For fans of Owly and Unicorn and Yeti, a delightfully funny graphic novel from bestselling creators Helaine Becker and Kevin Sylvester.
On his first day at his new school, Puffin is thrilled when Penguin is assigned to be his buddy - Penguin's the coolest kid in the school! But Puffin quickly learns that the coolest kid is also the busiest kid, especially with Penguin starring as King Midas in the school play. Puffin realizes he's on his own when it comes to making friends - and what better way than joining the stage crew? When a blackout threatens the play's opening night, it's up to Puffin to save the day!
This early graphic novel from bestselling and award-winning creators Helaine Becker and Kevin Sylvester is sure to win the hearts of emerging readers with its lighthearted humor, schoolyard drama and endearing lead characters.
The bold story of Katherine Johnson, an African-American mathematician who worked for NASA during the space race and was depicted in the film Hidden Figures.
You've likely heard of the historic Apollo 13 moon landing. But do you know about the mathematical genius who made sure that Apollo 13 returned safely home? As a child, Katherine Johnson loved to count. She counted the steps on the road, the number of dishes and spoons she washed in the kitchen sink, everything Boundless, curious, and excited by calculations, young Katherine longed to know as much as she could about math, about the universe. From Katherine's early beginnings as a gifted student to her heroic accomplishments as a prominent mathematician at NASA, Counting on Katherine is the story of a groundbreaking American woman who not only calculated the course of moon landings but, in turn, saved lives and made enormous contributions to history.Presented in light-hearted, rib-tickling verse that's perfect for reading aloud, You Can Read sings it loud and proud: Books are awesome. And so are the people who read them.
In this fun and funny celebration of literacy, kids of all ages will discover that the act of reading is a daring adventure that can take you anywhere! You can read at the playground, under the sea, at the opera and even in outer space! It turns out you can read everywhere! And when you do, you open yourself to a universe of adventure.
[Excerpt]
Let's hear it for our underwear
Our fun to wear best underwear
It keeps us warm and dry down there
So give a cheer for underwear!
An inspiring story of Zheng Yi Sao, the real-life pirate queen who took control of her life -- and the South China seas -- in the early 19th century.
The most powerful pirate in history was a woman who was born into poverty in Guangzhou, China, in the late 1700s. When pirates attacked her town and the captain took a liking to her, she saw a way out. Zheng Yi Sao agreed to marry him only if she got an equal share of his business. When her husband died six years later, she took command of the fleet.
Over the next decade, the pirate queen built a fleet of over 1,800 ships and 70,000 men. On land and sea, Zheng Yi Sao's power rivaled the emperor himself. Time and again, her ships triumphed over the emperor's ships.
When she was ready to retire, Zheng Yi Sao surrendered -- on her own terms, of course. Even though there was a price on her head, she was able to negotiate her freedom, living in peace and prosperity for the rest of her days.
Zheng Yi Sao's powerful story is told in lyrical prose by award-winning author Helaine Becker. Liz Wong's colorful, engaging illustrations illuminate this inspiring woman in history.
An author's note provides historical context and outlines the challenges of researching a figure about whom little is known.
Key Text Features
author's note
historical context
sources
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.3
Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.3
Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character's thoughts, words, or actions).
The book we needed right now. --Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production
Helaine Becker's An Equal Shot is a nonfiction picture book introduction to the history and importance of Title IX as civil rights legislature, featuring illustrations by Dow Phumiruk. You've likely heard of the law Title IX. It protects the equal rights of students, athletes, and professionals in America regardless of gender. But do you know about the women who fought to enact this new law? Here is the rousing account of how Title IX was shaped at the hands of brave politicians who took risks to secure women's dreams and their futures under the Constitution. From the creative team that brought you Counting on Katherine and told in simple, commanding prose, An Equal Shot celebrates the power of words to defend and unite vulnerable people. Christy Ottaviano BooksIn this engaging and inspiring biography, a groundbreaking but relatively unknown woman finally gets her due as one of the most influential mathematicians of the twentieth century.
Emmy Noether is not pretty, quiet, good at housework or eager to marry -- all the things a German girl is expected to be in her time. What she is, though, is a genius at math. When she grows up, she finds a way to first study math at a university (by sitting in, not actually enrolling) and then to teach it (by doing so for free). She also manages to do her own research into some of the most pressing math and physics problems of the day. And though she doesn't get much credit during her lifetime, her discoveries continue to influence how we understand the world today.
