3-D Explorer Oceans: A Journey from the Surface to the Seafloor by Jen Green Pop-up scenes, photos and illustrations portray colorful life in the sea’s depths. Silver Dolphin Books, 2009, 32 p., $17.95. (p. 31)

Ornamental Origami: Exploring 3D Geometric Designs by Meenakshi Mukerji Older children can learn origami techniques to create beautiful and varied geometric shapes. AK Peters, 2009, 145 p., $24.95. (p. 31)

V is for Venus Flytrap: A Plant Alphabet by Eugene Gagliano Young readers can explore the botanical world by browsing a plant type, feature or characteristic for each letter of the alphabet. Sleeping Bear Press, 2009, 40 p., $17.95. (p. 31)

The Lives of Stars by Ken Croswell Brilliant images and comprehensive text present the basics of stellar astronomy in an engaging fashion. Boyds Mills Press, 2009, 72 p., $19.95. (p. 31)

Isaac Newton and Physics for Kids by Kerrie Logan Hollihan A guide to demonstrations of basic physics accompanies this story of a great scientist and his famous discoveries. Chicago Review Press, 2009, 131 p., $16.95. (p. 31)

Dinosaurs (Book series) by Matteo Bacchin and Marco Signore Translated by Marguerite Shore Graphic novels — formerly known as comic books — are getting more respect these days. That may explain why Abbeville Kids has published the first four of what will be a six-part graphic series grounded in science facts but told partially through fiction. Although the large-format books are aimed at young dino aficionados — especially those 9 to 14 years old — the text won’t bore adults. Each book begins with an introduction by an unconventional narrator: the sun. Explains Sol: “The e... (p. 31)

Anyone who laces up expensive running shoes to plod through a few painful miles might be misguided. Humans may have evolved to run hundreds of miles at a time, barefoot, journalist and runner McDougall argues in Born to Run. The impetus for this book came when McDougall’s running-induced foot pain halted his regular jogs. Dismissing doctors who told him to find another pastime because his body wasn’t made to run, McDougall instead delved deep into the art and science of running. Born to Run includes no small dose of admiration for the mechanical marvel of the human foot. McDougall c... (p. 30)

In 1995, Olson came to a stunning realization: Most of his students had sat in rapt attention during lectures to pass tests, not because he was interesting. In Don’t Be Such a Scientist, Olson describes how that conclusion changed his career and how it could change science communication. The book chronicles his 1995 decision to leave a tenured position as a marine biologist at the University of New Hampshire to attend film school. While there, Olson, now an award-winning filmmaker, learned that researchers could get their message across more effectively by taking a few cues from artists....

A psychiatrist shares anecdotes from her career treating the mentally ill at the nation’s oldest public hospital. Bantam Books, 2009, 308 p., $25. (p. 30)

A biologist and writer team up to describe human impacts on salt marshes. Rutgers Univ., 2009, 254 p., $23.95. (p. 30)

The latest volume of Einstein’s collected works, containing hundreds of letters and transcripts of lectures and interviews. Princeton Univ., 2009, 609 p., $125. (p. 30)

Two astronomers report on the controversies surrounding Pluto’s planethood or lack thereof. BenBella Books, 2009, 223 p., $14.95. (p. 30)

The story of an armadillo and her pups introduces young readers to the mammals. Boyds Mills Press, 2009, 32 p., $16.95. (p. 30)

This is a book for people who want to impress others at cocktail parties. Brimming with odd tidbits of knowledge about the human body and health, it provides a wealth of “did you know?” conversation starters. In the book’s introduction, New York Times columnist Bakalar describes Medicine Cabinet as a “random collection, put together with no more direction than that offered by the author’s impulses.” Readers looking for a comprehensive review of medical conditions will be sorely disappointed. But those who take the lighthearted book at face value will learn a lot. For example, i... (p. 35)

By exploring each part of Albert Einstein’s famous equation, two physicists ultimately explain the theory of relativity. Da Capo Press, 2009, 249 p., $24. (p. 35)