Books with author Walter Laplante

The Great Lakes watershed can be traveled from end to endfrom the St. Lawrence River all the way to Duluth, Minnesota. In order for that to happen, man-made waterways had to be constructed to bypass rapids and aid ships moving from one water depth to another. Readers travel the basin through main content that includes geography, history, and interesting details that tie it all together. Descriptive maps of the region aid understanding and complement map skills emphasized in the social studies curriculum. Readers see how all the waterways work together to make one vibrant region.

There are a lot of ways to start a fire: flint and steel, matches, a magnifying glass and sunlight. However it starts, all fire needs oxygen, fuel, and heat. To some, it may almost seem like magic, but theres a complicated chemical reaction taking place when a fire is lit! Readers learn what makes fire burn simply through age-appropriate language and content. Full-color photographs complement the main content and are followed by an illustrated graphic organizer that shows the process step-by-step.

Octopuses are the escape artists of the sea. With no bones, they're known to squeeze into tiny places and out of their tanks in aquariums. They come in all sizes and colors and feature some interesting body parts readers love to learn more about. In this volume, achievable main text and accompanying up-close photographs aid beginning readers in their quest to read and learn about octopuses. A picture glossary reinforces new vocabulary learned on these colorful pages.

One person uses more than 20,000 sheets of toilet paper each year. That means a family of four uses more than 80,000 sheets! But what happens to all that used tissue? Readers follow this and other waste through the toilet to discover this very answer! Full-color photographs and a simple graphic organizer aid readers understanding of this everyday process, including an accessible description of common waste management. Including a brief history of the toilet, the main content is written in accessible language for curious readers!

The surface of the Great Lakes covers 94,250 square miles (244,106 sq km). About 40 million people in the United States and Canada drink water from the Great Lakes, and millions of birds, fish, and other animals make their homes there. Much will be lost if the lakes arent protected. Readers are introduced to Great Lakes conservation issues, including climate change, mining, and water quality. Full-color images and detailed sidebars accompany main content consistent with the social studies curriculum. The knowledge readers gain is sure to inspire the next generation of environmental warriors needed to save this precious ecosystem.

During the early 1800s, it was difficult and expensive to transport goods from the East Coast to the Great Lakes region. The Erie Canal connected these two areas, causing a population boom in western New York and encouraging settlement around the Great Lakes. Readers learn the history of this important canal through the main content and fun fact boxes, and also discover the many ways travelers can use and enjoy the canal today. Full-color photographs introduce cool destinations near the canal and showcase the locks and other canal structures still in existence.

Sitting Bull is best known for his part in the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He continually resisted the US governments mandate that all Native Americans must move to reservations they set up. Sitting Bull became an important leader to his people, the Lakota, and a symbol to others who wished to resist the US laws as well. With an emphasis on the Native American experience, this volume introduces readers to Sitting Bull and his cause. Important events are enhanced by historical images and collected in a timeline to aid understanding of a trying time in US history.

The importance of biodiversity in the Great Lakes watershed cannot be overemphasized. The thousands of kinds of plants and animals that live in the lakes habitats affect the health of the lakes, just as the lakes health affects the wildlife. Readers learn about the many habitats of the Great Lakes region and conservation efforts that continue to restore and protect them. Full-color photographs accompany in-depth profiles of plants and animals, such as the Canada goose and brook trout, in the region. Sidebars introduce even more wildlife information, which augments the social studies and science curriculum students learn in the classroom.

The US flag flies from government buildings, schools, and often from homes. Great care is taken with it, and if anything happens to a US flag, outrage often follows. While readers are likely familiar with saying the Pledge of Allegiance and celebrating Flag Day each June, they may not know why stars were added or what the colors of the flag have meant throughout US history. The main content of this valuable addition to a social studies library covers both the historical and symbolic background of the US flag. Full-color photographs of US flags through the years help readers understand its great significance through many eras.