Living for more than five thousand years, ancient bristlecone pines are the oldest trees on Earth. Interweaving lovely, meticulously drawn pictures with a story line that spans 5,000 years, Alexandra Siy invites young naturalists to explore the secrets of the world’s oldest trees—secrets of the earth’s climate, recorded in their tree rings, and secrets of the bristlecones’ resilience, as a species that lives in the harshest of environments. Recorded in their rings is evidence of a changing planet. A volcano erupts in 2036 BC. In 775, a storm explodes on the sun. Lightning strikes in 1122. And during the 20th century, the temperature increases dramatically. Alexandra Siy’s lyrical text, paired with Marlo Garnsworthy’s meticulously researched mixed media paintings, reveals the life cycle of the mysterious and ancient bristlecone pine. Free, downloadable activities designed to accompany the book are available on the publisher's website. Research, nature, art, vocabulary, and literature activities address Common Core State Standards: ELA/Literacy and Next Generation Science Standards. 

On July 20, 1969, at 3:16 p.m., Commander Neil Armstrong brought the lunar module, Eagle, to a safe landing on the Moon. Millions of television viewers on Earth watched breathlessly as he then became the first man to set foot on the Moon. This amazing achievement was years, even centuries, in the making. The Moon and the heavens have intrigued mankind since ancient times. FOOTPRINTS ON THE MOON chronicles the spirit and determination of visionaries from Galileo to John F. Kennedy, whose dream of reaching the Moon was finally and superbly realized through the efforts of the Apollo missions.
With a compelling and thoroughly researched text, the great vision of the scientists, engineers, and astronauts who struggled to make the dream a reality is brought into sharp focus. The book brings to light great triumphs and tragedies. Readers will learn about the years of determination, experimentation, and risk that gave rise to many space explorations, including 17 Apollo missions. Today the Moon is less of a mystery than in ancient times, but it is still a wonder.
Breathtaking photographs--many from NASA--portray the indescribable beauty of outer space, the Moon, and the wonder of mankind's inspiring vision.