New Children's Nonfiction

Engage with the people in your community through 25 activities and projects designed to get you out into your neighborhood. Clean a neighbor's car, walk a dog, organize a block party, clean up the trash, and more. Discover great ways to make new friends and give back.

"When Apollo 11 launched from Cape Kennedy on July 16, 1969, 530 million viewers watched Commander Neil Armstrong and pilots Michael Collins and Edwin Buzz Aldrin leave Earth with bated breath. This book relates the significant parts of that momentous journey, including the first color TV transmission to Earth, and the 21 hours, 36 minutes that Armstrong and Aldrin spent on the moon's surface. Bourgeoning scientists will be enthralled by this captivating history of the Apollo 11 adventure, which incorporates key social studies and science concepts." -- (Source of summary not specified)

"Journey to the Moon on the Apollo 12 mission with astronaut and artist Alan Bean! As a boy, Alan wanted to fly planes. As a young navy pilot, Alan wished he could paint the view from the cockpit. So he took an art class to learn patterns and forms. But no class could prepare him for the beauty of the lunar surface some 240,000 miles from Earth. In 1969, Alan became the fourth man and first artist on the moon. He took dozens of pictures, but none compared to what he saw through his artistic eyes. When he returned to Earth, he began to paint what he saw. Alan's paintings allowed humanity to experience what it truly felt like to walk on the moon."-- Provided by publisher.

Presents an account of the life and travels of Isabella Bird, celebrated English writer and explorer and the first female member of the Royal Geographical Society.

"Lyrics to seventy-five songs from the children's television programs Mister Rogers' Neighborhood and The Children's Corner, collected and presented as an illustrated treasury of poems. Lyrics explore topics such as feelings, new siblings, everyday life, and imagination"-- Provided by publisher.

The Belles of Baseball discusses how in the 1940s and 1950s, women broke traditional gender barriers by playing professional baseball, boosting morale during World War II, and paving the way for future generations of female athletes.

Biodiversity: Explore the Diversity of Life on Earth with Science Activities for Kids introduces middle schoolers to the evolution of life on Earth, beginning with the first single-celled organisms that emerged 3.8 billion years ago to the complex, multi-celled organisms that exist today and make up the tree of life. Biodiversity is found everywhere on the planet--on land, in the water, and even in extreme environments such as ice and volcanoes. Biodiversity can also be discovered by looking through a microscope at tiny worlds of organisms that can't be seen with the human eye. There are whole microbiomes beneath our feet, in puddles, and even in our belly buttons! All of this biodiversity on Earth helps keep the planet in balance. Biodiversity is also important to humans because it provides food, shelter, clothing, medicines, and more. However, the rates of biodiversity loss are increasing because of human activities. Climate change, pollution, habitat destruction, over-exploitation--these are all critical threats to biodiversity. There are, however, ways to slow or stop this loss through conservation and sustainable development. Biodiversity includes hands-on STEM activities and critical thinking exercises to encourage readers to consider the threat to biodiversity and figure out ways to be part of the solution. Activities and projects include making biogas, a microscope, a tabletop biosphere as well as planting a bee garden, studying a soil sample and water sample. Fun facts, links to online primary sources and other supplemental material, and essential questions take readers on an exploration of the incredible biodiversity on Earth.

Follow a classroom of real kindergartners as they participate in a popular activity: raising butterflies. Astonishing photographs show the life cycle of the painted lady butterfly, from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to adult. Engaging text captures the children's wonder and explains the science behind metamorphosis.

"Illustrates the experience of children who lived during the American Industrial Revolution"

"Dive in to the depths of the ocean to discover different species of sharks in this nonfiction picture book with simple text and illustrations"-- Provided by publisher.

"Celebrating the inventor of the Crayola crayon! This gloriously illustrated picture book biography tells the inspiring story of Edwin Binney, the inventor of one of the world's most beloved toys. A perfect fit among favorites like The Day the Crayons Quit and Balloons Over Broadway."-- Provided by publisher.

Introduces readers to the life and career of soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo.

"From Neil Armstrong's first small step to Gene Cernan's last footprint, award-winning author Suzanne Slade captures the experiences of the twelve astronauts who walked on the moon. The book reveals how the Apollo moon missions (1969-1972) built upon one another and unveiled important new discoveries about our nearest neighbor in space."-- Provided by publisher.