Bestselling and award-winning Helaine Becker has crafted an engaging look at the life of Emmy Noether, a contemporary of Einstein's and one of the most influential, though little known, mathematicians of the twentieth century. Despite the obstacles she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field, and as a Jew who had to flee the Nazis, Emmy still accomplished a great deal. Artwork by Kari Rust uses touches of humor for emphasis and a golden glowing effect around Emmy to visually express her brilliance and ideas. Back matter includes a biographical note, explanations of complex mathematical concepts and suggestions for further reading. There are curriculum links to physics and mathematics -- subjects portrayed here as fascinating and exciting -- and poignant real-life character education lessons on courage and perseverance.
Can you imagine a bug the size of a small crocodile? How about one bigger than a large basketball player? As scary as it may seem, supersized, insect-like critters such as these roamed Earth long before humans. In this peek into prehistory, award-winning science writer Helaine Becker introduces seven of these megabugs, the ancestors of modern-day insects, spiders, crabs and other arthropods, which lived from 480 million to 47 million years ago. The book explores when, where and how they each lived, why they grew so big and what caused their extinction. Highly realistic illustrations show each megabug in its habitat. The end of the book includes a few supersized critters that are still around today!
This book hits the sweet spot for the many young fans of dinosaurs, prehistoric life and insects of all kinds. Thoroughly reviewed by paleontological experts, the information is presented in an easy-to-digest format for a hi-lo audience (high interest, low reading level). Each spread features one animal and loads of visuals -- such as a size chart that shows how big the animal could grow, a timeline placing it in its geological period and a map of where its fossils have been discovered. Sidebars provide further context on such topics as adaptation, fossils and the Permian Extinction. Detailed illustrations by John Bindon are based on fossil evidence and were created in consultation with experts in the field. This book has terrific STEAM applications in earth science and life science. End matter includes a glossary, resources and an index.
A captivating look at the life of a modern-day fossil hunter who makes the find of a lifetime told by award-winning author Helaine Becker.
Wendy has an eye for the unusual and is skilled at finding things that others don't see. While on a school field trip at age 12, she spots one of those unusual things poking out of the ground, and it turns out to be a piece of fossilized coral that's 100 million years old. Wendy's thrilled! And soon, she gets hooked on finding fossils. When she grows up, Wendy turns her passion into her career and becomes a preeminent fossil hunter, known as the fossil whisperer around the world. But it's on a dig close to home where Wendy makes her most important discovery: Wendiceratops!. Becker's narrative is full of energy, allowing Wendy's intelligence, independence and unconventional spirit to shine through. Sandra Dumais's illustrations keep the visual appeal high, cleverly presenting the modern-day story with loads of details while giving readers a feel for the past when dinosaurs roamed the land, including two intriguing gatefolds that reveal further secrets. This readable biography of a unique female role model in the male-dominated field of paleontology has strong STEM connections in life science and paleontology and applications in Earth history. It includes a biographical note, more information about Wendiceratops and fossil hunting, a timeline, a glossary and further reading.
Ever wondered what zoo animals eat?
Feeding time is one of the most popular events at zoos. It also prompts a smorgasbord of questions: what do different animals eat? How much food do they need to stay healthy? Where do zookeepers get all that chow? And what constitutes a special treat?
New in paperback, Worms for Breakfast answers all these questions and more in a cookbook-style primer packed with facts from experts at zoos and aquariums. Covering everything from regular animal nutrition to feeding babies to mimicking how animals hunt and eat in the wild, this book explores the eating habits of carnivores, omnivores, herbivores, and insectivores. Inside, you'll also find real-life recipes from zoos around the world for meals like eucalyptus-leaf pesto, kelp tank goulash, and mealworm mush. Beware! You probably don't want to eat any of it yourself.
Written in a plucky, conversational tone with delightfully wacky illustrations, a glossary, and tips for zoo animal care, this book is bound to appeal to picky readers.
Did you ask Siri for directions to soccer practice today or use face recognition to log on to your phone? That's AI.
The latest generation of tech tools uses artificial intelligence to perform everyday tasks. AI can speed up repetitive jobs and even be used in software to help with medical diagnoses. But when the intellectual property of writers, actors and artists is uploaded into AI systems and used without permission, AI can cause harm. In Smart Machines, young readers will look at the history of AI, how it works, how it's used for good and bad and the ethical issues it raises. They'll also discover how the risks of AI can be managed through responsible design, regulation and in the individual choices people make about which tools to use or those to avoid. AI isn't intelligent, but it's a tool that is revolutionizing robotics and computer programming--and it could change humanity forever.