Children's Nonfiction

A Kid's Guide to Asian American History ›

By Valerie Petrillo

Price 16.95

Published May 2007

Hands-on activities, games, and crafts introduce children to the diversity of Asian American cultures and teach them about the people, experiences, and events that have shaped Asian American history. This book is broken down into sections covering American descendents from various Asian countries, including China, Japan, Korea, Philippines, India, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Topics include the history of immigration from Asian countries, important events in U.S. history, sidebars on famous Asian Americans, language lessons, and activities that highlight arts, games, food, clothing, unique celebrations, and folklore. Kids can paint a calligraphy banner, practice Tai Chi, fold an origami dog or cat, build a Japanese rock garden, construct a Korean kite, cook bibingka, and create a chalk rangoli. A time line, glossary, and recommendations for Web sites, books, movies, and museums round out this multicultural guide.

A Kid's Guide to African American History ›

By Nancy Sanders

Price 16.95

Published Jun 2007

What do all these people have in common: the first man to die in the American Revolution, a onetime chief of the Crow Nation, the inventors of peanut butter and the portable X-ray machine, and the first person to make a wooden clock in this country? They were all great African Americans. For parents and teachers interested in fostering cultural awareness among children of all races, this book includes more than 70 hands-on activities, songs, and games that teach kids about the people, experiences, and events that shaped African American history. This expanded edition contains new material throughout, including additional information and biographies. Children will have fun designing an African mask, making a medallion like those worn by early abolitionists, playing the rhyming game "Juba," inventing Brer Rabbit riddles, and creating a unity cup for Kwanzaa. Along the way they will learn about inspiring African American artists, inventors, and heroes like Harriet Tubman, Benjamin Banneker, Rosa Parks, Langston Hughes, and Louis Armstrong, to name a few.

A Kid's Guide to Native American History ›

By Yvonne Wakim Dennis, By Arlene Hirschfelder

Published Nov 2009

Hands-on activities, games, and crafts introduce children to the diversity of Native American cultures and teach them about the people, experiences, and events that have helped shape America, past and present. Nine geographical areas cover a variety of communities such as the Mohawk in the Northeast, Ojibway in the Midwest, Shoshone in the Great Basin, Apache in the Southwest, Yup'ik in Alaska, and Native Hawaiians. Featuring a look at the lives of notable historical and contemporary individuals, including Chief Joseph and Maria Tallchief, this guide also covers a variety of topics, such as first encounters with Europeans, Indian removal, Mohawk skywalkers, and Navajo code talkers. With activities that highlight the arts, games, food, clothing, unique celebrations, language and lifeways of various nations, kids can make Iroquois corn husk dolls, play Washoe stone jacks, design Inupiat sun goggles, or create a Hawaiian Ma'o-hau-hele Bag. A time line, glossary, and recommendations for websites, books, movies, and museums for further study round out this multicultural guide.

A Kid's Guide to Latino History ›

By Valerie Petrillo

Published Aug 2009

Featuring hands-on activities, games, and crafts that introduce children to the diversity of Latino culture, this guide teaches them about the people, experiences, and events that have shaped Hispanic American history. Broken down into sections covering descendants from Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Central and South America, topics include Spanish colonial history; the missions and early settlements in Florida, Arizona, New Mexico, California, and Texas; the Santa Fe Trail and the United States-Mexican War of 1848; immigration; and the plight of migrant farm workers. Sidebars focus on famous Latinos and language lessons, while projects highlight arts, games, food, clothing, unique celebrations, and folklore. Kids can fill Mexican cascarones for Easter, learn to dance the merengue from the Dominican Republic, write a short story using magical realism to learn about the literature of Colombia, make a Cuban sandwich, and create Guatemalan worry dolls. A time line, glossary, teacher's guide, and recommendations for Latino books, movies, museums, and websites round out this multicultural excursion.

A Kid's Guide to Arab American History ›

By Yvonne Wakim Dennis, By Maha Addasi

Price 16.95

Published Jan 2013

Dispelling common stereotypes—such as the belief that all Arabs share the same culture, religion, and language, and have only recently begun immigrating to the United States—this exploration provides a contemporary as well as historical look at the people and experiences that have shaped Arab American culture. Each chapter focuses on a different group of Arab Americans, including those of Lebanese, Syrian, Palestinian, Jordanian, Egyptian, Iraqi, and Yemeni descent, and features activities that highlight their distinct arts, games, clothing, and food. Kids will love dancing the dabke, constructing a derbekke drum, playing a game of senet, making hummus, creating an arabesque design, and crafting an Egyptian-style cuff bracelet. Along the way they will learn to count in Kurdish, pick up a few Syrian words for family members, learn a Yemeni saying, and learn to speak some Iraqi. Short biographies of notable Arab Americans demonstrate a wide variety of careers and contributions, including actor and philanthropist Danny Thomas, singer Paula Abdul, quarterback Doug Flutie, and activist Ralph Nader. Kids will come away with a better understanding of how Arab Americans have helped build and protect this country and have been part of our fabric as a nation for well over 100 years.

Abraham Lincoln for Kids ›

By Janis Herbert

Price 16.95

Published Jul 2007

Providing a fresh perspective on one of the most beloved presidents of all time, this illuminating activity book tells the rich story of Abraham Lincoln’s life and details the events of his era. Highlighting Lincoln’s warm, generous spirit and impressive intellect, the guide teaches children about his fascinating life story, his struggles at the onset of the Civil War, and his relevance in today’s world. Activities include delivering a speech, holding a debate, drawing political cartoons, and making a stovepipe hat or miniature Mississippi River flatboat. Lively sidebars, abundant photographs and illustrations, and fun projects help to kick the dust off old Honest Abe. Also included are selections from some of Lincoln’s most famous speeches and documents, as well as a resource section of Web sites to explore and sites to visit, making this a comprehensive Lincoln biography for young readers.

Albert Einstein and Relativity for Kids ›

By Jerome Pohlen

Price 11.99

Published Oct 2012

2012 VOYA Nonfiction Honor List Selection Best known for his general theory of relativity and the famous equation linking mass and energy, E = mc², Albert Einstein had a lasting impact on the world of science, the extent of which is illuminated—along with his fascinating life and unique personality—in this lively history. In addition to learning all about Einstein's important contributions to science, from proving the existence and size of atoms and launching the field of quantum mechanics to creating models of the universe that led to the discovery of black holes and the big bang theory, young physicists will participate in activities and thought experiments to bring his theories and ideas to life. Such activities include using dominoes to model a nuclear chain reaction, replicating the expanding universe in a microwave oven, creating blue skies and red sunsets in a soda bottle, and calculating the speed of light using a melted chocolate bar. Suggestions for further study, a time line, and sidebars on the work of other physicists of the day make this an incredibly accessible resource for inquisitive children.

America's Black Founders ›

By Nancy Sanders

Price 17.99

Published Jan 2010

Celebrating the lesser known but significant lives and contributions of our nation’s early African American leaders, this multicultural complement to most children’s books on the American Revolution covers a wide spectrum of subjects, including military, art, religion, and science. Weaving the histories of dozens of men and women—soldiers, sailors, ministers, poets, merchants, doctors, and other community leaders—to properly recognize them among the founders of the United States of America, this text gives a better sense of what these individuals accomplished and the times in which they lived. Activities include celebrating Constitution Day, cooking colonial foods, publishing a newspaper, petitioning their government, and more. This valuable resource also includes a time line of significant events, a list of historic sites to visit or explore online, and Web resources for further study.

American Folk Art for Kids ›

By Richard Panchyk

Price 16.95

Published Sep 2004

Drawing on the natural folk art tendencies of children, who love to collect buttons, bottle caps, shells, and Popsicle sticks to create beautiful, imperfect art, this activity guide teaches kids about the history of this organic art and offers inspiration for them to create their own masterpieces. The full breadth of American folk art is surveyed, including painting, sculpture, decorative arts, and textiles from the 17th century through today. Making bubblegum wrapper chains, rag dolls, bottle cap sculptures, decoupage boxes, and folk paintings are just a few of the activities designed to bring out the artist in every child. Along the way kids learn about the lives of Americans throughout history and their casual relationships to everyday art as they cut stencils, sew needlepoint samplers, draw calligraphy birds, and design quilts. Important folk artists such as the last surviving Shakers, the legendary Grandma Moses, and the Reverend Howard Finster are also explored in sidebars throughout the book.

Archaeology for Kids ›

By Richard Panchyk

Price 18.99

Published Oct 2001

This activity book features 25 projects such as making a surface survey of a site, building a screen for sifting dirt and debris at a dig, tracking soil age by color, and counting tree rings to date a find, teaches kids the techniques that unearthed Neanderthal caves, Tutankhamun’s tomb, the city of Pompeii, and Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec empire. Kids will delight in fashioning a stone-age tool, playing a seriation game with old photographs of cars, “reading” objects excavated in their own backyards, and using patent numbers to date modern artifacts as they gain an overview of human history and the science that brings it back to life.

