Books in Smithsonian Readers series

Learn about the wonders of Earth with the Smithsonian!Smithsonian Readers: Amazing Earth Level 1 is designed to encourage reading comprehension while introducing children to the wonders that make up their home planet! Children will learn about Earth's diverse continents while building reading skills with the carefully designed leveling structure. After reading this nonfiction book, children can use the included quiz to reinforce reading comprehension.

Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture is truly groundbreaking! The first national museum whose mission is to illuminate for all people, the rich, diverse, complicated, and important experiences and contributions of African Americans in America is opening.And the history of NMAAHC--the last museum to be built on the National Mall--is the history of America. The campaign to set up a museum honoring black citizens is nearly 100 years old; building the museum itelf and assembling its incredibly far-reaching collections is a modern story that involves all kinds of people, from educators and activists, to politicians, architects, curators, construction workers, and ordinary Americans who donated cherished belongings to be included in NMAAHC's thematically-organized exhibits. Award-winning author Tonya Bolden has written a fascinating chronicle of how all of these ideas, ambitions, and actual objects came together in one incredible museum. Includes behind-the-scenes photos of literally "how to build a museum" that holds everything from an entire segregated railroad car to a tiny West African amulet worn to ward off slave traders.

Silk is an expensive fabric that is valued for its texture and durability. Learn how silk is harvested from silkworm cocoons 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.

Bike riding is a lot of fun, but it can also be dangerous. Read about how people have made cycling safe over the years. Learn how bicycles have changed over time and how bike parts, equipment, and trails make cycling safer. Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this STEAM book will ignite a curiosity about STEAM topics through real-world examples. It 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 Smithsonian employees working in STEAM fields. Ideal for school reports and projects, this informational text will appeal to reluctant readers and ages 6-8.

Smithsonian's National Zoo is one of Washington DC's most popular attractions. Tag along with the zookeepers and learn about the unique problems they face and their creative solutions to keeping the zoo animals happy and healthy. Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this STEAM book will ignite a curiosity about STEAM topics through real-world examples. It 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. Take a virtual tour of the National Zoo with this STEAM book for 1st grade students and ages 5-7.

Challenge yourself and engage with the amazing wildlife around the world in the newest Smithsonian reader!This engaging nonfiction book continues children’s journeys to becoming lifelong readers with new and engaging content and more challenging texts. Developed in collaboration with the Smithsonian and esteemed childhood literacy expert Dr. Adria Klein, Amazing Animals Level 2 contains four 32-page topics for engaged readers looking to learn more about the world around them—from sea life and nighttime animals to rain forest animals and baby animals! Children can also practice their reading skills and test their newfound knowledge with the included quizzes.

Build up, down, and even sideways!From the first huts built of mud or animal skins to the world's tallest skyscrapers, this fun, fact-filled Smithsonian activity book looks at how people have constructed homes, temples, castles, public arenas, and all kinds of other buildings. Includes a colorful sticker page of architectural elements that let you "build your own."

A celebration of Apollo 11’s 50th anniversary! Developed in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution, Smithsonian Reader: Apollo 11: Mission to the Moon Level 2 celebrates the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, the first time humans stepped foot on the Moon. This reader is designed to encourage reading comprehension while covering one of the most important feats in American history. From president John F. Kennedy’s declaration to land a man on the Moon to astronaut Neil Armstrong’s first steps, children will learn all about Apollo 11, 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.

Snowflakes are one of nature's most fascinating wonders. Learn how snowflakes form with this fun STEAM book perfect for 1st grade students and early readers. Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, this STEAM book will ignite a curiosity about STEAM topics through real-world examples. It 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 STEAM book that is ideal for 1st grade students or ages 5-7.

Master reading with the Smithsonian! Smithsonian Readers: Ultimate Predators Level 3 continues children’s journeys to becoming lifelong readers with new and engaging content and more challenging texts. Developed in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution and esteemed childhood literacy expert Dr. Adria Klein, Ultimate Predators Level 3 contains four 32-page topics for engaged readers looking to learn more about the world around them from dinosaurs and reptiles to big cats and sharks! Children can also practice their reading skills and test their newfound knowledge with the included quizzes. 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