web. Exploring science in a thematic, highly approachable manner, each spread takes as its theme a specific event, discovery, invention, experiment, theory, or individual and explains why this subject was so significant in the development of scientific thought and what its impact on history has been. In addition to providing a broad-ranging and comprehensive history of science, the book also explains how science works, employing DK's trademark clarity and visual ingenuity to render tricky scientific subjects easily comprehensible.

Science is structured chronologically with five chapters covering major phases in world history from ancient times to the present day, with an eye to the future. Within these chapters, subjects are arranged in discrete spreads, each of which takes a key scientific concept, event, discovery, or process as its subject. These spreads are framed by "Before" and "After" panels that place the subject in context, revealing the causes and consequences that surround it. Panels and feature spreads highlight key figures and inventions in the history of science, while major scientific breakthroughs are also pulled out as special features. An extensive reference section sets out key scientific principles and formula, and contains essential graphics, such as the periodic table.

DK Eyewitness Books: Plant: Discover the Fascinating World of Plants

by David Burnie

This is a an original and exciting look at the fascinating natural world of plants. Stunning real-life photographs of flowers, fruits, seeds, leaves, and more offer a unique "eyewitness" view of the natural history of plant anatomy and growth.

See the biggest flower in the world, where a seed develops, what the inside of a plant stem looks like, how a flower attracts insects, what a plant's reproductive organs look like, how a dandelion spreads its seeds, and much more.

The most trusted nonfiction series on the market, Eyewitness Books provide an in-depth, comprehensive look at their subjects with a unique integration of words and pictures.

DK Eyewitness Books: Tree

by David Burnie

In this updated and revised edition of Tree, readers can follow a seed grow into a sapling, the changing colors of fall leaves, and the tiny insects that live in rotting leaves on the forest floor, plus learn why deciduous trees lose their leaves in the fall, how a tree breathes, how bark defends trees from attack by animals, and more.
Each revised Eyewitness book retains the stunning artwork and photography from the groundbreaking original series, but the text has been reduced and reworked to speak more clearly to younger readers. Still on every colorful page: Vibrant annotated photographs and the integrated text-and-pictures approach that makes Eyewitness a perennial favorite of parents, teachers, and school-age kids.

Wonders of the Natural World

by David Burnie

An incredible tour of the most impressive sights nature has to offer provides an in-depth look at the geography, climate, and colorful creatures from ten natural wonders of the world.

Insect (DK Online)

by David Burnie

Looks at core topics from many angles, using facts, 3-D models, data boxes, charts, and more, bringing together the best of the Web with DK's outstanding reference books.

Bird

by Angela Johnson, David Burnie, Rita Murphy, Ben Hoare, Audobon, Andrew Zuckerman, Beatriz Martin Vidal

A GIRL EASILY carried off by the wind.

An elderly widow whose husband died under strange circumstances.

An isolated dwelling that breeds fear.

Miranda has no recollection of where she came from—only that years ago, a gust of wind deposited her outside Bourne Manor. The Manor’s sole inhabitant, Wysteria Barrows, took Miranda in and promptly outfitted her with special boots—boots weighted with steel bars to keep her anchored to the ground. But aside from shelter and clothing, Miranda receives little warmth from the aging widow. The Manor, too, is a cold place, full of drafts and locked doors. Full of menace. Full of secrets.

Then one day a boy named Farley appears. Farley helps Miranda embrace her destiny with the wind . . . and uncover the Manor’s hidden past.

Bird

by Angela Johnson, David Burnie, Rita Murphy, Ben Hoare, Audobon, Andrew Zuckerman, Beatriz Martin Vidal

Accompanied by an audio CD containing a variety of bird calls and songs, a colorful study of the birds of the world profiles more than 1,500 avian species, photographed in their native environment and featuring information on bird behavior and characteristics, tips on prime bird-watching locations, and facts about bird anatomy, life cycles, and conservation.

Bird

by Angela Johnson, David Burnie, Rita Murphy, Ben Hoare, Audobon, Andrew Zuckerman, Beatriz Martin Vidal

Devastated by the loss of a second father, thirteen-year-old Bird follows her stepfather from Cleveland to Alabama in hopes of convincing him to come home, and along the way helps two boys cope with their difficulties.

Bird

by Angela Johnson, David Burnie, Rita Murphy, Ben Hoare, Audobon, Andrew Zuckerman, Beatriz Martin Vidal

Bird by Chronicle,2009, Binding: Hardcover

Bird

by Angela Johnson, David Burnie, Rita Murphy, Ben Hoare, Audobon, Andrew Zuckerman, Beatriz Martin Vidal

Anything is possible when you believe. The moment is coming. Be ready. To start a new path, to grow up, to change, to rise to the occasion.

