Aztec, Inca & Maya  •  Elizabeth Baquedano  •  Michel Zabe HISTORY •  2005 •  HARD COVER  • 63 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) A vivid overview of Mesoamerican cultures, covering art, archaeology, and religion. Though the three cultures are presented together, causing some confusion, there is much here to learn, and it is all vividly illustrated in the large-format Eyewitness style. For children ages 9-12. (CAM62, $15.99)
Bird (Eyewitness Books)  •  David Burnie NATURAL HISTORY •  2008 •  HARD COVER  • 64 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) An introduction to birds, their evolution, biology and behavior, in the graphic Eyewitness style with hundreds of color photographs and drawings of feathers, wings, nests, eggs (and surprisingly few birds!). It's an excellent introduction to the life of a bird for middle school readers. Includes a CD of bird-related clipart. (BRD04, $15.99)
Charles Darwin and the Evolution Revolution  •  Rebecca Stefoff NATURAL HISTORY •  1998 •  HARD COVER  • 126 PAGES • YOUNG ADULTS This nicely presented account of Darwin for young adults focuses on the social and scientific context of his life and work. It's an excellent short biography. With 19th-century illustrations, cartoons and photos. (GEN12, $30.00)
Galapagos Means Tortoises  •  Ruth Heller LITERATURE •  2003 •  PAPER  • 40 PAGES • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) A rhyming introduction to the ecosystem of the Galapagos, intended for children ages 7-10. Heller has a knack for children's nonfiction, and her poems are remarkably playful and informative. With lovely color illustrations of blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises and other creatures of the islands. (GPS53, $7.95)
Picture the World, Children's Art Around the Globe  •  Tracy V. Spates ART & ARCHITECTURE •  2002 •  HARD COVER  • 68 PAGES • FAMILY A unique book, written by an art teacher who traveled the world in search of culturally significant art by children. This full-color book, illustrated with artworks and documentary photographs, highlights eight nations: Japan, Vietnam, India, Turkey, Russia, Kenya, the United States and Ecuador. Each chapter includes a cultural overview of the featured country, photographs of schoolchildren, descriptions of traditional handicrafts and a hands-on art activity inspired by the country's artistic tradition. It's a globally aware, multicultural book for children ages 6 and up. (WLD31, $24.95)
Secret of the Andes  •  Ann Nolan Clark  •  Jean Charlot LITERATURE •  1970 •  PAPER  • 120 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) In this novel for pre-teens, a native boy in Peru goes on a magical discovery of his roots, learning much about Inca tradition. A Newbery Award-winning book first published in 1952. (AND19, $5.99)
Usborne Flashcard Spanish  •  Jo Litchfield LANGUAGE & PHRASEBOOKS •  2004 •  FLEXI-BOUND  • 50 PAGES • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) A standard playing card-size deck of 50 nicely illustrated flashcards geared for younger children. Each card features a colorful illustration with the Spanish word on the reverse. Vocabulary includes numbers, colors, food, animals, and other basic vocabulary that will appeal to young children. (GEN203, $8.99)
The Voyage of the Beetle, A Journey Around the World With Charles Darwin  •  Anne H. Weaver NATURAL HISTORY •  2007 •  HARD COVER  • 80 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) Narrated by a bright and witty beetle named Rosie, this illustrated tale introduces Darwin and his ideas with style and authority. The accessible story, drawing on Darwin's words and with maps, diagrams and watercolor paintins will appeal to readers of all ages. (GPS83, $16.95)