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Featured
Children's Book: Non-fiction
"When Abroad—Do as the Local Children Do"
Ori's Guide for Young Expats
by Hilly van Swol-Ulbrich and Bettina Kaltenhauser
Age Range: 8 to 12
This children's book helps children who have moved abroad with their parents
deal with the transition to a new country
Children who have moved to a new country come to
understand their new environment through the travels of an
adventurous migrating bird in this children's guide to thriving
as a newcomer to a foreign nation. Focusing on overcoming the
strains of living in a foreign country, this story encourages
children to explore and actively participate in their new world.
Children follow Ori as he leads them through an international
move, from packing and saying good-bye to discovering a
country's quirks and overcoming homesickness. Supported by a web
site designed for children, this inspirational tale includes a
special section for parents and teachers with a 10-point action
plan and lists of resources.
Hilly van Swol-Ulbrich is an intercultural trainer and
the founder of CONSULTus Expatriate Briefings & Intercultural
Seminars in
Germany. Bettina Kaltenhauser has lived in Italy, Switzerland,
the United States, and
Germany.
Abner Doubleday
Boy Baseball Pioneer
By Montrew Dunham, illustrations by Cathy Morrison
Age Range: 8 to 12
Young readers will share Abner Doubleday's enthusiasm and
love of baseball and recognize him as a heroic general who
fought bravely in two wars in this installation of the Young
Patriots series. An early adapter of modern baseball rules,
Abner adored the sport and helped bring it into mainstream
American sporting life. As a boy, he loved nothing more than
playing ball—whether it be "one old cat" or "three old cat"—with
his brother and friends. When not on the playing field, Abner
sought out adventures, which led him to a historic meeting with
the French Revolutionary War hero General Lafayette, the
recovery of a stolen trunk in the woods, and a hitched ride
aboard a rickety stagecoach. Even as a child, Abner displayed
the leadership skills and good sportsmanship that helped him
advance the rules of baseball and lead his soldiers into battle
during the Mexican-American and Civil Wars. Special features
include a summary of Abner's adult accomplishments, fun facts
detailing little-known tidbits of information about him, and a
time line of his life.
Montrew Dunham is an author of titles in the Childhood of
Famous Americans series, from which the Young Patriots were
derived. Her children's books include James Whitcomb Riley, Young Poet;
Langston Hughes, Young Black Poet; and Mahalia Jackson, Gospel
Singer and Civil Rights Champion. She lives in
Downers Grove,
Illinois. Cathy Morrison is the illustrator of Ignacio's Chair.
She lives in
Littleton,
Colorado.
Africa for Kids
Exploring a Vibrant Continent, 19 Activities
By Harvey Croze
Age
Range: 9 to 12
Africa is brought to life in this imaginative look at the
plants, animals, and people that make it such a fascinating
continent. Studies of both traditional tribes and modern African
cities showcase Africa's diversity, and authentic activities
allow kids to dive into the rich culture by making a Maasai
bivouac shelter, writing a fable in the African style, working
as a field biologist, making a ritual elephant mask, and
learning to tie an African Kanga dress. This cross-cultural
study also shows kids what challenges
Africa
faces today while giving them a look at what it is like to live
on this interesting continent.
Harvey Croze is the coauthor of Pyramids of Life and The
Serengeti's Great Migration. He is one of the world's foremost
experts on African elephants and has been studying them for 35
years as a founding member of the Ambosli Elephant Research
Project. He lives in
Nairobi.
Amelia Earhart, Young Air Pioneer
By Jane Moore Howe, illustrations by Cathy Morrison
Age Range: 8 to 12
These true-life tales of aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart,
based on the remembrances of her sister Pidge, will inspire and
thrill young readers. Kids will cheer as Amelia rescues two
neighbor boys from an angry dog and when she builds her own "rolly
coaster" off the roof of her grandparents’ shed. Amelia’s
fascination at seeing her first airplane, as well as her
curiosity, courage, and determination to learn, will make this
portrayal of an American heroine a favorite of both children and
adults.
