Political maps are often the first kind of maps children learn about. These maps identify the boundaries of countries, states or provinces, and cities, as well as such physical features as lakes and oceans. Detailed, up-to-date maps and clearly written text help readers understand how to use political maps to solve problems.
Changing Weather: Storms is an exciting book that introduces kids to the kinds of storms that take place each year. Large, full-color images of storms such as hurricanes, tornadoes, thunderstorms, and blizzards accompany clear explanations of how different storms develop and the kinds of effects these storms have on the lives of people and animals. Kids will also learn about storm safety and ways they can help their families be prepared. Changing Weather: Storms provides detailed information on three important elements of most storms: clouds, precipitation, and wind, the water cycle and its part in the development of storms, the role of updrafts and downdrafts in the creation of thunderstorms and many other storms, and the ways in which meteorologists study storms and how their knowledge can help save lives.
This informative title introduces readers to four of the states that make up the Southwest region of the United States: Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. The Southwest has many people of Hispanic descent as well as Native-American people from nations such as the Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, and Apache. Readers will discover how the climate, population distribution, history, and culture of this region make it distinct.
Extreme weather has increasingly played a destructive role on planet Earth. Thirteen kinds of disasters are featured in this amazing book, showing the process and science of each weather-related disaster from the conditions that triggered it to its dire consequences. Topics include hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, wildfires, and droughts. superstorms
A seemingly barren, harsh, and cold wilderness, the often icy tundra appears to support little life. However, peel back the corners of this fascinating biome and you will be amazed by the living organisms that thrive within one of Earth's toughest environments. Discover the living things that function within the tundra, from polar bears and caribou to seabirds and foxes. Explore tundras all over the world and find out what you can do to help protect the riches of these mysterious places.
Swamps, bogs, marshes, and estuaries - wetlands come in a variety of forms and are vital for many organisms around the world. Peel back the corners of a wetland and find out what lives there, from herons and algae to alligators and jaguars. Learn how these organisms operate in their delicate ecosystems. Discover, too, where in the world wetlands are found and what you can do to help protect these rich, diverse lands.
Wade into rivers and lakeswatery underwater worlds teeming with plant and animal life. These biomes provide a home filled with all the elements their inhabitants need for survival. Peel back a corner of these amazing ecosystems to discover the incredible organisms that function within them and around them, from microorganisms and plants to fish and the mammals that feed on them. Explore rivers and lakes all over the world and find out what you can do to help protect the riches of these wonderful waterways.
Step into the forest - a vast, green landscape of trees and plants, home to countless animals. Peel back the corners of the forest to discover the incredible organisms that live in this ecosystem, from insects and birds to deer and bears. Learn how each organism functions within its forest ecosystem and how it survives in one of the most diverse biomes on Earth. Find out, too, where forests are found all around the world and what you can do to help protect one of Earths most precious resources.
Step onto an islandland surrounded by water, a habitat for land-living organisms as well as creatures that visit from their ocean homes. Peel back the corners of the island to discover the incredible organisms that live in this ecosystem, from lizards and birds to possums and bats. Discover how each organism functions within its island home, and the fight for survival that takes place when these delicate ecosystems are threatened. Learn, too, where in the world islands are found and what you can do to help protect these beautiful and precious places.
From sunlit surface water that teems with life to the deepest, darkest depths filled with some of Earth's most unusual creatures, oceans are home to a wide array of life. Peel back the corners of the ocean to find out what fascinating life exists within this ecosystem, from Earth's biggest animal, the blue whale, to tiny organisms, such as kelp. Discover where the world's oceans are and what you can do to help protect our planets rich waters.
Step into the desert - a dry, dusty place with little water and vegetation. What could live in this hostile environment? Peel back the corners of the desert to discover the incredible organisms that survive in this ecosystem, from scorpions and cacti to musk oxen and seals. Find out how deserts work as a system, carving out an existence in one of the most extreme biomes on Earth. Learn, too, how deserts are found all around the world and what you can do to help protect these amazing wildernesses.
Huge, far-reaching landscapes of swaying grass or shrubs, grasslands support a whole host of organisms and are one of the most important biomes for people, too. Peel back the corners of the grassland to find out how many different organisms rely upon this ecosystem for survival, from elephants and gazelles to prairie dogs and horses. Discover how each organism functions within its grassland ecosystem, and learn about the daily fight for survival that takes place in these huge hunting grounds. Explore grasslands all over the world and find out what you can do to help protect these rich and varied landscapes.
Let's climb a mountain - a towering, sky-scraping world that reaches high above Earths surface. What can live so high up where it is harder to breathe and the hillsides are steep? A whole ecosystem of life! Peel back the corners of a mountain to discover the incredible organisms that live in this ecosystem, from wolves and birds to frogs and goats. Find out how they work as a system, carving out an existence in one of the most remote biomes on Earth. Learn, too, where mountains are found all around the world and what you can do to help protect these amazing wildernesses.
