A nation with Spanish, African, Asian, and Caribbean roots, Cuba’s people celebrate their diversity with a range of cultural traditions. From celebrated Cuban music and dance to legends and family customs, this interesting book guides readers through the celebrations and traditions practiced by Cubans throughout each year. Other celebrations include national holidays and Christian observances.
Perhaps no two people in history exemplify the spirit of invention better than brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright. Born in the Midwest in the late 1800s, Orville was exceptionally good at creating mechanical devices, and Wilbur had a genius for ideas. The turn of the 20th century came during an age of invention and technological development. Inspired by a fierce worldwide competition to be the first to invent a machine that could fly and be controlled by a pilot, the Wright brothers tested and refined several prototypes. At last, on December 17, 1903, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, they achieved their pioneering flight. The brothers went on to develop machines and controls that made possible powered, fixed-wing flights and laid the foundation for pilot-controlled aviation as we know it today. They also founded the Wright Company, which built airplanes for the rising new industry of commercial aviation. Had Wilbur not died at the early age of 45, who knows what else the innovative pair might have accomplished.
Creative readers with a green thumb and an eye for design will be inspired to create their own gardening and landscaping projects in unique spaces. From vertical gardens to urban parklets, this title will motivate readers to "green up" spaces in their communities in a way that promotes environmental awareness, collaboration, and group planning. Profiles of innovators and their green creations encourage readers to embrace their own ideas and create their Maker visions.
This exciting book explores the culture and achievements of the ancient Maya through the examination of artifacts that have survived through the centuries. Each primary-source artifact offers the reader significant clues to the civilization's technologies, cultural traditions, foods, and conflicts.
This important book explores the culture and achievements of ancient Mesopotamia through the examination of artifacts that have survived through the centuries. Each primary-source artifact offers the reader significant clues to the civilization's technologies, cultural traditions, foods, and conflicts.
Engineers design bridges to help solve the challenges of barriers that block the movement of people. Young readers will learn about the steps in the engineering design process and see how different types of bridges suit different types of obstacles. They will also discover what materials are used in construction to make bridges stable. A link to interactive activities online plus an activity in the book allow readers to create bridges that stand up to the forces of extreme weather and natural disasters.
This unique title allows budding young engineers, architects, and designers to use their personal creativity to design communities and their spaces. Through engaging photographs, clear explanations, and realistic activities, readers will be inspired to design parks and other elements that make communities enjoyable and accessible for all people. Opportunities to take plans from paper to screen build digital skills, making projects diverse and multi-level for all types of readers.
This revealing book explores the culture and achievements of ancient Rome through the examination of artifacts that have survived through the centuries. Each primary-source artifact offers the reader significant clues to the civilization's technologies, cultural traditions, foods, and conflicts.
Readers take on the role of historical detectives as they examine speeches as primary sources and discover how they can be used to study the past.
This interesting book explores the culture and achievements of ancient Greece through the examination of artifacts that have survived through the centuries. Each primary-source artifact offers the reader significant clues to the civilization's technologies, cultural traditions, foods, and conflicts.
Readers take on the role of historical detectives as they examine photographs as primary sources and discover how they can be used to study the past.
This awesome book explores the culture and achievements of ancient Egypt through the examination of artifacts that have survived through the centuries. Each primary-source artifact offers the reader significant clues to the civilization's technologies, cultural traditions, foods, and conflicts.
Readers take on the role of historical detectives as they learn about artifacts as primary sources and discover how they can be used to study the past.
This fascinating book explores the culture and achievements of ancient China through the examination of artifacts that have survived through the centuries. Each primary-source artifact offers the reader significant clues to the civilization's technologies, cultural traditions, foods, and conflicts.
This exciting title inspires readers to get active, use their creativity, and collaborate to explore new ideas in the world of sports. Engaging activities, inspiring biographies, and clear photographs help readers create new and entertaining sports games and activities. A focus on accessibility and safety makes this title a strong addition to any makerspace.
