Hidden Worlds: Looking Through a Scientist's Microscope

Scientists in the Field

by Stephen P. Kramer, Dennis Kunkel (Photographs)

There are hidden worlds in nature—places you can visit only with a microscope. For more than twenty-five years, Dennis Kunkel has been exploring these worlds. Through the lenses of powerful microscopes, he has examined objects most people have never even thought about: a mosquito’s foot, a crystal of sugar, a grain of pollen, the delicate hairs on a blade of grass. Hidden Worlds takes you behind the scenes of Dennis’s work and explains how he captures his remarkable images of microscopic life and objects. You’ll learn how Dennis became interested in microscopes as a boy, how he prepares specimens for study, and how different kinds of microscopes work. You’ll also have the chance to follow Dennis as he collects in the field—from the ash-covered slopes of Mount St. Helens to the lava tubes, rainforests, and beaches of his home state of Hawaii.

Genres: Science, History, Nonfiction, Childrens

64 pages, Hardcover

First published September 24, 2001

Reviews

[Jonathan Peto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hidden Worlds is a biography, a profile really, of Dennis Kunkel, a microscopist who lives in Hawaii. It is one of a series of books, Scientists in the Field. The main goal of sharing Dennis Kunel’s experiences is to interest children in science, to inform them of the possibilities, and to inspire some to perhaps become scientists themselves.

Many of Kunkel’s full color photographs enliven the text. The captions identify the kind of microscope used and include the magnification, which is all explained within. Kunkel’s speciality, something that surprised me, seems to be expertise with microscopes, so his subjects, and therefore his projects, are diverse, including insects, pollen, blood cells, muscle cells, molds, blades of grass and more. The first chapter, Becoming a Scientist explains his personal journey. The next chapter, Working as a Scientist, highlights representative experiences of Kunkel’s, such as investigating the reemergence of life in lakes and streams in the blast area after the eruption of Mount St. Helens. Kunkel appears to have a lot of autonomy about what projects to pursue and, I assume, who to work with - that appealed to me! The chapter Magnifying Mosquitoes is also where the author explains Kunkel’s methods and equipment, from the loupe to the transmission electron microscope. The book ends with Kunkel’s advise on How to Become a Scientist. The pictures of Kunkel in shorts hiking around the Ko’olau Mountains collecting specimens would not have embodied my aspirations for a dream job when I was younger, but I know many others who would have been stoked.

[Tina Rieman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was fascinating and beautiful. While I, as an adult, enjoyed it, I will say that it definitely seemed to be written for younger readers. I guess I was not expecting that. (I bought it for my brother's birthday, and I think he's looking forward to enjoying it with his young kids.)

[Havebooks Willread · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent for what it was--a living book looking at the microscopic world through the photographic and microscopic lenses of a scientist. And yet another book highlighting the many things one can do with knowledge of photography when Kiana's interest in this area is ignited.

[Mahrya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kramer, Stephen. Hidden Worlds: Looking Through a Scientist's Microscope, Houghton Mifflin Company, 57 pages. Non-fiction book.

Description: Hidden Worlds, follows scientist Dennis Kunkel around the world as he examines microscopic plants, animals and cells. The book discusses Dennis' career and shows up close views of organisms under a microscope.

Review: This book's biggest strength is that it packs a lot of information about scientific study into a relatively short volume. It shows all different kinds of organisms at a microscopic level and then explains to readers exactly what it is that they are seeing. The images are colorful, interesting, sometimes beautiful and sometimes grotesque. Take, for instance, the image of a dust mite surrounded by bits of cloth, skin and other debris. While the creature looks pretty frightful, readers will learn about their habitats, eating habits and how they can be studied. The book does a great job of using these vivid images as a point to teach kids about what they see.

Professional Reviews:

Manning, Patricia. School Library Journal, October 2005.
Manning states that the engaging text and photos offer an inviting glimpse into the world of a scientist. I agree that this book makes science seem very fun.

Ford, Danielle. Horn Book Magazine, January/Febrary 2002.
Ford approves of the book's focus on Dennis Kunkel and thinks that it does a great job of highlighting the interesting points of his job. Dennis' job is indeed interesting, and this book does a great job of combining details of Dennis' work with the things that he studies.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dennis Kunkel is a scientist who primarily researches things by looking at them closely. Really, really closely. He's an expert with microscopes, and this book introduces readers to how he got interested in science, some of his research projects, and a typical day in the field for him. Readers also get introduced to the tools that Kunkel most frequently uses, various types of microscopes. Photographs Kunkel has taken using microscopes are found throughout the book.