By the time Superstorm Sandy had hit New York City on October 22, 2012, it had left a trail of death and destruction across the Caribbean and the eastern seaboard of the United States. Affecting 24 U.S. states, Sandy is the second-costliest superstorm in United States history. This informative book follows the timeline of the superstorm and features personal accounts by those who experienced the destruction in many New York City and New Jersey neighborhoods. Topics include how Superstorm Sandy developed, the response by state and federal relief agencies, the effects on air travel, subway transit, electricity, and the New York Stock Exchange, and the recovery and rebuilding.
Maps can show more than just cities - they can also show you what the landscape looks like in different areas. Physical maps use colors and symbols to identify landscape features like forests, plains, valleys, deserts, mountains, and bodies of water. Full-color maps and accessible text help readers understand the specific features of physical maps.
Take a globe for spin or explore the pages in an atlas these resources can provide a wealth of information about our world. This appealing title takes a visual approach to geographical inquiry. Readers learn about the history of globes and atlases and how they are created. Practical, hands-on activities help readers learn to use these important resources.
Do you want to know what the weather is like in different parts of the world? Climate maps can help. In this book, readers will learn to read climate maps to discover different climate zones, microclimates, and the average temperature and precipitation levels of places around the world. They will also identify the features that characterize climate maps and how these maps can be used to track climate change.
This exciting book describes the geological makeup and history of the Mojave Desert in the United States. Located in the states of California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona, there are several national parks in the desert including Death Valley, the hottest place in North America. Readers will learn about the people, plants, and animals such as cougars, scorpions, and rattlesnakes that inhabit this desert habitat. The Mojave Desert is also a windy place where wind farms have been set up to generate electricity. Special sections describe the desert's natural resources, such as borax, silver, and gold, and the unique problems facing this region.
The history of human activity in the Rocky Mountain range is as colorful as its scenic natural wonders. It has been witness to the decimation of Native peoples, the westward expansion of European settlers, the frenzied activity of several gold rushes, and the blazing of transcontinental railways. This fascinating book describes the geological makeup and history of the Rocky Mountains, as well as the cultures and ways of life of the people in the United States and Canada who live in its shadow. Special sections also describe the plants and animals that thrive in this mountain habitat, as well as the unique problems facing this region.
This fascinating book describes the geological makeup and history of the Atacama Desert in Chile. One of the driest areas of the world - some parts never receive any rain - the desert's climate can be cold, sometimes producing snow and fog. Readers will be fascinated to learn that the Atacama's soil is so similar to soil samples from Mars that NASA goes to this desert to test its exploration instruments. NASA has also set up its Earth-Mars Cave Detection Program in the Atacama, too. Special sections also describe the desert's natural resources and unique problems facing this region, as well as the people, plants, and animals that inhabit this desert habitat.
The Ural Mountains form a natural boundary called the "Stone Belt" between Europe and Asia. Rich in mineral deposits, the Urals have long been a major source of industry for Russia. This fascinating book describes the geological makeup and history of the Ural mountain range, as well as the cultures and ways of life of the people in Russia and Kazakhstan who live in its shadow. Special sections also describe the plants and animals that thrive in this mountain habitat, as well as the unique problems facing this region.
This amazing book describes the geological makeup and history of the Great Victoria Desert in Australia. Used in modern times for mining and testing of atomic bombs, this vast, sandy area has been home to a number of indigenous peoples for thousands of years. Although there is little rain, the blooms with a variety of plants. Readers will learn about the Mamungari Conservation Park located in the Great Victoria Desert, which is known for a eucalyptus tree called Ooldea mallee with large, spectacular red, pink, or yellow flowers. Special sections also describe the desert's natural resources, as well as the unique problems facing this region such as the introduction of non-native species of animals.
Running almost the full length of South America on its western coast, the Andes is the longest continental mountain range in the world. This remote and harsh environment saw the rise and fall of one of the great ancient civilizations of the world, the Incas. This fascinating book describes the geological makeup and history of the Andes mountain range, and how it is intertwined with the cultures and ways of life of the people in South America who live in its shadow. Special sections also describe the plants and animals that thrive in this mountain habitat, as well as the unique problems facing this region.
Home of two of the world's highest peaks - Mount Everest and K2 - the Himalayas are both revered and feared by mountaineers around the world. This fascinating book describes the geological makeup and history of the Himalaya mountain range, and how it is intertwined with the cultures and ways of life of the people in South Asia who live in its shadow. Special sections also describe the plants and animals that thrive in this mountain habitat, as well as the unique problems facing this region.
The Great Appalachian Valley, a major land form of the Appalachian mountains, played an important role in the early history of the United States. Routes through the valley, first made by Native Americans, made the mountains passable, later allowing European immigrants to expand colonization of the region. This fascinating book describes the geological makeup and history of the mountain ranges that form the Appalachians, and the people in the United States and Canada who live in their shadows. Special sections also describe the plants and animals that thrive in these mountain habitats, as well as the unique problems facing this region.
