Books in Amazing Alphabet Books! series

Did you know that natives of the Northwest used dried sharkskin to sand totem poles? Or that horses were called medicine dogs, because dogs had been used to aid in hunting before horses were introduced by Europeans? In "D is for Drum: A Native America Alphabet," readers will get an A-Z introduction to the many customs and cultures of the first people of this beautiful land. Bison, teepees, Kachinas and dugout canoes will all help to paint a fascinating picture of the more than 500 indigenous tribes inhabiting the Americas.

Learn the Sports Alphabet and have fun! -For kids 2-6. The Sports ABC’s truly makes learning fun. The Sports Alphabet book helps everyone learn the alphabet quickly, efficiently, and enjoyably. This unique alphabet book is filled with sports of every kind, illustrations, and informative text. Each letter of the alphabet focuses on a different sport, for example, P stands for pole vault, to leap up and over a bar and S stands for swimming, soccer, and softball. Learning the Sports Alphabet is a fun way for kids to learn and practice the alphabet. As a child begins to enter the world of reading, learning the alphabet is a milestone that we mark as an indication a child’s successful entry into that new realm.As a child recognizes and can names all the letters of the alphabet, he or she will be equipped with important foundational stepping stone towards recognizing sounds and printed words. Learning the letters is just one of the many pre-reading skills that are important for your child to acquire. By focusing on the letters of the sports alphabet, your child is learning the letters in a meaningful way and not just engaging in isolated memory tasks. Sports Alphabet gives your child the chance to begin recognizing letters. Learning the alphabet can be fun, and teaching the alphabet has never been easier.

The Christmas story and the origin of many holiday traditions are thoroughly detailed in the text of S is for Star: A Christmas Alphabet. The first Christmas cards were printed and sold in the United States by a German immigrant in 1874. Long ago, eating pie was believed to bring good luck, and during the holidays they were baked in an oblong shape to look like a manger. The message of Christmas is a message to all the world and is beautifully conveyed and illustrated in S is for Star. Our tradition of gift-giving is based on the Wise Men's visit to Baby Jesus. Nearly every country has its own gift-giving traditions. In Great Britain, children eagerly await Father Christmas. In France, he is called Pere Noël. In Italy, Befana brings presents, and German and Austrian children wait for a visit from the Christkindl. Celebrate these and many other traditions of the holiday season with S is for Star: A Christmas Alphabet.

From the pageantry of the Musical Ride to the movie-good looks of the fictional Dudley Do-Right, the image of the handsome and stalwart Mountie has long been part of popular North American culture. But there's more to being a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police than wearing a red coat. It's an important career law enforcement and public service. In M is for Mountie: A Royal Canadian Mounted Police Alphabet, award-winning author Polly Horvath explains the proud traditions and important work of Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Where do cadets go for training? Who is William Dempster and why is there a highway named after him? And what the reason for the red coat? After reading M is for Mountie, readers will have a better understanding of and appreciation for the history, heritage, and ongoing mission of Royal Canadian Mounted Police organization.Author Polly Horvath's numerous books for children include the National Book Award-winning The Canning Season and Newbery Honor book Everything on a Waffle. Her books have received many honors and awards in the United States and Canada, including two Boston Globe Horn Book Award honors. She lives in Metchosin, British Columbia. Lorna Bennett attended Grant MacEwan Community College and the University of Alberta in the Arts/Fine Arts programs. She has worked as a ski instructor, designer, writer, illustrator, and animator. In addition to M is for Mountie, she also illustrated C is for Chinook: An Alberta Alphabet. Lorna lives in Edmonton, Alberta.

Mighty mountains, wild rivers, fiery volcanoes, huge glaciers, vast forests, tropical islands -- all part of our National Parks, belonging to you and me. This magnificent ABC book showcases each of America's National Parks from Acadia and American Samoa to Yosemite and Zion. California travel writer David Domeniconi masterfully includes each of the more than 50 National Parks in this A-Z pictorial. Illustrator Pam Carroll's keen attention to detail makes this title one for everyone across the land to read and enjoy. David Domeniconi grew up in San Francisco and graduated from San Francisco State College. He is a writer and illustrator whose work has appeared in several West Coast publications. His illustrated travel column, "Travelog" is a regular feature in the Santa Barbara Press. He lives in Carmel-by-the-Sea with his wife, Janet.Pamela Carroll embraces the traditional focus of realism and pictorial illusionism. Her style of painting has been greatly influenced by the early Dutch Masters and the American Realists from the Second School of Philadelphia. She lives with her husband in Carmel, California, where she paints daily, and is an active member of the Carmel Art Association.