This is a great introduction to microscopes, the various types available, and how they can be used to help scientists. Of course, what's really going to suck in readers are the incredible photographs of close encounters with normally really tiny things. The book does a good job explaining how the photographs are originally black and white and then how the color is added by a computer program with a scientist's guidance. Great book for science classes studying microscopy.

[Natalie Varnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: informational
Summary: This book belongs to the Scientist in the Field series and appropriately chronicles the journey of microscopist Dennis Kunkel. The book provides information on Dan Kunkel’s life, and different microscopes, as well as procedures for using microscopes, and tips on becoming a scientist.
a) This book features amazing real photographic images taken from various different types of microscopes all from the featured scientist Dennis Kunkel. The images have been enhanced with adding color for clarity and intensity. The images are the most enticing quality of this informational book.
b) Dennis Kunkel has been exposing and sharing the microscopic “hidden world” for over twenty-five years. Stephen Kramer has composed a collection of Kunkel’s “art form” microscopic images and shares the story of his passion with readers. This book aims to inspire young readers to explore their world and become a scientist of some fashion.
c) I love the photographs included within this book. I hate pollen and mosquitoes, but the images found within this book make them seem appealing. On page 36, there are two microscopic views of an Asian mosquito wing and I can’t help but to think they look cool. Again on page 41, there are three images of the same photograph of a mosquito, but each is colored differently. One image is the original gray microscopic image while the other two have color added. This helped show how adding color can help viewers differentiate the characteristics of the object. I also really like how Kramer focuses this book on Dennis Kunkel and introducing microscopes as his passion rather than focusing on the objects under the microscopes. The angle that Stephen Kramer takes with this book helps inspire others to find a passion of their own in the scientific realm. The last two pages of the book provide advice on “How to Become a Scientist.” These two pages provide helpful tips as well as encouragement to readers. “Learn everything you can about a topic that interests you.” (page 52)

Curriculum Connection:
I think the obvious connection would be to take students to science lab and have them look at various items underneath the microscope. Students can look at different items then write about something surprising that they found. I would also give a small lesson on how to use a microscope properly.

[Jade Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. { Genre }: Junior > Science Fiction

2. { Summary }: What can’t you see with your naked eye? Tons! Take a magical journey through magnified cells, bugs, and different life forms and see how the microscope discovers.

3a. { Area for comment }: Organization

3b. { Critique }: Unlike “The Bug Scientists”, I wasn’t as nearly as grossed out by the images. Instead, I was more intrigued and somehow felt distant as one entity containing many others.

3c. { Critique Example }:
The title starts out with grand imagery, capturing magnifications of a butterfly’s wing, pollen on a sunflower petal and the eyes of a beetle. The message is two fold in the sense that there are many layers within the one that you see with your naked eye. Then once it is magnified, there is even more within what you see under a microscope. It’s almost never-ending! At times, it makes the reader feel maybe, humbled, in knowing that you’re touching and seeing more than just a layer of skin or a petal on a flower. The other message it sends is information on the intricacy of being a scientist and the important role that they play in our lives. 

{ Curriculum Connection }:
I remember learning how to use a microscope in science class, but it was never this detailed as the information in this title provides. This book shows that the way a scientist views things isn’t exactly how we would. In other words, scientist/microscope dig deeper into the core of every living and existing thing. It can see how things work, why they don’t work and how they can work. This title shows that not only being a scientist, but also using a microscope can be a very powerful experience. Utilizing one of these sections (i.e. “Magnifying Mosquitos”) can be a beneficial way to inform the different types of microscopes, how they work and also the different dimensions to a single life form. It can teach students how little they know and how much more they can learn.

[Candice · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. Genre: Informational Junior Book

2. Summary: This book is about the work of a scientist, Dennis Kunkel who is a microscopist. Dennis explores the hidden worlds in nature through a microscope; through this book it shows remarkable images of microscopic life and objects, such as a microblast, jellyfish, mosquito, bacteria and much more.

