While the histories of gold, silver, and copper mining and smelting are well studied, lead has not received much scholarly attention despite a long history of both Native American and European desire for the ore. Over time, native peoples made lead ornaments in molds; French and American settlers used lead to form musket balls; red lead became an important production element for flint and crystal production; and white lead was used in making paint until the mid-twentieth century. Gray Gold aims to broaden understandings of early colonial and Native American history by turning attention to the ways that mining-and its scientific, technological, economic, cultural, and environmental features-shaped intercultural interactions and developments in the New World. Backed by remarkable original sources such as firsthand mining accounts, letters, and surveys, Mark Chambers's study demonstrates how early mining techniques affected the culture clash between Native Americans and Europeans all the while tracking the impact increased mining had on the environment of what would become the states of Illinois and Missouri. Chambers traces the evolution of lead mining and smelting technology through pre-contact America, to the amalgamation of aboriginal processes with French colonial development, through Spain's short occupation to the Louisiana Purchase and ultimately the technology transfer from Europe to an efficient and year-round standard of practice after American assumption. Additionally, while slavery in early American industry has been touched on in iron manufacturing and coal mining scholarship, the lead mining context sheds new light on the history of that grievous institution. Gray Gold adds significantly to the understanding of lead mining and the economic and industrial history of the United States. Chambers makes important contributions to the fields of United States history, Native American and frontier history, mining and environmental history, and the history of science and technology.

Dogs of all shapes and sizes star in this delightful book, but which of them is the biggest? It’s up to you to decide…

Children aged 3-5 can meet dogs big and small, with all sorts of unique and special features, in this playful picture book.

From tiny Chihuahua Agnes who loves to burrow beneath cushions, to Holly the Collie, who loves chasing her tail, this book contains a pack of adorable dogs. Each is special in their own way, but only one of these lovable pups can be the biggest. A fun surprise at the end of the book reveals just who is the BIGGEST dog in the book.

This picture book for children offers:

Take to the skies in this thrilling new series from author Alex English. (BEWARE: THERE WILL BE PIRATES!)

11 year-old Echo Quickthorn has grown up believing that nothing exists outside the Kingdom of Lockfort, but everything changes when an eccentric professor parks his airship outside her window armed with a map that shows all the magical places that exist beyond the city walls.

Together with her pet lizard, Gilbert, Echo sets off on an incredible adventure to find her missing mother; an adventure that will take her to unimaginable places filled with giant butterflies, mechanical dragons and . . . sky pirates!

In 1938, the Yokosuka Naval Air Technical Arsenal, acting under the requirements issued by the Kaigun Koku Hombu for a Navy Experimental 13-Shi Carrier Borne specification for a dive-bomber to replace the venerable 'Val' aboard carriers. The resulting D4Y Suisei ('Comet'), codenamed 'Judy' by the Allies, was initially powered by a licence-built German Daimler-Benz DB 601 inline engine as used in the Bf 109E. Despite making an inauspicious combat debut during the Battle of Midway in June 1942, the 'Judy' eventually proved to be an important asset for the IJNAF during battles in the latter years of the Pacific War. Its great successes resulted in the sinking of the escort carrier USS Princeton in an early kamikaze attack of the Philippines and the near sinking of the fleet carrier USS Franklin in a dive-bombing attack off Japan. While the Judy had an impressive top-speed, like its predecessor, and many other Japanese military aircraft, it possessed design shortcomings including inadequate armour protection for its aircrew and no self-sealing fuel tanks. As a result, when pitted against new, advanced US Navy fighters suffered horrendous losses. During the final months of World War 2 it became apparent that there would be no Japanese victory. Acting out of desperation, the IJNAF employed the 'Judy' in the dreaded kamikaze role, in which it excelled due to its high-speed characteristics. Most notably, the D4Y mounted one of the last combat actions of World War 2 when a flight of 11 Judies, personally led by the instigator of the suicide attacks, Vice Admiral Matome Ugaki, took off on a 'search mission' on August 15, 1945. This volume chronicles the action-packed wartime exploits of Japan's finest dive-bomber of World War 2.

Peek into this diary of an aluminum can as it goes on a journey from inside a bauxite rock under the beaches of Jamaica, to the manufacturing line, to the store shelf, to a garbage can, and finally to a recycling plant where it emerges into its new life...as a baseball bat!
This 8x8 papergback storybook is told from the point of view of a laid-back aluminum can, kids can share in his daily experiences and inner thoughts through his personal journal. The laid-back little can goes from being a small speck of alumina inside a bauxite rock under the beaches of Jamaica to an aluminum soda can to a baseball bat. The diary entries will be fun and humorous yet point out the ecological significance behind each product and the resources used to make it.

