Book Description

How did the universe begin? How hot is the sun? How long does it take to get to the moon? Find out the answers to these questions and more in Magic Tree House Research Guide: Space, Jack and Annie’s very own guide to the secrets of the universe. Including information on stars, planets, space travel, life on other planets, and much more! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Space Travel
Once you are 100 miles above Earth, you are in space. Anything beyond Earth's atmosphere is space. There are a lot of planets, stars, and space rocks in space.
A spacecraft travels in space and carries supplies and people. A spacecraft has to go 25,000 miles per hour to get away from gravity and get into space. Spacecrafts have rockets to lift them into space.
Fuel is burning in the rocket at very hot temperatures. The hot gasses come out from the bottom and push the rocket up. Rockets were used 1,000 years ago as fireworks and weapons by the Chinese.
The Soviet Union and the Unites States had a race to have a spacecraft go into space. The Soviet Union sent the first satellite into space. A satellite is something that travels around a planet. The Soviet Union won that race. The United States put its own satellite into space and the race began.
An astronaut is a person from America that is trained to go into space. A cosmonaut is a person from Russia trained to go into space. A person from Russia, or a cosmonaut, orbited the Earth in less than two hours. He was the first person to orbit the Earth.
The United States and the Soviet Union had a race to get someone into space first. John F. Kennedy made a challenge to send someone to the moon before the 1960's were over. A lot of people worked for that goal. ... Read more

Book Description

What is the strangest plant in the rain forest? Which rain forest animal is the creepiest? What medicines have been discovered there? How can we save our rain forests? Find out the answers to these questions and more in Magic Tree House Research Guide: Rain Forests, Jack and Annie’s very own guide to the mysteries of the rain forest. Includes information on rain forests around the world; fun facts about rain-forest bugs, birds, plants, and animals; maps and photographs; and much more!
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Good info, v. readable
Our girls read this after a trip to the Amazon, and found lots that they recognized & enjoyed. The standard of information is rather higher than that in the Magic Tree house books, which is reasonable, given that they don't have to worry about plot & characters as well!

If your child enjoys Magic Tree house, and would like to know more about the Amazon this is fine, but I would also recommend One Small Square: Tropical Rainforests (by Donald Silver). We took this with us to the rainforest (see review) and found it to be excellent. ... Read more

Book Description

What were pirates really like? How did people become pirates? Where did pirates bury their treasure?
Dig up the answers to these questions and more in Magic Tree House Research Guide #4: Pirates, Jack and Annie’s very own guide to pirates. Includes information onpirate flags, pirate treasure, real-life pirates, walking the plank, and much more! ... Read more

Book Description

What causes the earth’s weather? How do twisters form? What are the deadliest storms on earth? Find out the answers to these questions and more in Magic Tree House Research Guide: Twisters and Other Terrible Storms, Jack and Annie’s guide to nature’s wildest weather. Includes photographs, definitions, an index, information on twisters, hurricanes, blizzards, forecasting the weather, storm chasers, and much more! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Twisters
Twisters are tornadoes. I learned about them in the book Twisters by Will Osborne. Twisters wreak everything. Twisters can destroy homes because the winds go 300 miles per hour. They hit in the midwestern U.S. in April, May and June. I feel excited about this book because it's good to know about natural disasters so if it happens you'll be prepared. ... Read more

Book Description

How long did it take to build the Titanic? Why did it sink? What was it like to be a passenger? What happened to the people who survived? Find out the answers to these questions and more in Magic Tree House Research Guide: Titanic, Jack and Annie’s very own guide to the ship and its story. Includes information on the people who sailed on the Titanic, life on board the ship, the search for the sunken remains, Titanic artifacts today, and much more!
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Reviews (2)

The best book, by Jacqueline Shaw
This nonfiction book tells you everything you ever wanted to know about the Titanic. Some of the information the book tells you includes, how they built the ship, the day everyone boarded the ship, the types of people that were on the ship, and finally how the boat sank. I also enjoyed the pictures in the book. Some of the pictures were of the rooms, the details of the ship, and the boiling room. I recommend this book to people who want to learn about the Titanic and are from grades 1 through 5.

