Books published by publisher Gareth Stevens Pub

They say that violent deaths beget vengeful spirits refusing to rest in peace. Anne Boleyn was beheaded with a single stroke of a sword at the Tower of London in 1536. After that vicious execution, some say she still roams the Tower grounds! Similar disturbing accounts of historical prisons around the world abound in this spine-tingling and highly motivating work. A world map, vivid photographs, and stimulating sidebars further encourage readers to understand more about the history, geography, and culture involved in each prisons unique story.

"The USS Constitution had a storied history, serving its country nearly a century since it was launched in 1797. Readers will love learning about the adventures US sailors had aboard this vessel, especially its exploits during the War of 1812, during which it earned its nickname Old Ironsides. They'll especially enjoy the fiction included throughout the text, which are based on actual accounts of naval sailors and officers. Historical images supplement the text and will inspire the reader to visit this floating piece of history, now a museum"--

There are a lot of ways to start a fire: flint and steel, matches, a magnifying glass and sunlight. However it starts, all fire needs oxygen, fuel, and heat. To some, it may almost seem like magic, but theres a complicated chemical reaction taking place when a fire is lit! Readers learn what makes fire burn simply through age-appropriate language and content. Full-color photographs complement the main content and are followed by an illustrated graphic organizer that shows the process step-by-step.

Benjamin Franklin was one of Americas most inventive Founding Fathers. He wrote books, tinkered with machines, and created entire new professions with his work. This book is full of fun facts and tantalizing trivia about his inventions, his ideas, and how he became one of the most influential Founding Fathers involved in the birth of America. The book also explores some of his strange medical beliefs, his printing industry, and some of the friendships he made during his time in America, giving readers a fuller appreciation for one of Americas most famousand cherishedcitizens.

"The drive to pass down stories from generation to generation is a trait that cultures across the world have in common. Some of these fascinating stories are called folktales, and many are still beloved hundreds of years after they were first told. Readers will learn the characteristics that folktales across cultures share. They'll discover that fables, fairy tales, and tall tales all fall within this category, and they'll learn famous examples of each--such as the Tortoise and the Hare, Paul Bunyan, and Cinderella --accompanied by appealing artwork"--

The USS Constitution had a storied history, serving its country nearly a century since it was launched in 1797. Readers will love learning about the adventures American sailors had aboard this vessel, especially its exploits during the War of 1812, during which it earned its nickname Old Ironsides. They'll especially enjoy the fictional narratives included throughout the text, which are based on actual accounts of naval sailors and officers. Historical images supplement the text and will inspire the reader to visit this floating piece of history, now a museum.

Incredibly, the little creatures called mantis shrimp are one of the most dangerous animals in the ocean, at least to the marine life they hunt. These crustaceans have claws so strong that they've broken aquarium glass with them! Mantis shrimp are also nicknamed "thumb-splitters" because of their painful encounters with people. This fascinating book is filled with riveting facts that will leave the reader amazed at how such a small creature can wield such power. Adaptations and habitats are two science topics that are discussed in this complement to any animal book collection.

American goldfinches are much beloved across North America, as evidenced by their status as state bird of Iowa, New Jersey, and Washington. These acrobatic little creatures seem to bounce through the air, making them a popular subject for backyard bird watchers. The narrator of this fun journal-styled volume offers a wealth of information about these little yellow-feathered birds as well as how readers can observe their behaviors for themselves. Cool facts, diagrams, and photographs show how interesting the hobby of bird-watching can be.

Some of the best games are played using a few simple objects and a lot of imagination. Dice, dominoes, and even a basketball hoop are possible to make using origami techniques and a bit of paper! Clear instructions complete with full-color photographs guide readers through the folds and flaps needed to make fun origami games. An introductory section introduces those new to origami to the skills needed to make a spinning top and even a fortune-telling game!

If theres one bird that might win the best actor award in the feathered world, its the mockingbird. This winged wonder can learn more than 180 songs in just a few months, imitating the calls of other birds but also dog-barking and even car alarms! This is truly one bird to watch and one that readers will love learning about in the pages of this fascinating volume. The journal-like format unites a cheerful narrative about the bird-watching hobby with life-science facts about the mockingbird.