Books in LET'S FIND OUT ABOUT series

Its pretty much impossible to imagine what our lives would be like without light energy. As this elementary-level STEM text explains, energy from the sun sustains life on Earth. Young readers will learn about the properties of light, what wavelengths are, the relationship between light and color, and how reflected light enables us to see things. Colorful photos and useful diagrams help illustrate the content presented, while sidebars prompt readers to think about what they have read. Teachers and students alike will appreciate this clear, age-appropriate introduction to a potentially challenging topic.

Plants can grow almost everywhere. This book explores ecosystems particular to the seven continents and watery environments, including forests, deserts, mountains, the ocean, and lakes. This book also includes an examination of how artificial environments like greenhouses and the indoors can be healthy for some plants, and how some artificial environments cause harm even beyond their own boundaries. For each environment type, this volume describes the types of plants that live there, and how well they thrive. Any young reader who wants to explore the needs of plants and how their environment meets those needs will find this book essential.

Plants and algae form an important basis of all marine ecosystems. They provide nutrients to animals that eat them and also create oxygen for humans and animals to breathe. This academic lower elementary title covers the diversity of marine plants and algae that exist as well as the processes they undergo to grow and thrive. Photosynthesis is explained in easy-to-understand language, as is the role of plants and algae in food chains and food webs. Finally, the importance of sea plants and algaeand threats to their existenceis addressed in a timely discussion on global warming.

Destructive and awe-inspiring, the eruption of a volcano is a dramatic demonstration of nature's power. However, there is much more to the process than what we see on the surface. Readers will explore the geological structure that makes volcanic activity possible and follow the sequence of events that culminate in an eruption. In addition to eruptions, this text examines other geothermal activities, the benefits of which may surprise young readers. It includes vivid photographs to heighten interest and clear diagrams to enhance comprehension.

As his second term as president drew to an end in 1796, George Washington bid the country farewell and offered his advice for its future. He did so in an address that was published in a Philadelphia newspaper. This volume introduces young readers to the key themes in the open letter and liberally cites the words of that primary document. It is a great way to introduce elementary-school students to the importance and challenges of going back to an original text. It also offers a window into an immensely influential period of American history and a highly revered figure.

Written with age-appropriate, easy-to-follow language, this book is a perfect resource for young readers interested in everything to do with computers. Readers will gain insight into the history of computers, how computers work, and what components each computer tends to have. They will learn how computer technology has changed and how computers have served different needs in different times. Through engaging text that's complemented by colorful, detailed images, readers will learn about all kinds of computers and their many uses.