Imagine your family had to choose between sending you to school or having enough food to eat. This book tells how William Kamkwamba was forced to drop out of his school in Wimbe, Malawi, when a famine struck his village and his family, who relied on farming, could no longer afford his tuition fee. Instead of giving up on his education, William visited his local library often. It was here that he read a book about wind power. At the age of 14, William used what he learned from the book to build a windmill that brought power to his family’s home. He has since built his village’s first drinking water pump. William’s ingenuity, perseverance, and initiative are an inspiration to many people around the world.
Wild animals are facing huge challenges in the natural world today. Many are endangered - some critically. This eye-opening book shows how animals are being threatened by habitat loss, climate change, non-native species taking over their habitats, pollution, over-fishing, poaching, collisions with cars and boats, and human diseases. Many recovery efforts are in progress to bring back the populations of some nearly extinct animals and to reintroduce some captive ones to their natural habitats. Readers will learn how scientists are working to save blue iguanas in the Cayman Islands, black-footed ferrets in the Canadian prairies, penguins and albatross in Patagonia, and great apes in Africa. This engaging book also encourages students to compare their life challenges to those of animals in the wild.
Foxes, rabbits, mongooses, rats, starlings, turtles, Burmese pythons, and Asian carp are just a few of the invasive animals introduced by people into countries and ecosystems to which they do not belong. This important book describes how these animals are destroying habitats and endangering the lives of native animals, some of which have been brought close to extinction. Students will learn how some arrived accidentally on boats, while others were brought in by people, to be used either as a form of pest control on farms, for hunting or hobbies, or as pets that sometimes get abandoned in the wild by owners. Many native animals, such as raccoons, squirrels, and coyotes have also become invaders in cities, back yards, and homes. Students can research invasive species in their areas and help find ways to stop these wild invaders from taking over the natural habitat.
Earth's surface is constantly being changed by heat, water, ice, salt, plants, and animals. Sometimes the changes are destructive to human activities such as farming and the building of structures. This interesting title shows the different ways people try to stop or reduce this change in the land. Examples feature such structures as dikes to hold back water and windbreaks, and adding shrubs, grass, and trees to an area of land to prevent erosion. Teacher’s guide available.
Animals are endangered in many kinds of habitats and for different reasons. This intriguing book looks at why some animals have become endangered due to changes in their habitat. Examples include animals in the Arctic that rely on ice for hunting face the challenge of melting ice due to climate change, the populations of animals born only on particular islands and nowhere else are shrinking, and many kinds of ocean animals are being poisoned by water pollution. Ideas are included to encourage readers to help protect these endangered animals and their habitats.
Tia’s mom is always telling her not to waste water. But why is this so important? Follow her story and find out why water is precious and what small steps we can all take to help save it.
Molly’s bedroom is a mess and her toys are everywhere. She trips over one of them and hurts her knee, so she decides to sort through her toys to see which ones are worth keeping. Follow her story and find out why Molly's mom won’t let her just throw her toys away, and how we should reuse, repair, and share our things.
Leo is sad that trees were cut down in nearby woods to make way for new houses. He has lost his special place to play, but more importantly, many animals have lost their homes. Follow his story and find out about the loss of animal habitats, the problem of climate change, and the small steps we can take to protect the planet and its wildlife.
Tom and his mom usually drive to school, but they always get stuck in traffic. Follow his story and find out what happens when Tom walks to school, and why walking is so much better for our planet—and ourselves!
Nasir and Nadir are making a robot for their school’s junk model competition. They must use garbage that can be recycled. So just what can they use, and what will happen to the garbage they throw away? Follow their story to find out why we should use less plastic, what happens at landfill sites, and how we can reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Amara’s dad says they shouldn’t waste food. But why is this such a big problem? Follow their story and find out what happens to food waste, what can be composted, and how to reduce the amount of food we throw away.
For decades, as the monarch butterflies swooped through every year like clockwork, people from Canada to the United States to Mexico wondered, "Where do they go?" In 1976 the world learned the answer: after migrating thousands of miles, the monarchs roost by the millions in an oyamel grove in Central Mexico's mountains. But who solved this mystery? Was it the scientist or the American adventurer? The citizen scientists or the teacher or his students? Winged Wonders shows that the mystery could only be solved when they all worked as a team--and reminds readers that there's another monarch mystery today, one that we all must work together to solve.
Rusty boats litter the ground. The smell of dead fish fills the air. Who would believe the Salton Riviera was once a popular vacation spot? Once host to thousands of beachgoers, the area now sits empty. This high-interest book will outline just what caused the community’s decline. Special features such as maps, timelines, and fun facts add even more to this interesting title.
Six Flags New Orleans was once a thriving theme park. But today, rusted rides rise over the swampy, alligator-infested ponds. The park is abandoned. This title explores the park from the day it opened to its fall after Hurricane Katrina. An attention-grabbing opening narrative gives way to haunting photos as well as a map, a timeline, and fascinating fun facts.
A long howl rises over the dark forest. It is a gray wolf calling for its pack! Gray wolves are intelligent creatures whose bodies and behaviors are adapted to thrive in the forest biome. This title features low-level text and striking photos to take readers on a journey into the life of a gray wolf. Maps and other features show off range, conservation status, life span, and diet.
Animals in Danger! Chimpanzees introduces young readers to these animals that are facing a fight for survival. With stunning photos and simple text, the profiles how this animal lives, why it is endangered, and what is being done to help.
Animals in Danger! SeaTurtles introduces young readers to these animals that are facing a fight for survival. With stunning photos and simple text, the profiles how this animal lives, why it is endangered, and what is being done to help.
Animals in Danger! Orangutans introduces young readers to these animals that are facing a fight for survival. With stunning photos and simple text, the profiles how this animal lives, why it is endangered, and what is being done to help.
Animals in Danger! Sea Otters introduces young readers to these animals that are facing a fight for survival. With stunning photos and simple text, the profiles how this animal lives, why it is endangered, and what is being done to help.
Readers bored with seeing the same information on renewable energy will love the focus on relevant contemporary examples in this book. How does solar power give energy to medical clinics in Ghana or cut fossil fuel use in Australia? Infographics make finding detailed information easy and interesting.
From urban design that suits the local landscape to zero-carbon living, this fascinating book looks at how cities around the world are adapting to environmental change. Readers are presented with real-life, eco-city solutions to issues such as water use in times of drought, and why green spaces matter.
How many uses can you find for an old glass jam jar? This engaging book looks at the always topical issues of managing our waste in a world with finite resources. Infographic details provide ready facts such as how much energy recycling one tin can provides and what that energy can be used for.
The survival of the giant panda depends on the survival of its only food: bamboo. Habitat loss from the destruction of bamboo forests in south central China where they live made the giant panda a vulnerable species. This book tells how habitat conservation and the creation of borrowing-and-breeding programs with zoos around the world kept the beloved bear from extinction.
The only remaining wild population of whooping cranes breeds in Canada and winters in the United States. The story of their recovery is a tale of cross-border cooperation and the work of a team of international biologists. Readers will be able to chart their course and determine the elements of this successful recovery plan.
Listed as a threatened species in 1975, the grizzly bears near Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming have made a remarkable recovery. Intriguing text and vibrant images will draw readers into the story of the bear's decline due to human interaction and habitat loss, and the strategies put in place that helped it return.