The Christmas story and the origin of many holiday traditions are thoroughly detailed in the text of S is for Star: A Christmas Alphabet. The first Christmas cards were printed and sold in the United States by a German immigrant in 1874. Long ago, eating pie was believed to bring good luck, and during the holidays they were baked in an oblong shape to look like a manger. The message of Christmas is a message to all the world and is beautifully conveyed and illustrated in S is for Star. Our tradition of gift-giving is based on the Wise Men's visit to Baby Jesus. Nearly every country has its own gift-giving traditions. In Great Britain, children eagerly await Father Christmas. In France, he is called Pere Nol. In Italy, Befana brings presents, and German and Austrian children wait for a visit from the Christkindl. Celebrate these and many other traditions of the holiday season with S is for Star: A Christmas Alphabet.
This book introduces young readers to the grizzly bear, a sacred animal in many cultures. Easy-to-read text examines the grizzly bear's development as a cultural icon, from Native American totems and rituals through tales and legends of the American west, to today's status as the official animal of various states. Readers will also learn about the grizzly bear's body, its appearance, size, and various colors. Not all grizzlies are brown! The bear's unique method of reproduction is discussed, as is cub development and life cycle. Readers will discover what grizzlies like to eat, and how much they have to consume in order to sleep most of the year! Also covered is the grizzly's habitat, and a range map shows where in the world the bears live. Informative sidebars highlight additional information, including the grizzly's scientific classification. Predators, including humans, are also discussed, along with threats to the grizzly's environment, as well as conservation efforts to preserve this special creature. Bolded glossary terms, phonetic spellings, and an index enhance readability for young iconologists.
This title explores the development and use of the popular F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet. Readers will follow the history of its origins and development. Chapters detail the aircraft's military and performance specifications as well as its features and advantages in the field, such as the shape of its fuselage, its ejection seat, its single turbofan engine, and its many powerful guns, missiles, and bombs. Readers will also learn about the F-16's use in Operation Desert Storm and other significant combat and peacekeeping missions.
When Danny moved to his new home, he was thrilled to make a new friend, his neighbor Yehuda. Yehuda and his twin sister Ora share some of the ancient stories, laws, traditions, and teachings that enrich their lives. Come journey with Danny as he explores a new perspective, the Jewish faith. You'll meet Jews past and present. Will you find some sparks that inspire you?
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.
The books in the Community Connections Library help kids understand the world around them. What Do They Do? Firefighters, gives young readers an idea of the role that Firefighters play in their community.
Snowboarding is a very young sport but it grows more popular and respected every year. Fast and exciting, this winter activity requires practice and proper technique and here's the book to help you along the way! Snowboarding in Action gives beginners all the tips they'll need to hit the slopes. Full-color photographs and illustrations explain the dos and don'ts of the slopes, what to look for in snowboarding equipment and hill conditions, the basics of turning, slowing, and stopping, riding a chairlift, and competitive snowboarding.
Driving is a huge part of life for millions of people. We drive to go to family's and friends' houses; we drive to go to work and school; we drive to go to the store. You probably ride in some sort of vehicle every day. With so many drivers on the road, staying safe while traveling in the car is an important part of any trip.
Takes readers through Selena Gomez's journey from a Disney Channel star to a popular singer and actress; discusses life and career highlights from birth to present day.
Lush, moist, and teeming with life, rain forests are one of Earth's biome wonders. Peel back the corners of the rain forest to discover what lives within one of the planets busiest environments, from wolves and porcupines to monkeys and poison dart frogs. Learn how each organism functions within its rain forest ecosystem and how it survives in one of the most predatory biomes on Earth. Find out, too, how rain forests are found all around the world and what you can do to help protect these precious resources.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go back in time, knowing what you know now? That is the story of a Connecticut Yankee who is magically transported back to King Arthur's time. But with the knowledge of modern technology. Will modern technology win out over the magic of Merline, the court magician?
This delicious book on statistics will have students eating up all the information presented. With rhyming text, step-by-step guidance, and sample problems, students will gobble up this mathematical treat, all while learning this concept in a fun, easy way! This book will allow students to develop understanding of statistical variability and summarize and describe distributions.
Not many baseball players are as legendary as Roberto Clemente. He broke color barriers. He gave back to his community. And through it all, he played great baseball. During his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he did some amazing things. Sadly, Clemente's life was cut short by a plane crash. Today, however, his memory lives on. Fans everywhere still think of the player from Puerto Rico as an inspiration to us all.
Political maps are often the first kind of maps children learn about. These maps identify the boundaries of countries, states or provinces, and cities, as well as such physical features as lakes and oceans. Detailed, up-to-date maps and clearly written text help readers understand how to use political maps to solve problems.
Hibernation is one of natures greatest miracles, allowing animals to sleep through periods of extreme cold and heat. Interesting information describes how different animals use body fat to survive, how they can wake themselves up, and how some give birth during hibernation.
With lush rainforests and beautiful waterfalls, there are many sights to see in Brazil, the largest country in South America. The local cuisine is just as grand with recipes rich in fruits, vegetables and cocoa. Whether cooked in restaurants or at home, the heritage of immigrants who came to Brazil hundreds of years ago is found in these savory dishes that have been around for generations. If you can't make the trip to Brazil, don't worry-you can still enjoy some of the country's favorite dishes by taking a peek inside. From soups to salads and drinks to desserts, you can enjoy traditional Brazilian food right in your own home. Isn't your mouth watering already? Hurry up! It's time to cook!
This book explores the geography, industry, agriculture, and culture that define the Southern Atlantic Coastal region.
This book explains the causes and effects of floods, and how people prepare for and survive floods. Reading Essentials in Science.
When a young girl finds a sparkly rock buried in the dirt and discovers that it cleans to a beautiful quartz crystal, she is fascinated and becomes Julie the Rockhound. Join Julie as her dad shows her how to dig for minerals and explains the wonders of crystal formation. Combining clever wordplay with earth science, young readers learn about Earth's most abundant mineral "treasure."
The Underground Railroad was not a transportation system with metal tracks and whistling trains that zipped along a grid of tracks through tunnels below the ground. Instead, this system was an organized network of people who - in utmost secrecy - helped others escape the bonds of slavery. The routes to freedom were filled with danger, but the risks were worth it. Climb aboard to travel back in time and find out how this system of passengers, conductors, and stationmasters saved thousands of lives and helped change the nation.
The nightmare for enslaved Africans began on the Middle Passage - the journey across the ocean to America. Chained together by their hands and feet, the people were crammed into a ships dark belly, sometimes for weeks. When they arrived, they were sold at auction like so much cattle. Then, for generations, they faced bondage at the hands of cruel masters, forced to work sunup to sundown planting and harvesting crops, cleaning houses, or performing other tasks that would boost the white mans profits. Refused basic civil rights and often torn from their families, the slaves looked for ways to find freedom and better their lives. Flight was risky, even with the help of the Underground Railroad. For many, it was the only option.
The middle of the fourteenth century BCE was a strange time in ancient Egypt. The pharaoh had changed his name and religion and was inviting the wrath of the gods that had long watched over the land. The powerful priesthood felt threatened, the people feared the worst, and in the middle of everything was Pepi, a ten-year-old boy with a problem-he didn't want to go to school. Let Pepi explain his troubles to you as he takes you around his beloved city. Let him introduce you to his family, his friends, and their way of life, which thousands of years later might seem similar to your own.