3. Critique:

a) The greatest part of this book is the images and photographs.

b) The best part of this book was the pictures. It shows Dennis in his laboratory looking in the microscope as well as what he is looking at. The photographs include him retrieving the article, and the microscopic picture of that item. The book includes information on the different types of microscopes and the way to use them. I also liked the ending part where it provides Dennis’ advice for students who think they want to become scientists. These include: become an observer, learn everything you can about a topic that interests you, ask for help from a knowledgeable person, and find a scientist to talk to or find a place where scientific research is being done. The title of the book clearly matches the purpose of the text.

c) On page 28, the book includes a photograph of brown bacteria through a microscope at SEM x2350 and a photograph of Dennis collecting the aquatic life from the pond. It is a very beneficial and informational book for older children.

4. Curriculum Connection: I think students will enjoy reading and learning from this book, more than their textbooks, because of the photographs and text. I would use this book with older elementary students when discussing science and learning about microscopes. I would have the students do a KWL chart before, during and after reading. It will help students to think about their previous knowledge about microscopes and engage them in the new learning material. There are many ways to use this book in the classroom.

[Jeannie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Citation: Hidden Worlds: Looking Through a Scientist's Microscope, Stephen Kramer, Dennis Kunkel (photographs), Houghton Mifflin, 2001, 53p. Junior Book/Nonfiction

Genre: Nonfiction/Scientist in the Field series

Summary: This is a book about, Microscopist, Dennis Kunkel’s contributions to science have allowed us to look into worlds beyond our imaginations.

Critique: a. The hook and sustaining power of this book is in its photos.
b. Using computer generated coloring, Dennis produces lurid, pungent, and striking photos of microorganisms draw us in and pique our curiosity so that we want to read more about what we see.
c. I think this can be seen best on the cover of the book as well as on page 31 of the text. My first thought was, what is that…and what is it doing! The photograph on page 31 is a picture of a dust mite and the different types of particles in the dust surrounding it. Referring back to page 30 we read more about the dust mite and the captions give insights as too what else is in the dust. Without the computerized coloring technique used to enhance features in the photo, we probably wouldn’t study it or try to find out more about it.

Curriculum connection: I think this text is suitable for grades 5-8 science classes and could be used in technology classes to illustrate how computers can enhance photographs.

[Kay Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hidden Worlds: looking through a scientist’s microscope by Stephen Kramer is another interesting book, as well as informal book for students. Many elementary students enjoy science lab for their special area, this would be another way for them to enjoy science. There is so much to see in nature and with the outside world but sometimes we can’t picture it all unless we zoom in. IN this book, Dennis Kunkel has explored these worlds for over 25 years, and as he did so he snapped pictures through his microscope. From a grain of pollen on a sunflower pedal, to red blood cells the size of jelly donuts, to a cell from a smooth muscle that moves food through your intestines he shares it all in his book. The pictures in this book are amazing and not only elementary students will be amazed but even adults, because you just don’t see things up close like that often. The book includes information on the microscopes as well as the proper way to use them. I like how the author includes advice for aspiring scientists. He said first to observe, and then learn as much as you can about topics that interest you, ask for help, and find a scientist to talk to. Students will love this book, and will be very interested. I think after reading a book like this they should grab a magnifying class and have an enjoyable day outside! This is a great book to bring into the classroom for the students.

[Amanda Carter]

Summary: This non-fiction book offers a “day in the life of” scientist Dennis Krunkel, a microscopist (a scientist who studies objects under a microscope). The text describes Dennis’ 25-year work in the field, including his journey to become a scientist, his work as a scientist, and his quest to share his microscopic photographs with the world. In fact, the magnified photos of nature throughout the book are all Dennis’ work.

Evaluation: This book gives an interesting and informative behind-the-scenes look at the work of a microscopist. The book describes in depth about how samples are collected and how different kinds of microscopes work. I especially like the microscopic photographs, and the explanations behind how Dennis worked with marine and insect life on the Hawaiian Islands.

Teaching Idea: Ideally, students would be able to become microscopists themselves, by collecting specimens and observing them under microscopes. If microscopes weren’t available, they could perform similar work using magnifying glasses or jeweler’s loupes. Students could create a journal in which they draw what they see to share with others. The text also mentions other places where Dennis Krunkel’s work can be seen- students could read these articles in Time, Smithsonian, National Geographic, etc., and/ or learn more about Dennis at www.DenisKrunkel.com.