Bird is a stunning wordless picture book by Beatriz Martin Vidal, which brings us up to the moment of a child’s flight, as she launches into life and imagination takes off.

Eyewitness: Light

by David Burnie

A guide to the origins, principles, and historical study of light.

Secret Worlds: Mini Beasts (Secret Worlds)

by David Burnie

A great non-fiction alternative to middle grade readers -- perfect for school projects or reading for fun. Full-color, fun, and crammed with cool facts, DK's Secret Worlds take a fresh look at familiar subjects with brilliant results! Kids ages 9 and up can delve into a wide range of subjects from nature, history, and science for researching school projects, satisfying a curious appetite, or just for the love of reading. Tried-and-tested Web sites and a Mega-reference section are just two of the innovative features that will keep kids and parents coming back for more.

Mammal

by David Burnie, Steve Parker, Jonathan Elphick, Christopher Norris

Explores the diversity of mammals around the world, including information on their habitats, their behavior, and their unusual evolutionary processes.

Eyewitness Eagle and Birds of Prey: Discover the World of Birds of Prey―How They Grow, Fly, Live, and Hunt (DK Eyewitness)

by David Burnie

With their hooked beaks, curved talons, and superb eyesight, eagles, and birds of prey are born to kill. Swoop into the world of these formidable hunters.

Eyewitness: Eagles and Birds of Prey is a guide to birds of prey of all shapes and sizes. From majestic falcons to soaring vultures, you'll get a bird's eye view of their amazing world. Learn about their styles of flight and their hunting techniques. Explore the preying and feeding habits, from specialist feeders to scavengers.

Explore their anatomy in detail and know what makes them soar and glide. Follow the owls into the night and learn how they see and listen in almost complete darkness. Find out how eagles and other birds of prey have been part of our history and culture for years.

Eyewitness: Eagles and Birds of Prey is packed with easy-to-access information, vibrant images, and step-by-step illustrations for children to explore the realm of acrobats of the air.

The Animal Book: A Visual Encyclopedia of Life on Earth (DK Our World in Pictures)

by David Burnie

If you’re wild about animals, this visual encyclopedia for kids is the ultimate page-turner, bringing our planet’s creatures together in spectacular style.

This inspiring children’s reference guide welcomes you to the animal kingdom where you can meet more than 1,500 species, ranging from ants to zebras and everything in between. Stunning pictures bring you face to face with giant predators you know and love, including polar bears and tigers, as well as mysterious microscopic life, including amoebas and bacteria.

A variety of animal habitats are shown in beautiful detail, while accessible information, additional fact boxes, and amazing galleries complete the stories. A jaw-dropping spectrum of animal types – from fish and birds to reptiles and mammals – provides a learning experience like no other.

Whether you’re a budding naturalist or simply want to complete a school project, The Animal Book has got it covered!

Earth (Second Edition)

by David Burnie, Douglas Palmer, Robert Dinwiddie, Michael Allaby, John Farndon, Clint Twist, Martin Walters, Tony Waltham

Over a million copies sold worldwide

"Some books appeal only to the intellect, but this one is a delight for the senses as well... a classic." (Times Educational Supplement)

Welcome to a planet like no other. Composed of around 4000 minerals and blanketed with vast oceans, the Earth is unique in hosting an abundance of life.

Follow Earth’s story as elements collided billions of years ago to form a rocky planet that began to orbit the Sun. Earth reveals the dynamic process that formed mountains, volcanoes, vast rivers, canyons, and more. It showcases features from Mount Everest to the Mariana Trench, as well as natural wonders including the Grand Canyon and Galapagos Islands.

This comprehensive volume explains how simple sea-dwelling organisms evolved into a kaleidoscopic array of eight million species and reveals the dynamic processes that continue to shape continents. It also reveals the effect of human populations on landscapes and climates and explains how we can all play a part in caring for our fragile ecosystem.

For both geography students and everyone who cares about the planet, Earth is an essential addition to the home library.

The Kingfisher Nature Encyclopedia (Kingfisher Encyclopedias)

by David Burnie

There is an amazing diversity of life on Earth, from microscopic organisms to giant redwoods and blue whales, and on every part of Earth's surface from tropical rain forests to dark ocean depths. The Kingfisher Nature Encyclopedia is an authoritative, beautifully-illustrated guide to the living world and all its flora and fauna. Features brand new photography and comprehensive text updates by expert Camilla de la Bedoyere.

