Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto is known for leading the first European expedition to discover - and cross - the Mississippi River. This intriguing book describes his career beginning with being a leader in the Spanish conquests of Central America and Peru, making first contact with the Inca emperor Atahuallpa, and being made the governor of Cuba. He was also a fierce and controversial explorer, who was involved in many conflicts with the Native Americans who lived in the lands he explored and conquered.
This fascinating book follows the expeditions in Africa of Scottish missionary David Livingstone, to find the source of the Nile River, and British-American journalist Henry Stanley, to find the lost Livingstone. Historical information and high-interest fact boxes are presented in an appealing tabloid style that guides readers through major journeys, explorations, and discoveries. Topics include why Europeans were eager to explore Africa, how Livingstone lost touch with the outside world, Stanley's mission to find Livingstone, contact with local African peoples and Arab slave traders, and Livingstone's eventual death.
Floods are natural disasters that can be brought on by severe weather. In this informative title readers will learn about what causes flooding, different types of floods, where they most often occur, flood warnings and alerts, and what we can do before, during, and after floods occur to stay safe.
Dark clouds fill the sky, rain falls hard, lightning flashes, and thunder booms - it's a thunderstorm! In this interesting title young readers will learn thunderstorm basics, including how, when, and where thunderstorms occur, how scientists predict thunderstorms and issue severe weather warnings, and how to prepare for and stay safe before, during, and after a thunderstorm occurs.
What is tornado alley and where in the world is it? Why are tornados called “twisters”? This dynamic title answers these questions and more as readers discover what tornadoes look like, how, when, and where they most often form, how scientists predict and track them, and the safety steps they can take before, during, and after a tornado touches down.
This informative book shows young readers how and why long periods of hot weather occur, where and when heat waves happen most often, and how extreme heat can be dangerous to people and animals. Readers will also learn about water shortages, droughts, and fire hazards, the equipment that meteorologists use to forecast heat waves, and techniques to stay safe during times of extreme heat.
Vibrant, full-color photographs and accessible text help introduce young readers to hurricanes. Readers will learn how warm water and wind combine to form these powerful storms, which parts of the world are most affected and when, and what steps to take to prepare for these severe weather events.
Blizzards bring blowing snow, bitter temperatures, and big snow drifts! This cool title introduces young readers to blizzard basics, including how, when, and where blizzards most often occur, how scientists predict blizzards and issue warnings, and what readers can do before, during, and after a blizzard to stay safe.
This informative book explains how Earth is covered by landforms and bodies of water, all of which change shape over time. Interesting images feature landforms such as mountains, valleys, and sand dunes, as well as waterways such as oceans, rivers, and ponds. Children will learn how they develop and why they change.
This exciting book explains how the shape of Earth can change with the sudden movement of Earth's crust or when molten rock explodes out of an opening in Earth's surface. Young readers will be fascinated to discover how volcanoes form - destroying the landscape and creating new landforms at the same time. They will also learn about tectonic plates and fault lines, the damage earthquakes can cause, and how to stay safe when an earthquake happens.
This fascinating book explains how the shape of Earth is changed by weathering and erosion - the breaking down of rocks and minerals which are then carried from one place to another by water, ice, wind, and gravity. It is this movement that carves out valleys, causes trees to topple over, and creates or destroys good farmland. Examples of changes to landforms help show young readers the effects of weathering and erosion, which can happen quickly or sometimes take centuries!
Read about the things that change outdoors with the season, including the hours of sunlight and the temperature.
The only way we can learn about dinosaurs is by studying their fossils. Read about how comparing fossils shows us how different dinosaurs moved, what foods they ate, and how they protected themselves.
Starting with the Sun, this book looks at a desert food chain in the Sonoran desert in the United States, from a prickly pear cactus to a coyote.
Starting with the Sun, this book looks at an ocean food chain in Antarctica, from tiny plants called plankton to a large whale called an orca.
Starting with the Sun, this book looks at a pond food chain, from duckweed plants to a bird called a heron.
Starting with the Sun, this book looks at a food chain in a Central American rainforest, from a pea plant to a wild cat called an ocelot.
This Spanish and English bilingual book takes you on a trip around the world to compare the many different places where people live and work, from big, busy cities to small, remote villages.
People make their homes in all kinds of places around the world. This Spanish and English bilingual book looks at the different places where we live, from busy high-rise apartment buildings to remote yurts.
This Spanish and English bilingual book takes you on a journey around the world to see what the daily lives of people in other countries are like, from what they wear to how they have fun.
Throughout history, people have been drawn to living beside rivers for easy transportation, drinking water, agriculture, and food sources. This captivating book compares the everyday lives of people who live along rivers around the world, describing the homes they live in and how they use the resources in their environment provided by the river.
Oceans and seas have long attracted human settlement because they offer a rich food source and access to faraway places for trade. This beautiful book features examples of the everyday lives of people who live on and by oceans and seas, such as the Moken people who live in houseboats in a group of islands near Myanmar.
Mountain life can be difficult, but people all over the world have adapted to the extremes of weather and temperature that are a part of living at high altitudes. This insightful book looks at how people who live in mountain habitats farm, raise animals, and survive in harsh environments.
Islands do not always contain everything needed for human survival. This amazing book takes a look at the unique problems of living on land surrounded by water. Beautiful photos help show how island dwellers have survived and adapted over centuries to living on island habitats in such places as New Zealand, Hawaii, and Iceland.
Forests have long provided people with the resources they need to survive. This interesting book describes the ways people have adapted to living in different kinds of forest habitats and climates around the world. Vibrant images help illustrate the unique homes and ways of life of various forest dwellers, such as the Korowai people of Indonesia who live in treehouses in the rain forest.