Beethoven for Kids ›

By Helen Bauer

Price 18.99

Published Oct 2011

Ludwig van Beethoven, one of the most influential composers of all time, is brought vividly to life and made relevant to today’s young musicians in Beethoven for Kids. Children will learn about Beethoven’s troubled childhood and family life, early gift and passion for music, volatile personality, championing of equality and freedom, and persistence in his work despite increasing hearing loss. The great musicians, thinkers, and movements of Beethoven’s time, from Mozart and Haydn to the bold new ideas of the Enlightenment, are presented and their profound effect on the composer's life and music explained. Twenty-one engaging activities, including singing musical variations, dancing a Viennese waltz, creating an operatic diorama, and making a model eardrum, illuminate Beethoven’s life, times, and work. A time line, a glossary, online resources, and recordings and reading lists for further listening and study round out this comprehensive resource.

Benjamin Franklin, American Genius ›

By Brandon Marie Miller

Price 11.99

Published Oct 2009

Capturing the essence of this exceptional individual through his original writings and hands-on activities from his era, this resource tells the rich story of one of America’s most celebrated Founding Fathers. Beginning with his time as a young printer, this engaging narrative details how Benjamin Franklin became a celebrity with the publication of Poor Richard: An Almanack and how he founded the colonies’ first lending library, volunteer fire company, and postal service. Additionally, his life in science is also highlighted, from his 1751 book Experiments and Observations on Electricity to his proof a year later that lightning was an electrical discharge. Activities range from designing and printing an almanac cover and playing a simple glass armonica (a Franklin invention) to experimenting with static electricity and building a barometer. The text also features a time line, glossary, Web and travel resources, and reading list for further study.

California History for Kids ›

By Katy S. Duffield

Published Jan 2012

The rich story of the men and women who settled and built the Golden State is told in this engaging chronicle, from the first native inhabitants that arrived 9,000 years ago and the Spanish in the 1700s to the followers of the Gold Rush in 1848 and the Hollywood and Silicon Valley newcomers. They faced many struggles—including earthquakes, economic hardships, and the forced internment of Japanese citizens—yet they persevered. To get a better idea of the scope of California history and the lives of the state’s residents, children will create a Chumash rock painting, play the Miwok game of Hoop and Pole, bake and eat hardtack like a gold miner, design a cattle brand, assemble an earthquake preparedness kit, and more. This valuable resource also includes a time line of significant events, a list of historic sites to visit or explore online, and Web resources for further study.

Charting the World ›

By Richard Panchyk

Price 18.95

Published Aug 2011

Maps have been a part of human culture since the days of scratching on cave walls, and this richly illustrated history chronicles the road from simple diagrams used to avoid danger to the complex, navigational charts used today. Displaying an array of historic atlases and a variety of cartography styles, this book allows young readers to test their map-reading skills while discovering the intricate beauty and the wealth of information held within. Geographical concepts are spotlighted through an assortment of guided activities—including finding the elevation of hills, plotting a course with a magnetic compass, creating three-dimensional land models using a contour map, and performing a plot survey. Drawing the conclusion that the study of geography and maps is crucial to understanding an ever-changing planet, this handbook discloses the ways in which technological advances in cartography can further discussions on climate change, warfare, environmental conservation, population growth, and other timely topics.

Chicago History for Kids ›

By Owen Hurd, Foreword by Gary Johnson

Price 16.95

Published Jul 2007

From the Native Americans who lived in the Chicago area for thousands of years, to the first European explorers Marquette and Jolliet, to the 2005 Chicago White Sox World Series win, parents, teachers, and kids will love this comprehensive and exciting history of how Chicago became the third largest city in the U.S. Chicago’s spectacular and impressive history comes alive through activities such as building a model of the original Ferris Wheel, taking architectural walking tours of the first skyscrapers and Chicago’s oldest landmarks, and making a Chicago-style hotdog. Serving as both a guide to kids and their parents and an engaging tool for teachers, this book details the first Chicagoan Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, the Fort Dearborn Massacre, the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the building of the world’s first skyscraper, and the hosting of two World’s Fairs. In addition to uncovering Windy City treasures such as the birth of the vibrant jazz era of Louis Armstrong and the work of Chicago poets, novelists, and songwriters, kids will also learn about Chicago’s triumphant and tortured sports history.

Christopher Columbus and the Age of Exploration for Kids ›

By Ronald A. Reis

Price 16.95

Published Oct 2013

Taking a comprehensive, nuanced, and inclusive approach to Christopher Columbus, this illuminating biography with activities for young readers places him in the context of the explorations that came before, during, and after his lifetime. It portrays the “Admiral of the Ocean Seas” neither as hero nor heel, but as a flawed and complex man whose significance is undeniably monumental. Providing kids, parents, and teachers with a fuller picture of the seafaring life and the dangers and thrills of exploration, author Ronald Reis details all four of Columbus’s voyages to the New World, not just his first, and describes the year that Columbus spent stranded on the island of Jamaica without hope of rescue. A full chapter is devoted to painting a more complete and complex portrait of the indigenous peoples of the New World and another to the consequences of Columbus’s voyages—the exchange of diseases, ideas, crops, and populations between the New World and the Old. Engaging cross-curricular activities, such as taking nautical measurements, simulating a hurricane, making an ancient globe, and conducting silent trade, elucidate nautical concepts introduced and the times in which Columbus lived.

Darwin and Evolution for Kids ›

By Kristan Lawson

Price 16.95

Published Oct 2003

Darwin and Evolution for Kids traces the transformation of a privileged and somewhat scatterbrained youth into the great thinker who proposed the revolutionary theory of evolution. Through 21 hands-on activities, young scientists learn about Darwin’s life and work and assess current evidence of evolution. Activities include going on a botanical treasure hunt, keeping field notes as a backyard naturalist, and tying knots for ship sails like those on the HMS Beagle. Children also learn how fossils are created, trace genetic traits through their family trees, and discover if acquired traits are passed along to future generations. By encouraging children, parents, and teachers to define the differences between theories and beliefs, facts and opinions, Darwin and Evolution for Kids does not shy away from a theory that continues to spark heated public debate more than a century after it was first proposed.

Duke Ellington ›

By Stephanie Crease

Published Feb 2009

Celebrating one of the most influential figures in jazz, this comprehensive biography incorporates the legendary Duke Ellington’s talents into engaging activities for children. Enlisting the musician’s gifts as a pianist, composer, and band leader, this interdisciplinary approach shows how to create a ragtime rhythm, make a washtub bass, write song lyrics, dance the Lindy Hop, and even design an album cover. Exploring Ellington’s life and career, this activity guide includes information on additional topics such as the Harlem Renaissance, the musical evolution of jazz, and how technology has changed over the years—from piano rolls and record albums to CDs, television, and portable music devices. A time line, glossary, selected bibliography, and extensive resources—including Ellington’s greatest recordings, related websites, and recommendations for further study—are also included.

Elizabeth I, the People's Queen ›

By Kerrie Logan Hollihan

Price 16.95

Published Jun 2011

One of England’s most fascinating monarchs is brought to life in this hands-on study for young minds. Combining projects, pictures, and sidebars with an authoritative biography, children will develop an understanding of the Reformation, Shakespearean England, and how Elizabeth’s 45-year reign set the stage for the English Renaissance and marshaled her country into a chief military power. Providing 21 activities, from singing a madrigal and growing a knot garden to creating a period costume—complete with a neck ruff and a cloak for the queen’s court—readers will experience a sliver of life in the Elizabethan age. For those who wish to delve deeper, a time line, online resources, and a reading list are included to aid in further study.

Exploring the Solar System ›

By Mary Kay Carson

Price 19.99

Published Feb 2008

In this stellar activity book, kids delve into the rich history of space exploration, where telescopes, satellites, probes, landers, and human missions lead to amazing discoveries. Updated to include the recent discovery of Eris which, along with Pluto, has been newly classified as a “dwarf planet” by the International Astronomical Union, this cosmic adventure challenges kids to explore the planets and other celestial bodies for themselves through activities such as building a model of a comet using soil, molasses, dry ice, and window cleaner; or creating their own reentry vehicle to safely return an egg to Earth’s surface. With biographies of more than 20 space pioneers, specific mission details, a 20-page field guide to the solar system, and plenty of suggestions for further research, this is the ultimate guidebook to exploring the solar system.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt for Kids ›

By Richard Panchyk

Price 14.95

Published Aug 2007

Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s enduring legacy upon the history, culture, politics, and economics of the United States is introduced to children in this engaging activity book. Kids will learn how FDR, a member of one of the founding families of the New World, led the nation through the darkest days of the Great Depression and World War II as 32nd U.S. President. This book examines the Roosevelt family—including famous cousin Teddy Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt—as well as FDR’s early political career and subsequent 12 years in office during some of the most fascinating and turbulent times in American history. Interspersed throughout are first-hand accounts from the people who knew FDR and remember him well. Children will also learn how his personal struggles with polio and his physical disability strengthened FDR's compassion and resolve. In addition, kids will explore Roosevelt's entire era through such hands-on activities as staging a fireside chat, designing a WPA-style mural, sending a double encoded message, hosting a swing dance party, and participating in a political debate.

