India has its very own Hollywood—the rhyming Bollywood! The thousands of Bollywood films that are released every year put the songs, dances, and colors of India in the spotlight. Upper-elementary students are invited to a special viewing of a country with a memorable flavor.
Two thousand years ago, Italy was known for its spectacles. Rome’s famous Colosseum hosted epic sports contests and gladiator fights. In this book, Italy is on display to engage fluent young readers. Kids will be especially amazed by ancient Italian architecture.
In the United States, a bow is most often taken by a performer at the end of a concert or play. But in Japan, a bow is the traditional gesture to greet another person. This country close-up teaches upper-elementary students Japanese customs and much more about the Asian island nation.
Mexico is a cactus capital. Giant cardon, the world’s tallest cactuses, grow in the Sonoran Desert. They reach heights up to 63 feet! And Mexicans also eat the stems of prickly pear cactuses like vegetables! This country profile takes kids south of the border to explore Mexico.
Russia is a rare transcontinental country, with its small western part belonging to Europe and its large eastern part belonging to Asia. The dividing line is the Ural Mountains. Fluent readers will see both sides of Russia and discover the cultural elements that unite all of its people.
Hockey players and figure skaters wouldn’t be able to perform their best without Zamboni ice resurfacers. The famous ice polisher machines smooth ice by shaving it, washing it, squeegeeing it, and more! In this title, beginning readers will watch Zamboni machines make loops around ice rinks.
Helicopters are among the most mission-oriented machines. They often get their rotors spinning to pick up a sick or injured person, to a military zone, or to help with a wildfire. In this book, helicopters lift off, spin, and land for early readers.
The first step of any construction project is preparing the site for building. The job requires earth movers to rip, dig, level, and move ground. This children’s title, grounded in facts, lets young readers dig into learning about the action-packed work of earth movers.
A drum and a chute make a concrete mixer unique from other construction equipment. The first part has a spiral-shaped inside for mixing concrete. The second part shoots concrete out of the machine. Beginning readers will want to turn the pages of this title about concrete mixers!
A country and a continent, Australia is home to bizarre wildlife such as platypuses, emus, and wombats. Australia also boasts the Great Barrier Reef that stretches more than 1,400 miles across its northeastern coast! Hop down under in this low-level title to learn more about a truly unique continent.
Soldiers on combat missions are courageous, intelligent, and tough. They work to free the oppressed, which oftentimes involves battle. Complex weapons and specialized tools are paramount to completing missions successfully. In this exciting, low-level title, students will learn more about how danger meets bravery in military combat missions.
Many people claim to have experienced strange events when they were near-death. Some claim to have had an out-of-body experience. Others describe moving upward toward a white light. Students will learn about stories of near-death and how scientists have tried to verify or disprove those tales.
China, with over one billion people, is the most populated country in the world. China’s most famous tourist attraction is the Great Wall, which runs across about 5,000 miles of northern China. Rich with Chinese culture, this title explores Chinese food, holidays, and daily life. Eager readers will also get to challenge their tongues with a few common words from the unique Chinese language!
Have you ever seen something in the sky that you could not identify? You wouldn't be alone. Many people have reported seeing unidentified flying objects. Reports range from flying saucer sightings to stories of mysterious lights in the sky. Readers will discover the history of UFO sightings and the evidence both for and against their existence.
Could an ancient sea monster be living in a quiet lake in Northern Scotland? People have put forth pictures and videos of what they claim to be the Loch Ness Monster. Does the Loch Ness Monster exist? It will be up to the reader to decide in this title that shows the evidence and skepticism surrounding the Loch Ness Monster.
Japan is a nation made up of many islands in the western Pacific Ocean. Over 100 million people live in this small nation of islands. Many live in the countryside, but millions live in crowded cities like Tokyo. Students will learn about the physical features of the landscape and surrounding waters as well as the cultural aspects of the Japanese from old traditions to modern everyday life. Blastoff! Series
Spanning an area in the Atlantic Ocean between Bermuda, Puerto Rico, and the southern tip of Florida, the Bermuda Triangle has been a mystery for over a hundred years. Many ships and aircraft have been lost in its waters. Readers will learn about the many disappearances and the possible explanations for them, ranging from piracy to paranormal activity.
Many people claim to have seen ghosts. Some say they saw an apparition or heard noises in their home when they were alone. Others claim that a drop in temperature signaled a ghost's presence. Are these observations credible, or are they all made up? Readers will decide for themselves in this title that throws them into the middle of the mystery.
Have you ever felt your house was haunted? Many people have reported that ghosts or other paranormal creatures haunt their houses. Some claim to have seen objects move by themselves. Others say they have heard strange noises or voices in their homes. Can a house really be haunted by the paranormal? Let the students decide once they read about the evidence and doubts behind haunted houses.
China, with over one billion people, is the most populated country in the world. China's most famous tourist attraction is the Great Wall, which runs across about 5,000 miles of northern China. Rich with Chinese culture, this title explores Chinese food, holidays, and daily life. Eager readers will also get to challenge their tongues with a few common words from one of the many Chinese languages! Blastoff! Series
There are many different kinds of extra-sensory perception. Some people claim they can see future events. Other people claim they can see far-off events in their mind. Students will judge for themselves in this introduction that provides information on the evidence and skepticism about ESP.
In 1967, two men caught a strange creature on film in the woods of Northern California. It looked like an ape, but it was very tall and walked upright like a man. Was this creature Bigfoot, or was it a man in costume? Readers will judge for themselves in this introduction to Bigfoot, learning about both the evidence and doubts surrounding the existence of this hairy creature.
Wolves are apex predators in their habitat, but that does not mean they don’t fear the awesome strength of a bull moose! This action-packed title looks at both animals to compare battle advantages and methods of attack. Features include size comparisons and stat-packed profiles, while a fight narrative wraps up the book. Who will be the victor today?
Gliding through the world’s tropical waters with wide-open mouths, whale sharks are slow giants that suck in their dinners. Despite their size, these filter feeders are far from fearsome. In fact, some people swim with whale sharks! Readers will learn about the habitat, physical features, and behaviors of these enormous sharks throughout the vibrant pages of this title. A range map, size chart, and interesting photos reinforce the leveled text in this fascinating title.
Whales are huge ocean mammals! Beginning readers can learn about these awe-inspiring animals through literacy-focused text and crisp photos in this low-level title. Special features introduce different types of whales, while a diagram highlights important body parts to reinforce the text. Young students new to independent reading will have a whale of a time with this engaging title!
