Kathleen Connors – författare

This fascinating history of dinosaur fossil finds shows readers, in great detail, how fossils form. Age-appropriate language and colorful photographs of dig sites and fossilized bones will immerse readers in the incredible field of paleontology and enhance exciting information about the prehistoric world.

Lucy, Ardi, and Ida are the most famous fossils of human ancestors. Readers will meet these three as well as learn about how human fossils form. Detailed photographs and fascinating fact boxes enhance accessible information about the incredible connection between humans and other animals, including apes and even lemurs. This book will engage budding paleoanthropologists with its fun look at a unique aspect of human history.

Insect fossils are among the oldest animal fossils scientists have found. Ancient arthropod fossils found in the ocean and rare butterfly imprints are explored as well as the evolution of modern insects with easy-to-read explanations. Filled with detailed, colorful photographs of real insect fossils, this book will assist young readers in learning how insect fossils form and how old the ant really is.

The beautiful fossilized wood of petrified forests can be found all over the United States. Readers will be amazed at the full-color photographs that dramatically capture one of nature’s greatest wonders. Interesting fact boxes and information about real petrified forests further enhance the easy-to-read content about how these spectacular forests formed.

Flowers, ferns, pollen, and permineralization, this book covers plant fossils. Colorful pictures and fun fact boxes will introduce readers to the exciting world of paleobotany. Fascinating facts such as plants are descendants of algae, even though algae aren’t plants, will capture readers attention and give a captivating look at how plant fossils formed and evolved into greenery we see all over the world.

Trilobites and ammonites are two extinct ocean-dwelling creatures that have left their mark—in fossils. Readers will learn more about the animal group with the abundant fossil record presented in easy-to-read content. Detailed photographs of real sea creature fossils and fascinating content will capture young readers attention.

Learning contractions can be fun when it happens at the zoo. Readers learn an important language arts concept in one of their favorite settings—with some of the most commonly used contractions they hear and say every day. With full-color photographs of animals to help engage readers, this book augments classroom learning with an easy-to-understand explanation of contractions.

Readers engage with a key language arts concept in a fun and relatable way. Colorful photographs help explain homophone examples within the context of a familiar environment and support accessible content. The easy-to-follow text makes vocabulary building and spelling exciting for beginning and reluctant readers.

The park is a great place to practice opposites. Readers learn a key language arts concept with the easy-to-read content presented in this book, including a range of concept examples from up and down through big and small. This is a fascinating introduction to a common lesson taught in the classroom. Full-color photographs enhance fun examples and engage new readers by using a familiar setting.

Readers explore the many ways punctuation is used at sports games. A helpful introduction to an important language arts skill, the text supports classroom lessons using relatable content and easy-to-read language. Readers learn the many punctuation symbols through fun examples and colorful photographs.

Many people enjoy playing games while on a road trip. Readers can find fun ways to rhyme along their route. This book introduces readers to an important language arts concept using playful language and a familiar setting. Colorful pictures enhance easy-to-read content, including the definition of rhyme and many fun examples. Readers will be engaged and excited to use what they learn in school.

Through colorful photographs and accessible examples, this book takes readers to a familiar setting to learn an important language arts concept. The fun, easy-to-read content engages new readers as they learn about synonyms and build vocabulary. This book augments common classroom lessons and draws in readers for more exciting word play.

Known for their incredible color-changing abilities, chameleons seem to be an elusive lizard. However, these quick-change artists are also deadly predators with some amazing features. Readers will enter the world of the chameleon, discovering the secret of their color changes through accessible science content and fact boxes full of more wild information. Colorful photographs will give readers close-ups of the chameleon.

To some people around the world, the gecko is just another household pest. To others, geckos are household pets. This book introduces readers to all kinds of geckos, including the wild web-footed gecko of Africa’s Namib Desert and the tokay gecko living in the tank at the pet store. While they learn fascinating science facts about the gecko life cycle, readers will enjoy full-color photographs of these cool reptiles walking on ceilings and smelling with their tongues. Fascinating fact boxes will grab future herpetologists and lovers of all things scaly—just like a gecko’s “sticky” feet grab a tree branch.

Large and lazy lizards aren’t quite the terrifying beasts an animal with “monster” in its name calls to mind; but Gila monsters have a deadly, venomous bite. Readers are introduced to a slow-moving reptile with a wild way of protecting itself from predators. Full-color photographs of brightly patterned Gila monsters will absorb readers as they learn all about a Gila monster’s life through accessible science content. Fun fact boxes add to the cool information readers will be excited to share.

The biggest iguanas can be up to seven feet long. While that sounds like an awfully large lizard, iguanas aren’t a threat to humans—or anything else but plants. Readers are introduced to the life of this popular pet in the wild through detailed content about an iguana’s life cycle, and learn about the many kinds living in the Americas. Cool, full-color photographs of iguanas in their natural habitats will keep readers fascinated while absorbing science content on every page.

The Komodo dragon was unknown to those living outside of its home islands until only about 100 years ago. Since then, this fierce predator has spawned many myths and fascinated scientists and reptile lovers from all over the world. Readers will find out the truth about dragon life through accessible science content and vivid photographs. While Komodo dragons don’t breathe fire, they’re still pretty wild reptiles.

When left alone, snapping turtles don’t do much except look for food and bask in shallow water. But if they feel threatened, these huge reptiles may snap—and they have a powerful bite. Including their commonly aggressive nature and the differences between the common snapper and the alligator snapper, readers are introduced to a wild animal they could actually encounter. Fun fact boxes add to achievable content, while colorful photographs help readers recognize the “dinosaur of the turtle world.”

