Malaysia is an Asian country divided into two regions—East Malaysia and West Malaysia—separated by the South China Sea. Malaysian families and communities often come together to fly kites. The country even hosts kite-flying festivals! This title for young readers reveals Malaysia’s recreational activities, cuisine, and more.
Jamaica is a small island country in the Caribbean Sea known for its Reggae music and spicy foods. Some Jamaicans do not cut their hair! They prefer to twist their hair into dreadlocks instead. Young readers will learn about the history of Jamaica and customs that make it unique.
Finland is covered in forests and boasts nearly 200,000 lakes! Finns value equality. It was the first country in Europe to grant voting rights to women. Young readers will love learning about this country where people regularly rest in heated saunas and the sun does not set for two months in the summer.
New Zealanders love to play, and their country is their playground. This South Pacific island comes equipped with snowy mountains for skiing, swift rivers for rafting, and deep valleys for bungee jumping. Adventure waits in this introduction to life in New Zealand.
From outer space, Madagascar appears to be bleeding. This is because the island’s red soil runs off into the ocean. On land, Madagascar is a world of its own. More than half of the resident wildlife cannot be found in any other country. Open this book and explore Madagascar, an island teeming with life, color, and beauty.
From the central mountains and valleys to the rain forests of La Mosquitia, Honduras is a land of natural beauty. Not every wonder in the country is nature-made, however. The Copán Ruins in western Honduras are relics of Mayan artistry and a reflection of the beauty to be found in the people, lands, and customs of Honduras.
Two sections of Earth’s crust meet to form the Great Rift Valley in the middle of Ethiopia. Bordering the valley are some of Africa’s most expansive highland areas, lending Ethiopia the nickname, “the roof of Africa.” Discover the diversity of landscapes, people, and wildlife in this informative title for young readers.
Lush landscapes may be scarce in Saudi Arabia, but oil and sacred sites are not. Oil has made Saudi Arabia one of the wealthiest nations in the world, and the cities of Mecca and Medina regularly draw faithful Muslims. Travel to a country rich in natural resources and religious devotion in this engaging title.
Vietnam is famous for Ha Long Bay, a unique bay that formed over millions of years. Its scenic isles draw tourists from around the world. It is one of several marvels in Vietnam. Readers will explore other geographic features of Vietnam as well as the culture and traditions of the Vietnamese people.
Located in Scandinavia in Northern Europe, Sweden experiences some very cold weather. Many polar bears call Sweden home! In addition to the wildlife of Sweden, this title introduces readers to the physical geography of Sweden, its traditions and customs, and how Swedes live from day to day.
Moscow’s Red Square is a center of Russian history and culture. This book explores the physical and cultural geography of Russia, showing the reader what daily life is like in Russia and how Russians keep their cultural traditions alive in the modern world.
Sticking out into the Mediterranean Sea, Italy has some of the nicest weather in Europe. It is famous for its art, architecture, and cuisine. Readers will discover the physical geography of Italy through descriptions of the landscape, waters, and coasts. They will also learn about the cultural geography of Italy, reading about Italian schools, businesses, and communities.
Brazil is the largest country in South America and the fifth largest and most populated country in the world. The Amazon Rainforest in Brazil has the greatest biological diversity of any ecosystem on the planet. Students will learn all about Brazilian culture and get a glimpse into what kids do for fun in Brazil, especially discovering the country’s love for soccer.
Take a trip to “The Land Down Under” and discover all of the unusual wildlife inhabiting the Outback! There are kangaroos, wild dogs called dingoes, and nearly 700 types of birds in Australia. This title will also take readers to the Great Barrier Reef and to some of the largest cities in Australia, showing kids the daily life and culture of Aussies.
Boasting some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, Thailand is located in Southeast Asia. It has many beaches that attract tourists from all parts of the globe. Kids will learn about the cultural traditions of Thailand, what everyday life is like for Thais, and much more in this informative book.
Japan is a nation made up of many islands in the western Pacific Ocean. Over 100 million people live in this small nation of islands. Many live in the countryside, but millions live in crowded cities like Tokyo. Students will learn about the physical features of the landscape and surrounding waters as well as the cultural aspects of the Japanese from old traditions to modern everyday life.
Israel is a country with deep religious roots. It is considered the homeland of the Jewish people. In this book, young readers will be introduced to Israel’s devout people, historic landmarks, and foods that create an interesting and unique cultural heritage.
A country of open fields, Ireland is known for its agriculture. It is also known for its unique step dancing and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. This book teaches children about life in a country of lush green land and lively, laid-back people.
India is the place to find the stunning Taj Mahal and the world’s tallest peak, Mount Everest. Mount Everest rises nearly 5 miles into the sky! Children will learn all about India, a country known for mountains, curry, and the world’s second largest population.
For over a quarter century, Germany stood as a country divided. A huge concrete barrier known as the Berlin Wall physically divided the capital of Berlin. When the wall came down in 1989, Germany was reborn. Readers will learn what daily life is like today for the innovative and industrious people of Germany.
Egypt is one of the oldest countries in the world. People love to visit the ancient pyramids outside of Cairo, the capital of Egypt. Thousands of years ago, pharaohs ruled Egypt, and people mummified many pharaohs after they died. Students will read all about mummy museums, school and work life in Egypt, and how Egyptians use the Nile River in their daily lives. Blastoff! Series
Cuba is a group of several islands. Long ago, one of the islands was called Treasure Island because it was a home base for many Caribbean pirates. Young readers will learn about life in modern Cuba—the school system, the delicious food, and the vibrancy of Cuban culture.
America’s northern neighbor, Canada, is similar to the United States in many ways but also very different. Kids will learn about Canada’s diverse wildlife as well as some of its biggest cities such as Toronto and Vancouver. They will read about what school is like for kids in Canada, how people often speak both English and French, and how Canadians enjoy playing hockey.
There are many different kinds of forests that have many different kinds of trees. Discover what trees are found in each kind of forest and how dead trees help young trees grow. Blastoff! Series
Iraq gets a lot of bad publicity. People hear regularly about the country’s troubles without learning about its achievements. For example, you’ve maybe never heard that Iraqis invented the wheel, sailboat, and plow! This title takes young readers past news headlines to tell the full story of Iraq.
