As the world's largest land animals, elephants inspire awe in all of us - an awe that has led to myths of might and memory. Despite its immense strength, however, the elephant is a timid creature that uses its power only to defend itself against predators. Kids will learn many facts about these gentle pachyderms, including the social structure of elephants, in which the female is the leader, the animal's many dexterous uses for its trunk, the history of the elephant's even larger ancestors, including woolly mammoths, and the dangers that poaching, loss of habitat, and the ivory trade pose to the elephants future.
This up-to-date new book describes the alarming events of 2010 after an oil rig toppled over in the Gulf of Mexico releasing millions of gallons of oil into the water. The largest accidental oil spill in history, it killed untold numbers of wildlife, poisoned over a hundred miles of coastal land, and devastated the commercial fishing and tourism industries in an area still reeling from the destruction wreaked by Hurricane Katrina.
Bullying is about power and controlling another person. The two reader's theater-style plays in this book look at bullying first from two different viewpoints - that of the victim, and that of the bully. Young people will learn how to recognize it and how to change it.
People often tend to link their personal identity to their physical body. Two reader's theater-style plays focus on both male and female characters and their body images. Clarisse believes she is too fat and becomes obsessed with dieting. Sam's story focuses on a males impatience for change to occur - will he always be 411 and 98 pounds? Young people will learn that they may have more control over self-image than they imagine.
It's always important to appreciate how much we all have in common. But sometimes it's just as important to appreciate the ways in which we are different. A change of attitude is often needed when it comes to accepting diversity. These two reader's theater-style plays look at the personal consequences of rumors and bigotry.
For adolescents, a sense of belonging to a group is an essential step in self-discovery. And yet not all popular kids are stress-free. How others view us is important, but these two reader's theater-style plays help readers distinguish the difference between social acceptance and personal acceptance.
Resentment and compassion link these two reader's theater-style plays that help teach young people how to deal with real situations. Both deal with traumatic changes within a familya separation between the two most important people in a childs life and the loss of a home and a beloved furry family member.
A flashpoint is the critical stage in some process at which action - often violence - occurs. As young people will learn in these two reader's theater-style plays, however, flashpoints can also trigger change. The plays focus on both physical and verbal outbursts of anger and ways to regain control of ones emotions.
This book gives young readers some interesting food for thought! From eating local foods to packing litter-free lunches, readers will be empowered to reduce their personal food prints and make better, Earth-conscious choices about what they eat and drink.
Age-appropriate text and vibrant photographs describe environmentally conscious changes that can be made in the classroom and throughout the school. From tips to saving paper to environmentally-conscious crafts, this fact-filled book makes the grade!
This enlightening title introduces young readers to clean, green energy sources. Readers will learn how traditional energy sources are harmful to the environment. They will discover that energy can be generated from the Sun, wind, water, and other renewable sources. They will also pick up some practical energy-saving tips they can use in their everyday lives.
This informative title will inspire budding activists to go green in the garden! Accessible text and engaging photographs introduce composting and Earth-friendly gardening. Readers learn how to build a compost bin, what items to recycle in the bin, and how to use compost to start their own garden.
This empowering title inspires readers to make their homes the ultimate green scene! This motivating book explains the importance of practicing environmental stewardship at home. Readers will discover how simple changes, such as using natural cleaning supplies and unplugging video game consoles, can have a positive impact.
Going green is a commonly used term, but what does it really mean? In this overview book, fact-filled text and child-centered examples explain the threats that the Earth faces and encourage readers to be inspired activists for environmental change. Readers will be encouraged to live each day as though it is Earth Day!
From oil spills to water shortages, the world's natural habitats seem to be constantly under assault from both natural and human activity. Thirteen kinds of disasters are featured in this informative book, showing the process and science of the disaster from the action that triggered it to its dire consequences. Topics include global warming, ocean blooms, desertification, deforestation, over fishing, and waste pollution.
In March 2011 the worlds second-largest nuclear disaster occurred on the eastern coast of Japan. A 9.0-magnitude earthquake caused a nearly 50-foot tsunami that flooded the Fukushima nuclear power plant. The devastating tidal wave caused equipment failures that led the nuclear reactors to overheat to the point of meltdown. Dangerous radioactive materials released into the air continue to threaten the health of the ocean and people around the world today. Topics include how movements in the earth's crust below water can cause seismic waves , the evacuation of more than 300,000 people from their homes near the power plant, contamination of crops and water, decontamination and repair work, and continued concern about leaking radiation from the power plant.
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.
Bobbie Kalman presents some of the most endangered animals on Earth: rhinos, bats, butterflies, penguins, gorillas, monk seals, komodo dragons, and tigers, to name just a few. This beautifully photographed volume also explains the various classifications of endangerment, as well as the major reasons why some animals are facing extinction.
This eco-friendly title focuses on green homes. Readers will learn how architects apply sustainable practices to earth-friendly structures. Recycled materials, solar panels, and more are explored through engaging illustrations and accessible text.
Marsupials are the only mammals that have a pouch on their body in which they carry their young. Most of these amazing animals live in Australia, where they have adapted to the harsh conditions of life in the outback. In What is a Marsupial? children will learn astounding facts about marsupials, including the important differences between marsupials and placentals, how kangaroos, koalas, wombats, Tasmanian devils, opossums, and bilbies are related, how marsupials reproduce and raise their young, the ways in which they hunt and feed, and why some marsupials are in danger.
Children will be fascinated by the life cycle of these enormous polar animals. Stunning pictures and clear text guide readers through each stage of a polar bears life from cub to adult. Children will also learn how polar bears are being affected by global warming. Beautiful images and well-written text describe polar bear dens, how cubs grow and learn to live in the Arctic, and polar bear hunting techniques.
Emission of harmful greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide is posing a grave challenge to nature. The problem of global warming needs to be addressed as soon as possible. How to Reduce your Carbon Footprint clearly explains what an individuals carbon footprint is and what we all can do to make a difference. Special case studies show how these ideas are currently being put into practice around the world.
While it may not be as simple as pouring water into a gas tank, water, or at least the hydrogen that makes up water, will one day become a significant source of energy. In this important new book, children will discover not only what hydrogen is, but also how this simple element can create clean energy. Hydrogens past deals with hot air balloons and airships, its present, space shuttles and fuel cells. What fascinating technologies await its future? Other topics include what energy is, the reasons why clean energy is so important, the technologies that convert hydrogen to usable energy, the obstacles that must be overcome before hydrogen can be a reliable energy source, a case study highlighting Iceland's plan to switch to a society run on hydrogen, what a hydrogen economy is, and a timeline that provides dates for historical breakthroughs in energy production.
Bears are some of the most loved animals on Earth. All over the world, however, bears are at risk. In Endangered Bears, kids will learn about the lives of these beautiful animals and why they are at risk of becoming extinct. Topics include a bear's life cycle, the many habitats in which bears live around the world, how bears communicate through body language and sounds, and threats from hunting, poaching, shrinking habitats and global warming.
Habitat loss, pesticide use, and the collecting of rare species are putting some of the world's most beautiful butterflies in danger. Without action now, it is possible that some species may actually become extinct. In this book, stunning full-color images of these magnificent insects will appeal to young readers and encourage them to take an interest in helping butterflies and their habitats. Children will be fascinated by butterfly bodies, habitats, and defenses, the amazing changes that occur during metamorphosis, and the ways that people are helping protect butterflies and the natural places where they live.