Including the ancient Lehman caves and the hot, dry expanse of Death Valley, the Great Basin region has many natural wonders for visitors to explore. Salt Lake City, Utah, and old mining towns offer even more cool things to do. This book invites readers along Interstate 80 into the Great Basin with fascinating fact boxes, colorful photographs, and awesome historical content. Detailed descriptions of the diverse landscape and destinations will engage any reader looking to plan a great road trip!

On a road trip through the Midwest, travelers can experience the best of urban and rural living. The bright lights and bustle of Chicago, Illinois, and the beautiful rolling hills of the Great Plains are both something to enjoy. This book introduces readers to the history, culture, and geography of the American Midwest. With vivid images of the many exciting places to visit, it will engage readers with a fun format and descriptive content. Fact boxes highlight possible "pit stops" and expand on the main content, while maps help readers navigate the Great Lakes, Badlands, and all around the heartland.

Being home to New York City, the most populous city in the United States, is just one claim to fame of the Northeast region. These states boast beautiful Atlantic coasts, picturesque views from the towering ranges of the Appalachian Mountains, and historic sites directly tied to the founding of the nation. Readers explore the region’s fun and fascinating destinations in this book. With detailed locale descriptions, historical tidbits, and great side-trip suggestions, the content introduces readers to the great Northeast. Fact boxes and colorful photographs will persuade readers to hop in the car and really take a trip.

The Pacific Northwest is home to two of the most environmentally friendly cities in the nation: Seattle, Washington, and Portland, Oregon. Even a short trip through the Rocky Mountains or along the Pacific coast allows travelers to revel in the awesome beauty of one of the United States'' most fascinating regions. It’s no wonder these communities so highly regard conservation. Readers will explore the Pacific Northwest through full-color photographs and exciting fact boxes with recommended road trip destinations. Including detailed content that complements the social studies curriculum, readers are introduced to the history, culture, and geographical diversity of the Pacific Northwest.

The rich culture of the southeastern United States boasts great food, bustling cities, and the top-notch music scenes of Memphis, Nashville, and New Orleans. Historically, the region played a big role in the formation of the nation we know today. Readers will take a trip through full-color photographs and detailed content to learn all about the fascinating places found in the Southeast. Fact boxes highlight cool places to check out on a road trip, while the main content complements regional topics within the social studies curriculum. With the beauty of the Appalachians and the draw of ocean beaches, the Southeast will engage readers and make them eager to travel to this growing area of the country.

The culture of the American Southwest blends Native American, Spanish, and Mexican traditions with a dash of U.S. spice, and not just in the food! Readers will take a road trip across this unique American region through colorful photographs and cool destination recommendations. An introduction to the major geographic features and the region''s big, bustling cities will engage readers as well as augment information learned in the classroom. Fact boxes add even more exciting trivia about one of the fastest-growing U.S. regions.

Early in US history, the Chesapeake Bay region became home to many people. Its navigable waterways, abundant natural resources, and beautiful scenes drew first Native American tribes, and then settlers by the thousands. Today, it continues to grow! Through historical facts, maps, and detailed sidebars, readers will learn all about the growth of the Chesapeake Bay region. Including demographic and population statistics and a close look at the major industries, the book will immerse readers in the people of this unique estuary. Vivid photographs will introduce the basic geography of the region, while readers take on conservation concepts that come with a growing population.

Chesapeake Bay is bursting with life. Schools of silvery menhaden dart around under the water’s surface. Waterfowl call to each other and dive for delicious seafood snacks. More than 2,000 kinds of plants wave in the ocean breeze or grow in the swamps and shallows nearby. Readers will learn about some of the many plants and animals living in and around Chesapeake Bay, and the habitats they live in. Vivid photographs will invite readers to plunge the bay’s depths for oysters, while sidebars introduce the effects of global climate change and overfishing, and the importance of conservation. A colorful cutaway map of the whole bay ecosystem will help readers consider the links between the plants and animals there as the main content complements the social studies curriculum.

The region around the Chesapeake Bay is growing every year. Industries such as seafood and manufacturing contribute to the economy, but tourism continues to be big business for cities near the bay. Readers will visit the active inner harbor of Baltimore, Maryland, and the beautiful beaches of Virginia through vivid photographs and concise descriptions of their famous landmarks and historic sites. With an introduction to the Chesapeake Bay through some of its biggest attractions, readers will encounter the region’s geography, wildlife, and history, adding to curriculum learning. Detailed sidebars will offer fun facts, population statistics, and present even more places to explore around the Chesapeake Bay.

Clara Barton made a difference in the lives of many wounded soldiers during the American Civil War. She not only cared for them in hospitals, but also helped families identify those who died or went missing during battle. As founder of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton’s life continues to affect the United States for the better. Readers will find her story engaging and inspiring. Historical images enhance accessible social studies content and language, while a timeline aids readers in biographical understanding.

Cleopatra was perhaps the most powerful queen of her time and is certainly one of the best known today. Her influence over the history of the Roman Empire, exerted through her relationships with powerful men like Caesar and Mark Antony, cannot be denied, though historians don’t know much else about her life. Readers are introduced to the intrigue and excitement surrounding the last queen of Egypt as they encounter other significant historical figures. Age-appropriate language and content allow readers to understand a politically fraught time period, while historical images take them back to the death of ancient Egypt.