Whether going for a sail or hitting the road on anything with wheels, you may need to thank the people from Mesopotamia. Did you know this ancient civilization inspired and invented a lot of things that we can still find in our modern lives? The Cradle of Civilization brought us board games and astrology, maps and soap, and so much more. But there are some things we may be glad to leave behind in Mesopotamia, such harsh penalties for breaking the law (death!) and an alphabet that included 700 letters (think of that alphabet song!). Discover extreme facts about Mesopotamia in this fun and kooky book.
In the wake of the September 11, 2001, terror attacks on the World Trade Center, true heroes emerged. Follow New York City Police Officer Moira Smith who witnessed the attacks firsthand and immediately jumped into action. She sacrificed her own life to provide the guiding light that helped hundreds out of the south tower in the minutes leading up to its collapse. Based on the true story and in honor of Officer Moria Smith. Additional material provides an overview of the events of the day and other stories of heroes at Ground Zero.
When Howard Sharpe spotted a group of southern sea otters floating off the coast of California, he was nearly as surprised as if he had seen a dinosaur. The otters were thought to be nearly extinct, and yet he spotted hundreds splashing in the water. Soon, Howard and other environmental activists sprang into action to make sure this once nearly extinct species didn't disappear forever. Follow along on this graphic adventure based on a true story about how fur-tastrophe was avoided in the southern sea otter comeback. Then, learn more about southern sea otters and other marine mammals in danger.
In the midst of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, true heroes emerged. Follow passengers aboard United Airlines flight 93 as they fought back against hijackers who took over their plane. The passengers' determination and heroism saved countless lives as they stopped the plane from reaching its intended destination. Based on the true story and in honor of the heroes aboard flight 93. Additional material provides an overview of the events of the day and other stories of heroism.
As reports came in of planes crashing into the World Trade Center, heroes sprang into action. Follow two EMS workers scrambling to help survivors at Ground Zero on September 11, 2001, based on a true story. The heroic first responders fought with bravery and determination to save lives amid the chaos. Based on the true story and in honor of an EMS team risking everything to help at Ground Zero. Additional material provides an overview of the events of the day and other stories of heroes at Ground Zero.
Welcome to the disaster zone where awful accidents kill people around the world. Follow along to see how a famous stuntman met his end at the hands (peel) of an orange, a harsh Greek lawmaker was killed by cloaks, and a groundbreaking balloonist died in a freak hot air balloon accident. There's no telling what other disastrous deaths await.
Welcome to the disaster zone where blundering bodies lead to the downfall of all who enter. Catch up with the famous philosopher who was killed by laughing, the Austrian mayor who experienced death by beard, and the polite astronomer who crossed his legs for just a little too long. What else might you expect from disastrous deaths?
Welcome to the disaster zone where frightful foods are killer. Discover the Swedish king who killed himself by stuffing his gut, the famous philosopher who was taken down by apricots, and how the love for beans killed in ancient Greece. There's so much to explore when it comes to disastrous deaths.
Welcome to the disaster zone where we can learn all about atrocious animal deaths. We'll see how the father of tragedy was killed by a tragic turtle, a gutsy soldier experienced death by elephant, and a king died from a monkey bite. There's no telling what other disastrous deaths await.
When terrorists struck the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, heroes stepped up. Follow canine Trakr and his handler James as they locate a survivor in the rubble more than a day after the towers fell. The search and rescue team from Canada was working beside many heroes responding to the attacks on 9/11. Based on the true story and in honor of the K9 and handler team who found the last survivor trapped at Ground Zero. Additional material provides an overview of the events of the day and other stories of canine heroism at Ground Zero.
How would you like to use a public toilet every time you had to go? Or compete in an Olympic wrestling event where the only rules were no biting or gauging? Well, that was life in ancient Greece! And if you think we're far removed from that life, you may be surprised to learn that a lot in our modern world was inspired by our ancient friends (from alarm clocks and odometers to democracy and art!). Discover extreme facts about ancient Greece in this fun and kooky book.
Did you know that the Ancient Romans ate while lying down? Or that they spread a sauce made of fish guts over their food? What about that gladiator sweat was sold as a beauty product in Ancient Rome? Travel along roads that are still around today (ones that were made by Romans over 2,000 years ago) or take a peek at the Declaration of Independence and you'll see the civilization's lasting influence today. Discover extreme facts about ancient Rome in this fun and kooky book.
Did you know the umbrella and toilet paper were both invented in China? Or that many ancient emperors believed they were descended from dragons? How about that kites were first used as warning signals in ancient China? Walk along miles and miles of the Great Wall, take a peek into terrific tombs, and stroll through some of the most amazing palaces ever built as you discover extreme facts about ancient China in this fun and kooky book.
