Books with author Melissa RaÈ Shofner

The Day of the Dead is a holiday with an incredible history. The celebrations that became this holiday started more than 3,000 years ago. Today, the Day of the Dead is an important celebration for people throughout Latin America, especially in Mexico. Children will love reading about the many traditions of the holiday and learning how Day of the Dead celebrations have changed over time. Vivid images on each spread encourage young readers to make connections with the text. Learning about how deceased loved ones are remembered on this special day will help readers appreciate other cultures as well as their own. It will also help them view the topic of death in a whole new light.

Rabbits can make great pets, but pet ownership comes with many responsibilities. Even a small animal such as a rabbit requires more time, money, and attention than many young readers might realize. Using age-appropriate language, this book examines the real costs of owning a pet rabbit: food, bedding, playtime, and grooming. Full-color images hop off the page, and fun fact boxes highlight additional information about rabbit ownership. With a better understanding of what it takes to care for a rabbit, readers will be able to decide if they're ready to bring home a furry new friend.

Earth's atmosphere plays a very important role in sustaining life on the planet. The atmosphere is made of a very thin layer of air, which covers every inch of Earth's surface up to the edge of space. The atmosphere is comprised of different chemicals and compounds at any given location, which also means that the atmosphere behaves in different ways at any given location. This book explores the atmosphere's composition, its behavior, and how it affects life on Earth.

Hurricanes are incredible forces of nature that form over warm ocean waters near the equator. With violent winds and heavy rains, they can cause great destruction. This engaging book takes an in-depth look at the technology used to predict and track hurricanes and the ways that people prepare for an approaching storm. Students will learn ways to stay safe before, during, and after a hurricane hits. This important earth science subject is covered in detail with emphasis on STEM topics from the Next Generation Science Standards.

The Day of the Dead is a holiday with an incredible history. The celebrations that became this holiday started more than 3,000 years ago. Today, the Day of the Dead is an important celebration for people throughout Latin America, especially in Mexico. Children will love reading about the many traditions of the holiday and learning how Day of the Dead celebrations have changed over time. Vivid images on each spread encourage young readers to make connections with the text. Learning about how deceased loved ones are remembered on this special day will help readers appreciate other cultures as well as their own. It will also help them view the topic of death in a whole new light.

"Native Americans hunted, fished, farmed, gathered, and raised animals for food. Depending on where they lived, this meant one tribe's diet could be vastly different from another tribe's. Food is always an attention-grabbing topic, and readers will find this book especially interesting as they learn about the culinary dishes and traditions of a variety of peoples across America"--Provided by publisher.

Kwanzaa is a seven-day festival that begins on December 26th and is celebrated until the first of January each year. It celebrates African American culture as well as family and community. Families gather to eat delicious foods, exchange gifts, and honor their heritage and traditions. Using age-appropriate language, this book explores Kwanzaa's roots and the social significance of its founding. Colorful images allow readers to visualize the celebration and make connections with the text. Each day of the holiday focuses on one of seven principles that readers will be able to appreciate in their own life, even if their family doesn't celebrate Kwanzaa.

The Great Lakes are the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth and have always been important channels of shipping and trade. Though they are lakes, their waters have proven to be as challenging as the oceans. That's why there are more than 6,000 shipwrecks in the Great Lakes! This captivating book relates the stories of some of these wrecks, including the Edmund Fitzgerald, Argo, and Lady Elgin, their survivors, and the not-so-lucky. It also explains how wrecks are found and what happens after their discovery.

Theres no telling when an earthquake can strike, which is why engineers building in earthquake-prone places need to be careful. Earthquake-proofing buildings takes cutting-edge science and lots of testing, but these amazing creations help keep people safe and prevent further chaos in the event of disaster. Full-color photographs that chronicle the construction of simple bunker-like rooms as well as more complex buildings yet to be tested by major geological events will mesmerize readers. Theyll also get a look at how high-rises are built to combat the shaking and swaying that comes with these natural disasters.

"Earth's atmosphere plays a very important role in sustaining life on the planet. The atmosphere is made of a very thin layer of air, which covers every inch of Earth's surface up to the edge of space. The atmosphere is comprised of different chemicals and compounds at any given location, which also means that the atmosphere behaves in different ways at any given location. This book explores the atmosphere's composition, its behavior, and how it affects life on Earth."--

Kwanzaa is a seven-day festival that begins on December 26th and is celebrated until the first of January each year. It celebrates African American culture as well as family and community. Families gather to eat delicious foods, exchange gifts, and honor their heritage and traditions. Using age-appropriate language, this book explores Kwanzaa's roots and the social significance of its founding. Colorful images allow readers to visualize the celebration and make connections with the text. Each day of the holiday focuses on one of seven principles that readers will be able to appreciate in their own life, even if their family doesn't celebrate Kwanzaa.