Books published by publisher Firefly Books Ltd.

This is a definitive full color guide for young readers. It includes an introduction to rocks, minerals and gems and how they form, how and where to look for them, how to identify rocks and minerals, and everything there is to know about building a collection. Packed with fun facts and practical activities, the book features high-definition color photography and data keys that show noteworthy qualities of each specimen in extraordinary detail. Rocks, Minerals and Gems shows how to read the landscape for clues and identify different rock types -- from dazzling diamonds to grainy sandstone. It describes fascinating facts and data boxes provide short facts to help with quick identification. Earth's most precious rocks, minerals and gems can be anywhere and everywhere in the world -- from riverbeds to beaches, cliff faces to fields. The only equipment needed is a backpack, a smartphone and some good walking shoes -- and maybe a small bag to carry home the treasure.

"Who is William Shakespeare?" For more than 20 years, Lois Burdett has asked that question of her elementary school students in Stratford, Ontario, Canada, leading them on a voyage of discovery that brings the Bard to life for boys and girls ages seven and up. Twelfth Night for Kids, written in rhyming couplets is suitable for staging as class plays as well as reading aloud.

What kid doesn't love dump trucks? And diggers, loaders, bulldozers, and big spinning concrete mixers? There are also mighty machines that kids might not see. Rock-eating tunnelers used underground, roadbuilders and pavers used at night, and enormous flat-bed trucks that carry the supertall cranes used to build skyscrapers. Big machines are a thrill that never grows old. Here are Mighty Machines that jump off the page. Large type describes the machines, their parts and their uses. Glossaries explain essential terms and suggested activities add to the fun. The big format and vibrant designs make the books perfect for kids to read alone or share with a friend. With their lively designs and topics that are always a favorite with kids, these books offer popular subject matter and excellent value.

A beloved classic continues to reassure children. I Promise I'll Find You is a moving story that parents will love reading to and sharing with their children again and again. The fear of being separated from loved ones is a universal emotion. Consider a child who feels lost -- wandering away from home, becoming separated in a crowd, or feeling frightened in a new and strange place? I Promise I'll Find You is a perennial favorite of parents and children alike; it's like a comforting hug, a warm lap, a reassuring kiss, and the enveloping arms of a parent who pledges, no matter what happens: "I promise I'll find you." In eleven warm and simple verses, Heather Patricia Ward delivers a timeless message of reassurance. Sheila McGraw's imaginative illustrations show a devoted mother and an amusing dog as they search the world over for a lost child: at sea, in the city, over mountains, and even in outer space. Together, parents and children will enjoy the gentle language and the calm, reassuring pictures of this thoughtful and important book.

"Human beings are an amazingly inventive species in creating technologies that have taken us far beyond planetary boundaries that constrain all other animals. Whether it's very powerful innovations like pesticides, antibiotics or combustion engines, we fail to consider the long-term ramifications of our enterprises in a world where everything is interconnected. Plastics are a classic example, created by chemists from complex molecules of life in fossil fuels, applied in so many useful ways but ignoring what happens when the products are discarded as waste on such a scale that we have a gargantuan problem. The story of plastic is a cautionary tale about every aspect of the way we are living in the Anthropocene." -- David Suzuki The shocking truth of plastic's impact on our planet -- and what we can do about it. The data is in and it's bad. We create and throw away too much plastic, and it is killing our planet. However, too many people have very little idea about just how far this problem reaches, and those who do know feel helpless with the enormity of the task at hand. To fill this void and provide some hope is Rachel Salt's simple and transformative book, The Plastic Problem. As a producer for the award-winning and wildly popular YouTube channel AsapSCIENCE, Salt is accustomed to taking big, complicated concepts and translating them into entertaining and easy-to-understand segments. She applies the same methodology to The Plastic Problem. The result is a critically important book that will change the lives of those who read it. Never before has the problem been presented in such an impactful way. Readers of any age will emerge from this book with a thorough understanding of the problem, its individual and global impacts, and -- most importantly -- hope for the future. In 18 bite-sized chapters, Salt walks readers through the invention and globalized creation of plastic, its impacts and uses in our day-today lives, and its importance to the larger global economy. She then examines the how and why of what makes plastic so harmful to our planet and, just in case there was any doubt, Salt reinforces this danger by providing chapters on the planet-choking results of our plastic habit -- including the fact that there is almost certainly, plastic floating inside each and every person in the world. Salt finishes this vital book with a message of hope. All is not lost. We can make changes -- both at home and on a global scale. Big changes are already happening. If you want to be an actor and help change the future, The Plastic Problem is the best place to start. "Plastic kills. Breaking our plastic addiction is a matter of survival for humans and it impacts every creature on Earth to the deepest part of the ocean. With clear, concise prose and illustrations, The Plastic Problem navigates a way through this plastic mess we've found ourselves in." -- Erich Hoyt, author of Encyclopedia of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises, Orca: The Whale Called Killer and Creatures of the Deep; Research Fellow, Whale and Dolphin Conservation; Co-chair, IUCN Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force

