Books in Around the World series

Join fifteen beautiful dancers from around the world in their dreams and inspirations! This book allows readers to discover different cultures through music and dance. Through the dancers' personal anecdotes—with accompanying beautiful illustrations by Sybile—readers will discover their true love of dance. Dancers of the World fulfills every girl's passion for dance!Aurélia Hardy is a dance, music, and literature enthusiast! She has been practicing ballet for more than twenty-five years and explores other varieties such as Latin and oriental dance. Writing about this art form has allowed her to fully live out her passion.Sybile is a Belgian artist, maintaining a drawing and painting focus. Her favorite mediums are acrylic painting and oil painting on canvas and paper.

In this book, readers will learn about the unique and defining features of Ecuador. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text will engage young readers as they learn more about the key details of the country, including geography, climate, culture, and resources. Compelling questions encourage further inquiry. Includes reading tips for teachers and parents, a map, quick facts, a table of contents, a glossary, and an index.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day focuses on historical and cultural aspects of this holiday and the international traditions, food, and celebrations associated with it. This celebration of love includes fun facts; a recipe; a map showing the location of all photographs; a resource list of books, videos, and Web sites; and a note from an expert consultant, aimed at parents and teachers, which deepens our understanding of the holiday’s importance and meaning. The history of the holiday is shrouded in mystery, but we do know that Valentine’s Day wasn’t always a time for red roses, candy hearts, and frilly greeting cards. Readers learn that some historians trace the feast of the patron saint of love to ancient Greek and Roman festivals that signaled the beginning of spring, which officially began in February in ancient Rome. We discover how, according to one legend, St. Valentine was a priest imprisoned for defying the emperor. Before being put to death, he sent the first "valentine" —a letter that he signed "From your Valentine," words still used on cards today. Readers discover a range of international Valentine’s Day traditions: making and exchanging cards decorated with hearts, lace, and ribbons; giving flowers, candy, balloons, and other gifts to friends and loved ones; attending special parties at school; and baking of cookies and other treats. We learn how the holiday’s popularity has grown around the world, particularly in Korea and Japan, where office workers give chocolates to their co-workers on Valentine’s Day.National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.

Trick or treat? Celebrate Halloween is definitely a real treat. Vivid images and Deborah Heiligman’s lively, inviting text illuminate the spookiest night of the year. The book lets readers explore Halloween celebrations around the globe as it uncovers the rich history of this holiday, the creepy creatures that come to life in the night, and the origins of such customs as dressing up in costume, carving jack-o’-lanterns, and trick-or-treating.Readers will witness Halloween bonfires in Ireland—believed to be the birthplace of the holiday—Halloween parades in Japan, a costumed pooch in the U.S., and a pumpkin patch by the Eiffel Tower in Paris.Halloween folklore, food, games, costumes, and traditions all combine in a most bewitching brew.

Every child enjoys playtime and has a favorite toy or game. Here are pictures of children from all around the world having fun playing alone or with their friends. Illustrated with stunning photographs from Vietnam, Russia, Ethiopia and many more countries, this series is perfect to share with the youngest child. Published in association with Oxfam this series aims to draw parallels between children from many different cultures.

With dazzling photographs and lively, lyrical text, this book introduces young readers to historical and cultural aspects of the Christmas holiday. Kids will get diverse and unique viewpoints about this very special day. With fascinating facts, a recipe, and Common Core-alignment activities, reading and learning about Christmas adds to the excitement in preparing for it.

Make the mythology of ancient Greece come to life through stories of adventure, magical powers, and family battles. Discover the Greek gods and goddesses and the powers they used to control and change the world. There’s Zeus, the king of the gods, who ruled the sky, and Poseidon, the god and ruler of the seas, plus many more. Dramatic photos and illustrations, plus sidebars, facts, and infographics help uncover how these myths influenced the culture and daily life of ancient Greece.

China is the fourth-largest country in the world, and it is home to one of the broadest-reaching culinary traditions. However, students will be interested to find that the food found in most Chinese restaurants has little resemblance to the traditional dishes of China. This engaging, fact-filled book explores the foods associated with five of the best-known food destinations in the country. Simple recipes from each region are presented in easy-to-follow steps and photographs. Familiar foods like sweet and sour chicken are shown alongside lesser-known fare, like Lions Head Meatballs, providing something for adventurous eaters and reluctant readers alike. A gorgeous introduction to one of the planets most diverse, and delicious, food traditions.