Frederick Douglass for Kids ›

By Nancy Sanders

Price 16.95

Published Jun 2012

Few Americans have had as much impact on the United States as Frederick Douglass, and this guide follows his footsteps, from his birth into slavery to his becoming a friend and confidant of presidents and the leading African American of his day. This American hero became a bestselling author, an outspoken newspaper editor, a brilliant orator, a tireless abolitionist, and a brave civil rights leader. To better appreciate Frederick Douglass and his times, young readers will form a debate club, cook a meal similar to the one Douglass shared with John Brown, make a Civil War haversack, participate in a microlending program, and more. This valuable resource also includes a time line of significant events, a list of historic sites to visit or explore online, and web resources for further study.

Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera ›

By Carol Sabbeth

Price 17.95

Published Aug 2005

Children will find artistic inspiration as they learn about iconic artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera in these imaginative and colorful activities. The art and ideas of Kahlo and Rivera are explored through projects that include painting a self-portrait Kahlo-style, creating a mural with a social message like Rivera, making a Day of the Dead ofrenda, and crafting an Olmec head carving. Vibrant illustrations throughout the book include Rivera's murals and paintings, Kahlo's dreamscapes and self-portraits, pre-Columbian art and Mexican folk art, as well as many photographs of the two artists. Children will learn that art is more than just pretty pictures; it can be a way to express the artist's innermost feelings, a source of everyday joy and fun, an outlet for political ideas, and an expression of hope for a better world. Sidebars will introduce children to other Mexican artists and other notable female artists. A time line, listings of art museums and places where Kahlo and Rivera's art can be viewed, and a list of relevant websites complete this cross-cultural art experience.

Friends of the Earth ›

By Pat McCarthy

Price 16.95

Published Mar 2013

From John Muir pushing a president and a nation into setting aside vast preserves—including Yosemite, Sequoia, Mt. Rainer, and the Grand Canyon—to Julia “Butterfly” Hill saving a 1,000-year-old redwood while bringing to light the devastation of our old-growth forests, Friends of the Earth chronicles the efforts of the men and women who dedicated their lives to protecting the United States’ natural heritage. Other notable profiles include John James Audubon, who introduced the study of birds to North America; Marjory Stoneman Douglas, who worked to conserve the Florida Everglades; and Rachel Carson, who opened the world’s eyes to the dangers of pesticides. Together, these environmentalists’ inspiring life stories tell the history of American environmentalism, from its inception to the present day. In this comprehensive resource, children also learn how to put their concerns into action. Step-by-step instructions on how to build a birdfeeder, conduct a water quality survey, start a compost pile, create their own recycled paper, and test for acid rain are included, as well as a time line of historic milestones and a list of popular parks and sites to visit or explore online.

Galileo for Kids ›

By Richard Panchyk, Foreword by Buzz Aldrin

Price 18.95

Published Jul 2005

Galileo, one of history's best-known scientists, is introduced in this illuminating activity book. Children will learn how Galileo's revolutionary discoveries and sometimes controversial theories changed his world and laid the groundwork for modern astronomy and physics. This book will inspire kids to be stargazers and future astronauts or scientists as they discover Galileo's life and work. Activities allow children to try some of his theories on their own, with experiments that include playing with gravity and motion, making a pendulum, observing the moon, and painting with light and shadow. Along with the scientific aspects of Galileo's life, his passion for music and art are discussed and exemplified by period engravings, maps, and prints. A time line, glossary, and listings of major science museums, planetariums, and web sites for further exploration complement this activity book.

George Washington for Kids ›

By Brandon Marie Miller

Price 16.95

Published Apr 2007

George Washington comes alive in this fascinating activity book that introduces the leader to whom citizens turned again and again—to lead them through eight long years of war, to guide them as they wrote a new Constitution, and to act as the new nation’s first executive leader. Children will learn how, shortly after his death in 1799, people began transforming George Washington from a man into a myth. But Washington was a complex individual who, like everyone, had hopes and fears, successes and failures. In his early 20s, for instance,Washington’s actions helped plunge Great Britain and France into war. He later fought for liberty and independence, yet owned slaves himself (eventually freeing them in his will). This book weaves a rich tapestry of Washington’s life, allowing kids to connect with his story in 21 hands-on projects based on his experiences and the times in which he lived. Children will learn how to tie a cravat, write with a quill pen, follow animal tracks, sew a lady’s cap, plant a garden, roll a beeswax candle, play a game of Quoits, and make a replica of Washington’s commander-in-chief flag. The text includes a time line, glossary, websites, travel resources, and a reading list for further study.

Harry Houdini for Kids ›

By Laurie Carlson

Price 18.95

Published Feb 2009

From his impoverished childhood to his feat of becoming one of the most successful entertainers of all time, this fascinating biography presents a memorable portrait of magician and escape artist Harry Houdini. Guidelines for 21 fun magic tricks are also provided, including how to stick a needle into a balloon without popping it, how to step through a note card, and how to make a coin vanish. Illustrating the science and logic behind many of Houdini's most notable acts, the magic-based activities also explain his famous Milk Can Escape through an accessible water displacement experiment and demonstrate simple mathematics with his Odd Number Trick. Touching on his time as an actor, an aviator, and possibly even a spy for the U.S. government, this thoroughly entertaining biography also features a time line, curriculum links for educators, and books and websites for further exploration.

Heading West ›

By Pat McCarthy

Price 16.95

Published Aug 2009

Tracing the vivid saga of Native American and pioneer men, women, and children, this guide covers the colonial beginnings of the westward expansion to the last of the homesteaders in the late 20th century. Dozens of firsthand accounts from journals and autobiographies of the era form a rich and detailed story that shows how life in the backwoods and on the prairie mirrors modern life in many ways—children attended school and had daily chores, parents worked hard to provide for their families, and communities gathered for church and social events. More than 20 activities are included in this engaging guide to life in the west, including learning to churn butter, making dip candles, tracking animals, playing Blind Man’s Bluff, and creating a homestead diorama.

Isaac Newton and Physics for Kids ›

By Kerrie Logan Hollihan

Price 11.99

Published Jul 2009

Featuring 21 hands-on projects that explore the scientific concepts Isaac Newton developed, this illuminating guide paints a rich portrait of the brilliant and complex man and provides young readers with a hands-on understanding of astronomy, physics, and mathematics. The activity-packed resource allows children to experiment with swinging pendulums, build a simple waterwheel, create a 17th-century plague mask, track the phases of the moon, bake an “apple pye in a coffin,” and test Newton’s three laws of motion using coins, a skateboard, and a model boat they construct themselves. A time line, excerpts from Newton's own writings, online resources, and a reading list for further exploration ensure that kids will gravitate to this unique activity book.

Leonardo da Vinci for Kids ›

By Janis Herbert

Price 17.95

Published Oct 1998

The marriage of art and science is celebrated in this beautifully illustrated four-color biography and activity book. Kids will begin to understand the important discoveries that da Vinci made through inspiring activities like determining the launch angle of a catapult, sketching birds and other animals, creating a map, learning to look at a painting, and much more. Includes a glossary, bibliography, listing of pertinent museums and Web sites, a timeline, and many interesting sidebars.

Lewis and Clark for Kids ›

By Janis Herbert

Price 16.95

Published Jun 2000

Following Meriwether Lewis and William Clark’s Corps of Discovery as they navigate the muddy Missouri River and begin a great adventure, this activity book is set against the background of the vast North American continent. It takes children from President Jefferson’s vision of an exploratory mission across a continent full of unique plants and animals through their dangerous and challenging journey into the unknown to the expedition’s triumphant return to the frontier town of St. Louis. Twenty-one activities bring to life the Native American tribes they encountered, the plants and animals they discovered, and the camping and navigating techniques they used. A glossary of terms and listings of Lewis and Clark sites, museums, and related websites round out this comprehensive activity book.

Lighthouses for Kids ›

By Katherine House

Price 16.95

Published Mar 2008

Bringing to life an era when rivers, lakes, and oceans were the nation’s highways and lighthouses served as traffic signals and maps, this comprehensive reference provides children with an in-depth history of lighthouses and firsthand stories of the challenges faced by lighthouse keepers. Filled with engaging activities such as learning how to tie a bowline knot and building a model lighthouse, this unique book also includes a field guide to U.S. lighthouses, places to visit, a time line, glossary, websites to explore, and a reading list for further study.

Marco Polo for Kids ›

By Janis Herbert

Price 17.95

Published Aug 2001

The Far East comes alive in this activity book centered on Marco Polo’s journey to China from Venice along the 13th-century Silk Road. Kids will join Marco as he travels by caravan through vast deserts and over steep mountain ranges, stopping in exotic cities and humble villages, until at last he arrives at the palace of the Kublai Khan. Woven throughout the tale are 21 activities that highlight the diverse cultures Marco encountered along the way. Activities include making a mythical map, creating a mosaic, fun with Feng Shui, making paper, and putting on a wayang-kulit (shadow-puppet play). Just for fun, kids will learn a few words of Turkish, Persian, Mongol, Hindi, and Chinese. A complete resource section with magnificent museums and their Web sites invites kids to embark on their own expedition of discovery.

