Books in Smithsonian Readers series

Most people use maps every day. But imagine a time when a map of a place didn't exist. Without a map, how would you get there? How would you know how to get around? Navigate through history as you learn the art, science, history, and importance of making maps. 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.

Scientists are learning how to keep people dry in wet weather. They look to plants and animals for answers. They have learned that when it comes to staying dry, nature knows best! 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.

Muddy Creek in Edgewater, Maryland is the site of a major makeover. The land around the stream has worn down. Find out what caused Muddy Creek to erode, and the many steps involved in saving it. 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!

Travel the near and far reaches of the solar system in this lively, beautifully illustrated Smithsonian nonfiction book!Ready for a wondrous celestial journey? How about a trip to our close neighbor Mars, home to the largest volcano in the solar system? Or to Europa, a watery lunar world with a really deep ocean? Or beyond the beyond to mysterious Planet 9, an unseen giant lurking in the far outer regions of space?This extraordinary book puts you right there: breaking through colorful gaseous hazes; exploring the surface of red-hot or ice-cold planets; hurtling through rings of flying, frozen ice chunks; and rocketing on out to deep space. Astronomer David Aguilar is our navigator on these seven wonderful trips through our solar system—journeys that someday may actually happen! The SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION is the world’s largest museum and research complex. Founded in 1846, it includes nineteen museum and galleries, the National Zoological Park, and nine research facilities. Its vast collections house 138 million artifacts, specimens, and works of art, which represent our nation’s rich heritage, art from across the globe, and the immense diversity of the natural and cultural world.

There's Something New at the National Zoo Is there anything cuter than a baby panda? Bao Bao, the National Zoo’s new cub, was officially introduced to the world in January 2014, after a formal naming ceremony—and this photo- and fact-filled book will introduce kids to Bao Bao’s world! The lively and accessible reader looks at the zoo’s panda habitat, the panda parents and their newest little cub, and how Bao Bao is cared for by the zoo handlers.

Inka rulers led a huge empire with grand palaces. They had incredible riches. Artists made statues out of gold and silver. The Inka also made masterpieces out of grass. Their grass bridges crossed deep canyons. These engineering marvels let soldiers and messengers travel around the empire. 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!

The world of insects is buzzing all around us! Learn more in this new easy Level 3 Smithsonian reader. We share our world with all kinds of flying, crawling, buzzing, even biting insects--in fact there are more of them than us! Drawing on material from the Smithonian's Insect Zoo, with its live insect exhibits, this lively, accessible reader uses exciting photographs and reader-friendly text to explore insect life all around us.

Buffalo = Bison = the All-American AnimalThe American bison (buffalo) is one of the most recognizable North American mammals. In fact, it is the official national animal of the United States—where you'll still find them roaming.This photo-filled reader explores the natural world of the huge, shaggy beast, its habits and habitats, and the buffalo's cultural and iconic importance, especially to American Indians.

Money talks . . . about history!Shells. Coins. Paper bills. Credit cards. Bitcoins. People have used all kinds of objects to buy, sell, or trade. Aren’t you curious: what is money? Developed with numismatic curators at the Smithsonian, this fascinating book looks at how people, money, and history intersect, right on up to what's current about currency.Penguin-Smithsonian nonfiction: where content meets cool!

Take a virtual tour of the National Museum of Natural History with this high-interest STEAM book! Along the way, learn about the challenges that museums face when designing fossil exhibits. You'll also learn how studying fossils helps scientists learn about prehistoric species such as dinosaurs and their habitats. 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. This STEAM book is ideal for ages 6-8 and is especially appealing to reluctant readers.

Amphibians can be found all over the world. There are more than 7,500 kinds of amphibians living in streams, rainforests, deserts, and everywhere in between. Many of them are in danger due to a deadly fungus, but help is on the way! 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!