Books with author Catherine Liu

Get outside and have fun with activities that can be done anywhere, without the use of complex equipment, batteries, or the internetEver wondered how to make a bottle xylophone or a pin-hole camera, or thought of growing crystals in vinegar or bending water with electricity? If so, this is the book for you. Helpfully divided into four thematic chapters—"Outdoor and Adventurous," "Science and Nature," "Arts and Crafts," and "Rainy Day"—this interactive book contains 101 fun activities and traditional pastimes that are a must for young, intelligent boys and girls keen to explore the world and learn new skills. It also contains space to tick off and rate each activity as they are completed. This book is guaranteed to encourage you to switch off the TV and shut down the computer and instead engage in hours of old-fashioned fun (and a little bit of mischief).

For adults and the children in their lives. Be more child-at-heart and wonder-filled during Advent and Christmas. As days shorten, leaves fall, nights grow chilly, and lights are strung on houses and trees, the birds at the backyard feeder observe the changes and they sense anticipation. What do the activities and preparations of people during this season mean? What is coming?This story-in-verse is told through the eyes of a little Finch who can sense something significant approaching. A climax in the story is reached when snow falls and the children come outside to play in the snow. They bring the Finch a suet feeder and greet him with 'Merry Christmas, little bird.' Then he knows what is happening! He understands what is coming--Who has come and why all the Christmas lights make him feel like the stars--and Heaven--are coming down to earth. Reading the story with children and grandchildren will encourage a sense of wonder and bring teachable moments to consider how even the wild creatures are cared for; to observe the changes in nature with the seasons; and to talk together about what it means for all people and all of creation that Christ came to earth and was born as a human being, which is what we celebrate on Christmas. The author's watercolor and mixed-media illustrations are intentionally child-like and make this a visually-engaging story for young and old. While Catherine Lawton's published books include fiction, memoirs, and poetry for adults, this is her first children's book. She painted the pictures and wrote the story for her young grandchildren after they visited her one Christmas. The grandchildren played in the backyard, threw snowballs, went sledding down the hill behind the house, decorated cookies, watched twinkling lights, sang Christmas carols, and fed the backyard birds. It all felt magical experiencing these things together; yet it all pointed to something bigger than all of these things put together: the wondrous time when the stars shone brighter and Heaven came to earth.

Nix, Grace and Phoebe are having problems with their new elemental powers. They keep losing control and sooner or later they are going to get caught or hurt someone. When Nix gets grounded from preforming a gig, after having a fight with her boyfriend and accidentally starting a small fire, the girls come up with a plan to practice their powers and regain some control.Kendra, on the other hand, is shutting everyone out. Despite Phoebe's best efforts to get through to her, Kendra wants nothing to do with magic or Ivalice, but she can't hide away forever because Morgan is desperate to find a way to Earth and take back the elements. As he gets closer to a solution Morgan’s obsession grows and begins to come at a cost.

Future engineers will love using their hands to create the space-related projects in this fun book, including a rocket, a space shuttle, and even an alien and its spacecraft. They'll be amazed that a simple piece of paper can transform into such cool shapes, all through the Japanese art of paper folding. Numerous visual aids and thoughtfully explained directions guide readers through different challenges. The folds and methods they'll learn will help them establish a solid understanding for further origami endeavors. Science and art collide in this accessible and entertaining activity guide.

