It’s a toxic world out there. Poisonous snakes, toxic herbicides, noxious fumes — poisons in one form or another are all around us. An innocent-looking flower may be lethal, and smog can make it impossible to breathe. Poisons can be the death of us, but they can also cure disease.

The second book in Annick’s 50 Questions series provides answers to many intriguing questions, such as: • Should you pee on a jellyfish sting? No, douse it with vinegar! • Why was the Mad Hatter mad? From working with mercury nitrate. • Can venomous lizards cure diabetes? Yes, a drug used to treat the disease comes from the Gila monster’s venom.

Poison Puzzles at the end of each chapter then test the readers’ knowledge.

Young readers who want to avoid paint that kills or leaves that give blisters can explore the fascinating and dangerous world of poisons. And don’t be afraid! The killer cartoons and dead-funny text are venom-free.

Tanya Lloyd Kyi
grew up in Creston, B.C. She began her writing career as a high school poet, producing pages and pages of work that her mother loved and her best friend religiously archived (possibly for a future blackmailing scheme). The original edition of Canadian Girls Who Rocked the World was Tanya's first book for young readers. She has since published nine other titles, including Canadian Boys Who Rocked The World, which was short-listed for the Silver Birch Award by the Ontario Library Association. Tanya now lives in Vancouver, B.C.

Tanya Lloyd Kyi's profile page

Ross Kinnaird is an illustrator who has worked in London, Sydney, and Hong Kong. He currently lives in Auckland, New Zealand.

Ross Kinnaird's profile page

• Winner, Science in Society Book Award

“… just the thing to entice readers seeking intriguing facts.”

School Library Journal, 09/11