Books in Smithsonian Readers series

Snowflakes are falling—and this cool new 8 x 8 in the Smithsonian nonfiction line tells young readers why!When does it snow? Why is snow white? How do we know no two snowflakes are alike? (Hint: the proof is in the photographs, first made in the 1890s!) With full-color photographs and the Smithsonian’s famous Wilson Bentley snowflake photos, this new Curious About title looks at the science behind snow, and the history of record-setting blizzards and snowstorms—plus how people have fun in the snow!

Smithsonian Readers: World of Wonder Level 3 continues children’s journeys to becoming lifelong readers with new and engaging content and more challenging texts. Developed in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution and esteemed childhood literacy expert Dr. Adria Klein, World of Wonder Level 3 contains six 32-page topics for engaged readers looking to learn more about the world around them: Ancient Egypt, Wild Weather, Rain Forest Animals, The United States, The Planet, and Sharks. Children can also practice their reading skills and share their newfound knowledge with the included 36 topical fact cards.Level 3: Engaged Readers-Interesting factual and informational text that contains new and unfamiliar content-Includes glossary to reinforce reading comprehension-Repetition of longer sentence patterns with variation of placement of subjects, verbs, and adjectives-Most of the vocabulary should be familiar to first graders-Introduction of more complex spelling patterns and letter-sound relationships-Photos, illustrations, and diagrams are included for further concept exploration

Smithsonian Readers: Seriously Amazing Level 2 provides accessible and engaging content designed to encourage further progress in children’s reading abilities. Developed in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution and esteemed childhood literacy expert Dr. Adria Klein, Seriously Amazing Level 2 encourages development in readers with unfamiliar vocabulary terms, new phonic structures, and more variation in sentence patterns. Seriously Amazing Level 2 contains six 32-page topics, chosen for their appeal to developing readers: Nighttime Animals, Sea Life, Dinosaurs, Solar System, Baby Animals, and the Human Body. Thirty-six perforated fact cards extend the learning and reading practice.Level 2: Developing Readers-Simple factual texts with mostly familiar themes and content-Concepts in text are supported by images-Includes glossary to reinforce reading comprehension-Repetition of basic sentence structure with variation of placement of subjects, verbs, and adjectives-Mostly easy vocabulary familiar to kindergarteners and first graders-Introduction to new phonic structures-Integration of contractions, possessives, compound sentences, and some three-syllable words

Join award-winning science writer Seymour Simon in this picture book introduction to a fascinating bird: the penguin! This nonfiction picture book is an excellent choice to share during homeschooling, in particular for children ages 4 to 6. It’s a fun way to learn to read and as a supplement for activity books for children.Penguins certainly are a different bird! They spend seventy-five percent of their lives in water and they can’t even fly! Penguins are classified as birds because they have feathers. So, explore a penguin’s world by finding out how they can swim so fast, what they eat ,and how people need to help protect their habitats.With clear, simple text and stunning full-color photographs, readers will learn all about these unique birds in this informative picture book! Perfect for young scientists’ school reports, this book supports the Common Core State Standards. Check out these other Seymour Simon books about Animals:Big CatsButterfliesCatsCrocodiles & AlligatorsDogsDolphinsFrogsGorillasHorsesInsectsSea CreaturesSharksSnakesSpidersWhalesWild BabiesWolves

What's wiggling around underground . . . and underwater? Worms! They're more than just the squiggly things on a fish hook. Worms live in the earth, in the sea, in other bodies of water, and even inside insects or animals. They can be round or flat, really long or microscopic, colorful or see-through, even glowing. Learn more about how these wigglers live, what they eat . . . and who eats them.

Smithsonian Readers: Read With Me! Pre-Level 1 introduces young children to the wonderful world of reading. Developed in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution and esteemed childhood literacy expert Dr. Adria Klein, Read With Me! Pre-Level 1 includes six titles that feature engaging content, presented simply. The Read With Me! titles were created for children whose interest in reading is just beginning. Pre-Level 1 contains simple, short sentences with familiar vocabulary for children who are starting to read with the support of a parent or caregiver. Bright photographs reinforce the text, encouraging reading comprehension. Bound into the book are 36 perforated fact cards that further sharpen newly acquired reading skills. Read With Me! Pre-Level 1 will spark young children’s interest in becoming life-long readers.

Learn to read with the Smithsonian! Developed in partnership with the Smithsonian and esteemed literary childhood literacy expert Dr. Adria Klein, Smithsonian Reader Level 3: Sharks! continues children’s journeys to become lifelong readers with engaging content and more challenging text. From great whites to leopard sharks, children will learn about sharks while building reading skills with the carefully designed leveling structure. After reading the 32-page high-quality introduction to nonfiction, children can take a quiz that reinforces reading comprehension. Also includes 28 stickers.

You've probably heard of lions and tigers. Perhaps you've seen them at the zoo. But have you heard of the clouded leopard? This shy member of the cat family is an endangered species. Their shyness makes studying them a challenge for zookeepers and scientists. Find out why they are so special, and why they need our help. Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this Smithsonian Informational Text builds students' reading skills while engaging their curiosity about STEAM topics through real-world examples. It features a hands-on STEAM challenge that guides students through every step of the engineering design process and is perfect for makerspace activities. It makes STEAM career connections by providing a glimpse into the lives of real-life Smithsonian employees currently working in STEAM fields. Discover engineering innovations that solve real-world problems with this book that touches on all aspects of STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math!

Learn to read with the Smithsonian!Developed in partnership with the Smithsonian and esteemed literary childhood literacy expert Dr. Adria Klein, Smithsonian Readers: Trains Level 1 is designed to encourage reading comprehension while covering the invention of trains, history of trains, and modern-day trains. From steam engines to monorails, children will learn about the many functions of trains while building reading skills with the carefully designed leveling structure. After reading this introduction to nonfiction, children can use the included quiz to reinforce reading comprehension.

People have been using shadow puppets to entertain people for centuries. Learn the history of shadow puppets and the ""technology"" behind them with this STEAM book that will ignite a curiosity about STEAM topics through real-world examples. Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this book features a hands-on STEAM challenge that is perfect for makerspaces and that guides students step-by-step through the engineering design process. Make STEAM career connections with career advice from actual Smithsonian employees working in STEAM fields. Introduce early science topics to young readers with this book that is ideal for 1st grade students or ages 5-7.

Who's Looking After the Zoo?How do you weigh a panda? Or check a sea lion's tooth? Or figure out why a llama is limping? These are just some of the many tasks veterinarians, technicians, and animal keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo are trained in. With full-color photos and lively, accessible text, this new title looks at the very busy “to do” list of zoo workers as they take care of their creatures large and small.