Books published by publisher Schiffer

A book of 25 floral sketches printed on lovely watercolor paper invites artistic experimentation with only a brush and paint. Each page is double-sided, offering the opportunity to paint the same page in different ways. The author shares painting tips for each sketch and advice for discovering the artist within. Also included is a painting tutorial and handy color wheel. Each book is small enough to carry anywhere and simple to use. Creativity is an escape, and this book offers a delightful way to make art regardless of skill level.

Children with dreams of designing buildings will discover how architects actually work in this workbook, which builds on the concepts introduced in The Future Architect’s Handbook. It walks readers through the drawings created by Aaron, a young architect building his own home. Going a step further, children will learn how to create their own drawings and build a model of their design, using an included tool kit consisting of graph paper and an architect's scale, pencil, and drafting eraser. Finally, readers are challenged to design homes for a group of imaginary clients. Freehand pen-and-ink drawings bring the instructions to life. This book is the perfect introduction to what an architect does at work and why buildings look and function as they do. Ideal for middle grades ages 8–13, but creative adults will also find it inspiring.

A groundbreaking story that collects, commemorates, and illuminates traditional, sacred Pagan practices and beliefs in a fresh, contemporary, and whimsical style. Join Rupert the rabbit on his adventures as he sets out to discover how and why people leave their homes to celebrate seasonal holidays in the forest where he lives. As Rupert's journey unfolds throughout the seasons, he meets owls, fairies, and old friends who teach him about the Wheel of the Year. Beautifully illustrated, this book is an excellent starting point for young children being raised within the loose structure of the various Pagan traditions. You don't have to be Pagan to be enchanted by Rupert and the magick found in his tales.

Come along with Rupert the rabbit as he again travels through the Wheel of the Year. In this second book of adventures, he learns about tolerance, respect, and acceptance, and discovers how people celebrate seasonal holidays in the forest where he lives. The tales (one for each season – Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, and Ostara) set the stage for our furry friend to understand the importance of the seasons and that remembering love and laughter is always wise. He learns about decorations, songs, symbols, and how important the sun and its warmth really are. Join Rupert as he meets a new fairy friend and lots of girls and boys. Find out how someone very special steals Rupert’s heart! Perfect for teaching sacred Pagan practices and beliefs to young children being raised within varied traditions. Rupert’s Tales are stories for all children, everywhere!

For children with a passion for drawing, or dreams of creating buildings, this book explores how architects really work, taking the young reader through the entire process for planning and designing a house. Learn about an architect’s four main drawings: the Site Plan, Floor Plan, Section, and Elevation—including the concept of drawing each plan to scale. Aspiring architects discover design techniques, along with different, exciting architectural styles used today. All of this is brought to life in freehand, pen-and-ink architectural drawings that will inspire children to apply these lessons to their own designs. This book is the perfect introduction to architecture, revealing why buildings look and function as they do. While this creative book is ideal for the middle grades, ages 9-12, even adults will find it inspiring.

Join ghost photographer and researcher Tim Scullion on a two-year tour of Colonial Williamsburg, America's haunted historic city of ghosts. Visit 43 creepy locations where Scullion describes his paranormal odyssey to capture and explain each apparition, a bit of historical and paranormal background of the building it appears in or over, and insights about these ghostly beings that he has learned from careful observation. With more eighteenth-century buildings and homes than any other place in America, Scullion has learned the secret to consistently capturing ghostly apparitions of all kinds on camera. Examine 230 paranormal images that are beautiful, ugly (if not horrifying!), bizarre, and defy explanation. He also provides historic accounts, ghost sightings, and narrative, insights, and introspection for each location. Colonial Williamsburg is a hotspot for ghosts!

A Chadwick Treasury begins with the original story of Chadwick the Crab, a little crab in the Chesapeake Bay who has big dreams of becoming a star at the National Aquarium in Baltimore. The adventures continue when Chadwick teams up with friends Bernie the Sea Gull, Toulouse the Canada Goose, and Baron Von Heron, among others, to tackle the problem of pollution in Chadwick and the Garplegrungen. Romance blossoms next. Chadwick asks his special friend, Esmerelda, to marry him. Chadwick’s Wedding is a joyous event in Shady Creek. Finally, in Chadwick Forever, our beloved crabs celebrate the arrival of their new family just when other bay friends find themselves on the endangered species list. Chadwick hopes readers will enjoy the stories and will also be inspired to help keep the Chesapeake Bay a safe place to live.

Project Mercury was America's entry into the manned spaceflight program. When the program began in 1958, the Soviet Union was far ahead of the US in the race for supremacy in space. With immense effort, and in record time, NASA, the newly created spaceflight organization, developed a space transport system with orbital capsule and booster rockets. They used it to send Alan Shepard on a first suborbital "jump" into space in May 1961, and in February 1962 to make John Glenn the first American astronaut to orbit the earth. Nevertheless, the Americans were beaten by the Soviets in the race to put the first man into space. Project Mercury was, however, the foundation for NASA's later success in the race to the moon. All Project Mercury missions are discussed, including details on all craft and the astronauts involved. Superb color, archival images, cutaways and plans are also included.

Take a photographic journey through nesting season with a newly mated osprey pair. In this true raptor adventure, the ospreys prepare a nest and mate, but their eggs do not hatch. Through an unlikely twist of events, biologists swap the unviable eggs with hatchlings from an ill-fated nest. Witness the heartwarming account as the adults become foster parents and care for the young, including a nest interloper. Watch as the helpless chicks grow into fledglings and experience their first flight. Resources include the osprey’s current plight, tips for helping injured ospreys, and a glossary of terms. Like the award-winning Inside a Bald Eagle’s Nest, this second collaboration by the authors is a timeless treasure to be enjoyed by all ages. With comprehensive information and 380 photographs of the ospreys’ natural habitat, it is perfect for raptor enthusiasts, webcam viewers, nature and wildlife lovers, conservationists, teachers, children, and photographers.

In the sequel to the first volume, which introduced the long sword, Herbert Schmidt explains single-handed sword fighting techniques with a buckler, or small shield. “Single-handed sword” here refers to the sword wielded in one hand, as used throughout almost the entire Middle Ages. This book analyzes historical evidence, taken mainly from the 13th-century German combat manual Manuscript I:33, or “Tower Manuscript,” the oldest and most widely trusted European sword fighting manual in existence. Find information on binds, posture, footwork, free fighting, and individual plays taken from the writings of fencing masters Hans Talhoffer, Andre Lignitzer, and Paulus Kal in this modern textbook that allows anyone interested—whether beginner or advanced—to work and improve his single-handed sword fighting skills.

The letter C falls into the garbage can, and it is up to the rest of the alphabet to save him from ending up in the dump! In this rollicking, action-filled story, the letters of the alphabet must work together to help their friend. But four letters of the alphabet are missing! Could they be the answer to saving C? This unique book conveys the transforming power of teamwork and brings language and storytelling to life for young readers as they try to guess the secret word the missing letters form—a word that may save the day for poor C. An adventure, a puzzle, and a word game, this suspenseful story is a delightful approach to letters and words.

A colorful celebration of the 59 US National Parks, this collection of 177 original art quilts depicts the widely varying landscapes, flora, and fauna of the parks. Basic facts about each of these national treasures—from Acadia in Maine, to Voyageurs in Minnesota, to Yosemite in California, to Haleakalā in Hawaii—are included, along with short writings from 64 park rangers and other personnel. The book reveals individual glimpses into the passionate commitment to preserve, protect, and enjoy these special places.