Emma Bland Smith – författare

The city of Paris wanted to tear down the Eiffel Tower! Gustave Eiffel, an engineer and amateur scientist, had built the incredible structure for the 1889 World's Fair. Created using cutting-edge technology, it stood taller than any other building in the world! More than a million delighted people flocked to visit it during the fair. But the officials wondered, beyond being a spectacle, what is it good for? It must come down! But Eiffel loved his tower. He crafted a clever plan to make the tower too useful to tear down. He would turn it into "a laboratory such as science has never had at its disposal". As the date for the tower's demolition approached, Eiffel raced to prove its worth. Could science save the Eiffel Tower?

The city of Paris wanted to tear down the Eiffel Tower! Gustave Eiffel, an engineer and amateur scientist, had built the incredible structure for the 1889 World's Fair. Created using cutting-edge technology, it stood taller than any other building in the world! More than a million delighted people flocked to visit it during the fair. But the officials wondered, beyond being a spectacle, what is it good for? It must come down! But Eiffel loved his tower. He crafted a clever plan to make the tower too useful to tear down. He would turn it into "a laboratory such as science has never had at its disposal". As the date for the tower's demolition approached, Eiffel raced to prove its worth. Could science save the Eiffel Tower?

The incredible true story of one dog’s heroic feats during the 2017 Tubbs Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in California history.One October night in 2017, when wildfire raged in Sonoma and Napa counties, the Hendel family was suddenly evacuated from their homes and farms to escape to safety and forced to leave behind their Pyrenees dog, Odin. Odin refused to leave his nightly post of guarding the family’s eight young goats, despite the family’s desperate attempts to lead him away. Brokenhearted, the Hendels were sure they would never see their dog again.But when the fire calmed and the family returned home, to their shock they found Odin singed yet safe, along with all the goats and several orphaned deer the dog had protected as well. Odin, Dog Hero of the Fires is a touching and inspirational true tale that honors the bravery and strength of Odin as well as commemorates the stories of those affected by the Tubbs Fire.

Claude is the story of the California Academy of Sciences' beloved albino alligator, from his birth in Louisiana to his life spent in his swamp at the Academy.“Ultimately, Claude’s hopeful tale is a celebration of individuality and the joy in finding those who appreciate you for exactly who you are.” — BooklistMeet Claude—the world-famous albino alligator whose remarkable life story captivated millions and continues to inspire readers of all ages. This beautifully told alligator book follows Claude from his birth to his extraordinary journey west, where he became the beloved mascot of San Francisco’s California Academy of Sciences.Claude hatched looking different from the other alligators—while they were green, he was white. His albinism made survival in the wild impossible, and after time spent alone in a special zoo, his life changed forever. Scientists at the California Academy of Sciences welcomed him into their indoor swamp, where Claude would ultimately spend 17 years as one of the Academy’s most cherished residents.Although not every introduction went as planned, Claude eventually found companionship and acceptance in unexpected ways—and from the millions of visitors who came to see him each year. His story is a powerful reminder that differences are not weaknesses, but strengths to be celebrated.Claude passed away in December 2025 at the age of 30, leaving behind a legacy of wonder, inclusion, and empathy. His life continues to teach important lessons about wildlife conservation, kindness, and belonging.Perfect for:Animal lovers and museum fansClassrooms and families seeking an inclusive storyReaders looking for an engaging zoology book with real scienceClaude includes back matter with answers to FAQs about the famous alligator, including information about albinism in animals.