[Kelsey Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hidden Worlds by Stephen Kramer
Summary: There are things in this world that we cannot see with a naked eye. Dennis Kunkel is the scientist that study’s this. He has discovered many things in science. When he was ten years old, his parents gave him a microscope and he started to explore. Then came his love for science and discovery. He has worked in nature finding things in weird places. He worked with muscles cells in fingers. He also studied unusual life like Pele. He used an electron telescope to look at mosquitos for his research. Dennis claims there are hidden worlds in nature that we do not know about.
Evaluation: This is a book full of facts. It is a very educational book about becoming a scientist. I think upper grade students would be interested in reading this book because it is full of facts and cool things.
Teaching idea: If I had a student in my class that was interested in becoming a scientist, I would recommend they read this book. I want to use this book to teach how to become a scientist.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a microscope when I was a kid, so I know how exciting discovering small things can be. I learned quite a bit from this book about Dennis Kunkel and his microscopes. First of all, I didn't realize there were so many types of microscopes, and how the more complex ones work. I also didn't realize that the color photos I've seen in books of things seen through the electron microscopes actually come out in black-and-white, and that the scientists have to color them with the computer as best they can, either realistically or to better contrast the various parts of what they are looking at. Using some of the more complex microscopes takes patience, skill, and training. I especially liked the descriptions of his research on microscopic life returning to Mount St. Helens right after the huge eruption in 1980, and his research into box jellyfish. I still have my microscope somewhere--must dig it out... Very interesting--another great book in the Scientists in the Field series.

[Christi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Informational

Summary: This book shows the amazing world of microbiology. It has amazing, colorful pictures that will surprise the reader with how beautiful pollen can be.

Critique:
A.Illustrations and Scientific information given in an understandable way
B. The pictures were very interesting and they were a nice counterpart to the information given in the text. Also, the information was written on a level that would be understandable for 4th grade and up.
C. There were pictures of the Scientist, Dr. Kunkel collecting samples from a volcano sight and the text described the process and aspects of data collection.

Curriculum Connection: This book would go along with several science lessons. You could incorporate it into lesson on microscopes, scientific method and experimenting, and plant and animal organisms.

[Marissa Ragsdale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary
This is one of the “Scientists in the Field” books. This book takes you on an adventure of looking through a microscope. It features photography from Dennis Kunkle that is captivating. The microscope pictures are things you would have never thought to put under the scope.
Evaluation
The pictures alone are captivating in this informational text. Even if the student does not care for reading, I believe the photographs would grab their attention. This would make them want to find out more.
Teaching Point
This is a great supplemental text to use when learning about microscopes. I think it was awesome for students to get something small from home (or outside) that they never thought of looking at under a microscope. Then, you can have them draw pictures and created their own scientist booklets.

[Allison Webster · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book belongs in the information junior books.

This book shows readers different organisms under a microscope in Hidden Worlds. Children learn about author,Dennis Kunkle's, career, microscopes, and get a closer look at the world around them.

This book examines the world around us through a different lens, literally. Children will gain a better understanding, through the content, of our world. They will learn that the human eye cannot see everything. The illustrations are actual organisms viewed through a microscopic lens. The illustrations are color rich and very beautiful which will keep readers turning the page.

This book can be used in a curriculum in the following ways:

reading, science,

[Ashlee Phagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

a. Summary: This book gives informational details on the work of Dennis. This book explains to the reader how Dennis became interested in microscopes, how he prepares the things he studies, and how the different types of microscopes work.
b. Evaluation: This book is a great informational guide on microscopes. The reader gains a better understanding of the tool and how it can be used.
c. Teaching point: This book can be incorporated into a science lesson that introduces microscopes. This book would serve as a perfect guide to the microscope and spark the students interest with microscopes by the detailed images in the book.

[Lafcadio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wicked little critta.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

He has some really fascinating photos of greatly enlarged plants and creatures; I only wished they had included more in the book.

[Vandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

the pictures have stayed in my head ever since i read this book a year ago!

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one but thought it would have been better with more extreme close-up pictures.

[Adiati Bintari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephen Kramer

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was cool and creepy-ass-creepy at the same time. Makes me apprehensive for what we can't see! Really awesome pictures.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pictures in this book are simply amazing. I highly recommend that my photographer friends "check it out."

[Ami McNay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scientists in the field books are always surprisingly enjoyable.