This book is a excellent book
I love this book because it like takes to the plase were they are and it make you want to read the book these book take you on a advender. It makes you like be the characters Jake and anny. ... Read more

Book Description

Examining the extraordinary, fragile, beautiful world we live in and celebrating the enormous diversity of cultures, How People Live takes a unique look at the indigenous peoples of the earth. Using spectacular and intimate photography that highlights each culture's way of life and tells their fascinating story, the book gives readers an immediate understanding of the enormous variety of life in all corners of the Earth. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

THIS BOOK IS FOR ALL AGES, NOT JUST FOR CHILDREN
I got this for my 22nd birthday 2 days ago and I really love it. It shows in some parts of it how they combine old world to modern world. The pictures so wonderful. Its better then the refernce series of people, I forgot the title of it. Thank you.

Also recommended: Other DK Books in assoctian with UNICEF. Children Like Me/Celebrations by Barnabas and Anabel Kindersey, Just Like Me. ... Read more

Book Description

Children are naturally fascinated by history and ancient cultures - all they need is a push in the right direction.With these comprehensive explorations of the world of the Aztecs and Mayas, kids will find themselves learning more about the past - and the men and women who had such a tremendous impact on modern culture than they'd ever imagined.The Aztec and Mayan civilizations are full of mystery, excitement and beauty.This informative exploration shows children how the Aztecs and Mayan lived - the cities they built, their astronomical knowledge and their practice of human sacrifice.Illustrations and text enable children to marvel at their mysterious pyramids and beautiful masks, and learn about a ball game that meant certain death for one of its players.15 interesting step-by-step projects enable children to recreate the past as they learn to make a Mayan backstrap loom, and recreate the amazing Aztec sun stone.This book is ideal for home or school use for children ages 8 to 12. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Gerrard's decidedly different biography of Drake (& his cat)
"Sir Francis Drake: His Daring Deeds" is certainly a different sort of juvenile biography, simply because Roy Gerrard draws Drake and all the other characters with what looks to me to be the same proportionality of head to body that you find with babies. Young readers may well find this rather interesting, since it makes everybody look more like children than adults, but it might creep adults out. Despite this odd affectation, Gerrard's artwork is quite stylized (he does especially nice work with sea water) and he extends his artistic talents to the overall graphic design of the volume as well. Young readers will enjoy finding Drake's cat in most of these pictures. Drake's story is told in simple rhyming couplets of two sets per stanza, focusing mainly on his explorations in the New World and the battle against the Spanish Armada. One thing we can all agree upon is that this is a most unusual juvenile biography of Drake. On balance, I think this one comes out ahead of the game.

not for kids who like history
My daughters love biographies, especially those done by Diane Stanley. This is not really a biography. It has some historical information in it, but really it is just some facts strung together in an annoying rhyme. My oldest (7) thought the illustrations were absurd. The figures look like they are being viewed in a carnival mirror, wide and short with very large heads. Sir Francis Drake is an interesting and controversial character in history and deserves a better telling of his story.

Another excellent book -
Like all of the Gerard books I have seen, these one is excellent reading. The poetry of the text is well paced and engaging, and makes reading aloud easy and entertaining. The illustrations remain superb. This book is more factually based, telling Drake's life story in vignettes that are imaginative but accurate. The book succeeds on many levels - my son loves to hear it, and I love to read it! ... Read more

Book Description

North America boasts a surprising number of rainforests, including El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico, Olympic National Forest in Washington State, Chugah and Tonga National Forests in Alaska, and the forests in Hawaii, which are home to an enormous variety of plants and animals. Rainforests: An Activity Guide takes kids through the common layers of the rainforest, from the forest floor to above the enclosed canopy. Their journey continues through the different types of rainforests as they are introduced to plants, animals, and people around the world, including those from the temperate rainforests of North America to the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America. Rainforest-inspired activities include making a West African yam festival gourd rattle, building a model of an Alaskan totem pole, and creating a Javanese Wayang-kuilt, or shadow puppet. Kids are encouraged to make a difference and become active supporters of the rainforests no matter where they live. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Wonderful Walk on the Wild Side
A perfect follow-up to Castaldo's book on oceans. Rainforests introduces readers to tropical and temperate rain forests around the world. Activities range from making a fern-print T-shirt to planting a butterfly garden. The closing "Don't Bungle the Jungle" chapter gives kids great ways that they can help save the forests. A wonderful addition to any classroom library. ... Read more

Book Description

Feliz cumpleaÑos!
Maligayang kaarawan!
FÖdelsedag!
Happy birthday!

Whether you're in Mexico, the Philippines, Sweden, or the United States, a birthday is reason to celebrate.

But the ways this day is celebrated are as diverse as the languages above. Here is a collection of birthday customs from seven countries, carefully researched and vibrantly illustrated by the creators of Christmas Around the World.