Engineers design skyscrapers to help solve the challenge of making room for a large number of people on a small piece of land. Young readers will learn about the steps in the engineering design process and see what shapes and materials are used in construction to make tall buildings stable. A link to interactive activities online plus an activity in the book allow readers to create skyscrapers that can withstand weight, weather, natural disasters—and time!
Readers take on the role of historical detectives as they examine letters and diaries as primary sources and discover how they can be used to study the past.
When a tiger cub goes missing from the reserve, Neil is determined to find her before the greedy Gupta gets his hands on her to kill her and sell her body parts on the black market. Neil's parents, however, are counting on him to study hard and win a prestigious scholarship to study in Kolkata. Neil doesn't want to leave his family or his island home and he struggles with his familial duty and his desire to maintain the beauty and wildness of his island home in West Bengal's Sunderbans.
In 1959 the Boston Red Sox was the last team in the Major Leagues to integrate. But when they call Elijah “Pumpsie” Green up from the minors, Bernard is overjoyed to see a black player on his beloved home team. And, when Pumpsie’s first home game is scheduled, Bernard and his family head to Fenway Park. Bernard is proud of Pumpsie and hopeful that this historic event is the start of great change in America. This fictionalized account captures the true story of baseball player Pumpsie Green’s rise to the major leagues. The story is a snapshot of the Civil Rights Movement and a great discussion starter about the state of race relations in the United States today.
In November 1885, impressionist painter Claude Monet vacationed in Étretat, France, where he spent his days outside, painting scenes of the seaside village. One morning he rose early and carried all of his supplies and half-finished paintings out to the cliffs and rocky beach, finally stopping to paint the arch called Manneporte. Eager to capture the scene before him, and aware that he must work quickly to catch the light, Monet became so engrossed in his work that he forgot to watch the incoming tide. Based on a true incident, MONET PAINTS A DAY introduces readers to the life and nature of this illustrious impressionist. Interspersed throughout the story are excerpts from the painter’s notes and letters, while a second layer of text and back matter includes information about Impressionism as a whole. Lush watercolor illustrations in the Impressionist style give readers a visual for this artistic movement. A bibliography is also included.
A samurai fights for honor and survival in a real-life Game of Thrones. Stirring narrative nonfiction recounts the rise of Minamoto Yoshitsune from seemingly doomed infant to immortal warrior-hero (and one of the most famous samurai in Japanese history). Acclaimed author Pamela S. Turner delivers all the drama, romance, and tragedy of the original story--with delightfully dry wit and a healthy dose of modern perspective. Gorgeous ink paintings by celebrated graphic-novelist Gareth Hinds complete this irresistible package.
Take a tour of the Lone Star State. From King Ranch to the Alamo on through the capital city of Austin, explore historical sites, learn about the people who helped Texas develop, and discover the natural beauty of this dynamic state.Revised and re-illustrated, OUR TEXAS (originally TUMBLEWEED TOM ON THE TEXAS TRAIL) takes readers on a tour of the cities and wilderness of this larger-than-life state.
Once upon a time there was a boy who presented a well-thought out proposal for his teacher, Ms. Johnson, convincing her that bringing a pterodactyl to school would be a good idea. The boy is back, and this time he has several reasons why bringing a woolly mammoth to the library would be advantageous to the librarian, Ms. Reeder, and the library’s patrons.
Set sail and learn the ABCs with a boat for each letter! Discover twenty-six types of vessels, from the more common -- canoe and motorboat-- to the unusual -- umiak and Q-boat. Just like in Alphabet Trucks and Alphabet Trains, colorful art includes the letters of the alphabet hidden (and not-so-hidden) in supporting roles in the illustrations. The text features familiar as well as unusual boats from around the world, packing in tons of instant kid appeal, and upper and lowercase letters are integrated into the action of the art rather than solely in the typography. Back matter includes age-appropriate facts about each featured boat.
Juan Garcia Esquivel was born in Mexico and grew up to the sounds of mariachi bands. He loved music and became a musical explorer. Defying convention, he created music that made people laugh and planted images in their minds. Juan’s space-age lounge music - popular in the fifties and sixties - has found a new generation of listeners. And Duncan Tonatiuh’s fresh and quirky illustrations bring Esquivel’s spirit to life.