More fabulous huge machines for the kids who love them. Loaders easily move material around job sites -- no matter how big or difficult it seems. This book reminds children how often they actually see loaders. In the city loaders are used as snowplows or to move building materials and tools. In the country a farmer might drive a loader down a road with bales of straw in its bucket. A highway road crew uses a loader to move gravel, and loaders with a fork attachment are used in factories, warehouses and lumberyards. The Mighty Machines series features vivid color photographs of enormous machines as they dig, dump, load, pull and lift. Children will thrill at the size of these behemoths and enjoy seeing these vehicles strain under the weight of such tremendous work. Vivid color photographs of these mechanical marvels at work jump off the page. In large type for young (and old) eyes, the machines, their parts and their uses are concisely described. Glossaries explain essential terms, and suggested activities add to the fun. The big format and vibrant design make these books perfect for kids to read alone or share with a friend.

What type of telescope is best for beginners? Can I use my camera to take photographs through a telescope? How good are the new computerized telescope mounts? What charts, books, software and other references do I need? These questions are asked time and again by enthusiastic new amateurs as they take up recreational astronomy. But accurate, objective and up-to-date information can be hard to find. Throughout the 1990s, the first edition of The Backyard Astronomer's Guide established itself as the indispensable reference to the equipment and techniques used by the modern recreational stargazer. Now, authors Terence Dickinson and Alan Dyer have produced an expanded and completely updated edition that again sets the standard for accessible and reliable information on one of the world's most popular hobbies. Dickinson and Dyer -- both full-time astronomy writers -- bring decades of experience to their task. They explain why telescopes often perform much differently from what the novice expects. They recommend the accessories that will enhance the observing experience and advise what not to buy until you become more familiar with your equipment. They name brands and sources and compare value so that you can be armed with the latest practical information when deciding on your next purchase. Sections on astrophotography, daytime and twilight observing, binocular observing and planetary and deep-sky observing round out this comprehensive guide to personal exploration of the universe. Dickinson and Dyer's elegant yet straightforward approach to a complex subject makes this book an invaluable resource for astronomers throughout North America. With more than 500 color photographs and illustrations, The Backyard Astronomer's Guide is also one of the most beautiful -- and user-friendly -- astronomy books ever produced.

Practical instructions for off-beat objectives. How to Hold a Crocodile is an illustrated and fun-to-read guide to the practical information that is not taught in school. This book is jammed full of simple instructions for many situations in life. Need to roast an ox? Repel cavalry? Tie a bow tie? All instructions are here, clear, concise, and fully illustrated. This remarkable reference book explains how to: Build a log cabin Catch a cockroach Magnetize a walnut Play the castanets Ride a dolphin Drill for oil Meet the Pope Find a blind spot Become a saint Hard-earned experience spanning many cultures and centuries leads to creative advice and counsel. Want to prevent a nail from splitting wood? Simply wipe the nail on soap before hammering. The off-beat retro artwork and text is fun and engaging. How to Hold a Crocodile is an amazing collection of information, advice, tips, and instructions guaranteed to entertain and satisfy anyone's curiosity.

The I Want to Be... series gives young children a realistic insight into the working day of adults. Easy-to-read captions and color photographs of women and men from different cultures help children understand what's involved in each occupation. Young readers learn to respect the importance of doing a job well and appreciate the contributions these workers make to our life and the world around us. These books are perfect for reading alone or in group story times. They are certain to spark questions and encourage dialogue and prompt children to learn more about these occupations.