Did you know ancient Egyptians would shave their eyebrows in mourning if their cats died? Or that the first pharaoh may have been killed by a trampling hippo? You may know that a mummy's brain was removed through its nose before the body was wrapped up. But did you know that the ancient Egyptians threw the brain away and kept the heart as the center of intelligence instead? Discover extreme facts about ancient Egypt in this fun and kooky book.
As flames rushed through the wooded hills near San Diego, California, people were forced to evacuate with what little they could take in a hurry. When the wildfire drew near, Nancy began packing up her pets. Dogs, cats, and birds alike jammed into her truck. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't save all of her beloved animals alone. Follow along as several heroes stepped in to help Nancy's furry and feathered family make it to safety in this graphic adventure of animal escapes. Then, learn about more rescuers who saved animals from wildfires.
Four days of heavy rain sent water rushing toward Jeff Johnson's Iowa pig farm, threatening to flood everything in its path. The high waters could easily sweep away the animals, but Jeff had no way to move all of his pigs out of harm's way. How would the pigs survive? Find out about the smart animals who found their way to safety and the farmers who helped to rescue them in this graphic adventure of animal escape. Then, learn about other animals made it away from rising flood waters.
Among the tombs at Saint Louis Cemetery Number One, lies the final resting place for the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans. But is this famous queen really at rest? Visitors flock to Marie Laveau's tomb to ask this powerful woman for favors from beyond the grave. Can the woman famous for calling on the spirits for help be providing help as a spirit? Find out in this graphic thriller. Then, learn about other creepy cemeteries.
When Hurricane Katrina raced toward the Gulf of Mexico, the animals at the Oceanarium in Gulfport, Mississippi stood in the path of one of nature's most vicious storms. Soon, the aquarium's beloved dolphins were swept away in the hurricane. How could the aquarium trainers possibly rescue these animals that had been washed out to sea? Learn about how they found all eight dolphins in this graphic adventure of animal escapes. Then, learn about more stunning animal rescues.
The sheriff of Bannack, Montana protected the townspeople from thieves and crooks. He was a hero during the gold rush . . . until he was falsely accused of helping the criminals. But would that stop him? How about how own death? Some say the stories of the ghost sheriff are just that--stories. But would you want to try and make trouble in this creepy ghost town? Find out more about the legendary sheriff in this graphic thriller. Then, learn about other spooky ghost towns.
Tom Fool, the court jester at Muncaster Castle, used to fill the old stone walls with screams of laughter . . . and fear. While some of his pranks were harmless, others sent visitors to their demise. And some say Tom never left the castle--even after his death. Is he still up to his old tricks? Find out in this graphic thriller. Then, learn about other haunted castles.
The devastating terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 sent the United States reeling and sparked a nearly decade-long hunt for the man behind the attacks. Follow U.S. Navy SEAL Team Six as on their dangerous mission to capture Osama bin Laden in this graphic depiction. Then, learn more about the SEALs and their gear.
The trembling ground frightened pandas in China's Wolong National Nature Preserve. The pandas scrambled up trees and into hiding places as the earthquake toppled structures and ripped apart trees, crumbling the preserve all around them. As soon as the earthquake subsided, teams of rescuers sprang into action to free the hurt and scared pandas from the surrounding rubble. Follow along in this graphic adventure of animal escape. Then, learn about more animals rescued from earthquakes.
Hurricane Katrina put the city of New Orleans underwater and threatened countless lives. But how do you reach those desperate to escape when water surrounds the city? From the sky! Follow U.S. Air Force pararescue jumper Keith Berry and his team as they fly into the flooded city and save those trapped by the hurricane in this graphic adventure. Then, learn more about pararescue jumpers and their gear.
In the hard-fought battles of war, a special group of soldiers handles some of the toughest missions. These elite U.S. Army Rangers played a pivotal role in Normandy, France, during the allied invasion on D-Day. Follow rangers Jack Kuhn and Leonard Lomell in this graphic adventure as these two men joined the fight to stop German troops during a victory that would become the turning point of World War II. Then, learn more about army rangers and their gear.
The night stalkers are some of the most elite members of the U.S. Army. Their dangerous missions frequently take them behind enemy lines. For Michael Durant, it was during one of these special ops missions when everything went wrong. Mike was captured behind enemy lines in war-torn Somalia. Follow along on the harrowing journey as Mike is captured and ultimately saved in this graphic story. Then, learn more about army night stalkers and their gear.
