At the end of a warm, dark night in the rainforest, dawn starts to break. Soon, animals will rise to greet the day. But not everyone is waking up. Some animals haven't even been to bed yet! Small brown bats have been busy all night, swooping and looping through the starry skies. Now it is time for them to settle in among the trees. But one baby bat wants to stay up and play. How will her mother convince her it's time to close her eyes and go to sleep? Lyrical text and soft, soothing illustrations show little readers that from bath time to lullabies, getting ready for bed looks very similar for bat babies and human babies alike. Fascinating scientific facts and photos from the Smithsonian Bat Lab showcase the amazing lives of bats and reveal how they are not so different from humans in their family behavior.
One little bunny spends a merry day with a special loved one, baking, wrapping, playing, and preparing for Christmas. When family and friends arrive it's time for carols and hot cocoa around the fire. This sweet, cozy story reminds readers that the joy in the holiday season is being with the ones we love.
Topanga the dog gets blamed for everything, but she's here to tell you that the only reason the household works at all is because she's the one in charge. Topanga wakes the family up, takes Big Guy for a run, gets the kids off to school on time, and chases off that trouble-making raccoon. And that's not all! Will Topanga's family ever realize what a giant role she plays in their lives? Maybe not before it's time for her to go back to bed, she has another big day tomorrow after all.
Mardy and Olaus Murie fell in love in--and with--Alaska. Then set out on an adventure across the Arctic for Olaus's work as a biologist, encountering the beauty and danger of the wilds along the way. They learned from Indigenous communities to appreciate the interconnectedness of all living creatures and understood that the way humans were moving in on wild land was threatening the natural world. So they shifted the focus of their work to conservation, fighting to protect the land and animals--and lobbying for the creation of what finally became the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, nine thousand square miles of protected land! Mardy and Olaus's story of passion and hard work will inspire all readers to fan their spark of purpose into flame. Backmatter includes additional information on Mardy and Olaus, their legacy, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and more.
Each season has its own qualities that set it apart. Winter, with its stark-white crust of snow, turns even a mundane scene into a sparkling fairyland. Spring, along with her many shades of green, brings a promise of new beginnings. Summer gifts us with long, lazy days of endless blue skies and the scent of freshly mown grass. But fall has a magic, a secret, all its own. It offers a kaleidoscope of textures, smells, and colors. But what's behind those glorious colors we see among the treetops and upon the leaf-covered ground? Are leaves more than what they seem? Through engaging text and charming artwork, young readers are invited to explore how and why leaves change color. And perhaps, after fall's secret is revealed, we learn something about ourselves and our own distinct beauty. Back matter delves into the science behind photosynthesis.
In 1873, at the age of 21, Jan Ernst Matzeliger immigrated to America, having left all that was familiar behind in South America. He arrived with hopes and dreams of a bright future in this new country. Though Jan had no formal training, he was highly skillful with tools and machinery, having worked in his father's mechanic shops. But no one wanted to hire a Black immigrant who didn't speak English. Yet Jan didn't give up. He finally got a job at a shoe factory. As Jan learned the process and craft of shoemaking, he envisioned a new machine, a lasting machine, that would help produce more shoes more efficiently. People scoffed at Jan's idea, telling him it wasn't possible. But he wasn't deterred. Despite many obstacles, after years of planning, drawing, and experimenting, Jan is finally ready to demonstrate his lasting machine. And his invention will change the shoe industry forever. The little-known story of Jan Matzeliger and his machine comes to life for young readers.
The morning before Diez y Seis de Septiembre, Gloria's Papa wakes up with laryngitis. A disaster! The festivities cannot start without a loud grito to kick the party off--and a Hernandez has always yelled the grito for as long as anyone can remember. When Gloria offers her own grito--and Papa backs her up--the mayor has to agree. But what has she done?! How will she find the courage to yell the grito with the heart it needs? Gloria needs some help from her community and her Papa to find her voice.
During a light rain, a child dozes on a sandy ocean-side beach, snuggling in her mother's arms. But while the sand beneath her is soft and still, there's a whirlwind of activity in the sea next to her. The waves roll back and forth to shore, while beneath them a busy underwater world is teeming with life. As the girl sleeps, she dreams of participating in that world. Through lyrical text, award-winning science writer Suzanne Slade (June Almeida, Virus Detective! The Woman Who Discovered the First Human Coronavirus) takes young readers on an exploration of our oceans and the many creatures and ecosystems found there, from migrating whales to elusive eels to the colorful coral reefs. Back matter includes science facts, as well as a reminder of why we need to be good stewards of the world's oceans. This companion title to The Universe and You illustrates once again that our natural world is full of wonders just waiting to be explored.
There once was a little red chair. Languishing in an antique shop window, the little chair longed to be part of a family. One day a little girl named Mia knew it was just the right chair for her. So Mia and her mother take the little chair home. With new red upholstery and its brightly polished wheels, the little red chair becomes the perfect companion for Mia. She snuggles in it on cold winter nights. She daydreams in it on bright sunny days. And it's the perfect throne for Mia on her birthday. But as Mia gets older, she spends less and less time with the little red chair. She's busy with school and friends and other things. One day, it's time for Mia to leave for a new life. Eventually, the little red chair is packed up and moved to a corner in the attic. Please don't leave me, the little chair says. But no one comes. Seasons come and go; years and years pass by. Will anyone rescue the little red chair?