Who is Darth Vader? How does he become a Sith? Why does he wear a mask? Perfect for children who are new to Star Wars and also for young fans of the movies, this exciting guide answers these questions and many more and teaches children fun facts about Sith Lord Darth Vader--including his amazing battles with rebels and Jedi heroes Obi-Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker!

Learn about the flying reptiles that ruled the skies, the nests in which dinosaurs laid their eggs, what killed the dinosaurs, and much more!

Engages readers with incredible stories of people who made daring escapes from life-or-death situations in space. Facing circumstances ranging from space station fires to damaged space shuttles, these astronauts had to escape danger in outer space and return back to Earth alive.

"In the early 1500s, Italian-born explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano led France's exploration in the New World. In a fierce rivalry with Spain to claim new territories, King Francis I sent Verrazzano to find a westward route across the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean and East Asia. Verrazzano mistakenly believed he had discovered the route. In fact, he had sailed along much of the eastern coast of North America, and his travels greatly increased Europe's knowledge of the New World. However, the French failed to follow up on his discoveries - and Verrazzano's achievements were largely forgotten for centuries." -from back cover.

Have you ever wanted to become a seismologist? In Exploring Earthquakes: Seismologists at Work! young readers will find out what these supercool scientists really do! They will explore how seismologists study and record earthquakes, and discover the special tools seismologists use. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards.

Have you ever wanted to become a mineralogist? In Exploring Minerals: Mineralogists at Work! young readers will find out what these supercool scientists really do! They will explore how mineralogists study and identify minerals, and discover the special tools mineralogists use.

"From identifying a full moon to learning about constellations, there are many essential scientific concepts to discover while gazing up at the night sky. In this appealing volume, inviting low-ATOS text is perfectly paired with striking photographs of celestial objects, while a picture glossary reinforces key vocabulary terms. Young astronomers will love this introduction to the evening sky and be encouraged to grab their telescopes the next time the sun goes down!"-- Provided by publisher.

"Have you ever wanted to become a petrologist? In Exploring the Rock Cycle: Petrologists at Work! young readers will find out what these super cool scientists really do! They will explore how petrologists study and examine rocks, and discover the special tools petrologists use. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Applied to STEM Concepts of Learning Principles."-- Google Books.

Have you ever wanted to become a meteorologist? In Exploring Weather: Meteorologists at Work! young readers will find out what these supercool scientists really do! They will explore how meteorologists study and predict weather and climate, and discover the special tools meteorologists use. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards.

Follows the adventures of Garfield as he explores what life is like outside of the friendly confines of Jon's house.

"Garfield, the fat cat with the bottomless stomach, dishes up another tasty serving of cartoon comedy. So whether he's celebrating the official Kick-Odie-Across-the-Room Day, playing connect-the-freckles on Jon's chest, or perfecting his insincere smile, Garfield's always on the prowl for food and fun! The GARFIELD CLASSICS series collects the early years of the Garfield comic strip in a larger, full-color format. Garfield may have gone through a few changes, but one thing has stayed the same: his enormous appetite for food and fun. So laugh along with the classic cat, because classics are always in style"-- Amazon.com.

"Garfield knows what matters in life--whether he's stealing Jon's dinner, performing for his favorite audience, or simply pondering the vastness of space. And he must be doing something right, because this is his twentieth book and he's still going strong..."--P. [4] of cover.

"Why are humans and other mammals covered in hair, and why are there so many different types of it? Vivid photographs paired with a duo of quirky, illustrated hair guides serve to illuminate the fascinating facts about mammal hair: why it exists, what it's good for, and more. Readers will learn about different types of animal coats, such as fur and down, and explore the many different forms guard hairs take, such as the quills on a porcupine."--Amazon.

Kathrine Switzer changed the world of running. This narrative biography follows Kathrine from running laps as a girl in her backyard to becoming the first woman to run the Boston Marathon with official race numbers in 1967. Her inspirational true story is for anyone willing to challenge the rules. The compelling collage art adds to the kinetic action of the story. With tension and heart, this biography has the influential power to get readers into running. An excellent choice for sports fans, New Englanders, young dreamers, and competitive girls and boys alike.

"This title delves into different issues pertaining to fossil fuel pollution and its causes, effects, and how we can proactively deal with it to make our planet a cleaner and healthier place"-- Provided by publisher.