This photo-history looks back at an aircraft that became an icon of British strategic air-power during the Second World War and contributed heavily to the securing of the Allied victory. The ultimate British aerial strategic asset, the Avro Lancaster has endured as a legendary icon of British strategic airpower. Tough, rugged, and able to perform effectively at high altitudes, the Lancaster proved to fit the RAF's need for a heavy, high-altitude bomber. From the risky, initial daylight bombing missions over Europe to the fire-bombing of German cities, Dam Buster Raids, and sinking of the German Battleship Tirpitz, the Lancaster helped to profoundly secure victory for the Allies in the Second World War. Mark A. Chambers looks back over the fascinating story of Avro's aircraft design philosophy and development, as well as its glorious combat record and operational history in the post-war era.

Let this calm and serene yoga frog be your desktop guru as you take him through a simple and relaxing yoga routine!

The perfect gift for any yogi in your life, this little box includes:

* An adorable, bendy, and poseable frog figurine

* A 32-page mini book with basic yoga poses (demonstrated by the yoga frog but perfect for humans, too!) illustrated by charming watercolor illustrations

A goat kid loves to do karate! And he is sure to inspire young kids to try karate as well. Follow Goat as he goes through the major stances and karate moves, teaching readers to channel focus and strength through each pose. Karate Kid's simple, measured, and meditative text is complemented by playful yet instructive illustrations by Mark Chambers to teach youngsters how to get involved in karate--and to have fun while doing so, too.

Embark on another swashbuckling SKY PIRATES adventure in The Dragon's Gold, perfect for 8+ explorers and fans of Abi Elphinstone, Peter Bunzl and Vashti Hardy. Echo Quickthorn has been reunited with her sky-pirate mother, Indigo Lil, and is now a fully-fledged member of the Black Sky Wolves. So when Lil is summoned to the Alliance of the Seven Skies, Echo decides to sneak along with her friend Horace. There, Horace is captured by the dastardly Thunder Sharks, a rival pirate clan, who present Echo with an ultimatum: they'll release her friend in exchange for the legendary dragon's gold ... Echo must journey - through underwater libraries and active volcanoes - to the inhospitable Dragonlands, in order to find the dragon's lair. But can she find the treasure and prove herself to be a true-sky pirate? Praise for SKY PIRATES: Echo Quickthorn and the Great Beyond: "Strap yourselves in for an exhilarating ride!" - Daily Mail "Fizzes with magic and wonder" - Abi Elphinstone, author of SKY SONG "A charmingly madcap adventure, with endearing friendships, sparkling wit, and a swashbuckling journey across pirate-infested skies. I loved it. Perfect for fans of Nevermoor and Cogheart." - Hana Tooke, author of THE UNADOPTABLES "A spirited protagonist, a charming side-kick and a believable villain come together in this tightly plotted, visual, treat for the senses. I want to soar over the rainbow rooftops of Port Tourbillon and the toadstooled forests of Tyrian in my very own airship." - Nizrana Farook, author of THE GIRL WHO STOLE AN ELEPHANT "Sky Pirates is a fast-moving adventure story full of intrepid explorers, ingenious inventors, stolen treasure and mysterious undiscovered lands. If you like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (and who doesn't?) you'll love Sky Pirates too!" - Kirsty Applebaum, author of THE MIDDLER "From the very first page, I felt as if I'd been grabbed by the hand by a best friend and taken on the journey of a lifetime. Pacey, thrilling and endearing too. If I was ever to encounter sky pirates, I can think of no one I'd want by my side more than clever, brave Echo." - Joanna Nadin, author of the RACHEL RILEY series "A breath-taking adventure and a wonderfully imagined story of friendship and danger in strange places." - Claire Fayers, author of THE VOYAGE TO MAGICAL NORTH "An incredible adventure, brimming with friendship and danger" - The Bookseller

It's a monumental day in Mouseopolis. Everyone has gathered for the grand unveiling of The Big Cheese - the most magnificent morsel the city has ever seen. But when the curtain is pulled back, The Big Cheese has gone! Can Supermouse track down the creepy crooks before there is nothing left but stinky crumbs? And who is the mouse behind the mask? Packed with innovative die-cuts and flaps, this hilarious book will delight parents and children alike.

Perhaps no other aircraft in aviation history has been such a well-kept secret as the United States' Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. This cutting-edge aircraft took the art of aerial spying to an unprecedented level and did it all from highly clandestine high-speed spy missions over Communist nations during the late 1960s and 1970s. With the help of breath-taking photographs, Mark Chambers tells the fascinating story of this truly unique aircraft's design and development as well as its famous and ingenious designer Mr Clarence 'Kelly' Johnson.

When Jack climbs up an enormous beanstalk, he discovers a giant's castle high up in the clouds. But the giant likes to eat little boys... How ever will Jack escape? My First Fairytales are a magical introduction to the well-loved stories that are a key part of every childhood. With fresh and fun illustrations, these simple re-tellings of classic fairy tales make a perfect bedtime read for three to six year olds. Make sure you collect Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Little Red Riding Hood, too!

An XBox loving boy hits on a cunning plan to send a pig to school in his place. Soon the pig is Star Pupil and Freddy is growing ever more pig-like at home. A laugh-out-loud exploration of why what we wish for isn't always good for us, in a brilliantly accessible format specially designed for severely struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+. This title is hi-lo with a reading age of 6 and an interest age of 8-12.

Entering service during the Sino-Japanese War, the Nakajima B5N (code-named 'Kate') excelled and went on to achieve surprising and dramatic successes in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. It also contributed to the sinking of the US aircraft carriers USS Lexington at the Battle of the Coral Sea, USS Yorktown at the Battle of Midway, and USS Hornet at the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands. Its replacement, the Nakajima B6N 'Jill', while a marked improvement over its illustrious predecessor, was never able to achieve its full potential in combat due to advances in Allied aircraft, finding itself relegated to the dreaded Kamikaze strikes in the latter part of the war. Using previously unpublished photographs as well as colour illustrations, this book will cover the history of the 'Kate' and 'Jill' torpedo/attack bombers, including their design and development, as well as the combat highs and lows of the Imperial Japanese Navy's premier torpedo-bombers.

The Junkers Aircraft Company of Dessau, Germany forever changed the world of aviation when they produced several aircraft that revolutionised warfare during World War Two. Among them were the Ju 87 Stuka, which was key to the success of the Blitzkrieg, and highly versatile bomber and transport aircraft including Junkers Ju 86, Ju 52, Ju 90/290 and, later, Ju 88. Drawing on a multitude of photographs, diagrams and US government reports, Junkers Military Aircraft of World War Two reveals the history of this innovative aviation company and its many key aircraft that played a vital role in the war. From initiating unprecedented advancements in structural design to producing advanced turbojet engines and radical aircraft that provided a glimpse of the future of aviation, the Junkers Aircraft Company proved to be a true pioneer in the aviation world.

When Janey gets tired of hearing that she is not big enough to do the fun stuff, she decides that she is not big enough to do the boring stuff either. No high dive? No chores. No roller coaster? No bedtime. But Janey's plan backfires when it's time for the first day of pre-school. Janey quickly learns being a big girl means making big-girl decisions, no matter what.

Get ready for school with these fun poems
This adorable picture book celebrates all the familiar milestones and moments shared by every single kindergartener. Whether it's the first-day-of-school jitters or the hundredth-day-of-school party, every aspect of the kindergarten experience is introduced with a light and funny poem--not to mention charming illustrations.

In the Pacific War's early years, Japanese air power was dominant. The only way for the Allies to defeat their enemy was to know it. This made the task of maintaining productive intelligence gathering efforts on Japan imperative. Establishing Technical Air Intelligence Units in the Pacific Theatre and the Technical Air Intelligence Center in Washington DC, the Allies were able to begin to reveal the secrets of Japanese air power through extensive flight testing and evaluation of captured enemy aircraft and equipment. These provided an illuminating perspective on Japanese aircraft and aerial weapon design philosophy and manufacturing practice.

Fully illustrated throughout with a wealth of previously unpublished photographs, Mark Chambers explores Allied efforts to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of Japanese air power during the war years, and how this intelligence helped them achieve victory in the Pacific.

Mud is so much more than squelchy brown stuff. It's why our food grows, why our forests stand tall, why our water and air are less dirty and why billions of living things have somewhere to live. This engaging new title encourages young readers and their grown-ups to delight in mud, to value it in a new way and to help protect the planet's soil for the future.

Dive down into the ocean in a submarine. Journey into an underwater world and meet the creatures who live there, from the huge orca that swims near the surface, to the weird eel that lurks in the deep. Oxford Reading Tree inFact is a compelling non-fiction series that aims to engage children in reading for pleasure as powerfully as fiction does. The series includes 36 titles which are all phonically decodable, with some high-interest topic words to develop vocabulary and impart knowledge. The imaginative approach and variety of intriguing topics mean there are books to interest every child. The books are carefully levelled, making it easy to match every reader to the right book.

Find out about exotic plants, explore beautiful beaches and see the world through an animal's eyes. Explore our wonderful world in this fascinating collection of seven Read with Oxford non-fiction texts, ideal for children who are developing early reading skills. This collection includes seven enjoyable non-fiction texts designed to tap into your child's interest and pleasure in the wonderful world around us. Packed full of incredible facts, with full-colour photos and artwork. The texts are phonics-based and have been specially written so that your child can read them for themselves. Tips for parents and fun after-reading activities help you to get the most out of the texts. Featuring much-loved characters, great authors, engaging storylines and fun activities, Read with Oxford offers an exciting range of carefully levelled reading books to build your child's reading confidence. Find practical advice, free eBooks and fun activities to help your child progress on oxfordowl.co.uk. Let's get them flying!