Allison Stark Draper – författare

The planet Earth can be as mysterious and intriguing as any of the others in our solar system. Using stunning full-color images, a timeline, sidebars, and the most current information, Earth will show that there is much to be learned about our own planet in order to fully understand the remaining eight.

San Francisco de Solano was the last of the 21 California missions to be built. Fray Altimira began construction on the mission on August 25, 1823. The Spanish were not the only European settlers to live in the area where San Francisco de Solano was built. The Russians built Fort Ross nearby with plans to colonize the area. As many other missions did, Solano began to decline in the 1830’s prompting many Indians to leave the missions in search of more stable circumstances. The content provided in this book, aligned to California state standards, will provide students with a greater insight into the story of California’s mission system, and this gorgeous mission. This book is filled with excellent primary source materials and visuals, including illustrations, paintings, and maps.

Mission San Juan Bautista was founded on June 24, 1797. It was the 15th of the 21 missions built by the Spanish along the coast of California. Mission San Juan Bautista was built to fill a gap between two existing missions along El Camino Real, Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Río Carmelo, and Mission Santa Cruz. The content provided in this book, aligned to California state standards, will provide students with a greater insight into the story of San Juan Bautista and California’s mission system. This book is filled with excellent primary source materials and visuals, including illustrations, paintings, and maps.

Kayaking is an ancient activity that was once key to the survival of Inuit peoples. It has since become a recreational pursuit popular among young and old alike. Readers will be excited to take to the water after learning the basics of kayaking, including proper paddle control and performing a roll. Beginners will learn where they can enjoy a leisurely introduction to kayaking with a scenic guided tour and how they can work their way up to the difficult rapids tackled by advanced kayakers. Important terms, equipment, strokes, and the differences between sea and whitewater kayaking are also covered.

Tracing back to the allure of the Wild West’s open frontier, trail riding is a unique way to enjoy nature’s beauty. This useful guide for trail riders will even inspire those who have never come near a horse. Readers will understand the evolution of the animal and the history of riding before learning how to choose and get to know a horse before a trail ride. Practical tips for grooming, tacking, and dressing are outlined, as are basic guidelines and safety measures for learning to ride. The many joys and also the potential dangers of trail riding are discussed.