The Truth About Lies, Liars, and Lying is a 33-page independent reading book for kids ages 7-10. It is reading level 4.The book is colorful, heavily-illustrated, humorous, and informative. I wrote it to help my son and any kid 7-years old and up to grasp the concept of a lie, and explore its nature and consequences in an entertaining format without lecturing, finger pointing, or gloom and doom.The goal is to help the kid make a new step toward critical thinking and the ability to analyze their own and other people's motives and behavior.We'll briefly look at different types of lies - from white lies, fibs, exaggerations and bluffs to disinformation, cover-ups, half-truths and perjury. We'll ponder over what our conscience is and whether legal things are always moral. We'll establish the four main reasons people lie, and find out where the custom of crossing fingers when lying comes from.We'll meet some liars from the animal kingdom, and condemn their behavior.If you think blue jays and squirrels are innocent sweet balls of fur and feathers, you are in for a shock. And any kid will agree that a cuckoo belongs behind bars!We'll also spend a couple pages wondering why kids occasionally lie, offer some helpful ideas, and laugh together at the classic kid lies. We'll make sure we distinguish between lying and pretend play, such as imaginary friends, Santa, and the Tooth Fairy.Finally we'll spend a lot of pages studying every method under the sun to detect a lie, such as analysing a liar's word choice and body language, and asking the right questions. Sometimes you can help a person confess: We'll learn how!We'll also look into lie detectors and whether they work. And, since we are on that subject, we'll find out how spies beat polygraph tests. What else? Pinocchio, of course, and lies in advertising. Also, stories of famous con artists, including the one who sold the Brooklyn Bridge.We'll also touch on US law: The oath, The Fifth and Sixth Amendments, why people take the Fifth, and what Miranda rights are.LIke any kid, I fibbed when I was little, but I also felt bad about it, and eventually figured out it was not worth the stress, the effort, and the embarrassment. I hope sharing these bits of information about lies, liars and lying will help our kids embrace the easier way - being consistently and happily honest

Armani, Angel, and Freya have discovered an enchanted mirror in their palace in Cat World. Once they step into this phenomenal world of magic, they get separated from each other, each transporting to a new and unbelievable world for cats, full of mythical beings and engaging journeys. On the rewinding path going home, they find their long-forgotten brother, Flame. The four cats receive guiding mentors on their way back to Cat World, but their evil uncle tries to block them from going so he can take the ultimate throne of Cat World! The long adventure and twisting road to peace and quiet is just beginning....

This book closely follows the gospel stories of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection from the Annunciation through Pentecost. It has the dual goal of introducing young readers to the gospel narratives and teaching them to appreciate and interpret works of art portraying gospel-based stories and allegories. The heritage of Christian art is a vital part of the history of Europe and the Western world. Whether our families are Christian, non-Christian, or secular, our cultural education is incomplete without a knowledge and appreciation of art inspired by Christian concepts and symbolism.Each mini-chapter of this book consists of two parts:1. Event NarrationEach story from Jesus' life is narrated, directly quoting newer, easy-to-read gospel translations and partially summarizing events to keep the narration compact. The narration carefully avoids any "preachy" or interpretative elements suggesting this or that theological or denominational angle. 2. Illustrations and Art CommentaryEach event is illustrated with one or two paintings - great works of European art from the Middle Ages through the 19th century. The Art Commentary section - draws the attention of a young reader to the stylistic features of each painting, - teaches them to spot Christian symbolism and interpret the emotions of characters,- presents glimpses of art history and teaches the reader to recognize historical art styles, such as medieval Gothic art, Renaissance, Mannerist, Baroque, Academic, Pre-Raphaelite, and realistic art styles.The reading level of this book is about age 9 and up. Whenever the narration includes any theological terms (such as Annunciation, Ascension, Messiah) or art terms (such as foreground, perspective, composition) I provide a definition.

This collection of inspiring quotes, real-life stories, songs, poems, and more is targeted for girls ages ten and up. Included in this book are entries from real girls and women from across the country, plus contributions from such famous women as Mia Hamm, Sarah Michelle Geller, Oprah Winfrey, and others. Also includes a write-in section where readers can record fun facts about their friends. Illustrations. Consumable.

Major Robert Kurland has returned to the quiet vistas of his village home to recuperate from the horrors of Waterloo. However injured his body may be, his mind is as active as ever. Too active, perhaps. When he glimpses a shadowy figure from his bedroom window struggling with a heavy load, the tranquil facade of the village begins to loom sinister. Unable to forget the incident, Robert confides in his childhood friend, Miss Lucy Harrington.