In 1781, Thomas Paine came up with a model for a single-span bridge; in 1887, Adolf Eugen Fick made the first pair of contact lenses; and in 1907, Paul Cornu built the first helicopter. But Leonardo da Vinci thought of all these ideas more than five hundred years ago! At once an artist, inventor, engineer, and scientist, da Vinci wrote and drew detailed descriptions of what would later become hang gliders, automobiles, robots, and much more.
Primary (ages 6-9)
Material appropriate for primary age groups
Building on Nature: The Life of Antoni Gaudi
Antoni Gaudí grew up in Catalonia, a place of wild beauty. He moved to Barcelona to become an architect, learning the rules of form and structure that buildings were supposed to follow. Yet he never forgot the shapes and colors of his childhood home. Antoni Gaudí turned nature into art, and in the process he revolutionized the world of architecture.
An Eye for Color: The Story of Josef Albers
As a child, Josef Albers loved to watch his handyman father paint houses. When Josef grew up and became an artist, he reduced each image to its simplest shapes, breaking it down into blocks of color. He made an incredible discovery: he could alter the entire mood of a painting just by changing the way he combined the colors. Josef spent his entire life studying color, and what he found revolutionized the way people look at art.
A Faith Like Mine
A faith like mine is a 
celebration of the diversity of religious faith, as experienced through the daily lives of children around the world. What do other people believe? How do they pray? When are their holy days? What are the differences between churches, temples, & mosques? ” Come & visit us & our friends to find out what we believe in & how we practice our faith.”
A Treasury Of Mermaids: Mermaid Tales From Around The World
Enter the mermaid’s realm, where brightly colored fish dart through strands of seaweed and noble octopi guard the gates of underwater palaces. From the ice floes of Alaska to the islands of the Mediterranean Sea to the reefs of New Zealand, the power of a magical water maiden is matched only by her unpredictability. For who can guess what may happen when a mermaid finds herself face-to-face with a human? Gathered from the diverse cultures, the stories in this collection tell of mortals who strive to capture mermaids–and mermen–as well as those who seek to rescue them from peril; mortals who entice mermaids to live on dry land, and those who dare follow mermaids under the waves. And here, too, are the fates of those fortunate–or follish–enough to listen to the mermaid’s appealing song. Renowed author and folklorist Shirley Climo presents tales of mystical merfolk from around the globe. Accompained by stunning illustrations from Jean and Mou-sien Tseng, the stories are woven together with threads of international mermaid lore, presenting a world of watery enchantment.A catch of international mermaids, from a Japanese ningyo and a Swiss nix to an Irish merrow and an Alaskan nuquot, swim through the pages of this elegant gift volume. Drawing on the folklore of diverse cultures, renowned author Shirley Climo presents a multi-faceted view of merfolk, exploring the promises and perils of meeting these creatures. Accompanied by stunning paintings from the brushes of Jean and Mou-sien Tseng, the stories in this collection are woven together with insightful introductions comparing and contrasting the myths of many lands. Lavishly designed and illustrated, this beautiful book is the definitive collection of mermaid lore. A catch of international mermaids, from a Japanese ningyo and a Swiss nix to an Irish merrow and an Alaskan nuquot, swim through the pages of this elegant gift volume. Drawing on the folklore of diverse cultures, renowned author Shirley Climo presents a multi-faceted view of merfolk, exploring the promises and perils of meeting these creatures. Accompanied by stunning paintings from the brushes of Jean and Mou-sien Tseng, the stories in this collection are woven together with insightful introductions comparing and contrasting the myths of many lands. Lavishly designed and illustrated, this beautiful book is the definitive collection of mermaid lore.
A Treasury Of Princesses: Princess Tales From Around The World
From the Mayan people of Central America to the Xhosa people of Southern Africa, from the ancient mythology of China to the legendary Arabian Nights, every culture across the globe has its princesses. The princesses themselves may be as diverse as the lands they represent, but rich or poor, vain or wise, brave or spoiled, they have one thing in common: they all live happily ever after. Selected from world folklore and presented in a richly designed, elegantly illustrated volume, this lavish gift book is the definitive gathering of princess lore.
Ancient Egypt
Journey along the world’s longest river, from the Nile delta to Nubia, with the Egyptologist Kent Weeks. Open the panoramic gatefold to discover the magnificence of a pharaoh’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings, and then turn the transparent pages to reveal the effects of 3,000 years on a human mummy. Along the way readers will peer inside incredible pyramids and take a journey into the Next World as they learn the secrets of the dead. At the end, intrepid explorers witness how today’s scientists are using CAT scans and other cutting-edge technology to uncover the answers to some of ancient Egypt’s most intriguing mysteries.
Crow & Fox And Other Animal Legends
A collection of traditional tales about animals, from such parts of the world as India, West Africa, and South America.
Can You Guess My Name?: Traditional Tales Around The World
A companion volume to the critically acclaimed Nursery Tales Around the World, this collection is the perfect step up from nursery stories. Fifteen wonderful read-aloud tales from many different cultures are grouped together by familiar tale types: stories like “The Bremen Town Musicians,” “The Frog Prince,” “Hansel and Gretel,” “Rumplestiltskin,” and “The Three Pigs.” Folklorist Judy Sierra”s inspired retellings are once again paired with Stefano Vitale”s richly detailed illustrations. The stunning art evokes the visual traditions of the tales” varied countries of origin, which include Japan, Scotland, Argentina, and Sri Lanka. This is a must for folklore collectors and a perfect addition to any child”s bookshelf. Source notes, bibliography.
Projects about Ancient China (Hands-On History)
Includes social studies projects taken from the ancient Chinese.