by Melissa Stewart (Author), Marta Alvarez Miguens (Illustrator)
Follow a carbon atom on its incredible adventure over billions of years. It's been part of many things--from early volcanic gases, to plants that dinosaurs devoured, to your breakfast burp!
By award-winning children's author Melissa Stewart, this epic nonfiction picture book for 5-8-year-olds is a perfect blend of science and history that STEM-seekers will eat up!
Long ago, the young Earth crashed into a smaller body called Theia. Matter blasted through space, and the carbon atom was trapped deep inside Earth until a volcano erupted, thrusting tons of ash and gases--including the carbon atom--high into the sky.
Over millions of years, the carbon atom has been part of all kinds of things, including plants and dinosaurs, eggshells and seashells, a lump of coal, and even a sheet of toilet paper! Not long ago, it became part of a towering maple tree and then a drop of maple syrup. Just imagine that the syrup ended up on YOUR pancakes and then inside your body. And when you let out a deep breath, the carbon left your lungs, met up with a blast of gas from your stomach, and . . . BURP!
You never know where a carbon atom will go next. . . . Get ready to take off on a wild ride,
From BAM! to BURP!Author Biography
Melissa Stewart is the award-winning author of more than one hundred fifty science books for children. She holds degrees in biology and science journalism. Recent books include Summertime Sleepers: Animals That Estivate, Seashells: More Than a Home; Feathers: Not Just for Flying; and Whale Fall: Exploring an Ocean-Floor Ecosystem.
Marta Álvarez Miguéns is a self-taught illustrator who lives in Spain. She has illustrated many books, including
Dinosaur Lady and
Shark Lady, which was named a Best Children's Book of the Year by
Parents magazine and one of Twelve Books for Feminist Boys and Girls by the
New York Times. www.martalvarez.com
Number of Pages: 40
Dimensions: 0.5 x 10.3 x 8.2 IN
Illustrated: Yes
Publication Date: October 28, 2025
