Books with author Melissa Raae Shofner

Native Americans hunted, fished, farmed, gathered, and raised animals for food. Depending on where they lived, this meant one tribes diet could be vastly different from another tribes. 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. Fact boxes offer additional information and contribute to the eye-catching layout.

What's the difference between a sea lion and a seal? Where do sea lions live and what do they eat? These and other fascinating questions are answered in this thrilling book about sea lions. Early elementary life-science topics including habitat and diet are covered in rich detail. The accessible text is perfect for young readers. Gorgeous full-color photographs help students connect with the text and develop reading comprehension skills. Fact boxes make this an interesting and informative read.

Amphibians are cool, diverse, and really, really strange. This high-interest title explores the strangest amphibians on the planet. Readers will learn about the Chinese giant salamander, legless salamanders, olms, and more. This text was written to support elementary science curricula, and explores important topics such as adaptation and survival, habitats, amphibian behavior, and more. Sidebars, colorful photographs, and engaging text show readers just how strange amphibians can be.

"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."--

Growing up to four feet in length and weighing over 300 pounds, the green sea turtle is truly a majestic creature. Sadly, shrinking habitats and exploitation have jeopardized their very existence. In this book, readers will learn what human activities have threatened the sea turtle and what must be done to save them from extinction. The text is enhanced by eye-catching images of sea turtles in their natural habitats, a timeline of the animals history, and sidebars with supplemental information.

Hedgehogs are small, but theyre covered in more than 5,000 spikey spines. But dont worry. Even though they look dangerous, hedgehogs are actually quite sweet and make great pets. This book will teach readers about what hedgehogs eat, where they live, and how to care for them as pets. Early elementary life-science topics including habitats and life cycles are discussed alongside beautiful full-color images. Readers will love the fun information found in fact boxes on each spread.

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.