The amazing story of how the world’s greatest fossilist found her first huge find at the age of twelve. Mary was born in 1799 in Lyme Regis, England. Her father, a carpenter and part-time fossil hunter, taught his children to look for fossils. When her father injured himself and was unable to work, Mary quit school and took up fossil hunting full-time to help support her family, a task that became even more important when her father died, leaving the Annings in debt. At the age of twelve, Mary, with her older brother Joe, found what they believed to be the skeleton of a gigantic crocodile, the Great Croc of the legends. Between dodging her rival fossil hunter the Curiman, and the sheer work of carefully digging out the fossil, Mary took almost a year to excavate what would later be termed the Ichthyosaurus. Mary Anning was uneducated, poor and a woman, but her life’s work of fossil hunting led her to make many discoveries that influenced our understanding of prehistoric creatures and the age of the Earth. In this triumphant novel about scientific discovery, Monica Kulling brings Mary Anning and her world to life for young readers.  Key Text Features author's note historical context resources facts further reading

Grant Wood believed that to be a real artist, he had to live in Paris. But once he got there, he realized that to be a great painter he needed to return to the people and places—and even animals—that he knew and loved the best. Inspired by the life of artist Grant Wood, this is the sensitively imagined story of the great American painter and a cow named Tillie. Skillfully mixing fact with fiction, Monica Kulling’s text explores the making of an artist, while Sydney Smith’s illustrations echo Grant Wood’s own techniques. The result is a gently wise picture book that will encourage young readers and artists to trust the love that is sometimes only found close to home. Includes an author’s note that provides biographical information about Grant Wood.

The Tweedles are back and ready to take another exuberant swing at going modern. When their neighbors the Hamms announce that they've "gone online" by buying a telephone, Mama excitedly follows suit. But will the lure of the telephone be too much of a distraction for this sweetly old-fashioned family? Fresh from their adventure with their new electric car, Mama decides that the family needs a telephone to keep up with the changing times, and daughter Frances could not be more thrilled. But not all the Tweedles are convinced. Son Francis only has eyes for the family's car, and Papa worries about the family's privacy. Once the phone is installed in the family's home, they can hardly believe the noise it makes! But Frances takes a shine to the telephone immediately, and her enthusiasm for the new device threatens to keep the whole family up at night. Eventually Mama and Francis warm up to the telephone, too, and soon they can't sit still long enough to play a family game of Crokinole. Will the Tweedles ever be able to go offline again? This clever companion to The Tweedles Go Electric gently pokes fun at our modern addiction to technology, while further endearing readers to the sweetly odd Tweedles family.

A Step 3 BIOGRAPHY READER about the unsung historical figure and Founding Mother Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton.

Hamilton, the musical, is igniting American history fever in adults and kids--especially about the central figures of the play. Kids clearly want to know more, and this companion to early reader Alexander Hamilton: From Orphan to Founding Father will fill the void. Eliza Hamilton was so much more than just Alexander Hamilton's wife. She was a spirited girl who grew up to be a strong woman with a big heart and amazing strength of character. She rescued many children in need during her life. In fact, she and others established New York City's first orphanage--which became a place that is still helping needy children to this day. She lived for 50 years after Hamilton's death in the infamous duel, and she preserved his historical legacy and contributed to American history with other Founding Mothers in ways that will finally be shared widely with those newly interested in Colonial and Revolutionary War times.

Step 3 Readers feature engaging characters in easy-to-follow plots about popular topics--for children who are ready to read on their own.

It's 1901 and Henry Ford wants to build a car that everyone can own. But first he needs the money to produce it. How will he get it? He enters a car race, of course! Readers will love this fast-paced, fact-based story!

Join Tom Sawyer's wild adventures along the banks of the Mississippi River in this exciting addition to the Step into Classics line. Tom and his best friend, Huck Finn, share exciting make-believe escapades as treasure hunters, swashbuckling pirates, and soldiers in battle. They also unwittingly become real-life witnesses to a terrible crime!