The Kingfisher Animal Encyclopedia (Kingfisher Encyclopedias)

by David Burnie

Meet an amazing menagerie of creatures on this breathtaking safari through the animal kingdom. The Kingfisher Animal Encyclopedia spans Earth from pole to pole, covering 2,000 animals from the tiniest protozoan to the mightiest mammal.

Each entry describes the animal's characteristics, behavior, and distribution, and gives their Latin names. The meticulously researched information is highlighted by clear, authoritative writing and more than 1,000 photographs and illustrations. Throughout the book, special feature panels focus on various aspects of animal behavior such as camouflage, migration, and hibernation. With comprehensive back-matter including a glossary, alternative name index, and general index, this one-stop reference tool is perfect for research or for browsing by animal-lovers of all ages.

Nature Guide: Birds (Nature Guides)

by David Burnie

A new generation of illustrated natural history handbooks, produced in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institution.
The new DK Nature Guides form a comprehensive, accessible, and informative series of illustrated reference books that tackle key natural history subjects in DK's inimitable style.
From the Arctic Tern and American Woodcock to the Turkey Vulture and Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Nature Guide: Birds is packed full of stunning images that reveal bird anatomy, flight, migration patterns, breeding, habitats-all perfect for bird watching and easy identification.
Includes: Stunning images revealing intricate details and unique features of specimens Expert writing and research by specialists Clear, concise, and informative text bring the subjects to life Specially commissioned close-up photography and illustrations Carefully structured profiles ensuring it is easy to locate key information Entries organized in intuitive categories or groupings for ease of reference

Eyewitness Plant

by David Burnie

Unleash your inner botanist and become an eyewitness to the dizzyingly diverse world of plants.

The iconic eyewitness is back in a new and improved format to be passed down through the generations.

This picture-led reference guide will take you on a visual tour of everything green and growing. Children will go on a journey through a plant's lifecycle; see a seed sprout, a fruit grow, and a Venus flytrap ensnare its prey.

Throughout the pages of this newly revised book on plants, you can expect to find:

• A fresh new look; new photographs, updated information, and "eyewitness" accounts from experts in the field.
• A visual tour through the topic combined with bite-sized text.
• A collectable poster revealing facts and photographs from the book.

Eyewitness Plant introduces children to the many different species, like poisonous plants and parasites to elaborate flowers seeking to attract pollinators. Discover the secrets of plants' survival, their importance to our ecosystem, and how they adapt to life in a range of habitats. This all-encompassing guide to plants is packed with facts, diagrams, and statistics and is a must-have for curious children aged 9+ with a thirst for learning.

So, what's new?

Part of DK's best-selling Eyewitness series, this popular title has been reinvigorated for the next generation of information-seekers and stay-at-home explorers, with a fresh new look, up to 20 percent new images, including photography and updated diagrams, updated information, and a new "eyewitness" feature with fascinating first-hand accounts from experts in the field.

Explore the series!

Globally, the Eyewitness series has sold more than 50 million copies over 30 years. Journey down the River Amazon and explore the rainforest with Eyewitness Amazon, learn how to combat climate change with Eyewitness Climate Change, or take a trip aboard the most famous ship in history with Eyewitness Titanic.

Eyewitness Plant

by David Burnie

Unleash your inner botanist and become an eyewitness to the dizzyingly diverse world of plants.

The iconic eyewitness is back in a new and improved format to be passed down through the generations.

This picture-led reference guide will take you on a visual tour of everything green and growing. Children will go on a journey through a plant's lifecycle; see a seed sprout, a fruit grow, and a Venus flytrap ensnare its prey.

Throughout the pages of this newly revised book on plants, you can expect to find:

• A fresh new look; new photographs, updated information, and "eyewitness" accounts from experts in the field.
• A visual tour through the topic combined with bite-sized text.
• A collectable poster revealing facts and photographs from the book.

Eyewitness Plant introduces children to the many different species, like poisonous plants and parasites to elaborate flowers seeking to attract pollinators. Discover the secrets of plants' survival, their importance to our ecosystem, and how they adapt to life in a range of habitats. This all-encompassing guide to plants is packed with facts, diagrams, and statistics and is a must-have for curious children aged 9+ with a thirst for learning.

So, what's new?

Part of DK's best-selling Eyewitness series, this popular title has been reinvigorated for the next generation of information-seekers and stay-at-home explorers, with a fresh new look, up to 20 percent new images, including photography and updated diagrams, updated information, and a new "eyewitness" feature with fascinating first-hand accounts from experts in the field.

Explore the series!

Globally, the Eyewitness series has sold more than 50 million copies over 30 years. Journey down the River Amazon and explore the rainforest with Eyewitness Amazon, learn how to combat climate change with Eyewitness Climate Change, or take a trip aboard the most famous ship in history with Eyewitness Titanic.