When Wendy Sloboda was a little girl, she loved to go out into nature and observe whatever she could come across. Young Wendy loved to take pictures of plants and animals or draw wild creatures so that she could cover her walls with the denizens of the great outdoors. As time passed, Wendy became particularly interested in fossils and the long-gone world of the dinosaurs. While visiting an archeological site in the Alberta Badlands of Canada, Wendy discovered a small fossil that turned out to be a dinosaur egg. Remarkably, that fossilized egg contained the remains of an unborn dinosaur and proved to be a unique discovery. As time passed, Wendy increased the amount of time she spent on fossil hunting expeditions. Eventually, Wendy chose archeology as her career and, over the years, she came to discover more than three thousand dinosaur fossils. In one case, Wendy's hard work led to the discovery of the skeleton of a Triceratops-like dinosaur that proved to be a previously unknown species. In honor of Wendy's fine work, that species of dinosaur was christened as Wendiceratops. Based on the real-life experiences of Wendy Sloboda, this informative picture book offers young readers an inspiring story of a young girl who took her passion for fossil hunting and turned it into a successful career grounded on the search for knowledge. Combining a fascinating biographical story with engaging illustration and just enough science to please readers with a bent for dinosaurs, this book is a fine addition to a home or school library and one that is inspirational as well as entertaining.

Water is one of the most important natural resources found on Earth, and it is a critical component of nearly all life on the planet. Though it is not known exactly how or when water arrived on Earth, scientists have speculations that not only help explain the origins of water but also what is likely to happen to water as a result of climate change. Through the use of highly interactive pages on an oversized backdrop, this book connects readers to a huge variety of information about water from myriad perspectives. From the origins of water to a detailed explanation of the water cycle and a fascinating description of how water supports life, readers will obtain a wealth of information from this engaging book. Each page incorporates flaps, sliders, and pop-up elements that immediately invite interaction and extensive investigation, especially for readers who enjoy hands-on literature. This book is not meant to be read straight through or necessarily in one sitting; the pages are filled with small nuggets of information that require time and patience to uncover, and readers will enjoy returning over and over again. Unfortunately, some of the text is difficult to read because of a lack of sufficient contrast in color, but as readers become more accustomed to the book's design, they will be more willing to investigate these phrases. There is a strong message of conservation and environmental protection throughout this book, and the depth and breadth of information included provide a compelling argument for why protecting Earth and its water is so important. Readers of all ages will learn something from this book, and it is a dynamic addition to nonfiction library collections for elementary school-aged readers.

The heart-wrenching memoir is the true story of a young girl hiding in plain sight of the Nazis and will keep readers turning pages as quickly as possible. Set in 1941 Stalin-ruled Ukraine, Zhanna and her sister live a happy, carefree life with doting parents and grandparents. Music is a staple in their home- their father is a professional violinist. The sisters are both young piano prodigies. The girls are the youngest ever, at ages 6 and 8, to study at the music conservatory in Kharkiv. The sisters become well-known for their talent. Stalin and Hitler agree that Hitler will not invade Russia for 10 years. Unfortunately, after 2 years, Hitler invades Russia, annihilating the Jewish population. Death marches are common, and Zhanna's family is no exception. Her father saves her by covertly bribing a young Ukrainian soldier. He whispers to Zhanna, "I don't care what you do, but live." Zhanna does just that with Frina, although it is a harrowing and terrifying time in their lives. The girls change their names and travel around the country to stay safe. During this time, their piano abilities are found out, and they are forced to play concerts and travel with the Nazis. Zhanna is continually anxious that their Jewish heritage will be found out. Told through free verse and interspersed with quotes from Zhanna herself, this novel shines a light on the part of World War II that has been largely forgotten. The author's notes at the back include extensive pictures, letters, and information on Zhanna's life. As distressing as it is to hear of the horrors of war, it is a privilege to read about Zhanna and Frina's courage and see their hopes fulfilled. This is a must-read for upper elementary and middle school students.