What is a first draft? What is a narrative? In S is for Story: A Writer's Alphabet, author and writing coach Esther Hershenhorn uses the alphabet to help explain, explore, and examine the tools, techniques, and strategies for those hoping to live the literary life. Writing terms and topics are explained using a two-tier format. C is for the Character, every story's star, the one for whom we cheer, we care, with whom we travel far. Specific genres, story elements (setting and plot), and the mechanics of how to write (including editing and revision) are covered, while quotes from famous authors provide examples of the writer's thought process. Budding writers of all ages will be inspired to put pen to paper (or fingers on keyboards)! Author, and writing coach, Esther Hershenhorn admits S is for Story is the book she wishes she'd owned as a little girl, dreaming of a writing career. She lives in Chicago, where she teaches Writing for Children at the University of Chicago's Writer's Studio and the Newberry Library. Zachary Pullen's character-oriented picture book illustrations have won awards and garnered starred reviews. He has been honored several times with acceptance into the prestigious Society of Illustrators' juried shows and Communication Arts Illustration Annual of the best in current illustration. Zak lives in Wyoming.

From saber-toothed to tabby, cats have had a prominent place in human history, society, and hearts. Now cat lovers of all ages can discover what's lurking behind kitty's twitching tail and bewitching eyes in M is for Meow: A Cat Alphabet. Beginning readers enjoy the simple rhymes, while older children discover facts about each letter topic in the accompanying sidebar expository. M is for Meow Feed me, pet me, come and play. Let me out, please go away! A cat fits all these thoughts somehow into the tiny word MEOW! General topics such as breeds, behavior, and cat care alternate with charming anecdotal entries. Lavish paintings of cat and owner appeal to enthusiasts of all ages. A back section on cat stats and feline facts provides even more information for pet owners.Former librarian Helen L. Wilbur has loved cats all her life. In explaining her goal in writing an animal book for children, she says, "Animals don't care if you aren't the most popular kid in the class or whether you did your homework." Helen has a BA in English Language and Literature from the University of Chicago, a master's degree in library science from Columbia University, and lives in New York City. Robert Papp's award-winning artwork includes hundreds of illustrations for major publishers across the United States, and his first children's book, The Scarlet Stockings Spy, was named an IRATeachers' Choice in 2005. Robert lives in historic Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Despite the banter in today's media, many Americans are still in the dark when it comes to knowing and acting upon their rights and responsibilities as citizens of a democratic society. In refreshingly candid and straight-to-the-point language author Elissa Grodin takes readers of all ages on an A-Z trip through our government's structure, from its earliest beginnings to definitions of basic components and concepts (including immigration and taxation). Engaging, disarming, and frequently thought-provoking artwork from illustrator Victor Juhasz emphasizes the magnitude of the subject. From founding fathers, first ladies, and the First Amendment to the presidential oath of office, D is for Democracy details the political processes, parties, and people of democracy, American-style. Elissa D. Grodin grew up in a large family in Kansas City, Missouri, and was fifteen years old when she started to write short stories. While living in London in the late '70s, she wrote for the Times Literary Supplement and New Statesman. After moving to New York, she studied at the School of Visual Arts and met her husband, actor Charles Grodin, while interviewing him for American Film magazine. D is for Democracy is her second children's book with Sleeping Bear Press. She also wrote N is for Nutmeg: A Connecticut Alphabet. Elissa lives with her family in Wilton, Connecticut. A graduate of the Parsons School of Design, Victor Juhasz began illustrating in 1974. His humorous illustrations and caricatures have been commissioned by major magazines, newspapers, advertising agencies, and book publishers both national and international, and his clients include Time, Newsweek, The New Yorker, Rolling Stone, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and GQ. Victor lives in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Learn the Valentine’s Alphabet and have fun! -For kids 2-6. The Valentine ABC’s truly makes learning enjoyable. The Valentine’s Alphabet book helps everyone learn the alphabet quickly, efficiently, and enjoyably.Learning the Valentine’s Alphabet is a fun way for kids to learn the alphabet. All letters of the alphabet are included. As a child begins to enter the world of reading, learning the alphabet is a milestone that we mark as an indication a child’s successful entry into that new realm.As a child recognizes and can names all the letters of the alphabet, he or she will be equipped with important foundational stepping stone towards recognizing sounds and printed words. Learning the letters is just one of the many pre-reading skills that are important for your child to acquire. By focusing on the letters of the Valentine’s Alphabet, your child is learning the letters in a meaningful way and not just engaging in isolated memory tasks.Valentine’s Alphabet gives your child the chance to begin recognizing letters. Learning the alphabet can be fun, and teaching the alphabet has never been easier.

The tapestry of American history is made up of countless threads marking the contributions of people from many different backgrounds and cultures. D is for Drinking Gourd: An African American Alphabet showcases many of the remarkable achievements of and contributions from African Americans throughout our history. Evocative watercolor paintings from acclaimed artist E. B. Lewis perfectly capture the spirit of each letter topic's poem and expository text.

Jerry Pallotta features boats and ships, from the gigantic aircraft carrier to the one-person kayak. With characteristic wit and humor, he explains basic nautical terms like hull, bow, and stern, while introducing more challenging topics, such as the workings of a steam engine. Young and old alike will want to get on board for this lavishly illustrated and informative trip through the alphabet.