Linda Lowery – författare

Ever wonder where chocolate came from? We have the Mayan king Kukulkán to thank. Kukulkán is more than a king—he is also a god. One day he brings his people an amazing gift: a chocolate tree! But there is just one problem. Kukulkán’s brother, Night Jaguar, doesn’t want regular people to have chocolate. He thinks only gods should eat the tempting treat. Will Night Jaguar prevail? Or will the Mayans get to keep their chocolate tree?

It’s fiesta time! Cinco de Mayo is a fiesta day in Mexico and the United States. It’s celebrated on the fifth of May. This colorful holiday honors Mexico’s victory over the French army at the Battle of Pueblo in 1862. People march in parades, dance, and set off fireworks. Families enjoy traditional Mexican food and drink. Then they watch people act out the famous battle. Find out more about this joyful celebration of Mexican culture.

Earth Day is celebrated on April 22 each year to remind people about the dangers of pollution. Senator Gaylord Nelson organized the first Earth Day in 1970. On that day, peope marched, planted trees, and picked up litter. With small tasks young readers can do to help, Earth Day presents a hopeful look at the future of the planet.

As a successful former slave, Clara Brown used her money to help other freed slaves get a new start in life. In 1859 Clara bought her own freedom and headed west to Colorado to find her daughter, who was sold when she was just a little girl. Clara didn''t find her daughter there, but she did get rich. The people she helped became her family, and she became known as "Aunt" Clara Brown.

The Day of the Dead is a special holiday celebrated in many places like Mexico and parts of the United States to honor people who have died. It''s celebrated between October 31 and November 2 and there are costumes, but no one says, "trick-or-treat." There is candy, but this candy is shaped like coffins and skeletons. People picnic in cemeteries, go to parades, set off fireworks, and bake special breads and meals to remember friends and family members who have died.Encourage understanding of diverse cultures. Featuring full-page illustrations, these beautiful editions look at the history and customs associated with various holidays and present early readers with high-interest offerings.

On January 20, 1986, church bells rang in New York City, world leaders gathered in Atlanta, and thousands paraded in Chicago. It was the first annual celebration of a new national holiday. People all over the United States were remembering Martin Luther King, Jr., a man who dreamed of peace, equality, and freedom for all people.Encourage understanding of diverse cultures. Featuring full-page illustrations, these beautiful editions look at the history and customs associated with various holidays and present early readers with high-interest offerings.

As a successful former slave, Clara Brown used her money to help other freed slaves get a new start in life. In 1859 Clara bought her own freedom and headed west to Colorado to find her daughter, who was sold when she was just a little girl. Clara didn''t find her daughter there, but she did get rich. The people she helped became her family, and she became known as "Aunt" Clara Brown.

The Day of the Dead is a special holiday celebrated in many places like Mexico and parts of the United States to honor people who have died. It''s celebrated between October 31 and November 2 and there are costumes, but no one says, "trick-or-treat." There is candy, but this candy is shaped like coffins and skeletons. People picnic in cemeteries, go to parades, set off fireworks, and bake special breads and meals to remember friends and family members who have died.

The reason for the celebration of Martin Luther King Day is clearly and factually explained...Both the cassette and the book fill a void at the primary level for material on Martin Luther King. - School Library Journal

California is a land of varied landscapes, climates, and cultures. Before Europeans arrived in North America, more than twenty independent American Indian groups lived in this region. Their cultures were as diverse as the areas they called home. Along the coast, in the mountains, and in the desert, these nations developed ways of life shaped by their surroundings. • Every fall, the Miwok gathered acorns for food. They held a special festival to celebrate the harvest. • The Cahuilla held bird song ceremonies that lasted for days. Birds are said to tell the people''s history through their singing. • The Yurok used mollusk shells called dentalia as money. Many twenty-first century American Indians still call California home. Find out what these nations have in common and what makes each of them unique.

A long time ago, before the Plains region of the United States was divided up into states such as Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming, this land was home to American Indians. Twenty-eight unique Indian nations built homes and gathered food in the Plains. They spoke distinct languages, set up political systems, and made art. They used the natural resources available in their region in order to thrive. • The Wichita lived in houses made of grass. From the outside, they looked like giant haystacks. • Omaha and Ponca people wore caps made from eagleskin. • Lakota men carved flutes to play songs for the girls they hoped to marry. Many American Indians still live in the Plains region. Explore the history of these various nations and find out how their culture is still alive today.