With its theme parks and beaches, Florida is a perennially popular vacation spot, but the charms of "Old Florida" destinations tend to be overlooked. Set in Sanibel Island, Florida, the "Sharks, Inc." series may just change that perception, at least among younger readers. Sanibel resident White brings Doc Ford, his popular marine biologist character from his series of novels for adults, to serve as a mentor for the kids in this series. Local kids Maribel, Sabina, and Luke are Sharks, Inc., and they complete different ecological-themed missions under the supervision of Ford and Capt. Hannah Smith. Their newest mission is to visit Bonefield Key to locate a wild orange tree surviving a citrus-tree-destroying disease. In the process, they must get by the cantankerous Capt. Pony Wulfert and her attack goose, as well as an extremely large saltwater crocodile who is protecting her hatchlings. Once they earn Pony's trust, she shares with them her belief that she is being haunted by a ghost, because of a long-forgotten treasure. To make things worse, Pony's unscrupulous and greedy neighbor is selling reptiles illegally and will stop anyone or anything in his way. White's child characters are not native Floridians, so readers are privy to a newcomer's perspective of the area. Luke, Capt. Hannah's nephew, has come from Ohio after some difficult experiences, while the girls are both from Cuba. Luke has an affinity for animals and excellent hearing. Younger sister Sabina, obsessed with the supernatural, is convinced that the alligator-like creatures they see are dragons and the island is haunted. Maribel is practical, straightforward, and a good captain. She gets exasperated by her younger sister's antics. Sabina bonds with Capt. Pony over their belief in ghosts and their shared cultural background, while Luke bonds with the goose after he helps rescue it. Part mystery, part spooky tale, and infused with supernature elements, including headless ghosts, visions, and a witch, this story is a good choice for readers who like mysteries, stories with an environmental or ecological bent, or learning about Florida's environment and history. This fast-paced, high-interest novel is sure to be popular in libraries needing more fiction for elementary readers, and it would also make for a good class set purchase for school libraries. Parents who read with their kids and are fans of Hiaasen or White's adult works should enjoy this one as well.

This is not your average alphabet book. Once your toddler or young child has learned the alphabet, this book is perfect for mastery. Each set of pages reviews the alphabet in order and contains a bright picture and alliteration highlighting that particular letter. The goal is to count how many times the letter appears in the sentence. Readers can also review each letter in its different forms: uppercase, lowercase, and cursive. Lastly, get a jumpstart on writing by allowing the readers to trace each letter. The end of the book reviews each sentence and provides the correct answer as to how many times the letter appears. If you are looking for a beginner book on the alphabet, this book is not for you just yet. This brightly contrasted book is sure to be a hit in your classroom as a read-aloud or in a one-on-one setting at home. Use this book to help your child or classroom become a confident reader and writer.

Oona the mermaid loves making friends with all manner of creatures under the sea, and it is usually very easy for her to connect with others. But Stanley is different, and Oona is determined to make him her friend, no matter what it takes. She tries everything from sharing her favorite toys to putting her many inventions on display, but nothing seems to be working. Frustrated, Oona throws a party to remind herself how magical she is no matter who her friends are. Once the party is cleaned up, though, Oona makes an important realization that helps her better understand Stanley and gives her another approach to win him over. This charming picture book teaches young children about how people might be different from one another and that it requires patience and open-mindedness to bond with others. Rich colors fill each image in this book, capturing the essence of life under the sea. Deep blues, greens, and purples are the primary hues, and these place readers squarely inside Oona's watery world. Together, the illustrations and text create a dynamic and memorable landscape for readers of all ages, emphasizing one another and enhancing understanding even for very young readers. The text appears in a variety of sizes, fonts, and styles, becoming just as much a part of the visual component of the book as the pictures themselves. This choice not only adds appeal for pre-readers but also begins to increase textual awareness and understanding because of the dynamic nature of the writing. Thoughtfully designed and beautifully crafted, this is a story that will resonate with young readers, especially those who are discovering the myriad complexities of friendship. This is an inclusive and insightful inclusion to libraries for young children.

Maria Mitchell's story comes forward in this new and beautifully done picture book. Maria, the famed astronomer, dedicated her life to science, education, and questioning. Born on the small island of Nantucket, Mitchell was no stranger to the sea and sky. Setting her sights high, she focused on the beauty of the stars. With her father's support and guidance, she learned how to use astronomical tools and read the night sky. Breaking down barriers for women in education and in the male-dominated field of astronomy. Mitchell's story is well-told in this book. Whimsical mixed-media collage enhances the narrative of her life. Taking her actual words from letters written and using them as boats when she sets out from Nantucket into the world shows the artwork's originality. The Author's Note includes extra information about Mitchell, but not in the traditional biographical sense. Instead, she effectively takes Mitchell's own principles and mindsets and uses them as a call to action for young thinkers. This is a compelling and creative way to finish this fantastic book.

Author Paul and illustrator Alcantara take readers on a tropical adventure with this book. Starting in a relatable situation for parents, a young girl pushes her dad out of the house to go on a hike through the Pitons located in St. Lucia. They run into some setbacks along the way but overcome these challenges by working together and helping each other. A sprinkling of Creole words and their meaning are included throughout the story. Each page is beautifully illustrated with native animals, plants, and waterfalls. Their journey to the summit is completed with a spectacular view of the town they live in on a bright and sunny day. The last page of the book includes a seek-and-find option parents can share with their children as they read. This would be a great book to read with a young child as the colorful pictures and short story will keep their attention to the end.