Description: This book explores the incredible navigational abilities of animals, like how birds find food, how humpback whales navigate across oceans, and how Arctic terns travel vast distances without getting lost. It reveals how some animals, like monarch butterflies and dung beetles, use the sun and the Milky Way for orientation, while others, like moths and sea turtles, rely on Earth's magnetic field. Based on the latest research and expert insights, this adaptation introduces young readers to the fascinating science behind animal navigation and the mysteries still to be uncovered.
Brief description: David Barrie, a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Navigation, has sailed all over the world and made many long passages. His book Sextant was short-listed for the Mountbatten Literary Award and received the Royal Institute of Navigation's Certificate of Achievement. His book Supernavigators was honored with both a Gold and Silver Nautilus Award in 2020.
Review Quotes: "In Supernavigators, readers are invited to head out on a captivating journey through the extraordinary world of animal navigation. This young readers' edition, adapted from David Barrie's award-winning adult title, presents complex scientific concepts in an engaging and accessible format, perfect for sparking curiosity in young minds... Six well-structured chapters help readers discover different navigation methods: landmark recognition, celestial navigation using the sun and stars, magnetic sensing, echolocation, polarized light detection, and more...Technical concepts like "azimuth," "inclination," and "dorsal rim area" are introduced alongside clear explanations, encouraging scientific literacy without being overwhelming....The page layouts effectively balance text with illustrations, using clear headings to guide readers through complex topics. Diagrams explaining concepts like the earth's rotation make abstract ideas concrete and comprehensible, and the accessible language respects young readers while maintaining scientific accuracy... An ideal resource for classrooms, libraries, and home collections, Supernavigators stands out by instilling a sense of wonder through science, rather than anthropomorphism. This adaptation of a two-time Nautilus Award-winner offers an intellectually stimulating exploration that will inspire young naturalists and future scientists alike, demonstrating how good science writing can educate while nurturing curiosity about our natural world, inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards."-- "--Children's Book Review, Editor's Pick"