Books published by publisher Firefly Books

The Firefly Books young kids' career series: I Want to Be New editions, revised to reflect the increasing diversity in society and changing technology in the lives of people working around children. Praise for the series: "The series offers books that may be useful to teachers introducing careers to young children, and certain volumes will fit right into Community Helpers units as well." -- Booklist "The I Want To Be series provides young readers with some exciting opportunities to think about... an attractive choice for beginning readers. Recommended." -- Library Media Connection This best-selling series of 17 titles has sold more than 800,000 copies since publication and earned excellent reviews and praise for the range of occupations it features. With vibrant color pictures and plain text, the I Want To Be series is an appealing introduction to a broad spectrum of occupations, from Pilot to Chef to Cowboy, making them ideal for inclusion in Community Helpers and other Common Core Correlations Social Studies and Language Arts units. New photos show Policewomen with contemporary uniforms and state-of-the-art equipment. Firefighters' uniforms protect better; Builders are women as well as men; many of the Nurses are male. This reflects the society that kids are seeing now. And the books are attractively priced, at $3.99. This is the same price as in 1998. Mainly, children will enjoy the I Want To Be books for the pictures, reading to themselves, seeing everyday people doing important jobs, like the adults in their family and in their dreams and aspirations. There are exciting new editions of these titles: 9780228101369 I Want to Be a Builder (paperback, $3.99) 9780228101475 I Want to Be a Builder (plastic-laminated hardcover, $14.95) 9780228100959 I Want to Be a Cowboy (paperback, $3.99) 9780228101413 I Want to Be a Cowboy (plastic-laminated hardcover, $14.95) 9780228100966 I Want to Be a Doctor (paperback, $3.99) 9780228101529 I Want to Be a Doctor (plastic-laminated hardcover, $14.95) 9780228100973 I Want to Be a Firefighter (paperback, $3.99) 9780228101420 I Want to Be a Firefighter (plastic-laminated hardcover, $14.95) 9780228100980 I Want to Be a Mechanic (paperback, $3.99) 9780228101437 I Want to Be a Mechanic (plastic-laminated hardcover, $14.95) 9780228100997 I Want to Be a Nurse (paperback, $3.99) 9780228101406 I Want to Be a Nurse (plastic-laminated hardcover, $14.95) 9780228101000 I Want to Be a Pilot (paperback, $3.99) 9780228101444 I Want to Be a Pilot (plastic-laminated hardcover, $14.95) 9780228101017 I Want to Be a Police Officer (paperback, $3.99) 9780228101390 I Want to Be a Police Officer (plastic-laminated hardcover, $14.95) 9780228101024 I Want to Be a Teacher (paperback, $3.99) 9780228101451 I Want to Be a Teacher (plastic-laminated hardcover, $14.95) 9780228101031 I Want to Be a Truck Driver (paperback, $3.99) 9780228101468 I Want to Be a Truck Driver (plastic-laminated hardcover, $14.95) 9780228101567 I Want To Be A Vet (paperback, $3.99) 9780228101574 I Want To Be A Vet (plastic-laminated hardcover, $14.95)

You have just got to love a colorful, large-format encyclopedia on sharks, and this is one of the best. --American Reference Books Annual An up-to-date encyclopedia of the world's most ancient predators. The Encyclopedia of Sharks is a richly illustrated and fact-filled reference on all the world's species of sharks. The author debunks the fearful myths and fierce legends, providing straightforward facts and the latest research on sharks. More than 200 striking photographs show sharks in their natural habitats. Detailed drawings illustrate the anatomical features unique to sharks, such as their fearsome but short-lived teeth. The book includes authoritative and updated information on: Evolution and design of the shark Classifications and orders Understanding the shark The life of the shark -- how it feeds, breeds and migrates Shark "supersense" -- how it survives in the aquatic environment The need for protection and conservation -- how sharks are now endangered by over fishing and "finning." Also included is a 50-page comprehensive, all-color section featuring and explaining the world's most important breeds. Through its lively text, spectacular photography, and charts, maps and illustrations, The Encyclopedia of Sharks will encourage an understanding of these complex creatures.

