Maggie is always full of questions. But a young maid in a fine lady's house isn't supposed to wonder so much, so one day Maggie is thrown out into the street with only a tiny heart-shaped locket for a keepsake. Who is the lady in the locket?

A little dog named Oliver is pushing his nose along an icy sidewalk searching for his lost mistress, or at least something to eat. No matter how hard he looks he can't find either one, but he does see a girl with round blue eyes and a golden locket. The girl calls him "Lucky."

And perhaps Lucky is the right name after all, for the little dog soon helps Maggie find a warm, wonderful home of her own--and one for him, too.

At the turn of the 20th Century, scientists and explorers were in a race to unlock the secrets of the last great uncharted place on Earth - Antarctica. This is the true story of Tom Crean, the legendary Irish explorer and crewmate of three of the most important and famous expeditions in British history - Discovery, Terra Nova and Endurance. Through his story, we discover the events that took place on these voyages which were often thrilling, inspiring and heart-breaking.

Charles Darwin was a scientist by profession but an explorer at heart. At age 22, Darwin embarked on his first voyage aboard a ship called the Beagle. This picture book follows Charles as he explores South America for the first time, collecting insects, galloping with Gauchos, digging up dinosaur bones, eating armadillo for breakfast, and making early discoveries related to evolution and natural selection. He encounters a volcano, a glacier and an earthquake and survives a harrowing five-year journey before returning home to England, determined to devote his life to the natural world. Complete with mesmerizing map work charting his voyage, the biography communicates Darwin's ideas and discoveries with gentle illustrations that capture his admiration for the world around him.

Jake's excited about going on a trip to an island, and he really, really, really wants to see a moose. But his dad insists that there are no moose on this island. But both Jake and a friendly moose would like to disagree In playful rhymes, author Stephanie Calmenson brings the reader along with Jake and his dad, as they explore the mammals, birds, insects, and sea life on and around the island. With graceful illustrations by Jennifer Thermes, Jake--and the reader--start to see the moose, a little bit at a time, but Dad's either got his nose in a book or binoculars glued to his eyes. In the end, it's Jake who shows his dad the value of putting aside the guidebook and ferry schedule to truly experience the beauty and magic of the outdoors.

Through the lens of the land that has come to be known as America, award-winning picture book creator Jennifer Thermes captures centuries of historyA Place Called America takes the long view of the land’s history, from its earliest formation and inhabitants up through today. Meet those indigenous to the deserts, prairies, forests, and shores of the land called Turtle Island and their relatives whose ideas founded the basis of the Constitution and who contributed in unique ways to World War II and more. Meet immigrant communities who came to the land from all around the world—at different times and against all odds, even with staunch United States immigration policies. And meet enslaved ancestors who were brought to the land against their will and whose labor and experience changed the story forever.Expert picture book maker Jennifer Thermes deftly weaves the threads of these communities’ narratives together, while giving each the spotlight they deserve—using the land itself as a unifying lens. Illustrated with dazzling maps, A Place Called America is a visual delight. It is an info-packed read, with sidebars, an author’s note, and a timeline supplementing the accessible text.A Place Called America will challenge its readers to think critically about the stories we tend to take for granted about our own history.

From their earliest evolution to the invention of the "horseless carriage," this picture book captures how-for much of human history-horses powered the world! For thousands of years, horses and humans lived, worked, and played together, side by side. From the time they were first domesticated to the invention of the wheel, saddle, bit, and bridle; horses brought far-flung lands closer together at the speed of a gallop. Trade, agriculture, transportation, and more were expanded in new ways-all made possible by the power of the horse. In dazzling spreads packed with maps, sidebars, and other hidden gems, explore the special connection between horses and humans. Discover how horses evolved and track their migration as they come to live on six continents. See the everyday jobs done by horses for centuries. And consider the profound changes that came about when gasoline-powered engines arrived on the scene. An encyclopedic look at this magnificent animal, Horse Power offers a unique view of world history from the ancient past to today.

Told in dazzling maps and informative sidebars, Manhattan explores the 400+ year history of Manhattan Island. From before its earliest settlement to the vibrant metropolis that exists today, the island of Manhattan has always been a place of struggle, growth, and radical transformation. Humans, history, and natural events have shaped this tiny sliver of land for more than 400 years. In Manhattan, travel back in time to discover how a small rodent began an era of rapid change for the island. Learn about immigration, the slave trade, and the people who built New York City. See how a street plan projected the city's future, and how epic fires and storms led to major feats of engineering above and below ground. Through dramatic illustrations, informative sidebars, and detailed maps inspired by historic archives, Manhattan explores the rich history that still draws people from all around the world to the island's shores today. From The Battery downtown up to Inwood, every inch of the island has a story to tell.

What do seven kids do on a cold winter day when rain and sleet have created a thick crust of ice on top of the snow? It's so slick and icy that sledding seems impossible--almost. Lizzie and her friends convince her grandfather to let them try to push his old-fashioned travis sled, a long, bench-like sled on runners, uphill so they can fly downhill, down the highest, mightiest, iciest sledding hill off Old Mountain Road. New Hampshire storyteller Rebecca Rule brings her trademark wry sense of New England humor to this delightful tale of a wild sled ride. Connecticut artist Jennifer Thermes's beautiful watercolors are so full of motion, you'll be holding on to your hats and scarves for this one.

One spring evening an old bear finds a young bird, still learning to fly, has fallen to the ground. When the bear lifts the bird to safety, a friendship begins. Bear and Bird soon become constant companions, spending their days together, searching out berries and watching out for one another. They are only separated during the winter months when Bear hibernates and Bird flies south. As the years pass, their friendship grows stronger. Then one spring day, when Bird returns from his winter trip, Bear is not there to greet him. Days and then weeks pass and still no Bear. When Bird finally learns why his dear friend is absent, memories of their time together bring comfort and acceptance. In this tale of an unlikely but loving friendship, the cycle of life, including its joys and its sorrows, is gently explored.