Books published by publisher Whitecap Books, Canada

Some of the most colorful and amazing creatures in the world make the continent of South America their home. The jaguar (the biggest cat on the continent), the anaconda (the biggest snake in the world), the sloth (often covered with green algae) and the toucan (a bird with an enormous beak and bright feathers) are just some of these. Find out about South America's jungles, Spanish past and lost cities. They're all in this book! User-friendly maps let you know exactly where everything is. You'll find each colorful flag displayed for each country. And look out for the page of removable stickers in the center and the interesting activity, useful glossary and index and the end of the book.

It's a bug-eat-bug world out there! From the tasty snacks of the praying mantis to a dragonfly's favorite dinner, Bug Bites reveals mealtime's creepiest details. Did you know that robber flies spear their prey with a dagger like beak, or that wasps may paralyze their insect victims? Full-color photographs along with captivating text by award-winning author Diane Swanson will leave you hungry for more.

Did you know that there are 53 independent countries in Africa? It means many different peoples, languages, religions, buildings and food are found there. And as if that wasn't enough, an amazing variety of animals and plants live there as well-zebras, elephants, lions, hippopotamuses, hyenas and rhinoceroses that roam the wildlife reserves created to protect them from human predators. Africa is also a continent of ancient monuments, like the pyramids of Egypt, as well as modern cities -- you'll find that the old and the new exist side by side. The maps show where each country is located, what it looks like and who its neighbors are. You'll also find each country's colorful flag displayed. In the middle of the book is a page of removable stickers and at the end you'll find an interesting activity and a useful glossary and index.

When Lin Lin and her father immigrate to Canada from China, they bring with them one of their most treasured possessions - a traditional Chinese violin. From the beauty of their new country to the uneasiness of not fitting in, this violin sees them through all their experiences, good and bad. One day, however, a terrible misfortune occurs when the Chinese violin is broken. Awards Our Choice (Awarded by the Canadian Children's Book Centre) 2003 - The Chinese Violin (an Our Choice Starred Selection)

Have you ever wondered how scary it must have been flying in the flimsy planes built at the beginning of the twentieth century? Plane trips are quite common today, but in days gone by this form of travel was unbelievable. Unlocking the secrets of flight was a lifelong goal of pioneers such as the Wright Brothers, and modern day explorers break new boundaries in the space shuttle. This book shows you the old and the new: from the inventions of George Cayley and Lawrence Hargrave and the first hot air balloons to the planes used in both world wars to stealth fighter and trips beyond Earth. And it even provides handy hints for those of you who want to keep a Harrier jump jet in your family garage!