Book: Extreme Abilities

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Extreme Abilities: Amazing Human Feats and the Simple Science Behind Them

Nominated for a 2020 Yellow Cedar Award

Nominated for a 2021 Red Cedar Award

Starred Selection: Canadian Children’s Book Centre, Best Books for Kids & Teens, Fall 2019

Top Recommended Read: TD Summer Reading Club 2020

written by Galadriel Watson
illustrated by Cornelia Li
published by Annick Press

Galadriel Watson expertly combines a conversational, storytelling style with concise, easy-to-understand scientific explanations… Energetic… eye-catching… Extreme Abilities is a jaw-droppingly well-researched, informative, and entertaining look at what makes us uniquely human. Highly Recommended. – Canadian Review of Materials

These people did what?!

Join author Galadriel Watson as she takes us on a journey of discovery—a tour of the human body’s amazing abilities, featuring masters of muscle, speed demons, brain bosses and more! Extreme Abilities is a fun and fascinating survey of what humans are capable of and how these achievements are scientifically possible.

Short sketches of famous individuals from around the world and throughout history, such as Louis Cyr and Usain Bolt, are mixed with the amazing feats of others not-so-famous to draw readers in and bring these astounding abilities to life in vivid colour. Each chapter also features a section on how young readers can work at improving their own skills (and a section on how not to get hurt in the process), plus bite-sized related fast facts and sidebars.

Easy-to-follow explanations of anatomy, physics and other sciences are enhanced by Cornelia Li’s energetic and engaging artwork, and photos throughout further help to illustrate the awesome displays of the human body at work.

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Learn more at Annick Press.

Learn more on Goodreads.

PURCHASE IT through your local bookstore or outlets like these:

  • For kids, it can’t get any better: Extreme Abilities is part record book, part science, part trivia, part challenge in a smart, kid-friendly format. — Texas News Sources
  • For an active go-go-go-go-type 9-to-13-year-old, “Extreme Abilities” won’t sit on the shelf long. They’ll love what’s inside this book, so get it. — The Southern Illinoisan
  • This will make a great read for young readers who pore over Guinness World Record books and want more background on the records and feats found there — School Library Journal
  • This book had a great balance of captivating stories and educational facts. — Kid Lit Exchange
  • Entertaining and informative. — School Library Connection
  • Who doesn’t love a fantastic (but mostly true!) story? Brief and entertaining. — Kirkus Review
  • Very approachable. — Kiss the Book
  • An excellent book for the elementary to middle-school-aged student that enjoys non-fiction material. — Youth Services Book Review
  • An interesting and well-researched journey of discovery. — Goodreads review
  • Fascinating book of amazing humans! — Goodreads review
  • Well done! — Goodreads review
  • Any library will greatly benefit from this being shelved in their children’s section. — Goodreads review