Jane Moore Howe is a former journalist and columnist for
the
Indianapolis Star newspaper. She lives in
Indianapolis,
Indiana. Cathy Morrison lives in West Chester,
Pennsylvania.
Amusing Moments in the Wild
Animals and Their Friends
Age Range: 3 to 5
These stimulating photographs capture peculiar behavior
in the animal kingdom and introduce the idea that animals, like
humans, have their share of funny moments. Elephants greet each
other with their trunks, a pair of polar bears engage in a dance
of dominance, and a sponge crab protects itself with a fancy
seashell hat in these images by leading wildlife photographers.
Early readers are encouraged to connect the simple accompanying
captions with each colorful photograph, fostering increased
language and comprehension skills while they learn about the
natural world and the similarities between animals and humans.
Stephanie Maze is the editor of the Moments in the Wild
series, the creator of the I Want to Be . . . career series for
children, and an award-winning National Geographic freelance
photographer. She lives in
Potomac,
Maryland.
Animal Architects
by John Nicholson
Age Range: 7 to 9
Shells, nests, mounds, bowers, galleries, dens, lodges,
and the creative critters that build them are explored in this
fascinating introduction to animal habitats. The featured
creature carpenters dig, mould, spin, and weave their homes with
an intricacy fascinating to budding zoologists. Children learn
how these industrious animals can adjust their homes for
temperature and comfort, make escape hatches, and store food for
their young. Familiar industrious animals such as beavers,
prairie dogs, and spiders are included alongside exotic wombats,
oven birds, and naked mole rats as memorable examples of animals
that adapt to and even renovate their environments.
John Nicholson has a background in architecture and built
his own eco-friendly house. He is the author of a number of
children's books, including The First Fleet, Fishing for
Islands,
and A Home Among Gum Trees.
Appalachian Scrapbook
An A-B-C of Growing Up in the Mountains
Second edition
By Pauline Cheek
Filled with interesting information about the culture and
heritage of the
Southern Highlands, this enjoyable and easy-to-read children's book would be a
welcome addition in the classroom simply for the factual text.
Defining the region from "A" to "Z"—B is for Ballad; G is for
Ginseng; R is for Railroad—the diverse assortment is further
enhanced with the author’s engaging hand-drawn illustrations.
Directed to elementary-school-age children in particular, it
will have special appeal to teachers interested in Appalachian
studies and cultural heritage. The narrator speaks directly to
children, seeking to engage them in dialogue. Leaders wanting to
encourage creative writing in students will find this volume
useful in classrooms both in and beyond the region.
Blessed with enthusiasm and a strong sense of self,
Pauline Binkley Cheek developed a love for the outdoors and all
living things at an early age. During her formative years in the
Piedmont
and
Appalachian Mountains of
North Carolina, she came to value the family, the church, rural life,
and cross-cultural experiences.
Ask Me Where I'm Going & Other Revealing Messages from
Today's Teens
edited by Ruth Taswell
This intimate little children's book includes poignant and practical
"real words" from teens—describing what they really want from
the caring adults in their lives. A perfect gift book for anyone
who touches the lives of teens.
Beautiful Moments in the Wild
Animals and Their Colors
Edited by Stephanie Maze
Age Range: 3 to 5
This collection of images by some of the world’s leading
wildlife photographers uses vivid photographs to introduce young
children to the dazzling multitude of colors in the natural
world. A neck-arching pink flamingo; a quiet, resting, red-eyed
tree frog; and a school of orange bigeyes swimming gracefully
through an ocean reef are some of the featured pictures that
capture the beautiful colors of the animal kingdom.
Storybook-like captions encourage beginning readers to make
connections between the pictures and words on the page,
promoting literacy along with an appreciation of the natural
world’s beauty.
Stephanie Maze is the editor of the Moments in the Wild
series, the creator of the I Want to Be . . . career series for
children, and an award-winning National Geographic freelance
photographer. She lives in
Potomac,
Maryland.