You will find information on the history of -birthday celebrations, superstitions, and even ideas for planning your own Around the World birthday party. This fascinating book will inspire you to see this special day in a whole new light.

Book Description

Discover the harsh world of hot and cold deserts and the peoples, plants and animals that live in them.

Here is an original and exciting new guide to some of the most inhospitable places on Earth. Superb, full-color photographs of the people who live in the desert, and the creatures and plants that survive the extremes of temperature, offer a unique "eyewitness" view of this hostile environment. See the stunning sand dunes of the Namib Desert, a Bedouin in full wedding dress, the desert in bloom, a jewel wasp and a camel's regalia. Learn how sand dunes form, how a few honeypot ants store food for a whole nest in their own bodies, how a mummy is preserved in sand and how bedouin women weave a whole tent from goat's hair. Discover why a Tuareg woman never uncovers her face, what makes a dromedary different from a Bactrian camel, the mystery of Timbuktu, why jewelry is so valuable to nomads, which animals never need to drink and why some desert animals have big ears, and much, much more! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Inhospitable Places
"With little rain and extreme temperatures, deserts are some of the harshest places on Earth."

You will also learn amazing things, like how a cobra can still breathe while swallowing its prey. How a camel is dressed up in full regalia and how people live and eat in the desert.

Features:

Full-color photographs of the people who live in the desert
Pictures of creatures and plants that survive extreme temperatures
Pictures of beads, necklaces, Aboriginal necklaces, amulets, anklets, rings, bracelets, rock art.

Contents:
What is a desert?
What is a desert made of?
Seas of sand - I have a workout video that has the backdrop of sand that makes
life look smooth and relaxing. It is called: Alimacgraw yogamind&body
Water in the desert
After the rains
How plants survive
Insects
Reptiles
Birds
Mammals
Adapting to desert life
Ship of the desert
Camel regalia
Domesticated animals
Dwellings
Food and drink
Men's costume
Women's costume
Desert brides
Jewelry
Spinning and weaving
Arts and crafts
Exploring the desert

Loved seeing the picture of a "Desert Rose" that is a strange shaped crystal that is formed within the sand dunes in the Sahara.

This entire book just made me want to go find a beach! ... Read more

Book Description

As the huge ship pulled into New York Harbor, Jehuda and his family quickly gathered their few belongings.Looming ahead of them was a giant green statue, and beyond lay the huge city.Jehuda thought to himself, So this is America! Jehuda and his family have struggled through hunger, poverty, and war in their Russian homeland.They even lost their beloved father and a sister to the fighting.Thankfully, Jehuda's brother moved to America, and was able to send his mother and siblings money for passage on a ship.Now, armed with a few bags of clothing and a traditional teapot, the family is grateful to be heading toward their new life in New York. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

This is a must-use for any middle school classroom!
This true story written from the perspective of an 11-year-old immigrant, truly sums up the immigrant perspective.My 4th grade students, journaled each day as if he or she were the central character, and begged for each of the five chapters.This book alone, replaced a 4-week unit that I had used previously to emphasize the impact of immigration on our state.Written by the author's daughter, with photos showing then and now, it is wonderful.FYI: We used, as the final journal entry, an account written by Yehuda when he finds his journal 70 years later and recounts the years since arriving in America.

Character traits nicely parallel our school's program.
The story reads well for any student needing to understand the trials and tribulations of people immigrating to the U.S.Important character traits are developed and their importance in reaching a goal are emphasized. Theartwork makes a dramatic statement to anyone who opens the book. Elementarystudents should be attracted by this outstanding feature. As a schooldirector and recently retired teacher, I purchased a copy for each of ourelementary libraries because of the qualiy of this book.

Great book for all ages!
This review is from Debbie,Paul,Ryan and Melissa. We all modelled for the illustrator,Laurie McGaw, of this book. It was a wonderful experience since some of our grandparents left Russia and Poland because of the war and wefelt we could relate to the people in the book.The book has been presentedto the our childrens' school in conjunction with the Holocaust unit.Teachers and kids alike found the book to be very interesting andbeautifully illustrated. We recommend it to all nationalities and ages.Itis not only a book about Jewish people, but also a book about what anyimmigrants coming to North America might have experienced.

An absolute treat!
A wonderful story with fabulous illustrations. A must read for all ages

Great book
Well iactuallygot this book forreaserch for a projet and i think it helped me a lot because it told me that familys strugle to enter america.I would reccommend thisbook to anyone doing an interview with an immagranti know it helped me a lot. ... Read more