Books published by publisher Checkerboard Books

Mexican artist Frida Kahlo became famous through her autobiographical paintings, self-portraits, traditional Mexican clothing, and connection with surrealism. This biography discusses her childhood and the polio and the bus accident that led to her chronic illnesses, as well as her marriages to and divorce from muralist Diego Rivera, exhibitions, travels to the United States and France, and work as an educator. Sidebars, a glossary, an index, and a phonetics section accompany easy-to-read text and full-color reproductions of Kahlo's artwork, including Self-Portrait on the Border Line Between Mexico and the United States, Memory, The Dream, The Two Fridas, and Viva la Vida.

This book introduces young readers to the life of Betty Ford, beginning with her childhood in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Readers will become familiar with her spiritedness as they learn about her time spent studying dance with the famous Martha Graham in New York City and her marriage to Gerald Ford. Details of Mrs. Ford's time as First Lady, including her vocal support of women's health, equal rights, and women's rights, are also discussed. Additionally, the book highlights the opening of the Betty Ford Center. Informative sidebars and full-color photos accompany easy-to-read, engaging text. Includes timeline, fun facts, index, and glossary.

This biography introduces readers to Daniel Handler, the American author who created the darkly humorous Series of Unfortunate Events under the name Lemony Snicket. Easy-to-read text, full-color photos, an index, and key glossary terms highlight Handler's childhood, education, early influences such as Roald Dahl and Edward Gorey, initial failures with novels for adults, musical hobbies, and family life, as well as his inspiration, writing process, international success, and experience as a screenwriter for the Series of Unfortunate Events.

With easy-to-read text, full-color photos, and captivating graphics, this book examines the background, pros and cons, and future of oil, coal, and natural gas as power sources. Readers will learn how fossil fuels were formed and how they are obtained, transported, and used for energy. New technologies, the importing and exporting of fossil fuels, and the Kyoto Protocol are also discussed. Scientific beliefs about carbon dioxide emissions, pollution, and global warming are also addressed, as well as the greenhouse effect. In addition, easy ways to conserve energy are presented to readers. Informative sidebars, bold glossary terms, and an index accompany engaging text and interactive graphic elements.

This biography introduces young readers to the lives of Jesuit priest Jacques Marquette and fur trader Louis Jolliet. The book discusses each man's childhood and education. Readers discover that the Mississippi River is one of North America's most important waterways and that Marquette and Jolliet were the first white men to travel the upper Mississippi River, from the Wisconsin River to the mouth of the Arkansas River. The book introduces how various Native American tribes, such as the Quapaw tribe, helped the explorers. Also explained through engaging text are the lives of Marquette and Jolliet following their Mississippi River journey. Marquette soon died at the mouth of the Pere Marquette River, and Jolliet married, had a family, and continued his work as an explorer and a mapmaker. Full-color photos, an index, a timeline, a map, discussion questions, bold glossary terms, and phonetics accompany easy-to-read text and allow readers to follow Marquette and Jolliet's brave journey.

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