More fabulous huge machines for the kids who love them. Diggers are busy shovelers. The cab is perched high and rotates as the big arm digs, lifts and drops its load. The big teeth at the end of the bucket are menacing as they push soil and manipulate huge rocks and logs. This book shows these enormous machines digging vast holes, pulverizing rocks and demolishing buildings. There are mini-diggers that can fit in smaller spaces, and there is even the tiny digger that was used to get a soil sample from Mars. The Mighty Machines series features vivid color photographs of enormous machines as they dig, dump, load, pull and lift. Children will thrill at the size of these behemoths and enjoy seeing these vehicles strain under the weight of such tremendous work. Vivid color photographs of these mechanical marvels at work jump off the page. In large type for young (and old) eyes, the machines, their parts and their uses are concisely described. Glossaries explain essential terms, and suggested activities add to the fun. The big format and vibrant design make these books perfect for kids to read alone or share with a friend.

More fascinating and harrowing accounts of the volunteer professionals who risk their lives to help those in desperate need. Praise for the second edition: "Direct and evocative, this well-written book pushes readers to the edge of a world of grueling realities not known by most Americans." -- Choice Doctors Without Borders (aka Medecins Sans Frontieres, or MSF) was founded in 1971 by rebellious French doctors. It is arguably the most respected humanitarian organization in the world, delivering emergency aid to victims of armed conflict, epidemics and natural disasters as well as to many others who lack reliable health care. Dan Bortolotti follows the volunteers at the forefront of this organization and its work, who daily risk their lives to perform surgery, establish or rehabilitate hospitals and clinics, run nutrition and sanitation programs, and train local medical personnel. These volunteer professionals: Perform emergency surgery in war-torn regions of Africa, Asia and elsewhere Treat the homeless in the streets of Europe Honor cultural customs and understand societal differences that affect health care Witness and report the genocidal atrocities so often missed by mainstream media This new and revised third edition includes updates and new inside stories from recent relief operations, and it covers changes within the organization, such as its new emphasis on nutrition. There are also many new and revealing color photographs and insights gained from the author's 2009 trip to Haiti, where he found three different arms of MSF operating in dire conditions. Hope in Hell is a widely acclaimed portrait of a renowned Nobel-winning humanitarian organization, revealing how Doctors Without Borders provides immediate and outstanding medical care.

The Tempest is an exciting tale of jealousy and betrayal, magic and romance, repentance and forgiveness, and has all the elements necessary to ignite a young child's imagination and creative energy. By her use of rhyming couplets, Lois Burdett has once again succeeded in transforming Shakespeare's complex verse into a format readily understood by children. Children's enthusiasm toward Burdett's adapted Shakespeare is evident in the wonderful drawings and anecdotes created by her Grade 2 and 3 students at Hamlet Elementary School in Stratford, Ontario. Together with the five other books in the successful and beautifully produced Shakespeare Can Be Fun! series, The Tempest will delight teachers, parents and children.

"Who is William Shakespeare?" For more than 20 years, Lois Burdett has asked that question of her elementary school students in Stratford, Ontario, Canada, leading them on a voyage of discovery that brings the Bard to life for boys and girls ages seven and up. Romeo and Juliet for Kids, written in rhyming couplets is suitable for staging as class plays as well as reading aloud.

"Who is William Shakespeare?" For more than 20 years, Lois Burdett has asked that question of her elementary school students in Stratford, Ontario, Canada, leading them on a voyage of discovery that brings the Bard to life for boys and girls ages seven and up. A Midsummer Night's Dream for Kids, written in rhyming couplets is suitable for staging as class plays as well as reading aloud.

