Biomimicry Inventions Inspired by Nature

Biomimicry examines the extraordinary innovations of the natural world and the human inventions they have inspired. Readers will learn about marvels such as high-performance swimsuits modeled after sharkskin and the sleek front ends of Japanese bullet trains based on the long, streamlined beak of the kingfisher. There's also plenty about what glimmers on the horizon: A Brazilian beetle may be key to developing computers that run on light, and the gecko's humble foot may hold the secret to revolutionizing the way surgical wounds are closed. Best of all, nature's inventions are lean, green machines that are self-sustaining and generate zero waste -- yet another cue humans are taking from the natural world. Astounding facts, easy-to-understand prose and luminous illustrations bring the wonders of nature into the science lab.

Dora Lee lives with her family in Vancouver, Canada. From an early age, she was interested in both science and writing. As she grew older, writing took a backseat to jobs in biotechnology research and development.

Margot Thompson is an illustrator of children's books including the award-winning Tree of Life, Sea Monsters, Make a Change: Shapes, and Make a Change: Opposites. She also works as a designer at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto.