The Great Appalachian Valley, a major landform of the Appalachian mountains, played an important role in the early history of the United States. Routes through the valley, first made by Native Americans, made the mountains passable, later allowing European immigrants to expand colonization of the region. This fascinating book describes the geological makeup and history of the mountain ranges that form the Appalachians, and the people in the United States and Canada who live in their shadows. Special sections also decribe the plants and animals that thrive in these mountain habitats, as well as the unique problems facing this region.

Many holidays and festivals celebrated in the United States honor religious events and important dates or people in the country's history. This interesting book shows how Americans celebrate holidays and family occasions, as well as the traditions of the cultures from which their families first came. Teacher's guide available.

Running almost the full length of South America on its western coast, the Andes is the longest continental mountain range in the world. This remote and harsh environment saw the rise and fall of one of the great ancient civilizations of the world - the Incas. This fascinating book describes the geological makeup and history of the Andes mountain range, and how it is intertwined with the cultures and ways of life of the people in South America who live in its shadow. Special sections also decribe the plants and animals that thrive in this mountain habitat, as well as the unique problems facing this region.

Theres more to this spooky festivity than carving pumpkins and trick-or-treating. Halloween explores the history behind this yearly custom, including its roots in ancient Celtic tradition, as well as the costumed and candied evening it is today.

Mexico's culture is a unique mixture of ancient traditions passed down by the native Maya and Aztec peoples, and the religion and culture of Mexico's Spanish conquerors. This interesting book describes how the blending of native and Spanish traditions, beliefs, and rituals has resulted in many of the lively and colorful festivals celebrated today. Young readers will also learn how the Mexican people celebrate family occasions with fiestas. Teacher's guide available.

Brazil's culture is a blending of ancient traditions passed down by the native peoples, and the religion and culture of Brazil's Portuguese conquerors. This fascinating book describes how native and Portuguese traditions, beliefs, and rituals have combined into the holidays and festivals celebrated today. Young readers will also learn how the Brazilian people celebrate family occasions. Teacher's guide available.

Heat, pressure and stress can also change some igneous or sedimentary rocks into other kinds of rocks. This fact-filled book describes the process that turns limestone into marble, shale into slate, and granite into gneiss. Metamorphic rocks are often used as materials for floors, roofs, and counter tops because of their beauty.

The continent of North America is home to more than 500 million people, beautiful plants and animals, and many spectacular sights! Explore North America provides children with insight into the diverse countries and living things on this continent. Children will read about - the countries in North America - North American mountains, islands, and other landforms - the Great Lakes and other bodies of water - life in North American forests, grasslands, and deserts - urban and rural areas of the continent - North America's many natural resources Teacher's guide available.

An Arctic Habitat provides children with an introduction to this cold, vast region. Easy-to-read text and colorful photographs help children learn about this unique habitat and how the plants and animals have adapted to the harsh environment. Young readers will learn about - the characteristics of both land and water habitats in the Arctic - the plants and animals that live in the Arctic - how animals find food and shelter in the Arctic Teacher's guide available.

What is matter made of? Young readers will be amazed to learn about the tiny particles that make up everything from this book to their very own bodies. Colorful illustrations and fun fact boxes will help readers understand how atoms come together to form

This intriguing book describes the geological makeup and history of the Gobi Desert in Mongolia and China. Temperatures can get very cold and frost and snow are not unusual. Readers will learn about the variety of habitats in this vast desert system that support many different kinds of plants and animals such as camels, snow leopards, and bears. The Gobi Desert is also where the first dinosaur egg fossils were found. Special sections describe the desert's natural resources, such as copper and gold, and the unique problems facing this region such as the desert's alarming rate of desertification.

This colorful book describes the geological makeup and history of the Kalahari Desert in Africa. Covering most of Botswana, as well as portions of Namibia and South Africa, the Kalahari is not a true desert because it receives more than ten inches (250 mm) of rain each year. But the rain drains and evaporates quickly leaving no water on the surface of the red sand. Readers will learn about the variety of habitats in this vast desert system that support many different kinds of plants and animals such as springboks, giraffes, elephants, and zebras. Special sections also describe the Kalahari's natural resources, indigenous people, and the unique problems facing this region.

Italian-born Ettore Bugatti, well known for the beauty of his designs, brought grandeur to the world of automobiles. In 1909 he founded the company that would make the high-performance car that would bear his name. But the car line foundered and the company found itself manufacturing airplane parts in the 1960s. This beautiful book describes the legendary car, model stats, and how the Buggati line has made a comeback in the last decade having been revived by Volkswagen with new models: EB 218, Chiron, and Veyron.

First-hand accounts, historical photographs, and engaging text combine to explore the experiences of immigrants to North America during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This fascinating title details the reasons for immigration and the challenges faced and contributions made by immigrants. In addition to Ellis Island, Angel Island, Grosse-isle, Quebec, and other immigration points in North America are discussed.

South Africa is known as the "Rainbow Nation" because the people who live there have come from many different backgrounds. This fascinating book describes the holidays and family celebrations inspired by the many cultures of South Africa's people. Teacher's guide available.

This book is intended for ages 4-8. There are over a million species of insects living on Earth, and all insects have similar bodies. In this book, children will learn the major physical features of insects and the importance of each body part. Close-up photographs and clearly labeled illustrations help to explain: an insect's three main body sections; the different kinds of insect mouth-parts; how insects use their eyes and antennae; why and how insects moult as they grow; and how insects move.

Different kinds of plants form different amounts of seeds. Some plants form only a few seeds while others form many seeds. Accessible text and vivid photographs introduce readers to seeds describing how they spread and their different uses.

The mighty Yangtze River - the third-longest river in the world - is the birthplace of Chinese civilization. This intriguing book takes readers along this ancient transportation route, strategic natural boundary, and lifeblood of an agricultural society. The river flows eastward from the Tibetan Plateau, crossing thousands of miles before emptying into the East China Sea. Today, the river basin is home to about one-third of China's population. The near completion of the Three Gorges Dam has displaced more than a million people and changed the river's ecosystem dramatically. Built to control flooding, make the river more navigable, and supply energy, some fear it will harm the region's environment.

This amazing book reveals the facts about the Ganges, a river sacred to Hindus. Follow it from its source high in the Himalayas, southeast through India and into Bangladesh, where it empties into the Bay of Bengal. Interesting text describes the crops that the river supports, including rice, wheat, cotton, and sugarcane, and the many industries alongside it. Flowing through one of the most densely populated areas in the world, its banks are also the site of shrines, temples, and holy cities, including Varanasi, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Pollution of the river and the threat to wildlife species are also examined.

The Nile is the world's longest river and the birthplace of one of the greatest civilizations of the ancient world. This book takes readers along the "River in the Sand" as it flows north from its source in central Africa to the Mediterranean Sea, crossing thousands of miles of desert. Ancient Egyptians depended on the Nile's annual floods to deposit fertile soil for farming. The Nile also provided water for irrigation and was a main transportation route. Today, the Nile remains vital, with more than 70 million people growing crops in the river's basin and fishing in its waters. The impact on the river of the Aswan High Dam, population growth, and climate change is also examined.

This book is intended for ages 4-8. Following insects from egg to adult, this book outlines the amazing changes different species of insects go through before they become fully-grown. Full-colour photographs and detailed illustrations of insects, from the familiar to the exotic, are featured. Topics include: incomplete and complete metamorphosis; where insects lay their eggs; what growing nymphs and larvae eat; how they find food; how nymphs and larvae protect themselves from predators; and how insects moult.

Most of the materials around us contain blends of more than one substance. These are mixtures and solutions. Seawater, for example, is a solution of salt and water. The engaging text and vivid illustrations in this book will help readers understand how mi

Meet the boys behind the new British Invasion! This exciting new biography tells the incredible story of pop group One Direction. From their start on the UK TV show X Factor to sold-out concerts, MTV Video Music Awards, and chart-topping hits, Harry, Niall, Liam, Louis, and Zayn show no signs of slowing down. The group's first album Up All Night made history as the first debut album by a British group to enter at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. Full-color photos and fascinating facts make this book a must for any "Directioner."