Introduces facts about the Moon, explaining the science behind how candles and balloons behave in the lunar atmosphere, why "moon angels" will last for thousands of years, and how gravity is different on the Moon.

A picture-book biography of the legendary author of Goodnight Moon, Runaway Bunny and other children's classics shares insights into her life and enduring literary influence.

Provides biographical information about actress Audrey Hepburn, from her youth in Nazi-occupied Europe, through her rise to stardom in some of the era's most popular films, to her dedication to UNICEF.

"Live the lizard life by exploring the behaviors of 28 different types of lizards. Imagine swooping through the air, curling into a circle, and even running across water!"-- Jacket flap.

A little girl visits the home and garden of Claude Monet at Giverny, France, and learns about the artist's paintings and his life. Includes photographs of the painter and his family as well as examples of his work.

You gasp as I roar, my mane exploding, sizzling― lion of the sky! Haiku meet riddles in this wonderful collection from Laura Purdie Salas. The poems celebrate the seasons and describe everything from an earthworm to a baseball to an apple to snow angels, alongside full-color illustrations.

"How will astronauts survive the long journey to Mars? What will it take for humans to live on the freezing, dusty, airless planet? And what kinds of homes will people build? In this new Science Slam! title, kids will discover the answers to all these questions and many more fascinating facts about how to survive on Mars. Each book is expertly crafted to meet early elementary and science curriculum standards, as well as introduce young space enthusiasts to the latest space technology. Innovative, grade-appropriate activities and experiments, critical-thinking questions, and fascinating fact boxes will give kids a chance to think like an astronaut."-- Provided by publisher.

"The story of a forest "lost" by a surveying error-and all the flora and fauna to be found there. A forest, of course, doesn't need a map to know where to grow. But people need a map to find it. And in 1882 when surveyors set out to map a part of Minnesota, they got confused, or tired and cold (it was November), and somehow mapped a great swath of ancient trees as a lake. For more than seventy-five years, the mistake stayed on the map, and the forest remained safe from logging-no lumber baron expects to find timber in a lake, after all. The Lost Forest tells the story of this lucky error and of the 144 acres of old-growth red and white pine it preserved. With gentle humor, Phyllis Root introduces readers to the men at their daunting task, trekking across Minnesota, measuring and marking the vast land into townships and sections and quarters. She takes us deep into a stand of virgin pine, one of the last and largest in the state, where U.S. history and natural history meet. With the help of Betsy Bowen's finely observed and beautiful illustrations, she shows us all the life that can be found in the Lost Forest. Accompanying the story is a wealth of information about the Cadastral Survey and about the plants and animals that inhabit forests-making the book a valuable guide for readers who might want to look even deeper into the history of Minnesota, the flora and fauna of old-growth forests, and the apportioning of land in America." -- ONIX annotation.

"From the bird of paradise that performs an extravagant courtship dance in the rain forest to the bar-tailed godwit that flies thousands of miles across the ocean without stopping, readers can learn about incredible birds from all over the world with this strikingly illustrated gift book. In stylish linocut prints, Narisa Togo captures the beauty of both rare and familiar winged creatures from every part of the globe, presenting Japanese cranes, kakapos from New Zealand, and Andean flamingos, among the fourteen graceful birds on display. Attractive and informative, this celebration of magnificent birds around the world will set hearts soaring -- a perfect book for avid bird-watchers and art lovers alike."-- back cover.

The inspiring true story of Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani girl who has become an international activist for universal education, with beautiful collage illustrations by award-winning artist Susan L. Roth.

"A riveting approach to the fascinating story behind Apollo 11's successful (but nearly disastrous) 1969 moon landing, Moon Landing, 1969 ties the preceding four centuries of science, technology, engineering and math to the Apollo 11 mission and the first steps on the moon with the art of storytelling. Structured in 11 episodes, the narrative takes us from pre-ignition to the moonwalk to splashdown. In addition, recurring "Solve the Mystery" sidebars highlight other key discoveries made in science, math, engineering and technology over the course of 400 years that helped to ensure the mission's success."-- Provided by publisher.

As the summer sun sets over the Sonoran desert in Arizona, wildlife gathers to witness the annual bloom of the night flower, which will transform the desert ecosystem with brilliant white flowers and a fruity fragrance for just a few hours.

