Books published by publisher Checkerboard Books

These fun, fact-filled books are perfect for research projects by young readers. The history, geography, economy, and peoples of each state are covered thoroughly in each book. Fascinating details make them ideal for both reference and entertainment.-- Supports social studies curriculum-- Text is enhanced with maps and graphs-- Full-page timeline and fun facts sections reinforce text

Colorful photographs enhance this excellent series about birds. Readers will discover each bird's physical characteristics, habitat, food, defenses, and much more. These books provide a good introduction to animal kingdom classification.-- Full-color photos, maps, and diagrams highlight the text-- Supports natural history and other science curriculum-- Complete index, with glossary words bolded in text

Easy-to-read text, full-color photos, and captivating graphics introduce the sport of camping. Topics include camping locations and set up, equipment, safety, cooking, wildlife, and etiquette. Readers will learn about camping in national parks, state parks, and backcountry sites. Tents, sleeping bags, and clothing are described in detail, and necessary tools such as compasses, maps, flashlights, and first-aid kits are discussed. Step-by-step instructions for building a campfire and two kid-friendly recipes compose a two-page graphic feature. In addition, methods for purifying water are presented, as are ways conserve the environment. Informative sidebars, helpful tips, bold glossary terms, and an index accompany engaging text and interactive graphic elements to give readers a basic understanding of camping.

Italian artist Raphael created paintings and frescoes and also worked as an architect during the Renaissance. This biography discusses Raphael's childhood, early artwork, commissions, patrons such as the Catholic Church and the Medici family, frescoes for the Vatican, work as an architect of St. Peter's Basilica, tapestry designs for the Sistine Chapel, workshop, and artistic rivalries and competitions. Sidebars, a glossary, an index, and a phonetics section accompany easy-to-read text and full-color reproductions of Raphael's artwork, including Madonna del Granduca, Marriage of the Virgin, The Entombment, School of Athens, and Sistine Madonna.

With easy-to-read text, full-color photos, and captivating graphics, this book examines the background, pros and cons, and future of renewable fuels. Readers will learn about corn ethanol, cellulosic ethanol, biodiesel, landfill gas, and methane digesters. These fuels, including E85 and soy biodiesel, are compared and contrasted with widely used fossil fuels. The process of turning grains into ethanol is broken down into easy-to-follow steps, and the role of ethanol in the carbon cycle is simplified in an illustrated diagram. Environmental topics such as pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and global warming are also introduced. In addition, a colorful timeline highlights advances in renewable fuels. Informative sidebars, bold glossary terms, and an index accompany engaging text and interactive graphic elements.

This biography introduces readers to C.S. Lewis, the British author of The Chronicles of Narnia series that includes The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian. Readers will learn about Lewis's childhood struggles after the death of his mother, his service in World War I, his work at Oxford and Cambridge Universities, and his examination of Christian faith. Other works such as the Ransom Trilogy and The Screwtape Letters are also introduced. Easy-to-read text and full-color photos highlight Lewis's childhood, education, and early influences. Checkerboard Library is an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.

This book contains facts about collecting shells that will inspire the reader to start his or her own collection. Readers will gain a working knowledge of this hobby which includes background history of shells and mollusks dating back to the Bronze Age, research and resources, the best places to find, buy or trade shells, and how to organize, store and care for a shell collection. There is also a crafts section for the creative use of extra shells. Full-color photographs, materials & techniques, tips & sidebar information, a glossary and an index are all included in this title.

This book introduces young readers to the Maine coon cat, the official cat of the state of Maine. In engaging, easy-to-read text readers examine the history, physical attributes, development, and behavior of the breed. Coat, color, size, and care instructions are also covered. Beautiful, full-color photos allow students to see the Maine coon cat in a variety of situations. An index and glossary are also included. Checkerboard Library is an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.

Spanish Surrealist Salvador Dalí was a controversial painter, sculptor, and filmmaker, as well as a jewelry, furniture, set, and costume designer. This biography highlights Dalí's childhood, education, art lessons and early Impressionist influence from Ramon Pitxot, work and friendship with filmmaker Luis Bunuel and poet Federico Garcia Lorca, exhibitions, married life, support of the Dali Theatre-Museum, and travels to the United States, France, and England, as well as his interest in optical illusions and his later work combining classical themes and modern science. Sidebars, a glossary, an index, and a phonetics section accompany easy-to-read text and full-color reproductions of Dalí's artwork, including Burning Giraffe, Swans Reflecting Elephants, The Persistence of Memory, Galatea of the Spheres, and Mae West's Lips Sofa.

Barbara Park is the internationally successful children's author of the humorous Junie B. Jones series, as well as other young readers novels that deal with important issues such as popularity, Alzheimer's disease, and death. This biography uses full-color photos, glossary terms, and an index to highlight Park's childhood, education, family life, career successes and failures, and the authors, such as Judy Blume, who inspired her work.

This biography introduces young readers to the life of Frenchman René-Robert Cavalier de La Salle. Readers learn about La Salle's childhood, education, and family life in France as well as his time in New France as a farmer and a fur trader. La Salle's exploration of the Ohio River for New France's governor Daniel de Rémy, Sieur de Courcelles is discussed. Also introduced is Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet's exploration of the Mississippi River during La Salle's time. Readers discover that King Louis XIV of France granted La Salle permission to explore western New France. And using a detailed map, readers follow La Salle's path through Lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron, and Michigan; his stops in present-day Green Bay, Wisconsin, and St. Joseph, Michigan; and his trips down the Kankakee, Illinois, and Arkansas rivers to the Gulf of Mexico. The book explains that La Salle was the first European to explore the length of the Mississippi River, he claimed the entire Mississippi River basin for France, and that the United States bought this territory from France in an agreement called the Louisiana Purchase. Full-color photos, an index, a timeline, discussion questions, bold glossary terms, and phonetics accompany easy-to-read text.