Who were the first people to call the southeastern United States home? Long before Europeans came to the region, American Indian nations lived off the rich and varied land. These peoples had different languages, governments, and cultures. Their traditions and heritage were shaped by the climate and terrain of the American Southeast. • The Caddo traveled in canoes made from the wood of cypress trees. • The Seminole wove baskets from sweetgrass and dyed them with berries, nuts, and roots. • The Cherokee danced with rattles made of turtle shell strapped to their legs in what is called a stomp dance. Twenty-first century American Indians still call the Southeast home. Find out what these groups have in common and what makes each nation unique.

When Spanish explorers came to the Southwest region of the United States in the 1600s, they found over 20,000 American Indians already living in the region. These American Indians were part of many different nations. They had their own languages and cultures, and they had developed ways to survive in the desert landscape. • Pueblo people lived in permanent villages made of adobe brick. • The Hopi had fifty different ways to cook and eat corn. • The Navajo created colorful pictures from sand, cornmeal, and pollen. Many American Indians still live in the Southwest. They make traditional jewelry, use their native languages, and run tourism programs at the Grand Canyon. Find out more about the history and culture of the native peoples of the Southwest.

California is a land of varied landscapes, climates, and cultures. Before Europeans arrived in North America, more than twenty independent American Indian groups lived in this region. Their cultures were as diverse as the areas they called home. Along the coast, in the mountains, and in the desert, these nations developed ways of life shaped by their surroundings. • Every fall, the Miwok gathered acorns for food. They held a special festival to celebrate the harvest. • The Cahuilla held bird song ceremonies that lasted for days. Birds are said to tell the people''s history through their singing. • The Yurok used mollusk shells called dentalia as money. Many twenty-first century American Indians still call California home. Find out what these nations have in common and what makes each of them unique.

A long time ago, before the Plains region of the United States was divided up into states such as Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming, this land was home to American Indians. Twenty-eight unique Indian nations built homes and gathered food in the Plains. They spoke distinct languages, set up political systems, and made art. They used the natural resources available in their region in order to thrive. • The Wichita lived in houses made of grass. From the outside, they looked like giant haystacks. • Omaha and Ponca people wore caps made from eagleskin. • Lakota men carved flutes to play songs for the girls they hoped to marry. Many American Indians still live in the Plains region. Explore the history of these various nations and find out how their culture is still alive today.

Who were the first people to call the southeastern United States home? Long before Europeans came to the region, American Indian nations lived off the rich and varied land. These peoples had different languages, governments, and cultures. Their traditions and heritage were shaped by the climate and terrain of the American Southeast. • The Caddo traveled in canoes made from the wood of cypress trees. • The Seminole wove baskets from sweetgrass and dyed them with berries, nuts, and roots. • The Cherokee danced with rattles made of turtle shell strapped to their legs in what is called a stomp dance. Twenty-first century American Indians still call the Southeast home. Find out what these groups have in common and what makes each nation unique.

When Spanish explorers came to the Southwest region of the United States in the 1600s, they found over 20,000 American Indians already living in the region. These American Indians were part of many different nations. They had their own languages and cultures, and they had developed ways to survive in the desert landscape. • Pueblo people lived in permanent villages made of adobe brick. • The Hopi had fifty different ways to cook and eat corn. • The Navajo created colorful pictures from sand, cornmeal, and pollen. Many American Indians still live in the Southwest. They make traditional jewelry, use their native languages, and run tourism programs at the Grand Canyon. Find out more about the history and culture of the native peoples of the Southwest.

It’s fiesta time! Cinco de Mayo is a fiesta day in Mexico and the United States. It’s celebrated on the fifth of May. This colorful holiday honors Mexico’s victory over the French army at the Battle of Pueblo in 1862. People march in parades, dance, and set off fireworks. Families enjoy traditional Mexican food and drink. Then they watch people act out the famous battle. Find out more about this joyful celebration of Mexican culture.

AY-EEEE! A spooky howl pierces the dark night. Is it the wind? Or is it the ghost called La Llorona? La Llorona is said to haunt moonlit roads and riverbanks, crying for her lost children. Before she became a ghost, La Llorona was a beautiful young woman named Maria. But Maria’s wish for wealth led her to doom. Read this haunting tale to find out more.