Shares humorous poems about such subjects as disco baths, sneaky sisters, nose hairs, and wanting a dog.

Offers instructions for creating origami dinosaurs, including a brachiosaurus, plesiosaurus, and pteranodon.

Offers instructions for creating origami insects, including cicadas, caterpillars, and butterflies.

Describes how global warming is causing the ice in Earth's cryosphere to melt, resulting in unexpected discoveries of archaeological artifacts that provide insights into how ancient civilizations lived.

In this engaging biography, readers will learn about the pioneer of Play-Doh, Joseph McVicker. Follow the story from McVicker's childhood, his education at Brown University, joining his father's company Kutol Products, and his reinvention of the company's Kutol Wall Cleaner as Play-Doh. Learn how Play-Doh is made, who came up with the name, the role of Captain Kangaroo in Play-Doh's success, and about other Play-Doh products. McVicker's family, retirement, and pursuits in examining life's big questions are covered." -- Publisher's website.

Presents a chronicle of the Pullman porters, illuminating both the American train culture and the lives of the porters, with details of the job's tasks, formation of their union, and their importance to the American Civil Rights Movement.

Provides fun facts about friendly famous astromech droid R2-D2, including his adventures with C-3PO, GH-7, Han Solo, and other rebel heroes.

"On a sunny August morning in 2016, a baby sea otter was found washed up on the sand. Orphaned and sick, Rialto was taken to the Seattle Aquarium, where his dedicated caretakers nursed him back to health and taught him how to be an otter. Soon, the charming Rialto was stealing hearts as he played with toys made of ide, swam in his very own pool, ate tasty clams, and floated on his back. Learn about Rialto's rescue--and how you can help to save this endangered species--in this book by the Seattle Times reporter and photographer who chronicled his story as it happened. Just as he captured them, Rialto's sure to steal your heart, too."--Dust jacket front flap

Introduces Rey, a heroine from "Star Wars, The Force Awakens," discussing her life on Jakku, her fighting and piloting skills, and her friends and enemies. Includes information about the characters.

"On a warm spring day in 1883, a woman rode across the Brooklyn Bridge with a rooster on her lap. It was the first trip across an engineering marvel that had taken nearly fourteen years to construct. The woman's husband was the chief engineer, and he knew all about the dangerous new technique involved. The woman insisted she learn as well. When he fell ill mid-construction, her knowledge came in handy. She supervised every aspect of the project while he was bedridden, and she continued to learn about things only men were supposed to know: math, science, engineering. Women weren't supposed to be engineers. But this woman insisted she could do it all, and her hard work helped to create one of the most iconic landmarks in the world. This is the story of Emily Roebling, the secret engineer behind the Brooklyn Bridge."--Page [2] of cover.

"Serena Williams is one of the biggest names in sports, but she grew up the littlest of five girls in her family. While sharing a room and playing tennis with her older sisters, Serena had to figure out how to be her own person - on and off the court. This empowering biography showcases the rise of the youngest Williams sister and how her family played a part in her path to becoming the strong woman and star athlete she is today. Bold, colorful illustrations highlight the tight sisterhood and tennis action of Serena's childhood and teenage years. This true story about a tennis icon will inspire littlest siblings everywhere to forge their own path and leave their mark"-- Provided by publisher.

"A history of the people and events that influenced the North American Indian tribe known as the Shawnee, including chief Tecumseh and conflicts such as Little Turtle's War"-- Provided by publisher.

American gymnast Simone Biles wowed the world at the 2016 Rio Olympics by winning four gold medals. The first female gymnast to earn three consecutive all-around titles, Biles has been listed on TIME magazine's list of 100 Most Influential People, authored a book on her life, and won an ESPY award for best female athlete in 2017. Her determination carried her through an unstable home life as a young child to become someone who wants to inspire others to lead a healthy and happy lifestyle.

"Dragonflies are some the world's most beautiful (and fascinating!) insects. And one many children can find right in their backyards! With a simple story, perfect for read-alouds, and colorful illustrations, this scientific look at a dragonfly's life-cycle will captivate little entomologists. Informative sidebars are included that let children learn even more about these amazing insects" -- Amazon.com.

Worldwise: Space introduces the science of our solar system and the history of stargazing and space exploration. Each page is filled with colorful illustrations brimming with detail and simple, entertaining, and informative text. "Can you find?" activities provide a fun extra challenge. See what astronauts did on the Moon, how space probes have helped us explore deep space, how astronomy developed over thousands of years, and much more!