Because It's My Body!
Keep 'Em Safe Series: Anxiety-Free Learning for Children
By Joanne Sherman, MS, RN, APN, C, illustrations by John Steven
Gurney
Age
Range: 5 to 7
Focusing on empowerment and prevention, this approachable
children's book book gives young children a way to reject unwanted, possibly
harmful physical contact by adults and other kids. Its non-confrontational tone relays the importance of saying no
without veering into descriptions of molestation—teaching
children without scaring them. Diverse illustrations allow young
readers to identify with the characters in the book and, without
focusing on sexuality, the scenarios show children how to start
the process of defining physical boundaries by teaching them
that their entire body belongs to them. By giving them the tools
to stand up for themselves, parents and educators can set kids
on a path to protecting themselves from unwanted touching and
abuse.
Joanne Sherman, MS, RN, APN, C, is a certified
psychoanalyst and an advanced-practice psychiatric nurse. She
lives in
Scotch Plains,
New Jersey. John Steven Gurney is the illustrator of more than
80 books for children, including all of the titles in
Scholastic's The Bailey School Kids series and Random House's A
to Z Mysteries series. He lives in
Brattleboro,
Vermont.
Big Picture Book, The
by John Long, illustrations by Brian Choo
Age Range: 9 to 12
The story of four billion years of evolution is told in
simple words and stunning images in this vivid children's book. Using the
latest scientific research, an up-to-date account of Earth's
history—the Big Bang, major changes to the planet's continents
and climates, and crucial steps in the evolution of life—is
presented.
John Long is the head of sciences at Museum
Victoria and the former curator of vertebrate paleontology at the
Museum of
Western Australia. Brian Choo has been studying and
reconstructing fossil animals for many years.
Bones Rock!
Everything You Need to Know to Be a Paleontologist
By Peter Larson and Kristin Donnan
Age Range: 8 to 12
Revealing true stories about kids who have made paleo-discoveries
and providing young readers with the tools necessary to make the
next big discovery, this book shows kids how to collect, clean,
and study fossil samples in order to develop and further their
own research interests. Examples from the fossil record and the
laboratory help to answer questions raised by bones and by
movies about dinosaurs, such as Could a Velociraptor really open
a door? Covering actual field and lab techniques, methods for
developing scientific theories, information about summer dig
programs, ways to incorporate fossils into classwork at school,
and plans for a future in science, this book provides aspiring
scientists with applicable and educational research tools. From
figuring out whether a sample is an authentic dinosaur specimen
to reading about discoveries made by other young
paleontologists, kids learn how to become active contributors to
the field of dino-study. Entertaining and realistic, this book
includes cautions about safety, mentorship, and permission.
Peter Larson is the founder and president of the Black
Hills Institute of Geological Research. He has personally
collected and prepared fossil material from North and
South America,
Europe, and
Asia, and has discovered more Tyrannosaurus rex bones than
anyone else in the world. He lives in
Hill City,
South Dakota. Kristin Donnan has investigated controversial legal
cases for NBC’s Unsolved Mysteries and has written for McCall's.
She lives in
Hill City,
South Dakota.
Bridge Spanning Time, A
by Lanette DePew
The "Queen of the Doe" has gracefullly adorned the edge
of
Elizabethton,
Tennessee, since 1882, accommodating the weight of pedestrians,
horse-drawn carriages, and even automobiles with ease. But what
was life like in the small mountain village when the covered
bridge was first built? How did the townspeople endure floods,
epidemics, depression, and war? Join Laurel and her small family
as they journey through nearly one hundred years of growth,
trials, and memories in this reflection of the bridge that spans
time.
Lanette Depew has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary
Education from
Tennessee
Temple
University and has continued her studies at
East
Tennessee
State
University. She has taught elementary and middle school at
Tri-Cities
Christian
School since 1991and currently resides in
Elizabethton,
Tenn. with her husband and four children.
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