Mark Twain for Kids ›

By R. Kent Rasmussen

Price 14.95

Published Jul 2004

Nineteenth-century America and the world of Samuel L. Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, come to life as children journey back in time with this history- and literature-laden activity book. The comprehensive biographical information explores Mark Twain as a multi-talented man of his times, from his childhood in the rough-and-tumble West of Missouri to his many careers—steamboat pilot, printer, miner, inventor, world traveler, businessman, lecturer, newspaper reporter, and most important, author—and how these experiences influenced his writing. Twain-inspired activities include making printer’s type, building a model paddlewheel boat, unmasking a hoax, inventing new words, cooking cornpone, planning a newspaper, observing people, and writing maxims. An extensive resource section offers information on Twain’s classics, such as Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, as well as a listing of recommended web sites to explore.

Monet and the Impressionists for Kids ›

By Carol Sabbeth

Price 17.95

Published Apr 2002

A lifelong love of art is one of the greatest gifts an adult can bestow on a child—and no period of art is better loved or more available to children than Impressionism. Monet and the Impressionists for Kids invites children to delight in Cassatt’s mothers and children, Renoir’s dancing couples, and Gaugin’s island scenes; 21 activities explore Monet’s quick shimmering brush strokes, Cezanne’s brilliant rectangles of color, Seurat’s pointillism, and Degas’ sculpture-like circles of dancers. Kids will learn how the artists’ friendships sustained them through repeated rejection by the Parisian art world, and how they lived, painted, and thrilled to the vibrant life of Paris at the approach of the 20th century. A resource section guides readers to important museums and Web sites around the world.

Native American History for Kids ›

By Karen Bush Gibson

Price 18.99

Published Jul 2010

A chronicle of American indigenous life, this guide captures the history of the complex societies that lived in North America when European explorers first appeared on the continent. Not only a history of tribal nations, this exploration also includes profiles of famous Native Americans and their many contributions—from early leaders to superstar athletes, dancers, astronauts, authors, and actors. Readers will learn about Indian culture through hands-on activities, such as planting a Three Sisters Garden, making beef jerky in a low-temperature oven, weaving a basket out of folded newspaper strips, deciphering a World War II Navajo Code Talker message, and playing Ball-and-Triangle. An important look at life before the settlers until present day, this resource shows that Native American history is the history of all Americans.

New York City History for Kids ›

By Richard Panchyk

Price 18.99

Published Nov 2012

In this lively 400-year history, kids will read about Peter Stuyvesant and the enterprising Dutch colonists, follow the spirited patriots as they rebel against the British during the American Revolution, learn about the crimes of the infamous Tweed Ring, journey through the notorious Five Points slum with its tenements and street vendors, and soar to new heights with the Empire State Building and New York City’s other amazing skyscrapers. Along the way, they’ll stop at Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, and many other prominent New York landmarks. With informative and fun activities, such as painting a Dutch fireplace tile or playing a game of stickball, this valuable resource includes a time line of significant events, a list of historic sites to visit or explore online, and web resources for further study, helping young learners gain a better understanding of the Big Apple’s culture, politics, and geography.

Our Supreme Court ›

By Richard Panchyk, Foreword by Senator John Kerry, Afterword by James Baker, III, Introduction by Nadine Strossen

Price 18.95

Published Oct 2006

This lively and comprehensive activity book teaches young readers everything they need to know about the nation's highest court. Organized around keystones of the Constitution—including free speech, freedom of religion, civil rights, criminal justice, and property rights—the book juxtaposes historical cases with similar current cases. Presented with opinions from both sides of the court cases, readers can make up their own minds on where they stand on the important issues that have evolved in the Court over the past 200 years. Interviews with prominent politicians, high-court lawyers, and those involved with landmark decisions—including Ralph Nader, Rudolph Giuliani, Mario Cuomo, and Arlen Specter—show the personal impact and far-reaching consequences of the decisions. Fourteen engaging classroom-oriented activities involving violations of civil rights, exercises of free speech, and selecting a classroom Supreme Court bring the issues and cases to life. The first 15 amendments to the Constitution and a glossary of legal terms are also included.

Polar Explorers for Kids ›

By Maxine Snowden

Price 16.95

Published Nov 2003

Heroism and horror abound in these true stories of 16 great explorers who journeyed to the Arctic and Antarctic regions, two exquisite and unique ice wildernesses. Recounted are the exciting North Pole adventures of Erik the Red in 982 and the elusive searches for the “Northwest Passage” and “Farthest North” of Henry Hudson, Fridtjof Nansen, Fredrick Cook, and Robert Peary. Coverage of the South Pole begins with Captain Cook in 1772; continues through the era of land grabbing and the race to reach the Pole with James Clark Ross, Roald Amundsen, Robert Scott, and Ernest Shackleton; and ends with an examination of the scientists at work there today. Astounding photographs and journal entries, sidebars on the Inuit and polar animals, and engaging activities bring the harrowing expeditions to life. Activities include making a Viking compass, building a model igloo, making a cross staff to measure latitude, creating a barometer, making pemmican, and writing a newspaper like William Parry’s “Winter Chronicle.” The North and South Poles become exciting routes to learning about science, geography, and history.

Salvador Dalí and the Surrealists ›

By Michael Elsohn Ross

Published Sep 2003

The bizarre and often humorous creations of René Magritte, Joan Miró, Salvador Dalí, and other surrealists are showcased in this activity guide for young artists. Foremost among the surrealists, Salvador Dalí was a painter, filmmaker, designer, performance artist, and eccentric self-promoter. His famous icons, including the melting watches, double images, and everyday objects set in odd contexts, helped to define the way people view reality and encourage children to view the world in new ways. Dalí’s controversial life is explored while children trace the roots of some familiar modern images. These wild and wonderful activities include making Man Ray–inspired solar prints, filming a Dali-esque dreamscape video, writing surrealist poetry, making collages, and assembling art with found objects.

Shakespeare for Kids ›

By Colleen Aagesen, By Margie Blumberg

Price 17.95

Published May 1999

Kids can experience William Shakespeare’s England and get their first taste of the Bard’s sublime craft with this lively biography and activity book. Staging swordplay, learning to juggle, and creating authentic costumes like a flamboyant shirt with slashed sleeves or a lady’s lace-trimmed glove bring the theater arts to life. Making a quill pen and using it to write a story, binding a simple book by hand, creating a fragrant pomander ball and a dish of stewed apples show what daily life was like in Elizabethan times. Inspired by scenes from Shakespeare’s plays, kids can invent new words, write songs, and devise scathing or comical insults just as he did. Fascinating and accurate historical information and 21 fun activities open a dramatic new world of learning for children ages 8 and up.

The American Revolution for Kids ›

By Janis Herbert

Price 16.95

Published Sep 2002

Heroes, traitors, and great thinkers come to life in this activity book, and the concepts of freedom and democracy are celebrated in true accounts of the distinguished officers, wise delegates, rugged riflemen, and hardworking farm wives and children who created the new nation. This collection tells the story of the Revolution, from the hated Stamp Act and the Boston Tea Party to the British surrender at Yorktown and the creation of the United States Constitution. All American students are required to study the Revolution and the Constitution, and these 21 activities make it fun and memorable. Kids create a fringed hunting shirt and a tricorn hat and reenact the Battle of Cowpens. They will learn how to make their voices heard in “I Protest” and how Congress works in “There Ought to Be a Law.” A final selection including the Declaration of Independence, a glossary, biographies, and pertinent Web sites makes this book a valuable resource for both students and teachers.

The Civil Rights Movement for Kids ›

By Mary C. Turck

Price 18.99

Published Jun 2000

Surprisingly, kids were some of the key instigators in the Civil Rights Movement, like Barbara Johns, who held a rally in her elementary school gym that eventually led to the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court school desegregation decision, and six-year-old Ruby Bridges, who was the first black student to desegregate elementary schools in New Orleans. In The Civil Rights Movement for Kids, children will discover how students and religious leaders worked together to demand the protection of civil rights for black Americans. They will relive the fear and uncertainty of Freedom Summer and learn how northern white college students helped bring national attention to atrocities committed in the name of segregation, and they’ll be inspired by the speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr., Medgar Evers, and Malcolm X. Activities include: reenacting a lunch counter sit-in; organizing a workshop on nonviolence; holding a freedom film festival followed by a discussion; and organizing a choral group to sing the songs that motivated the foot soldiers in this war for rights.

The Civil War for Kids ›

By Janis Herbert

Price 16.95

Published Nov 1999

History explodes in this activity guide spanning the turmoil preceding secession, the first shots fired at Fort Sumter, the fierce battles on land and sea, and finally the Confederate surrender at Appomattox. Making butternut dye for a Rebel uniform, learning drills and signals with flags, decoding wigwag, baking hardtack, reenacting battles, and making a medicine kit bring this pivotal period in our nation’s history to life. Fascinating sidebars tell of slaves escaping on the Underground Railroad, the adventures of nine-year-old drummer boy Johnny Clem, animal mascots who traveled with the troops, and friendships between enemies. The resource section includes short biographies of important figures from both sides of the war, listings of Civil War sites across the country, pertinent websites, glossary, and an index.

The Underground Railroad for Kids ›

By Mary Kay Carson

Price 18.95

Published Jan 2005

The heroic struggles of the thousands of slaves who sought freedom through the Underground Railroad are vividly portrayed in this powerful activity book, as are the abolitionists, free blacks, and former slaves who helped them along the way. The text includes 80 compelling firsthand narratives from escaped slaves and abolitionists and 30 biographies of "passengers," "conductors," and "stationmasters," such as Harriet Tubman, William Still, and Levi and Catherine Coffin. Interactive activities that teach readers how to navigate by the North Star, write and decode a secret message, and build a simple lantern bring the period to life. A time line, reading list, glossary, and listing of web sites for further exploration complete this activity book. The Underground Railroad for Kids is an inspiring story of brave people compelled to act in the face of injustice, risking their livelihoods, their families, and their lives in the name of freedom.