Stubby was a brave soldier, a loyal friend and a dog. From an army training camp to the trenches in France, this is the incredible true story of Sergeant Stubby, the dog who served bravely in the First World War, sniffing out gas attacks, catching spies and winning the hearts of his fellow soldiers.

An introduction to the world's diversity follows the journeys of a young boy who visits friends in thirteen different countries and explores their respective cultures, languages, foods, geography, wildlife, and landmarks.

Totally Amazing Facts About Geography is the perfect treat for kids with a appetite for "Did you know...?" Curious kids will be enthralled with this dip-into and dip-out-of book loaded with quirky facts about geography. Even reluctant readers will be fascinated with the fun facts and eye-catching images and design on each page. Geography never looked so enticing!

The summer Simon turns thirteen, he becomes fascinated with a rare type of black bear called spirit bears. He learns that some have a pure white coat and that they exist in small numbers in the Great Bear Rainforest - not too far from his own home. But the spirit bears' habitat is under threat from deforestation, and Simon knows he must help protect these incredible animals. In school, however, Simon struggles to find his own voice. At lunchtime, he eats in the bathroom to avoid bullies. Even so, Simon becomes a voice for the spirit bears - standing up for these animals who cannot speak for themselves. Simon's remarkable journey leads him to meet Dr. Jane Goodall and eventually hike the Great Bear Rainforest, where he encounters one of the elusive white spirit bears. This inspiring true story is based on the early life of Simon Jackson, who as a teenager founded the Spirit Bear Youth Coalition to save the spirit bears. The organization, which had started out as a small community of friends and classmates, eventually grew to a include 60 million members in 85 countries.

Offers a collection of true facts about animals, food, science, pop culture, outer space, geography, and weather.

Offers a collection of true facts about animals, food, science, pop culture, outer space, geography, and weather.

Presents more than one hundred fifty stories of stupid criminals and the crimes they committed, detailing how they eventually got caught, and provides information on strange food crimes, wacky laws, and animal crimes.

It's weird. It's true. And now, it's red, white, and blue! Explore the wonderfully wacky side of the United States of America Weird But True! style. Calling all patriots! Get ready to explore wacky wonders, facts, stats, tidbits, and trivia about America's 50 states and territories! Did you know that there is a floating post office in Michigan? Or that a library book checked out by George Washington was returned to a New York City library 221 years late? Maybe you'd be amazed to discover that the ink used to print U.S. paper money is magnetic? In this latest and greatest edition of Weird But True!, you'll encounter all kinds of bizarre people, places, events, and things that make our country great.

Discusses what it means to be an American, including enjoying the freedoms offered in America, respecting others rights, and taking advantage of opportunities to become better citizens and persons.

"From a very young age, Sue Hendrickson was meant to find things: lost coins, perfume bottles, even hidden treasure. Her endless curiosity eventually led to her career in diving and paleontology, where she would continue to find things big and small. In 1990, at a dig in South Dakota, Sue made her biggest discovery to date: Sue the T. rex, the largest and most complete T. rex skeleton ever unearthed. Named in Sue's honor, Sue the T. rex would be placed on permanent exhibition at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. Finder! inspires readers to take a closer look at the world around them and to never lose their brave, adventurous spirits"-- Provided by publisher.

Describes the history of the famous street in New York City, detailing the development of the theater district and the shows and stars that have become Broadway legends.

"Get the inside story on the famous fortress in the heart of Moscow that has withstood fires, invaders, and revolutions for almost seven hundred years. Lined by nineteen beautiful towers, the high walls of the Kremlin enclose colorful domed cathedrals, treasure-filled museums, and the Russian capitol. But this Moscow fortress has had its share of dark days. Follow along with author Deborah Hopkinson as she recounts the tales of spying, murder, missing children, and lost treasure that are part of this landmark's long history."--Provided by publisher.

Celebrate 30 years of Where's Waldo? as Waldo revisits twelve destinations, each one with a brand-new game and more searches.

Looks at the life of Major League Baseball and New York Yankee legend Lawrence "Yogi" Berra, describing how his differences challenged his baseball prospects and helped motivate him to prove his abilities as a player, coach, and manager.