How animals big and small have shaped today’s world. From furry felines to hard-working horses, animals have had a tremendous impact on world history. For example, rats, through the diseases they carry, have probably killed more people than any war or natural disaster, goats may have been the first to discover coffee and, thanks to camels, people were able to survive for long periods in the desert and open up trade routes between Europe and Asia. However, animals can also be destructive. Mosquitoes spread deadly diseases — and may even have killed Alexander the Great. Some animals have changed the environment by damaging whole ecosystems, creating deserts in their wake. Others, like the elephant, have been used as weapons of war. Among the more than 20 animals featured in this book are dogs, sheep, dolphins, silk moths and beavers, all of which have changed the course of history for better or for worse. Lighthearted and humorous, with intriguing photos and informative sidebars, this book ensures that readers will appreciate all animals with newfound awe and respect.
Primary (ages 6-9)
Material appropriate for primary age groups
Super Chicken Nugget Boy Vs. Dr. Ned-Grant And His Eggplant Army
The nugget is back! After his tasty alter-ego felled the Furious Fry, Fern Goldberg went back to being a normal fourth grader. But not for long. Bert Lahr Elementary is about to be thrown into chaos by a mad food scientist and an army of evil eggplants bent on world domination!Villainous vegetables beware! Here comes the most formidable food fighter in history!
Children Around The World
No matter where they live, children are always curious about the world. But nothing proves more fascinating to them than other children. Exploring the themes of commonality and diversity, this informational picture book introduces young readers to 12 children from around the world. Speaking in the first person, the children briefly describe such things as the language, food, clothing, schooling and daily life of their region. One of the most appealing aspects of this book is the artwork, which features the use of fabric, paper, mesh, string and felt in multimedia collage. Through the use of colors and textures, each child emerges with a distinctive and endearing personality.
The Milestones Project
A best friend. A lost tooth. A first day of school. In engaging photos and text, this book highlights the milestones shared by every child on the planet. In addition to original writings from some of today’s best-known children’s authors and illustrators, this paperback edition comes packaged with a growth chart uniquely designed to track a child’s physical growth as well as their development into an ethical human being. Stickers included with the book can be placed on the chart to encourage children toward their goals.”I told the truth.” “I kept a promise.” “I shared my toys.” Includes growth chart to track ethical milestones. Includes essays by J.K. Rowling, Cynthia Rylant, Eric Carle, and more. 2005 CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People.
Amazing Greek Myths of Wonder And Blunders
From Hercules’s snake assassin slippers to Arachne’s wicked weaver rap songs, these are the mythic monsters and Hellenic heroes that have captured Western culture for centuries, but are a whole lot more fun. Each story showcases the wondrous and blunderful antics of gods and mortals in bright graphics that rival the super-heroic action of The Lightning Thief, burst with the knock-your-socks-off humor of Jeff Kinney, and still remain unerringly faithful to the original myth. Kids won’t be able to resist the bickering sheep, unruly rulers, and undercover details of Amazing Greek Myths, while teachers, librarians, and parents can relish this new way to share moral messages that remain as relevant today as they were a thousand years ago.
Faith
With simple text and stunning photographs from many different countries and religious traditions, this book describes the many faiths practiced around the world. Thematically-organized back matter gives additional information on common expressions of faith, and a glossary describes particular religions and elements of faith depicted in the book.
Counting on Snow
Maxwell Newhouse, folk artist extraordinaire, has created a unique counting book. The premise is simple. He invites children to count with him from ten crunching caribou down to one lonely moose, by finding other northern animals – from seals to wolves to snowy owls – as they turn the pages. But as the animals appear, so does the snow, until it’s a character too, obliterating light and dark, sky and earth. A gorgeous exploration of the isolation and the beauty of northern winter, Maxwell Newhouse has created a deceptively simple picture book that can be enjoyed by all ages.
Grandma’s Gift
The author describes Christmas at his grandmother’s apartment in Spanish Harlem the year she introduced him to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Diego Velazquez’s portrait of Juan de Pareja, which has had a profound and lasting effect on him.
Mary Engelbreit’s Fairy Tales
With twelve beloved stories meant for reading aloud and more than one hundred glorious illustrations, Mary Engelbreit’s Fairy Tales is destined to become a family favorite! Every turn of the page brings fresh delight as Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, the Little Mermaid, and others come to life as only Mary Engelbreit could have imagined them. Images of Rapunzel alone in her tower, Cinderella’s pumpkin becoming a golden carriage, and Thumbelina’s search for a home are unforgettable.
The Secret Message
Alone, imprisoned in a golden cage, and far from the jungles of home, a parrot longs for freedom. Will he ever escape?
Thanks to a secret mesage passed along by his friends in India, the parrot outwits his wealthy owner and soars to freedom. Based on an ancient Persian poem, The Secret Message is a story of surprising cleverness, powerful solidarity, exotic travels, and a simple wish fulfilled.