The hour was midnight. The day was the first of winter. And the year of our Lord was not 1900 or 1600 or even 100. It was 0. On that night a white goat, Ima, and a huge, gray short-haired sheepdog, Lila, were keeping watch over a small flock of young sheep.Bright and dazzling, a star appears behind the cedars on the eastern skyline. It is big and powerful, and it has a pure, clean scent, like something halfway between honey and water. Lila, the sheepdog, and Ima, the goat, are compelled to follow the star on a journey to a humble manger in Bethlehem, a journey beset with danger, adventure, and love. In a story alive with insight and grace, best-selling author Elizabeth Scott Thomas brings us a striking portrait of the Nativity story from the captivating point of the view of the animal kingdom.

    Features watercolor and gold leaf illustrations by the Caldecott Medal-winning illustrators of Ashanti to Zulu.

    The phone rings. A grandfather he never knew is dying. He rushes to the old man's bedside and finds himself promising to find the Ark of the Covenant, missing for over 2,500 years. In Israel Alex picks up a partner in his quest—archeologist Rivka Golan. Within days they are targeted by a sniper, chased through the streets of Jersualem by a bulldozer, interrogated by Israeli intelligence, and trapped in a tunnel under the world's most sacred site—the Temple Mount.

    "A fun, beautifully illustrated, and heartfelt animal tale." -- Kirkus ReviewFormer Disney illustrator captures the emotions of the characters perfectly. Preschoolers will love the colorful illustrations and adventure while the simple rhyme will build confidence for early readers. Could this new family love a clumsy pup, whose legs had trouble keeping up; who needed help after too many falls, failed at tug and couldn t catch balls? Underlying themes of perseverance, courage, and acceptance of self and others from this magical story. The book is well suited for those who love illustrations from Disney, the fun rhyming of Dr. Seuss and silly antics of Curious George. About the Illustrator Len Smith has spent his entire career in children s entertainment, from Hanna-Barbera studio to Disney Feature and TV animation to Mattel Toys. Len designed Toontown in the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit and designed the main characters for the Disney Afternoon series Talespin and Bonkers . He also worked on the four-time Emmy winning series The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and was very proud to do the illustration for The Little Labradoodle: Puppy Pickup Day . Ages: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9; Grade: Preschool, 1, 2,3,4

    What is the meaning of life? What was Hitler's religion? What's the deal with the Flying Spaghetti Monster? And what was Mother Teresa's dark secret? This book is highly recommended for everyone curious about America's most misunderstood minority, as well as for those who wish to better understand their atheist friends, neighbors or coworkers.

    Since inventing begins with experimenting, Frank spends a lot of time in his “laboratory” (i.e. his back porch) trying out his ideas, such as building a double-handled handcar that whizzes past the single-handled cars in his neighborhood. What Frank loves most, though, is experimenting with liquids. When he invents his own yummy flavored soda water drink, his friends love it! And this gets him to thinking: “I wonder what this drink would taste like frozen?” Though he doesn't yet realize it, his curiosity will lead to his best invention ever: the Popsicle!In this innovative picture book, Anne Renaud tells a lively story inspired by a real person and true events. Budding scientists will be inspired to emulate the way Frank follows his curiosity, works hard and never gives up --- a growth mindset in action. Interwoven within the story are full-page illustrated instructions for four science experiments that Frank performs, so readers can try them at home or school. Thoroughly researched back matter provides additional historical notes, photos and a bibliography. This readable book covers social studies topics including early twentieth-century history and inventions and inventors, as well as science topics, such as simple chemistry experiments and an overview of the skills and strategies of scientific inquiry.

    With a focus on the outdoors, this collection taps into today's environmental movement and also presents wonders of nature and science, most especially Darwin's theory of evolution, from which this collection gains its name. Included is an exclusive audio CD of many of the poets reading their own work. Including dynamic introductions to nine sections of poems, plus brief introductions to many individual poems, this collection reaches out to young people and stimulates their innate curiosity and idealism. This rich collection showcases a wide range of poets, including: Theodore Roethke Dylan Thomas Carl Sandburg Douglas Florian Jeff Moss Jack Prelutsky Mary Ann Hoberman (20091213)Book Details: Format: Hardcover Publication Date: 10/12/2009 Pages: 224 Reading Level: Age 7 and Up

    Natural World explores and explains why living things look and behave the way they do in a series of visually compelling information charts.

    Subsequent pages illustrate the various habitats that are home to flora such as pitcher plants, the giant water lily, and the weirdly wonderful corpse flower. Readers will discover which flowers are endangered and why some blooms are fragrant or colorful, not to mention grisly details about carnivorous and poisonous flowers.This title pairs picture-book charm and concise, informative text to create a beautiful book for children to return to. Zommer’s quirky illustrations appeal to young readers, who will relish these fun and amazing facts about the world’s most exciting plants.

    mingle with reindeer, musk oxen, polar bears, caribou, and all sorts of penguins, they discover how the animals stay warm in freezing temeratures, why it’s colder at the South Pole than at the North Pole, that one pole is located on land and the other isn’t, and how scientists are studying climate change to keep both poles icy cold. Perfect for fans of the hit PBS kids TV show The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That, this is a great choice for curling up with on a winter’s day!

    Yet because of the history-making reassignment of Pluto from “planet” to “dwarf planet” on August 24, 2006, all books on the solar system are now out of date. Enter When is a Planet Not a Planet? The Story of Pluto by Elaine Scott, an esteemed writer of non-fiction for children. Scott is the first to put the answer to the title question into terms simple enough for a very young audience to understand, based upon the new definitions determined by the International Astronomical Union. Well-researched and accompanied by large, awe-inspiring photographs and paintings, this exciting new book makes clear what astronomers have argued about for decades.

    An atlas so huge that it takes six people to lift it. A handmade gospel hidden in a saint's coffin, and Shakespearean folios so precious they are kept in a bombproof storeroom. From stories of man-eating monsters, brave knights, and wicked witches to tales of lost children, magical creatures, haunted moors, and flying machines, award-winning duo Mick Manning and Brita Granstrom bring to life the extraordinary history of the book through the treasures of one of the greatest libraries in the world: the British Library.

    From the siege towers and catapults employed by ancient invaders to the unmanned drones and stealth bombers used by today's armed forces, the mastering of superior technology has always played a critical role in determining an army's chances of success — or defeat.Following in the footsteps of DK's esteemed military history titles Military History is the definitive guide to the development of battlefield technology through the ages, from Bronze Age Mesopotamia to the War on Terror.Organized chronologically and by key military technology, Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare covers the iconic weapons, armor, equipment, and battles that have defined war through the ages, showing the impact of changes in military technology on the very fabric of history.

    Using nothing but pressed plants, this journey through the seasons captures the wonder and magic of the natural world between the pages of a book. This standout title with beautiful nonfiction text will take readers through an extraordinary year in the wild.

    But everything goes wrong when he leaves the lid of Nat's tank open. Can Worm make sure the class pet returns safe and sound before Mrs. Mulch finds out? This all-new, original I Can Read story captures the fun of the #1 New York Times bestselling Diary of a Worm picture book series by Doreen Cronin and Harry Bliss, and will leave beginning readers wiggling for more!This Level 1 I Can Read book is perfect for children learning to sound out words and sentences.