For five days every fall, India shines especially bright. The occasion is Diwali, the country’s Festival of Lights. Clay lamps, fireworks and sparklers, and colorful rangoli sand art all add visual brilliance. The Diwali celebration will come alive in this early elementary read.
Christmas is a holiday of symbols. Evergreen trees stand for life in the dead of winter. Nativity scenes remind Christians of Jesus’s birthday. Santa Claus is the image of cheerful gift-giving. In this title, young readers will discover the meaning behind a few popular Christmastime traditions.
Pushing ahead and moving anything in its way, the bulldozer is a bladed beast. And a blade is often not the only sharp tool on this machine. A claw-like ripper can pierce through hard ground. This elementary title will push students to grow as readers.
How can aircraft carriers support heavy jets and helicopters without sinking? Why do cruise ships the size of cities stay afloat, but submarines often disappear underwater? This title answers the questions bobbing in young readers’ minds as they learn about a fleet of diverse ships.
Often called Turkey Day, Thanksgiving is a scary time to be a gobbler. The bird is often at the center of the celebration, but unfortunately in the center of the table for feasting. In this title, young readers will learn about the President’s annual turkey pardon and other fun Thanksgiving facts.
You could say the best is saved for last when it comes to Chinese New Year. The Lantern Festival stands as the holiday’s grand finale. Dragon and lion puppets dance by day. At night, glowing lanterns float on water and across sky. This introduction to China’s most famous celebration will mesmerize beginning readers.
In need of a giant hauler? Bring in the dump truck! The big truck looks very much like a heavy-duty sandbox on wheels. It moves dirt, rocks, and other loose loads. This book geared toward beginning readers spills basic facts about dump trucks.
Spinning the dreidel. This is what many Jewish children most look forward to during Haunukkah. A twirl of the four-sided dice-like top can earn a candy jackpot! Young readers will learn how to play this game and how it connects to the eight-day celebration of light.
Did you know that a canine appears in Jumanji, The Polar Express, and other Chris Van Allsburg books? He’s a white bull terrier named Fritz. In this low-level biography, developing readers will find inspiration for using their imaginations to combine the normal and the unexpected.
With lights flashing and siren blaring, a fire truck can make a dramatic entrance. And it often has to. There are fires to put out and people to save! The bright red rescue machines featured in this title will capture the full attention of young readers.
Revving up a ramp and then flying over parked cars. This is just one monster truck stunt. The supercharged machine exists to show off, and to do so in extreme fashion. The monster trucks in this book will shock elementary-age readers with their jumps, spins, and more!
Black, red, and green. These are the colors of Kwanzaa, the celebration of African-American culture. Black represents African heritage. And red and green stand for the hard times of the past and hope for the future. Beginning readers will learn some Swahili as they read about the seven days of Kwanzaa.
Relatable characters are the stars of Christopher Paul Curtis works. He never wants children, especially African-American children, to struggle to connect with books. That was the challenge of his childhood. This look at Curtis’s rise to award-winning author will motivate beginning readers.
Trash cans and dumpsters are the weights garbage trucks lift with their robotic arms. Once lifted, the bins lose their weight, being flipped upside down and emptied into the trucks’ hoppers. In this low-level title, children will pick up a basic knowledge of garbage trucks.
Boom and jib. These are two crane parts with fun names. They are the long arms of the machine, moving to lift heavy materials to skyscraper heights. In this low-level read, children will learn how the many parts of a crane work together to build towering structures.
Up for almost any job, a tractor is a dependable farmhand. This field machine plows, plants, and bales hay, among other things. It also lets many different pieces of farm equipment hitch a ride. The powerful tractors rolling through this book will pull along beginning readers.
Often racing at high speeds, police cars command attention on the road. Their blue and red lights signal other cars to either pull over or get out of the way. This book will offer young students the thrills of an exciting ride-along in a cop car.
A car breaks down on the road and the driver pulls over to call a tow truck. The tow truck will take the car to a repair shop! Find out the different parts of a tow truck and how it is able to transport other vehicles. Blastoff! Series
The Arctic Ocean is the smallest ocean in the world. Located on the North Pole, it touches Asia, Europe, and North America. For many months, the sun does not rise over the Arctic, and when summer arrives, the ice barely melts! Young readers will enjoy finding out more about this unfamiliar ocean and its impact on the world.
The Southern Ocean, also known as the Antarctic Ocean, was not officially recognized as a distinct body of water until the year 2000. Krill, lantern fish, and whales can all be found in this oceans chilly waters. Explore the Southern Oceans climate, currents, and sea life in this engaging title for beginning readers.
Covering nearly one-third of Earths surface, the Pacific Ocean is a treasure trove of natural resources and is home to many magnificent creatures. The Pacific Ocean has the deepest ocean trench called the Challenger Deep. Its more than 35,800 feet below the surface! Learn more about the largest ocean in this exciting title for young readers.
Submarine volcanoes and giant mountain chains lie deep below the Indian Oceans surface. Where the Indian Ocean ends has been debated, but its indisputably nestled between Africa, Asia, and Australia. Prone to torrential rain and cyclones, the Indian Ocean will enthrall curious minds!
For hundreds of years, travelers have braved the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, often trying to steer clear of the mysterious Bermuda Triangle! Islands have formed from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge located deep below the Atlantic Oceans surface. Discover more about the Atlantic Ocean and grasp important geography terms in this title for young students.
Adventurous travelers will have a blast visiting South America. Crocodiles swim along the Amazon River, and baby sea turtles waddle toward sea for their first swim near the Galapagos Islands! Pineapples, mangoes, rich coffee beans, and unique spices are just a few of the delectable treats students can learn about in this colorful title on South America.
Earths highest and lowest surface points can be found in Asia, the largest continent. Travelers flock to Asia to gaze upon the Great Wall and the Taj Mahal. Some even aspire to climb Mount Everest! Pick up this book to discover more about this continent that is home to more than four billion people.