The White House for Kids ›

By Katherine House

Price 16.95

Published Feb 2014

An intriguing, in-depth look at the most famous home in the United States, this kid-friendly activity book educates young readers on the White House. Blending facts from numerous primary sources with engaging anecdotes—from learning that George Washington never actually slept in the White House and Abraham Lincoln never slept in the Lincoln Bedroom to how Gerald Ford's daughter Susan held her high school prom in the White House—this book provides the complete story of the presidents' home. Details on the many changes, updates, renovations, and redecorations that have occurred over the years are featured as well as a look at the daily lives of the White House's inhabitants, including past presidents and their families along with the enormous staff that makes the White House run smoothly. This rich history is packed with an assortment of cross-curricular activities that allow readers to walk in the footsteps of presidents—they can play key passages of "Hail to the Chief," practice signing a bill into law, make a White House punch, and re-create an aerobic game designed for President Hoover—making it a perfect book for any young mind with an interest in the White House or American history.

The Wright Brothers for Kids ›

By Mary Kay Carson

Price 18.95

Published May 2003

Winner of the 2009 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Children's Literature Award. This activity book tells the amazing true story of how two bicycle-making brothers from Ohio, with no more than high-school educations, accomplished a feat that forever changed the world. At a time when most people still hadn't ridden in an automobile, Wilbur and Orville Wright built the first powered, heavier-than-air flying machine. Woven throughout the heartwarming story of the two brothers are activities that highlight their ingenuity and problem-solving abilities as they overcame many obstacles to achieve controlled flight. The four forces of flight—lift, thrust, gravity, and drag—and how the Wright brothers mastered them are explained in clear, simple text. Activities include making a Chinese flying top, building a kite, bird watching, and designing a paper glider, and culminate with an activity in which readers build a rubber-band-powered flyer. Included are photographs just released from the Wright brothers' personal collection, along with diagrams and illustrations. The history of human flight and its pioneers, a time line, and a complete resource section for students are also provided.

Theodore Roosevelt for Kids ›

By Kerrie Logan Hollihan

Price 11.99

Published Apr 2010

Hands-on activities and insightful historical information reveal the fascinating life of Theodore Roosevelt, America’s 26th president, who was also well known as a writer, a ranchman, a politician, a solider, an explorer, and a family man. Combining a rich biography, including information about his childhood, with relevant and engaging projects, this book offers a glimpse at Roosevelt’s work and times—how a sickly, undersized boy grew into a physically fit, energetic, and courageous man; how his wealth did not shield him from human tragedy; how as a leader of a young, vigorous nation, he steered a middle course between big business and working-class needs; and how his love of nature led him to protect millions of acres for posterity. Readers will create a Native American toy, explore the effects of erosion, go on a modern big-game hunt with a camera, and make felted teddy bears. The text includes a time line, online resources, and a reading list for further study—making this the ultimate reference on a great American president.

Thomas Edison for Kids ›

By Laurie Carlson

Price 12.99

Published Feb 2006

Thomas Edison, one of the world's greatest inventors, is introduced in this fascinating activity book. Children will learn how Edison ushered in an astounding age of invention with his unique way of looking at things and refusal to be satisfied with only one solution to a problem. This book helps inspire kids to be inventors and scientists, as well as persevere with their own ideas. Activities allow children to try Edison's experiments themselves, with activities such as making a puppet dance using static electricity, manufacturing a switch for electric current, constructing a telegraph machine, manipulating sound waves, building an electrical circuit to test for conductors and insulators, making a zoetrope, and testing a dandelion for latex. In addition to his inventions and experiments, the book explores Edison's life outside of science, including his relationship with inventor Nikola Tesla, his rivalry with George Westinghouse, and his friendship with Henry Ford. A time line, glossary, and lists of supply sources, places to visit, and websites for further exploration complement this activity book.

Thomas Jefferson for Kids ›

By Brandon Marie Miller

Price 16.95

Published Sep 2011

Drawing heavily from the original letters and papers of Thomas Jefferson and his contemporaries, this resource chronicles the world of the Founding Father who wrote the Declaration of Independence. From his early critiques of the colonial policies of Great Britain and King George III to his governmental roles as the first secretary of state, the minister to France, and the third president of the United States, Jefferson’s groundbreaking achievements are described in historical context. The contradictions in Jefferson’s character—most notably the fact that he owned 600 slaves in his lifetime despite penning the immortal phrase "all men are created equal"—are also explored, giving kids a full picture of this skilled politician. Creative activities that invite children to experience Jefferson's colonial America include designing a Palladian window, building a simple microscope, painting a “buffalo robe,” and dancing a reel.

Van Gogh and the Post-Impressionists for Kids ›

By Carol Sabbeth

Price 12.99

Published May 2011

Vincent van Gogh’s admiration for and departure from Impressionism and his relationships with the other enthusiastic, like-minded artists who ultimately formed the Post-Impressionist movement are explained and explored in this collection of art activities for kids. Debunking the persistent stereotype of the mad pauper who cut off his ear, van Gogh is revealed as the serious boy who loved nature and reading and spoke four languages; the young man who took great satisfaction in the study of art, his successful career as a gallery salesman, and the “brotherhood of artists” he helped to create; and the increasingly troubled and ill man who cared deeply for family and friends and tried in vain to recover. Through a series of fun and creative projects, such as a Starry Night Peep Box, a Pointillist Sailboat, and a Japanese Fold-out Album, kids will be exposed to such art as van Gogh’s vibrant landscapes, Paul Signac’s Mediterranean Sea images in dazzling dots, and Paul Gauguin’s tropical landscapes in unnatural colors. Aspiring young artists and history buffs will learn whether or not these famous painters always got along, how they helped each other in the process, and what made Post-Impressionist art unlike anything ever painted.

Verdi for Kids ›

By Helen Bauer, Foreword by Deborah Voigt

Price 16.95

Published Apr 2013

Giuseppe Verdi, one of the most influential composers of the 19th century and a dominant force in Italian opera for 50 years, is illuminated in this thorough exploration geared toward young musicians. Offering insight into Verdi’s long life—from the horrible loss of his family to the disapproving opinions of his neighbors—and opening the world of opera and Italian culture, this resource creates an accessible and tangible investigation into the elite world of classical opera. Engaging and creative activities, such as singing like a diva, making a panpipe, playing bocce ball, and sketching a costume for Falstaff, reinforce the musical concepts and terms that are introduced within and elucidate the times in which Verdi lived. Along with learning about various opera jobs, opera production, what takes place at rehearsals, and opera house history, inquisitive kids will gain a fuller understanding of Verdi’s life, times, and music and how the composer intersected with the great musicians and events of his lifetime.

World War I for Kids ›

By R. Kent Rasmussen

Price 18.99

Published Apr 2014

An educational and interactive children's guide to the Great War In time for the 2014 centennial of the start of the Great War, this activity book provides an intriguing and comprehensive look at World War I, which involved all of the world's superpowers during a time of great technological and societal change. Emphasizing connections among events as well as the war's influence on later historical developments, it leads young readers to fully understand the most important aspects of the war, including how the war came about, how changing military technology caused the western front to bog down into a long stalemate, how the war fostered an era of rapid technological advances, and how the entry of the United States helped end the war. The book explores topics of particular interest to kids, such as turn-of-the-20th-century weaponry, air and naval warfare, and the important roles animals played in the war. Relevant crosscurricular activities expand on concepts introduced and illuminate the era of the early 1900s, including making a periscope, teaching a dog to carry messages, making a parachute, learning a popular World War I song, and more.

World War II for Kids ›

By Richard Panchyk, Foreword by Senator John McCain

Price 17.95

Published Sep 2002

Now more than ever, kids want to know about our country's great struggles during World War II. This book is packed with information that kids will find fascinating, from Hitler's rise to power in 1933 to the surrender of the Japanese in 1945. Much more than an ordinary history book, it is filled with excerpts from actual wartime letters written to and by American and German troops, personal anecdotes from people who lived through the war in the United States, Germany, Britain, Russia, Hungary, and Japan, and gripping stories from Holocaust survivors—all add a humanizing global perspective to the war. This collection of 21 activities shows kids how it felt to live through this monumental period in history. They will play a rationing game or try the butter extender recipe to understand the everyday sacrifices made by wartime families. They will try their hands at military strategy in coastal defense, break a code, and play a latitude and longitude tracking game. Whether growing a victory garden or staging an adventure radio program, kids will appreciate the hardships and joys experienced on the home front.

Classical Kids ›

By Laurie Carlson

Price 16.95

Published Jul 1998

Travel back in time to see what life was like in ancient Greece and Rome while having fun with hands-on activities such as making a star gazer; chiseling a clay tablet; weaving Roman sandals; making a Greek mosaic; creating Roman jewelry; throwing Greek pottery; casting a vote in a Roman-style election; and much more. Learn how these civilizations contributed to our present-day world by participating in art, math, cooking, science, and geography activities. Interesting facts and trivia are included throughout. Helpful illustrations explain project steps.