About other titles in the series, which to date have sold 65,000 copies: The Little Book of Woodland Bird Songs "An excellent home purchase, but it should certainly also be considered by libraries and classrooms that are willing to accept some wildlife sounds. Highly Recommended." --Canadian Review of Materials The Little Book of Backyard Bird Songs "A 'trilling' way to bring natural history into the nursery." --Kirkus "One of the very few items with a battery that I like for young children." --LivingMontessoriNow.com "The sounds and selected facts may spark an interest in venturing out into the backyard 'wild' to glimpse some of its avian residents." --Kirkus Reviews "The naturalist in me adores this book!" --Rainbow Resource Children (and adults) will marvel over the haunting sounds of the African savannah featured in this companion to The Little Book of Backyard Bird Songs. The roaring lions, laughing hyenas and trumpeting elephants will transport readers on a sensory adventure surpassed only by a real safari. The interactive board book is designed for any age with features safe for young readers. The pages are easy to turn and feature fascinating facts and "Did You Know" sidebars alongside a beautifully rendered portrait of the animal. The twelve sound buttons and high-quality sound module are encased in durable plastic with a one-inch (3 cm) speaker for clarity. The 12 safari animals featured are: Lion African Fish Eagle African Elephant Spotted Hyena Black-backed Jackal Hippopotamus Grey Go-away Bird Pearl-spotted Owlet Plains Zebra Bubbling Kassina Frog Chacma Baboon Cheetah. The Little Book of Safari Sounds is the perfect gift for anyone who loves nature and exotic animals.

The I Want to Be... series gives young children a realistic insight into the working day of adults. Easy-to-read captions and color photographs of women and men from different cultures help children understand what's involved in each occupation. Young readers learn to respect the importance of doing a job well and appreciate the contributions these workers make to our life and the world around us. These books are perfect for reading alone or in group story times. They are certain to spark questions and encourage dialogue and prompt children to learn more about these occupations.

With 250,000 copies in print since its initial publication in 1983, NightWatch has become a standard reference guide for stargazers throughout North America. The new Third Edition expands on that success with a completely revised and updated text, more than 100 new color photos and diagrams and 16 additional pages that cover such! new astronomical pursuits as computerized telescopes, reviews of new telescope designs and accessories, and astronomy on the Internet. All charts, tables and diagrams have been updated and, in some cases, redesigned for easier use. Improved spacecraft measurements of the distances to the stars (recently released by the European Space Agency) are included in the charts, along with additional observing tips for stargazers using binoculars and telescopes. An expanded chapter on Astrophotography lists the best modern films and cameras for skyshooting. The new NightWatch is faithful to the "ultra-simplified, no jargon" philosophy of the original, and at the same time, offers substantially more practical information for the novice and intermediate-level amateur astronomer. The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada called the first edition "the best of its kind"- the new Third Edition is better still. It is still an abundantly illustrated, wide-sized volume designed for easy reference during many starlit nights.

Each page in this book features a color photograph of a member of the Animal Kingdom. It may be a mammal, a reptile or amphibian, an insect, a bird, a fish or a mysterious ocean creature. It might be enormous like an elephant or tiny like a spider. There are newborns, infants and adults. It could be fighting or eating, running or sleeping, alone or with its littermates or herd. There are mysterious close-ups to identify. And much more. Concise text identifies the animals and describes the scene. Some of the animals profiled: Otter -- a mammal like a fish Penguin -- warmth in groups Harlequin crab -- hiding in poison Chameleon -- all-direction eyes Kingfisher -- coughs up scales White rhinoceros -- is gray Hyena -- powerful jaws Emu -- superb runner Polar bear -- sensitive nose Cheetah -- fastest creature Wolf -- night vision Gorilla -- powerful vegetarian Cape buffalo -- defensive horns Wasps -- nests of chewed paper Alligators' love tricks Tigers love bathing Krill -- whale food by the ton Butterfly scales. 365 Incredible Animals is bright, colorful, informative and an ideal gift selection, for children especially.