Dogfoose.com (Michael Kline) � illustration

Plate Tectonics

mikey — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 16:03:18 +0000

The earthquake and ensuing tsunami in Japan were a result of plate tectonics, or large scale movement of the Earth’s crust. The major plates are African, Antarctic, Australian, Eurasian, Indian, North American, South American, and Pacific. The minor plates (of which there can be many) include Arabian, Caribbean, Juan De Fuca, Cocos, Nazca, Philippine, and Scotia. Click the map for a larger image.

Cut & Dried

mikey — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:28:13 +0000

When Kids Discover magazine asked me to illustrate the process by which a wound heals, I pretty much knew how I wanted to approach it. The only thing that plagued me was how to replicate the whorled pattern of fingerprints—until I uncovered some old topographic maps. If you look closely, some of the elevation callouts are still visible. And of course, no illustration is complete without the occasional pun. Click for a larger image… (Text © Kids Discover Skin)

The Water Cycle

mikey — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 15:27:16 +0000

Earth’s water is constantly being recycled, a phenomenon also known as the hydrological process. It can take one of three forms: liquid, gas, and solid, and all three can be involved in the cycle. This infotoon originally appeared in Kids Discover Rain & Snow. Click for a bigger image…

I.C. Rhodes

mikey — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 00:15:24 +0000

They may be made of water, but it’s very hard water. As if summer didn’t have enough surprises for your car, the chillier season finds happiness in pouring icy potholes from the sky! They’re often fleeting (depending on your locale I guess), but their damage can live on. So what do we call these cold-blooded obstructions, these crystal canyons?
Have an ice day.

Comments : 2 Comments »

1st place: Potsicles (David G., Woodbridge, VA)
2nd place: Treadgedies (Chris H.)
3rd place: Hole shebang (2801aAudrey)
Honorable mention: N-ice one (cheez53)

Categories : Neologisms

If it walks like a rock, and talks like a rock…

mikey — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 14:39:02 +0000

Admiral Bird spends a few moments with a rock, in a lively (pun-infested) discussion. Text © Kids Discover magazine.

Hit or Myth?

mikey — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 14:08:06 +0000

I was asked to illustrate an article for kids on how to write about mythical creatures, which is a great assignment. Mostly because mythical creatures are just that, and cannot be misrepresented. Woot!

Halloween Fun

mikey — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 15:45:45 +0000

This is an image from Kids Write by Rebecca Olien. It was in regards to writing spooky stories. Lots of room for creepy-looking type… Enjoy! Click the image for a larger version to use for classrooms or whatever.

Your Average Pond

mikey — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 14:39:31 +0000

Ever stop to consider how many different kinds of animals a small pond can support? Click the image for a larger version.

mikey — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 14:20:42 +0000

Something missing from your breakfast table?

The word Oviraptor means “egg thief,” after a fossil specimen was found on top of a pile of what was thought to be Protoceratops eggs. The image below is from Howard Temperley’s In the Days of Dinosaurs.

What Makes a Planet a Planet?

mikey — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:01:25 +0000

How do you solve a problem like a planet?
Meeting in Prague in August of 2006, the IAU (International Astronomical Union) ruled that, in order for a celestial body to be referred to as a planet, it must meet three criteria: 1) it must be in orbit around the sun, 2) it must have sufficient mass for its gravity to force it into a nearly round shape, and 3) it must be able to clear the neighborhood around its orbit. The controversial ruling placed Pluto into the classification of dwarf planet, causing editors of astronomy-related books to bang their heads on their desks incessantly.