It's the early 1970s in America and change is in the air. Women are marching in support of the Equal Rights Amendment. It's a time of self-expression and social change. Jillian Parker loves math; it's her favorite subject and she is good at it. So when it's time for the fourth graders to select their after-school clubs, she knows exactly what she'll choose. But when Jillian goes to sign her name on the Math Club sign-up sheet, she is met with snickering and jeers. A girl in the boys' club? Shouldn't she be in Cooking Club, instead? Jillian knows she's smart, but maybe she's not smart enough. Maybe they are right, and she doesn't belong. She's just one girl. But after hearing about the discrimination experienced by her mother and other women, Jillian realizes that maybe what is needed is for just one girl to step forward. A new entry in the Tales of Young Americans series.
Lola's family has an apple orchard and every year they sell hundreds of apple pies for customers' Thanksgiving tables. It's always a big job; so this year Lola is going to cook Thanksgiving dinner on her own to help out. She has a plan and a list. But Mom and Dad need her help making all the pies too. Lola's list keeps getting left behind and Thanksgiving arrives without crossing off a single thing. Luckily, aunts and uncles and cousins arrive ready to help the family prepare a Thanksgiving feast! Just…no apple pie, please! Includes an apple pie recipe.
A hangry bear goes on a rampage through a local fair--pushing friends aside, roaring, and generally doing all the nasty things we do when we're hungry. Finally, sweet Shrew identifies the problem and Hare conjures up a quick snack. Satisfied, and a little ashamed, Bear apologizes and insists on fixing the damage he's caused. Until Shrew gets a bit hangry herself… A funny, rhyming romp that introduces readers to phonics and decodable text.
From savannas to wetlands, weavers build their nests in many different habitats! In this title, young readers learn how these birds plan and build their complex nests. Colorful photos support thoughtfully leveled text to engage readers from the first twig to the completed nest. Special features share the details of weavers’ building materials and adaptations for tying knots and weaving their nests!
Many spiders create silk webs to trap their food! This title moves through a spider’s building process from the first thread to their completed web. Leveled text and bolded glossary terms challenge and engage young readers, while crisp, labeled photos support the text. Special features highlight silk and other building materials and help readers identify different types of webs!
Dive into the wetlands to explore how beavers build dams and lodges! This book uses crisp photos to show each step of a beaver’s building journey. Leveled text engages young readers by describing how these mammals choose build sites, use their massive incisors, and change their environment as they complete their dams. Special features help readers visualize beavers’ building materials, finished structures, and more!
Bowerbirds are songbirds known as nature’s interior designers! Decorated bowers are built by male bowerbirds to attract a mate. In this title, leveled text takes young readers through the building and decorating process of different types of bowers. Vibrant photos show off the colorful materials used around the bower, as well as some bowers’ intricately woven walls. Special features show where bowerbirds live and add visual examples of completed bowers!
Female worker honeybees use wax to build the cells of their honeycomb. But where does the wax come from? This title uses leveled text to answer this question and more about honeycombs and how bees create their building materials. Colorful photos help demonstrate the steps behind building honeycombs. Special features detail honeybee adaptations and take readers inside a finished honeybee nest!
Ant nests have many tunnels and chambers. Worker ants dig more as the colony grows! This title marches alongside ants as they build their homes. Leveled text with bolded glossary terms will engage and challenge young readers. Special features share additional details about where ants live and their powerful mandibles. Crisp photos support the text and show differences and similarities in the building materials ants use around the world!
K-pop comes from South Korea. That is one of many wonderful things this country has to offer! In this fact-filled title for young readers, leveled text and crisp photographs show off South Korea’s landscape, animals, customs, and traditions. Special features map the country, explore the language, highlight common animals, and show off favorite foods. The book ends with a two-page spread that puts important facts about South Korea in one place!
Fondue is one of Switzerland’s most popular foods! Raclette is another delicious cheese dish. Readers will discover this and more in this fact-filled title about Switzerland. Simple text and stunning photos guide readers through the country’s landscape, culture, and traditions. Special features map the country, highlight the language, show off favorite foods, and more. A detailed profile at the end of the book puts important statistics about Switzerland in one place.
Iran was once called Persia. This country is home to sandy deserts and two mountain ranges! In this title, readers will be taken on a journey through the landscape and culture of Iran. Leveled text and photos will guide readers as they discover important landforms, common animals, customary foods, and important traditions. Special features help map the country, show off common animals, and more. The book ends with two pages of important facts and statistics about this fascinating country.
Did you know that the Philippines sits in the Ring of Fire? Over 7,000 islands make up this country! In this book, readers explore this country’s animals, landscape, customs, and more. Vibrant photos and carefully leveled text combine with special features that map the country’s location, highlight the language, and show off common animals and favorite foods. The book ends with a two-page spread that puts important statistics about the Philippines in one place!
Scotland is known for its bagpipe music! But there is plenty more to learn about this beautiful country. In this title, readers will immerse themselves in the rolling hills and beautiful lakes of Scotland through leveled text and vibrant photos. The easy-to-read text explores the landscape, the daily lives of Scottish people, and more. Special features map the country, highlight common animals, and show off special cuisines. A fact spread at the end of the book puts important statistics about Scotland in one place!
Did you know that El Salvador is known for having many volcanoes? Its nickname is the Land of Volcanoes! In this fact-filled book, young readers will discover El Salvador through leveled text and vibrant photos. They will explore the country’s landscape, animals, and customs. Along the way, special features highlight an important landform, the country’s language, common animals, favorite foods, and more! The book concludes with a two-page spread that lists important facts about El Salvador in one place.
Belgium is one of the smallest countries in Europe. But this small country has a big reputation for its tasty chocolates and waffles! In this title, leveled text and bright photos will introduce readers to Belgium’s landscape, customs, daily life, and more. Special features highlight a famous landform, the language, animals, and more. Readers will enjoy exploring this fascinating country! The book ends with two pages of important statistics that highlight a famous person, the country’s flag, and more.