Colonial Kids ›

By Laurie Carlson

Price 11.99

Published Aug 1997

Young adventurers can learn about the settling of America while enjoying activities like stitching a sampler, pitching horseshoes, making an almanac, churning butter, and more.

Days of Knights and Damsels ›

By Laurie Carlson

Price 15.95

Published Mar 1998

Kids can re-create a long-ago world of kings, castles, jousts, jesters, damsels, magic fairies, and Robin Hood—all they need are their imaginations, materials they can find at home, and the activities in this book. Dressing up in a coat of armor made from plastic milk jugs, whipping up a batch of curds and whey, writing secret messages in invisible ink, and telling time with a sand glass made from soda bottles are just some of the fun projects. Every activity is illustrated, and sidebars highlight colorful facts about life hundreds of years ago.

More Than Moccasins ›

By Laurie Carlson

Price 11.99

Published May 1994

Kids discover traditions and skills from the people who first settled this continent, including gardening, making useful pottery, and communicating through Navajo codes.

Westward Ho! ›

By Laurie Carlson

Price 11.99

Published Aug 1996

Capturing the unique character and history of the West, this activity book provides a number of memorable journeys, including joining Lewis and Clark on an expedition, journeying into the woods with fur traders, or riding a wagon train to the Oregon. Young explorers will experience the excitement of the West with activities such as sewing a sunbonnet, panning for gold, cooking flapjacks, singing cowboy songs, and more. Helpful illustrations that detail and explain the steps of each project are also included.

The Flying Machine Book ›

By Bobby Mercer

Price 16.99

Published May 2012

With 35 easy-to-build and fun-to-fly contraptions that can be used indoors or out, this project book contains instructions for building rockets, gliders, boomerangs, launchers, and helicopters for little or no cost using recycled materials. Kids will learn how to turn a drinking straw, rubber band, and index card into a straw rocket and convert a paper towel tube into a grape bazooka. Each project contains a materials list and detailed step-by-step instructions with photos, as well as explanations of the science behind each flyer, including concepts such as lift, thrust, drag, the Bernoulli effect, and more. Readers can use this information to modify and improve their flyers or explain to their teachers why throwing a paper airplane is a mini science lesson.

The Motorboat Book ›

By Ed Sobey

Price 14.95

Published Mar 2013

Using everything from electric motors, balloons, and gears to water jets, steam, chemical reactions, and even gravity, this clever handbook offers a variety of choices for propelling homemade vessels across a pool. Through step-by-step instructions with clear photos, kids will learn how to build more than 20 different model boats for traveling above water and several different submarine projects for traveling below the surface. In addition to the boatbuilding activities included within, young naval architects will find instructions for building an “ocean” to test the boats and a variety of accessories, including four different water pumps, a waterproof battery and motor case, and a working foghorn. Most of the watercrafts are built from recycled and easy-to-find materials, but an appendix also lists local and online sources for wire, plastic propellers, small motors, and more. Do-it-yourselfers and kids with an interest in how things work will find hours of educational entertainment in the projects offered within.

The Paper Boomerang Book ›

By Mark Latno

Price 8.99

Published Jun 2010

A detailed reference on the latest craze in lightweight aeronautics, this manual shows how to build and throw paper boomerangs. Techniques for mastering the basics will help beginners, while techniques for impressive throws—such as the behind-the-back toss; the boomerang juggle; the under-the-leg catch; and the dreaded double-handed, backward, double-boomerang throw—will thrill even the most advanced boomeranger. A history of the device and the physics behind its circuitous flight are also included, making this the only comprehensive reference on this fascinating toy.

The Racecar Book ›

By Bobby Mercer

Price 14.95

Published Oct 2013

A project book for young readers with a need for speed, this work provides instruction on 25 easy-to-construct racecars that can be driven both indoors and out. They will learn how to use mousetraps, rubber bands, chemical reactions, gravity, and air pressure to power the cars that are made for little or no cost using recycled and repurposed materials. Readers will discover how to turn a potato chip can, a rubber band, and weights into a Chip-Can Dancer; retrofit a car with a toy plane propeller to make an air-powered Prop Car; and use an effervescent tablet in a small canister to make an impressive rocket engine for a Mini Pop Car. Each project is accompanied by a materials list, detailed step-by-step instructions with photos, and explanations of the science behind each racecar, including concepts such as friction, Newton’s laws of motion, and kinetic and potential energy.

101 Kid-Friendly Plants ›

By Cindy Krezel

Price 19.95

Published Apr 2008

Families looking to enrich their green thumbs while beautifying their homes will enjoy this comprehensive guide to indoor and outdoor gardening using nontoxic flowers, vegetables, trees, and houseplants. Sorted by type—plants from seed, bulbs, annuals, perennials, fruiting trees, and sensory plants—each plant is thoroughly explained and easy to identify using color photographs. Details such as the flora’s preferred habit and why a particular plant is good for kids are included along with suggestions for use in the garden. Seventeen gardening projects illustrate a variety of creative and fun ways for children and parents to plant together, including butterfly gardens, herb pots, hanging baskets, rock gardens, and cutting gardens.

African Crafts ›

By Lynne Garner

Price 12.95

Published Apr 2008

From spectacular clothing and masks to pottery and music of Ghana and West Africa, this guide inspires children to try these elaborate yet easy-to-make crafts for themselves. A great way to connect children to their African roots or expose them to new cultures around the world, this fully illustrated guide features step-by-step instructions and contemporary color photos that teach kids how to make their own creations. Projects include how to design and wear Adinkra block-printed clothing, coil and decorate unique pottery, create masks for special occasions, craft and play musical instruments, and weave decorative Kente cloth. This resource also includes a brief history of Ghana and West Africa and the traditions and history behind each craft, how they are made and used today, and their importance in West African society. Kids will love learning how music is often tied to certain ceremonies and how dance is believed to wash away disagreements and arguments and bring greater unity. A resource section—listing books, websites, and museums for further exploration—and an index round out this fascinating reference.

African Crafts ›

By Lynne Garner

Price 12.95

Published Apr 2008

Amazing Rubber Band Cars ›

By Mike Rigsby

Price 16.99

Published Nov 2007

Combining fun and interactive activities, this guide will have kids captivated for hours constructing fantastic racing cars with the basics of only rubber bands, cardboard, and glue. These simple instructions with templates allow budding engineers to gain hands-on experience as they learn not only how to build a basic racer, but how to make modifications such as aluminum foil axle bearings, steering mechanisms, hinges, cam shafts, and wheels made out of old CDs. This helpful resource has step-by-step instructions for making a basic rubber-band model, a railroad push-car, and a high-speed racer. Other unique projects include Oscar the Laughing Clown, which has a jaw mechanism that opens and closes when it moves, and Spot the Dog, which has a moving tail. Children can even learn how to build a rubber band car big enough for a human. Exploring wheels, bearings, and friction, kids will learn not only how to make speedy racers but also the science that makes the process work.

Stomp Rockets, Catapults, and Kaleidoscopes ›

By Curt Gabrielson

Price 16.95

Published Feb 2008

Kids will learn how things they encounter every day operate by building their own models with this hands-on activity book. Projects include building a working model of the human hand’s muscles, bones, and tendons using drinking straws, tape, and string; using a pair of two-liter bottles and a length of rubber tubing to learn how a toilet flushes; and discovering how musical instruments make sounds by fashioning a harmonica, saxophone, drum, flute, or oboe. All devices are designed to use recycled or nearly free materials and common tools. Kids are encouraged to modify and improve the designs, or create an entirely new device using the concepts explored. Each project includes materials and tools lists, step-by-step instructions with photographs, a summary of the science concept demonstrated, and follow-up questions to gauge student understanding for use in the classroom.

An Eye for Art ›

Price 24.99

Published Sep 2013

Lavishly illustrated with hundreds of full-color images, this family-oriented art resource introduces children to more than 50 great artists and their work, with corresponding activities and explorations that inspire artistic development, focused looking, and creative writing. This treasure trove of artwork from the National Gallery of Art includes, among others, works by Raphael, Rembrandt, Georgia O’Keeffe, Henri Matisse, Chuck Close, Jacob Lawrence, Pablo Picasso, and Alexander Calder, representing a wide range of artistic styles and techniques. Written by museum educators with decades of hands-on experience in both art-making activities and making art relatable to children, the activities include sculpting a clay figure inspired by Edgar Degas; drawing an object from touch alone, inspired by Joan Miro’s experience as an art student; painting a double-sided portrait with one side reflecting physical traits and the other side personality traits, inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s Ginevra de' Benci; and creating a story based on a Mary Cassatt painting. Educators, homeschoolers, and families alike will find their creativity sparked by this art extravaganza.

Ancient Egyptians and Their Neighbors ›

By Marian Broida

Price 18.99

Published Nov 1999

Want to speak Hittite? Hold out a glass and ask for “wa-tar.” This unique activity book for children ages nine and up shows what life was like among the Nubians, Mesopotamians, Hittites, and their neighbors the Egyptians from around 3100 B.C., when Upper and Lower Egypt became one kingdom, to the death of Queen Cleopatra under the Romans, in 30 B.C. Projects such as building a Nubian irrigation machine, creating a Mesopotamian cylinder seal out of clay, making kilts like those worn by Egyptian boys and men, and writing in Hittite cuneiform help young readers to connect with these ancient cultures and see how profoundly they have influenced our own.

