Books with author Therese M Shea

An exploration of robotics has never been timelier. In schools, students sign up for robotics clubs and competitions. More and more robotics technology is being introduced in the workplace. Many people are wondering what the future relationship between robots and humans will be. Readers might think building a robot, or becoming the kind of engineer who does, is out of reach. They couldn't be more wrong! This carefully researched volume explains the parts of a robot, how it functions, and its many uses in our world today. It's sure to inspire an appreciation for robotics and the technology of today, and tomorrow.

Through his famous ransack of Tokyo, Gojira—or Godzilla, to Western audiences—became the definitive movie monster. But the original Godzilla delivers more than just thrills—the fictional monster represents Japan’s very real reaction to nuclear war. Attracting new generations of fans decades after his 1954 debut, Godzilla’s popularity launched a franchise of over two dozen films and paved the way for numerous other B-movie kaiju (monsters), including Rodan and Mothra, to take the silver screen. This lively volume provides a behind-the-scenes look at the various Godzilla films and the monster’s pop culture legacy both in Japan and abroad.

Water that lurks beneath the Earth’s surface is usually far easier to ignore than the water that covers it, until that water bursts forth above ground as geysers and hot springs. This engaging volume explains to young readers where this water comes from and its relationship to volcanic activity underground. They will also learn where on Earth these spectacular eruptions are found, how geothermal energy can be harnessed for our use, and much more. Striking images of Old Faithful and other geysers fill the pages of this informative volume, while additional geological principles are imparted through boxed questions and terms.

Africanized honeybees, also known as killer bees, and army ants are both tiny animals that really strike fear in many people. In this action-packed volume, readers will follow along with a battle of the insects and decide who they think would be the ultimate victor. Readers will learn about factors such as adaptations, size, and sting. They'll use the information to make an educated guess about which insect they think would win if such a battle were to really break out. This imaginative, high-interest title is loaded with eye-catching graphics and facts that support important elementary science concepts.

Born Wardell Stephen Curry II on March 14, 1988, in Akron, Ohio, Stephen Curry may be the best shooter in NBA history. He is an NBA champion, an MVP, and a player at the top of his game, and he uses his stardom to give back to the community. Readers will be fascinated by the story of this tremendous athlete, told with simple text and supplemented with color photos. A Words to Know section helps prepare readers for vocabulary in the text, and quotes from Curry himself allow readers to connect with this basketball star.

Archaeologists have discovered an ancient tomb. They pry open a passage and out comes a mummy. But it is not just a mummy, it's a multiplying mummy! This entertaining yet educational volume uses beautifully illustrated mummies to teach young mathematicians about the fundamentals of multiplication, including skills highlighted in the Common Core. They'll also learn fun facts about mummies of ancient Egypt and other cultures. History and math collide in this "must have" for every elementary library collection or classroom.

Division can seem like a complicated concept without the right tools to understand what it means in the real world, or the fantasy world. In this amusing and beneficial book, vampires are the math teachers, instructing readers about strategies to help them decipher and solve division problems. Equations are accompanied by striking illustrations, and an answer key offers opportunities for self-assessment. Fun fact boxes about vampires add further interest to this must-have math book.

Even the youngest Americans have heard something about the Boston Tea Party, an event before the American Revolution in which patriots dressed as Native Americans and dumped chests of tea into Boston Harbor. Why they did this might not be so clear. In this exciting book, a group of young historians who call themselves Team Time Machine go back to the year 1773 to find out. This high-interest look at an important historical event will motivate all levels of readers to immerse themselves in the past and learn how compelling history can be with a touch of imagination.

Heisman winner Cam Newton became a bonafide NFL star the moment he was selected first in the 2011 draft. But he has been attracting attention for his cannon-like arm since high school. Natural talent did not mean that his journey to the NFL was easy. This compelling biography takes readers through Newtons journey from aspiring athlete to MVP quarterback. They will learn about what happens in the locker room as well as Newtons interests off the gridiron. Accessible text is supported by dynamic on-the-field photographs as well as insightful quotes from the Carolina Panther himself.

American landmarks sometimes evoke more than their original intent. For example, the Statue of Liberty was a gift symbolizing the friendship between France and the United States, but it became a welcoming monument to millions of immigrants heading to Ellis Island. This beautifully designed book offers numerous intriguing facts about American landmarks, including the Washington Monument, Statue of Liberty, and more. Each site's history unfolds through the dismantling of a myth about it. Readers will become savvy tour guides of our nation's most treasured locations.

Many places throughout the world experience droughts and heat waves. While the two are not always related, they sometimes go hand in hand. These weather patterns can result in decreased agricultural yields as well as loss of plant, animal, and human life. This book introduces readers to essential concepts from the Next Generation Science Standards. Primary sources and striking full-color images show readers just how much devastation droughts and heat waves can cause.