Here is a favorite of elementary science teachers for the food chain. Each of the creatures passes the energy in its own unique way. In this upbeat rhyming story, the food chain connects herbivores, carnivores, insects and plants together in a fascinating circle of players. All beings on Earth--from the anchovy to the zooplankton--depend upon the green plant, which is the hero of the story. The special talent of the author shines again (see also A Drop Around the World) for being able to present the science curriculum so concisely, creatively, and cleverly. A 48-page Teacher Guide based on the book is also available.
Teachers! This book is like a whole unit on migration wrapped in a winning combination of easy verse, factual language, and beautiful illustrations. For animals, migration is a powerful compulsion to travel, sometimes over long distances, often skipping many meals. Sometimes, as in the case of the monarch butterfly, a round-trip takes several generations. Why do they do it? How do they succeed? The ten featured species offer a broad representation of migration: loggerhead turtles, monarch butterflies, manatees, ruby-throated hummingbirds, Pacific salmon, Canada geese, California gray whales, caribou, Arctic tern, and emperor penguin. The book is loaded with additional tips for teachers. Once again Marianne Berkes combines her teaching, writing, and theatrical skills to combine entertainment with education--creative non-fiction at its best.
This collection of true stories of animal behavior is not only captivating and thought-provoking, but also a terrific way for teachers and parents to have children to consider feelings--whether animal or human. A young antelope was being dragged into a river by a crocodile. A nearby hippopotamus saw what was happening and charged the croc, which released the antelope. The hippo gently pulled the antelope up the riverbank, comforting and protecting it until it died. Was this compassion? A zoo monkey routinely used a banana to bribe a moose to carry him across a moat designed to keep him confined to a small island. Was this cleverness?
This book is a year-after-year favorite with teachers. It engagingly leads readers around the world following a drop of water--whether as steam or snow, inside a plant or animal, or underground--teaching the wonders and importance of the water cycle. (There is lots of geography, too.) Four pages of science about the qualities of water are included.
"Once upon a time" meets science in a children's picture book that tells the thrilling story of how life began on Earth. The second in a trilogy of Universe stories - the first being "Born with a Bang: The Universe Tells Our Cosmic Story"-- this book picks up the story with the first appearance of life on Earth. It's a thrilling story about how Earth triumphs over crisis to become bacteria, jellyfish, flowers...even dinosaurs! The author, Jennifer Morgan, studied evolutionary science and saw its storytelling possibilities when she explained it to her elementary-age son. Coupled with brilliant artwork by Dana Anderson, who also studied Cosmology, these books will intrigue children and adults alike with their storytelling style and colorful pages.
Miss Ett does the laundry on wash day while Grandpa tells stories. As he plays his trumpet, the children march around and sing to the music. This is a touching story about friendship and overcoming the barriers of age and race.
When a rat moves into Benito's store, his customers go elsewhere. Benito needs a boa constrictor to get rid of his problem, but how will he find the right one?
When the class finds out that the new boy, Alex, exaggerates and even lies, no one wants anything to do with him. But when Alex helps Jim, he decides to befriend him, and soon Alex learns that to be accepted, you just need to be yourself.
The narrator of this story idolizes his older brother. But when big brother leaves for the army, the narrator tries his best to fill big brother's shoes for his younger brother.
Ninny Nanny and Gram decide to catch a leprechaun and use his pot of gold to solve their problems. But finding the fortune is a lot of work! Told in a sweet lilting Irish brogue.
A modern day version of King Midas' Touch. When the gumball machine delivers a ring instead of bubble gum, Peggy can't hide her disappointment. After turning the ring round and round on her finger, a genie appears and grants her one wish for the "sweet touch."
Cyril is shunned by other animals in the zoo because he looks so different from them. However, when winter comes Cyril's colors and stories remind them of the beauty of the natural world and that spring will soon return.
All of the elements of a classic fairy-tale are present in this simple retelling of the Mozart opera.
A cricket, a rat, and a bat live happily in a dark cave. Each one has a unique way of navigating without light, but one day, an explorer enters the cave and brings light. Written in rhyme, this is a good beginner reader.
After observing his mother use a stick to fish for termites in an anthill, a young chimpanzee learns how to do the same.
Four easy-to-read stories in one book featuring Pinwheel, the donkey, and many of his friends will engage beginning readers from cover to cover.
Jim's "Strongest Man in the World!" costume gives him the confidence he needs to stand up to a third-grade bully and save the day.
The Socksnatcher family is secretly living in the Perkins family's cellar. They rely upon the Perkin's smelly socks to add flavor to their soup. But the cat has discovered their secret hiding place!
A fanciful adaptation of a Turkish folktale that tells the story of a poor villager, a donkey, and a wise man whose clever plan outwits a tyrannical Mongol ruler.
After wondering about the new girl's hijab, the class learns just how much they all have in common.
When Jim returns to school after his dog, Muffins, has died, his friends try to comfort him, but Jim wants to be left alone. His classmates are hurt by his rejection, but their teacher explains that Jim needs time to himself. An excellent book for a child who has lost a pet.
Although the children are told to send a card to everyone in their class, George gets fewer cards than everyone else. But his classmates quickly rally round and successfully cheer him up.
At least one sibling in each family shown in this book has a disability. And like all siblings they play, squablle, and work together to solve their differences.
Lucy has been adopted by a nice family. "Wha-ooo-ooo-roo!" Lucy howls - all day, all night, and even in between. What does Lucy need? A comfy bed, special treats, lullabies? Lucy has a family, but helping her feel at home is a little trickier. This story portrays that growing-up-moment when a kid steps outside of her own concerns and tries to help someone she doesn't totally understand. Add in a dash of drama and mystery, a little canine craziness, and a session with a dog psychologist, and you've got a bright and funny "new pet" story that's simply wise and wisely simple.
The star of Bear in Underwear and Bear in Pink Underwear returns in another adventure. It's wintertime, and Bear and his friends go outside to play in the snow. As Bear sheds his clothes in order to dress his newly-built snowman, he's left now with his signature tighty-whities, but with LONG underwear. And now, all his pals want cool long underwear of their own. Kids will love Goldman's bold illustrations, comic sensibility, and the return of the best-selling and always fashion-foward Bear!