Ancient Israelites and Their Neighbors ›

By Marian Broida

Price 13.00

Published May 2003

Children can try their hand at re-creating ancient Israelite culture—along with the cultures of their neighbors, the Philistines and Phoenicians—in a way that will provide perspective on current events. The book covers a key period from the Israelites’ settlement in Canaan in 1200 B.C.E. to their return from exile in Babylonia in 538 B.C.E. This part of the Middle East—no larger than modern-day Michigan—was the birthplace of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. More than 35 projects include stomping grapes into juice, building a model Phoenician trading ship, making a Philistine headdress, and writing on a broken clay pot. Israelites', Phoenicians', and Philistines' writing and languages, the way they built their homes, the food they ate, the clothes they wore, and the work they did, and of course, their many interesting stories, are all explored.

Awesome Snake Science! ›

By Cindy Blobaum

Price 14.95

Published Jul 2012

From cobras and copperheads to pythons and boas, all types of snakes are covered in this book of 40 science experiments, art projects, and games that helps budding herpetologists gain a greater appreciation for these slithering reptiles. Activities include making foldable fangs to learn how snakes' teeth and jaws work together; simulating cytotoxic snake venom while making a tasty snack using an everyday enzyme found in pineapple; and mimicking the sound a rattlesnake makes by using a rubber band, a paper clip, and an envelope. Engaging, simple, and safe experiments teach kids about the biology of snakes, such as how they use their tongues and nostrils to detect smells, how they are cold-blooded and sensitive to subtle changes in temperature, and how they can detect the slightest vibrations or tremors. Kids do not need a snake for any of the activities and will delight in all the strange snake facts and gross-out projects such as Snake Stink—where they create their own signature stink and test how well it repels potential predators.

Big Ideas for Growing Mathematicians ›

By Ann Kajander

Price 19.95

Published Aug 2007

Introducing sophisticated mathematical ideas like fractals and infinity, these hands-on activity books present concepts to children using interactive and comprehensible methods. With intriguing projects that cover a wide range of math content and skills, these are ideal resources for elementary school mathematics enrichment programs, regular classroom instruction, and home-school programs. Reproducible activity sheets lead students through a process of engaged inquiry with plenty of helpful tips along the way. A list of useful terms specific to each activity encourages teachers and parents to introduce students to the vocabulary of math. This second Big Ideas book covers more advanced concepts, with projects including “One in a Million,” where children use grains of rice to model the probability of astronomical odds; “Triangular Tessellations,” in which students investigate the geometry and variations created by repeating patterns; and “Fractions of Salaries,” where kids use a real-world scenario to multiply and divide fractions.

Bite-Sized Science ›

By John H. Falk, By Kristi S. Rosenberg

Price 16.95

Published Jun 1999

Here’s a fun way to get young minds discovering the wonders of the natural world by making predictions, testing them, and then evaluating the results—learning the scientific method. These short, bite-sized, deliciously fun activities like "Sounds of Chewing," "Clinks in the Kitchen," "Tangy Tongue," and "Shoe Show" take only 15 minutes to organize, do, and clean up. Many of the activities involve food, so children will learn and get a snack at the same time.

Deserts ›

By Nancy Castaldo

Price 10.99

Published Apr 2004

This activity guide introduces children to the wild and often misunderstood environment of the desert and the people and cultures that thrive in and around them. Information is included on all types of deserts—hot and dry, coastal, semiarid, and polar. Kids learn what defines a desert and the creative ways plants and animals have adapted to survive in harsh desert environments. Also discussed are urban sprawl and its effects on desert habitats and how children can help protect this delicate environment by conserving energy and reducing consumption of petroleum-based products. Engaging activities include drawing a petroglyph, making a coral snake bracelet, frying prickly pears, conducting a gerbil study, and making sand art.

Doable Renewables ›

By Mike Rigsby

Price 11.99

Published Oct 2010

Kids will learn valuable hands-on lessons from this guide by constructing working models that generate renewable, alternative energy. Budding scientists learn how to build their own Kelvin water-drop generator out of six recycled cans and alligator-clip jumpers; a solar-powered seesaw from a large dial thermometer and a magnifying glass; and a windmill from eight yardsticks, PVC pipe, cardboard, and a converter generator. Children will investigate the energy-generating properties of a solar cell, a radiometer, a Nitinol heat engine, and a Peltier cell—there are even plans to build a human-powered desk lamp. Each project includes a materials and tools list as well as online information on where to find specialized components.

Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis ›

By Matthys Levy, By Mario Salvadori

Price 14.95

Published Feb 2009

With fascinating experiments, models, and demonstrations, this scientific survey provides a vivid exploration of natural phenomena. Ideal for budding earth scientists, this in-depth resource demonstrates how to build a seismograph to record a simulated earthquake, compare pressure waves and shear waves—the two types of ground shocks—with a Slinky, and replicate a tsunami’s destructive effect on a “coastline” built in a bathtub. The chapters answer questions such as Can animals “predict” earthquakes? How have various cultures explained the movement of the earth throughout history? and Why do some volcanoes ooze rivers of lava while others blow their tops? Additional topics include how to earthquake-proof homes, protect oneself during a tremor, and construct simple models to test seismographs.

Ego-Tripping and Other Poems for Young People ›

By Nikki Giovanni, Illustrated by George Ford, Foreword by Virginia Hamilton

Price 10.95

Published Nov 1993

Insightful and fun, this collection of poetry captures the essence of the African American experience for young people.

Engineering the City ›

By Matthys Levy, By Richard Panchyk

Price 10.99

Published Oct 2000

How does a city obtain water, gas, and electricity? Where do these services come from? How are they transported? The answer is infrastructure, or the inner, and sometimes invisible, workings of the city. Roads, railroads, bridges, telephone wires, and power lines are visible elements of the infrastructure; sewers, plumbing pipes, wires, tunnels, cables, and sometimes rails are usually buried underground or hidden behind walls. Engineering the City tells the fascinating story of infrastructure as it developed through history along with the growth of cities. Experiments, games, and construction diagrams show how these structures are built, how they work, and how they affect the environment of the city and the land outside it.

Freedom Song ›

By Mary C. Turck

Price 13.00

Published Dec 2008

Blending memorable music with a historical context, this exploration provides a fresh perspective on the civil rights movement by showing how certain songs served as its voice. From the Chicago Children’s Choir to the SNCC Freedom Singers, this resource examines the churches and groups that worked to counteract segregation, transforming traditional spirituals to fit the struggle for civil rights. The galvanizing roles of numerous songs are discussed in detail, such as “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” “Precious Lord, Take My Hand,” “Wade in the Water,” and “We Shall Overcome.” An accompanying CD, Songs on the Road to Freedom, features the Chicago Children’s Choir performing the songs discussed throughout the book.

Green Thumbs ›

By Laurie Carlson

Price 14.95

Published Mar 1995

Budding gardeners will learn what it takes to make things grow with fun activities that require only readily available materials.

Insectigations ›

By Cindy Blobaum

Price 14.95

Published Aug 2005

From butterflies and beetles to crickets and katydids, these experiments, art projects, and games will bring out the entomologist in every kid. Activities include collecting and sketching insects, making a terrarium for observation, raising mealworms, using math to measure bug strength, gardening to attract butterflies and other insects, and making an insect amplifier. A unique insect board game helps kids learn fascinating bug facts while they play. Sidebars offer a look into the world of professional entomology, as well as gross facts about insects that will provide great playground trivia, including the USDA's guidelines for allowable insect parts per cup of food. Kids will learn that science is not just something to read about, but something they can observe and study in the world around them.

Kids Celebrate! ›

By Maria Bonfanti Esche, By Clare Bonfanti Braham, Illustrated by Mary Jones

Price 17.95

Published Mar 1998

Children love learning about special days and celebrating them with arts and crafts. Skipping the typical green shamrocks, orange paper pumpkins, and red doily hearts, Kids Celebrate! lists 100 days to remember with 200 related activities for children and grown-ups. There’s a Hansel and Gretel walk for Jakob Grimm’s birthday, a Mexican fiesta for Cinco de Mayo, and a first aid kit to make in honor of Clara Barton’s Birthday. The significance of each special day is explained in this educational tribute to the holidays, history, and accomplishments of many cultures and many people.

Kids' Container Gardening ›

By Cindy Krezel, Photographs by Bruce Curtis

Published Apr 2010

Enthusiastic young gardeners have the opportunity to develop a green thumb and experience the joys of gardening in this how-to guide for kids. Eighteen time-tested, proven projects gleaned from the author's experience as director of the Good Earth Kids' Club teach children how to create a year-round assortment of container gardens that are simple to create, fun to work on, and in many instances, make great gifts. Organized by season, the chapters run the gamut from "Great Big Garden Bowls for Mom" and "Father's Day Fountains" to sand art terrariums and special occasion holiday containers. In addition to providing the basics on plants and gardening, this helpful guide also includes a glossary of terms, a listing of plants and resources used in the book, and numerous photographs to show kids that they're proceeding on the right path as they create their individual containers.

