Brilliant Blood
ASK Magazine October 2024. What’s so special about blood? Why is it red? Does it come in other colors? Why do some animals eat blood? Find out, make fake blood, and more!
ASK Magazine October 2024. What’s so special about blood? Why is it red? Does it come in other colors? Why do some animals eat blood? Find out, make fake blood, and more!
Cover art by Jeff Harter
Just in time for Halloween, we’re studying one of the spookiest—but most important—substances on earth! Learn why we need blood and how it circulates in our bodies. Of course, humans aren’t the only creatures with blood in our veins. Discover different kinds of blood in the animal kingdom, from the blue blood of octopuses and squids to the antifreeze blood of wood frogs! Some icefish even have white blood. Why is that? A brave science teacher took a voyage to Antarctica to find out why! Finally, meet a creature whose nasty reputation is finally starting to improve: the humble leech! From misguided medieval malpractice to modern medicine, the leech has played a role in all of it.
As always, ASK has suggestions for further reading and some cool hands-on activities for kids, too! Filled with all of the answers to the questions that most intrigue young readers, ASK is a treasure trove of trivia and fun!
Enjoy features including:
· “Life’s Blood” by Margaret J. Anderson
· “Strange Blood” by Christy Peterson
· “Ice Fish Diaries” by Paula Dell
· “Buckets of Blood”
· “Lunching with Leeches” by Lela Stanley
Regular features of ASK Magazine include Nosy News, Nestor’s Dock, Ask Jimmy and the Bug, Contest and Letters, Whatson’s Book Corner, and Marvin and Friends.