Resembling a paleontologist's sketchbook filled with labeled watercolor drawings and descriptive notes, Dinosaur Bones is an accurate reference to 40 dinosaurs, marine reptiles, flying reptiles and prehistoric mammals. The book begins with a brief introduction to life before the dinosaurs and the appearance of amphibians and early land mammals. Then, 150 million years later, the dog-sized Ornitholestes dinosaur appears. Chronologically thereafter, double-page spreads depict individual species, such as the Anhanguera, and dinosaur groups, like the duck-billed dinosaurs. Each dinosaur species is shown by its skeleton, revealing what it looked like inside and out. A full-color computer graphic illustration shows each animal in its habitat. For the dinosaur groups, like the flying reptiles, individual species are shown in large full-color illustrations instead of just skeletons. Succinct introductory paragraphs describe when and where each dinosaur lived and other interesting facts. The annotated illustrations highlight physical features and their purpose. A human-to-dinosaur shadow comparison reveals the size and shape. The Anhanguera, for example, had a wingspan of almost 15 feet but a body length of barely 8 inches. Dinosaurs and prehistoric life are popular topics critical to understanding science and natural history. For all readers as well as supplemental to school curricula Dinosaur Bones is an essential comprehensive guide to these peculiar animals.

The coolest book on the greatest masked men in hockey history! Hockey Hall of Fame Great Goalies features 34 Hall of Famers and 8 of today's greatest netminders -- and all of them can shut the door! These great goalies come alive through excellent color photographs, fun illustrations, Hockey Hall of Fame artifacts and great information on the best goalies in the history of the game. Some of the goalies featured are: Jacques Plante Dominik Hasek Terry Sawchuk Martin Brodeur Patrick Roy Glenn Hall Vladislav Tretiak Ed Belfour Johnny Bower Ken Dryden Carey Price. Perfect for young hockey fans, the punchy color and lively text promises hours of reading and sharing with hockey-crazy friends.

The Firefly Books young kids' career series: I Want to Be New editions, revised to reflect the increasing diversity in society and changing technology in the lives of people working around children. Praise for the series: "The series offers books that may be useful to teachers introducing careers to young children, and certain volumes will fit right into Community Helpers units as well." -- Booklist "The I Want To Be series provides young readers with some exciting opportunities to think about... an attractive choice for beginning readers. Recommended." -- Library Media Connection This best-selling series of 17 titles has sold more than 800,000 copies since publication and earned excellent reviews and praise for the range of occupations it features. With vibrant color pictures and plain text, the I Want To Be series is an appealing introduction to a broad spectrum of occupations, from Pilot to Chef to Cowboy, making them ideal for inclusion in Community Helpers and other Common Core Correlations Social Studies and Language Arts units. New photos show Policewomen with contemporary uniforms and state-of-the-art equipment. Firefighters' uniforms protect better; Builders are women as well as men; many of the Nurses are male. This reflects the society that kids are seeing now. And the books are attractively priced, at $3.99. This is the same price as in 1998. Mainly, children will enjoy the I Want To Be books for the pictures, reading to themselves, seeing everyday people doing important jobs, like the adults in their family and in their dreams and aspirations. There are exciting new editions of these titles: 9780228101369 I Want to Be a Builder (paperback, $3.99) 9780228101475 I Want to Be a Builder (plastic-laminated hardcover, $14.95) 9780228100959 I Want to Be a Cowboy (paperback, $3.99) 9780228101413 I Want to Be a Cowboy (plastic-laminated hardcover, $14.95) 9780228100966 I Want to Be a Doctor (paperback, $3.99) 9780228101529 I Want to Be a Doctor (plastic-laminated hardcover, $14.95) 9780228100973 I Want to Be a Firefighter (paperback, $3.99) 9780228101420 I Want to Be a Firefighter (plastic-laminated hardcover, $14.95) 9780228100980 I Want to Be a Mechanic (paperback, $3.99) 9780228101437 I Want to Be a Mechanic (plastic-laminated hardcover, $14.95) 9780228100997 I Want to Be a Nurse (paperback, $3.99) 9780228101406 I Want to Be a Nurse (plastic-laminated hardcover, $14.95) 9780228101000 I Want to Be a Pilot (paperback, $3.99) 9780228101444 I Want to Be a Pilot (plastic-laminated hardcover, $14.95) 9780228101017 I Want to Be a Police Officer (paperback, $3.99) 9780228101390 I Want to Be a Police Officer (plastic-laminated hardcover, $14.95) 9780228101024 I Want to Be a Teacher (paperback, $3.99) 9780228101451 I Want to Be a Teacher (plastic-laminated hardcover, $14.95) 9780228101031 I Want to Be a Truck Driver (paperback, $3.99) 9780228101468 I Want to Be a Truck Driver (plastic-laminated hardcover, $14.95) 9780228101567 I Want To Be A Vet (paperback, $3.99) 9780228101574 I Want To Be A Vet (plastic-laminated hardcover, $14.95)