Kinetic Contraptions ›

By Curt Gabrielson

Price 16.95

Published Jan 2010

The two dozen contraptions found in this handy resource can move across the land, over the sea, and through the air and can be assembled primarily from low-cost or free recycled materials, batteries, and a single motor. Some of the projects include constructing a hovercraft out of a Styrofoam plate, two corks, and binder clips; building a double-paddlewheeler out of paint stirrers, plastic bottles, and a pair of disposable knives; and turning bamboo skewers, checkers, and a drinking straw into a three-wheeled motorcycle. Each project is clearly explained through materials and tools lists, step-by-step instructions with photographs, and scientific background on the concepts being explored. Budding engineers will get experience working with tools, testing simple circuits, modifying and improving their designs, and building unique contraptions of their own.

Math Games for Middle School ›

By Mario Salvadori, By Joseph P. Wright

Price 16.95

Published Jul 1998

From addition and subtraction to plane and space geometry, simultaneous linear equations, and probability, this book explains middle school math with problems that kids want to solve: “Seventy-five employees of a company buy a lotto ticket together and win $22.5 million. How much does each employee get?” Intriguing facts about the history of math show what a human creation it is, and human errors are revealed through explorations of both Maya and Hindu concepts of zero as well as Mr. William Shanks’ 1858 attempt at hand-calculating pi.

Math Games & Activities from Around the World ›

By Claudia Zaslavsky

Price 11.99

Published May 1998

More than 70 math games, puzzles, and projects from all over the world are included in this delightful book for kids.

More Math Games & Activities from Around the World ›

By Claudia Zaslavsky

Price 16.95

Published Oct 2003

Math, history, art, and world cultures come together in this delightful book for kids, even for those who find traditional math lessons boring. More than 70 games, puzzles, and projects encourage kids to hone their math skills as they calculate, measure, and solve problems. The games span the globe, and many have been played for thousands of years, such as three-in-a-row games like Achi from Ghana or the forbidden game of Jirig from Mongolia. Also included are imaginative board games like Lambs and Tigers from India and the Little Goat Game from Sudan, or bead and string puzzles from China, and Möbius strip puzzles from Germany. Through compelling math play, children will gain confidence and have fun as they learn about the different ways people around the world measure, count, and use patterns and symmetry in their everyday lives.

Nature's Playground ›

By Fiona Danks, By Jo Schofield

Price 19.95

Published Sep 2007

Introducing children to the excitement of the natural world, this guide to outdoor adventure provides hours of creative, safe, and fun activities. Children will learn how to build a den from branches, make twig boats to sail across a pond, and voyage through the backyard to find tiny insects and creatures. Activities include invigorating games, natural crafts, and lively adventures, all of which are organized by season. An additional chapter also addresses safe activities for children after dark. Perfect for families, caretakers, and educators, this creative resource encourages children to turn off the television and play outside all year round.

Organic Crafts ›

By Kimberly Monaghan

Price 11.99

Published Mar 2007

Parents, teachers, and caregivers looking for ideas on how to get children outdoors and instill in them a love of nature can find more than 75 creative crafts, games, and activities using objects that kids can collect from nature in this idea book. As children make race cars out of rocks, create paint from plants, and assemble funny grass masks, they learn to be environmentally friendly—absorbing information on recycling, reducing waste, and inspiring others to protect nature. Organized by the various natural materials needed, the crafts offer a new twist on perennial homemade gifts and school projects.

Rainforests ›

By Nancy Castaldo

Price 14.95

Published Jun 2003

North America boasts a surprising number of rainforests, including El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico, Olympic National Forest in Washington State, Chugach and Tongass 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 Japanese Wayang-kuilt, or shadow puppet. Kids are encouraged to make a difference and become active supporters of the rainforests no matter where they live.

Sailors, Whalers, Fantastic Sea Voyages ›

By Valerie Petrillo

Price 14.95

Published Jun 2003

Children are fascinated with sailing ships, lighthouses, whaling, shipwrecks, and mutinies, and these 50-plus activities will provide them with a boatful of fun. This activity guide shows kids what life was like for the greenhands, old salts, and captains on the high seas during the great age of sail in the 19th century: aboard square-riggers, clippers, whalers, schooners, and packet ships. Life aboard ship was an exciting subculture of American life with its own language, food, music, art, and social structure. Children will learn that many captains brought their wives and children aboard ship, and that kids who learned how to walk at sea often found it difficult to walk on dry land. The book begins with the China Tea trade in the late 18th century and ends with the last whaler leaving New Bedford in 1924. Kids will create scrimshaw using black ink and a bar of white soap; make a model lighthouse using a bike reflector, an oatmeal box, and a plastic soda bottle; and paint china with traditional designs using a blue paint pen and a basic white plate. Included are additional simple activities requiring common household objects that are sure to please busy parents and teachers alike.

Sandbox Scientist ›

By Michael Ross, Illustrated by Mary Anne Lloyd

Price 14.95

Published Aug 1995

Young children are natural scientists at play. While they bake mud pies and pour and measure water, they are observing, theorizing and developing science skills, as well as having fun. Children two to eight years old will thrive on the many open-ended science experiences including: ice and bubbles, compost and seeds, magnets and gears, potions and plant prints and more.

Show Time! ›

By Lisa Bany-Winters

Price 16.95

Published Mar 2000

Gotta dance! Gotta sing! Gotta do most anything because it’s show time! In Show Time! kids will learn to become “triple threat” performers, developing their skills as singers, dancers, and actors through more than 80 activities that include imitating a musician or musical instrument, acting out a song, creating a mirror dance, making puppets and playbills, and more. Along the way, they’ll learn about the history of musicals, discover musicals about history, and find out how to get it all together before the curtain goes up. Show Time! is perfect for teachers needing to prepare performers for a show; for parents looking for fun ways to fill spare minutes with their kids at home, in the car, or in a doctor’s waiting room; and for kids wanting ways to enjoy themselves on their own or in a small group. Several play scripts, a list of suggested musicals for kids, and a play glossary are included.

Survivor Kid ›

By Denise Long

Price 12.95

Published May 2011

Counteracting the panic and fear associated with getting lost in the wild, this handbook equips children with practical tools for overcoming adverse wilderness experiences, even if they are endured alone. Compiled by a search-and-rescue professional, straightforward advice is offered on building shelters and fires, signaling for help, finding water and food, dealing with dangerous animals, learning how to navigate, and avoiding injuries. Practice projects are included to hone survival skills—such as starting a fire with a reflective surface, casting animal tracks, or using a treasure hunt to test navigational aptitude. Making a strong argument for danger prevention, each lesson is coupled with simple instructions and diagrams that will reassure and empower young adventurers.

The Art of Construction ›

By Mario Salvadori

Price 13.99

Published Mar 2000

“Introduces maturing minds to the principles that guide architects and engineers as they design and construct buildings and bridges.” —School Shop

The Science of Life ›

By Frank G. Bottone, Jr.

Price 16.95

Published Jul 2001

This activity book for budding biologists introduces kids to the five kingdoms of life through 25 engaging projects using materials commonly found around the house, yard, or classroom. Kids will learn how to conduct experiments using the scientific method in a carefully controlled environment. They’ll make their own culture media and determine which is more effective at inhibiting the growth of bacteria: an antiseptic, a disinfectant, or plain soap and water. They will delight in collecting and comparing night-flying versus day-flying insects and learn how to clone a mushroom from a piece of its own tissue. Plenty of background information is provided, along with fun facts, a glossary, and wonderful Web sites to explore.

The Wind at Work ›

By Gretchen Woelfle

Price 16.95

Published Mar 2013

The Young Investor ›

By Katherine R. Bateman

Price 10.99

Published Oct 2010

Explaining the language of finance and the skill of investing, this guide gives kids an early start at making their money grow. The book explains the general concept of money and demonstrates how saving works based on the concepts of simple and compound interest. Children then learn where Wall Street is located, what stocks and bonds do, and, with the help of an adult, the right way to buy or sell a stock, mutual fund, or savings bond. Dozens of projects illustrate how to balance a checkbook, read a stock table, and understand common financial terms such as inflation, recession, and the Federal Reserve Board. This updated edition details the current financial environment, including what is meant by a global economy, economic clues for recovery, and a special section on what mortgages are and how they work. Updated resources for further information online are also included.

Why Is Milk White? ›

By Alexa Coelho, By Simon Quellen Field

Price 14.95

Published Jan 2013

Covering a wide variety of everyday chemistry concepts from the very simple to the more complex, this question-and-answer primer provides straightforward, easy-to-understand explanations for inquisitive young scientists’ questions. A dozen unique experiments to try at home—from lifting latent fingerprints from a “crime scene” using super glue (for smooth surfaces) or iodine (for paper) to hollowing out the zinc interior of a penny using muriatic acid—are interspersed with the answers to such questions as What makes soda so fizzy? and Why do you get cavities when you eat too much sugar? From separating food coloring into its component dyes to using easy-to-find chemicals to create “slime,” Silly Putty, or bouncing balls, this handy guide is the ideal resource for the budding chemist.