Weather changes from day to day and season to season. But what exactly is weather and how is it created? Readers will discover the answers to these questions and many other weather wonders. Bright, full-color photographs, inviting text, and engaging questions introduce readers to the different types of weather in our world and how it affects our lives.
From gentle showers to heavy downpours and slow flurries to hail, this appealing title will be a hit with readers rain or shine! Readers will learn the basic concepts of the water cycle, the features of different kinds of precipitation, and the role temperature has in determining what falls from our clouds.
Temperature is a measure of how hot or cold something is. Temperature affects our lives from the clothes we wear to the activities we do. This engaging and entertaining title inspires a solid understanding of this essential concept. Readers also discover how a thermometer is used to measure temperature using units called degrees.
What are Forests? brings to life the wondrously complex and diverse ecosystems found in forests around the world. Intricate relationships and concepts are explained in a simple way with the help of beautiful color photographs. Children will be fascinated by the earth's many types of forests, the elements that make up a forest ecosystem, the wide range of plant and animal species that live in different forests, and the importance of forests to the rest of the Earth.
The constantly changing ecosystems of salt and freshwater wetlands support an amazing variety of wildlife species. Children will be intrigued by the fascinating animals that depend on wetlands, such as alligators and hippopotamuses, and the plants that grow there. This engaging book investigates swamps, salt marshes, and flood plains, the many plants and animals that live in wetlands, and the threats to these ecosystems and their wildlife.
Biomes are the major communities of plants and animals in our world. Children will love learning about life in everything from the chilly arctic tundra biome to dry, grassy savannahs.
Spotlight on the Philippines introduces this fascinating country in the Pacific Ocean, which is made up of over 7,000 islands. Children will learn about the daily lives of the people and the country's unique culture festivals and dances.
Spotlight on Italy introduces children to a country that has influenced the world throughout history. Children will be taken on a tour of the country from the towering Alps to the sandy beaches of the Mediterranean islands. The daily lives of modern Italians is also presented along with their customs and traditions.
Spotlight on Russia gives children a fascinating introduction to the largest country in the world, which is part of two continents! Wonderful photographs feature Russias many diverse people, its unique plants and animals, and its dramatic landscape, including beautiful Lake Baikal. The traditions and symbols of Russia are also featured from classical ballet to the Moscow circus.
Spotlight on Brazil introduces children to the country of Brazil, where almost half the population of South America lives. Children will read about Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, the daily lives of Brazilians in the cities, and why the way of life of native peoples in the Amazon rain forest is being changed forever.
Spotlight on South Africa introduces readers to this vast country, from Table Mountain to the grasslands, where elephants, lions, and other wildlife live in protected parks. The daily lives and family traditions of the mix of people and cultures that make up South Africa today are highlighted. A special section features the joyful celebration of the World Cup of soccer held in South Africa in 2010.
Spotlight on Japan reveals the beauty of this island nation, from its bamboo forests to its majestic mountains. The everyday life of the modern Japanese people is highlighted along with traditional festivals and more modern leisure activities, such as manga and karaoke. Children will also be fascinated to learn about the way of life of the ancient samurai warrior.
Colorful photographs highlight this captivating look at Indonesia. A country of 17,508 islands, Indonesia is a visual wonderland of rain forests, mountains, pristine beaches, and over 150 active volcanoes. Children will be amazed by fascinating customs and celebrations and photographs of Komodo Dragons, Sumatran tigers, and orangutans.
Children will be delighted by exciting images of pyramids and mummies in this introduction to one of the worlds oldest civilizations. Spotlight on Egypt covers everything from this country's ancient history under the ruling pharaohs to the customs and traditions of its people today. Egypt's wildlife and the importance of the Nile River and Sahara Desert are also highlighted.
Spotlight on Canada introduces children to Canada's multicultural people, its varied landscapes and climates, its exciting cities, and its joyful celebrations. A huge country with only one neighbor, the United States, Canada is divided into provinces and territories. French and English are its two official languages, and its rich history goes back to its French and English roots. This colorful book celebrates the diversity of this great country!
Mexico is the southern neighbor of the United States. It is a country with a rich history and culture, a warm climate, diverse landscapes, and a variety of wildlife. From Mayan pyramids to busy cities to happy fiestas, Spotlight on Mexico offers a joyful experience to young readers. The book also includes recipes of some favorite Mexican foods that children will love to make!
Plants are living things that grow and change. Over time, plants have made remarkable adaptations to suit the habitats in which they live. Simple text and beautiful images highlight how plants have adapted to life in the Arctic, in aquatic environments, and in other habitats such as those in deserts and grasslands.
Changing Seasons clearly explains the fascinating changes that take place in nature every year. This vibrant book takes an in-depth look at why there are four seasons, the patterns that appear in each season, and how these changes affect both plants and animals.
In this beautifully photographed book, Bobbie Kalman takes children on a tour of different coasts, where they can ride some breathtaking ocean waves or meet underwater animals that live in nearby coral reefs. Children will also be introduced to some amazing coastal cities and learn about famous coastal rock formations.
Young readers will be fascinated to learn about how mountains are created and change. Through breathtaking photographs, they will wonder at Earths majestic mountains and meet some of the people and animals that live in the often-harsh environment so high above the ground.
Why do people need rivers? What causes rivers to flood? These are just a few of the questions answered by this fascinating introduction to rivers.
Minerals are chemicals that are the building blocks of rocks. Metals, crystals, and gemstones are all minerals found in rocks. This interesting book describes how to identify minerals, where they can be found, the rock cycle process, the uses of minerals, and how they are mined.
Rock collecting is a hobby that is easy to start. This engaging book describes how to dig, where you can and can't dig (restricted in national parks), the necessary equipment, how to identify rocks and gems, and the proper recording and storage of your collection.
What is the Rock Cycle describes the natural transformation of one type of rock into others. Beginning with igneous rocks made in volcanic eruptions, rock is weathered and eroded gradually to form a sediment. This sediment is then deposited and pressed into layers making sedimentary rocks. These in turn are transformed by heat and pressure into metamorphic rocks. Heat makes these melt into magma which, together with molten rock from the core of the Earth, make new igneous rocks.
It all starts with erosion for sedimentary rock. Worn down bits of rock become pressed together under pressure into strata, or layers. The formation of rock such as sandstone, shale, limestone, and dolomite is explained in this fact-filled book. Readers will also learn that this type of rock is useful in determining the Earths geological history because its layers often hold fossils and other geological clues.
