Books in Life File Series series

Gargantuan creatures deserve a truly mammoth book. With amazingly huge, life-size pictures, plus 7 gigantic gatefolds, this spectacular guide will practically transport readers back to the time of the dinosaurs.It’s astounding: for the first time, pictures convey the actual, awesome bulk and bigness of the large dinosaurs and present intricately detailed views of the smaller species, too. Just open up the three 8-page-long gatefolds and the four 6-page ones to see what these vanished creatures looked like close-up. Life-size illustrations virtually take you into the Tyrannosaurus Rex’s drooling mouth, with its sharp teeth ready to rip up prey. Kids will love looking at the immense and thick skull of the bone-headed Pachycephalosaurus, with its bumps, ridges, and horns. The knife-like claws of the Therizinosaurus are so realistic you just might step back in fear. In addition to the breathtaking illustrations, there’s plenty of fascinating background about the different dinosaur types, their shared world, their way of chatting and battling, and their fight for survival. And as an extra treat: take off the jacket, flip it over, and there’s a big poster of a giant dinosaur on the reverse side.

Starting with the mega-hit Life-Size Dinosaurs (more than 300,000 copies sold), this awesomely illustrated and informative series has proven a consistent success. Kids can now embark on another fantastic visual exploration, this time to discover one of the most ancient of animal families on Earth: reptiles. This eye-catching volume answers all of a child’s questions: What is a reptile? How did these creatures evolve? Where are their habitats? What do they eat? How do they get their food? Amazing images of snakes and lizards, alligators and crocodiles, turtles and tortoises fill the pages, including the four 3-page gatefolds, three 4-page gatefolds, and a poster on the reverse of the jacket. A life-size stamp indicates which illustrations are actual size—and many are. Emerging in full body plans and close-ups are snakes coiling themselves around prey, lime-green veiled chameleons, snapping alligators, plus thorny devils, frilled lizards, and komodo dragons. Of course, you’ll find dinosaurs here too, with an explanation of what characteristics these prehistoric beasts share with their present-day descendants.

Dive into these colossal pages and swim among huge slithery creatures with big, open jaws. Just like last season's sales sensation Life-Size Dinosaurs, this undersea adventure, with its 10 awe-inspiring, pull-out flaps, takes you on a fantastic voyage. What lives beneath the waves? Find out, in an exciting and unique exploration of oceans, rivers, and lakes. Life-size, fold-out pictures bring you face to face with such extraordinary beasts as the deadly, black banded sea krait and carry you into a great white shark's "jaws of death." Examine the sawfish's saw--shown in actual size--which slices and dices its prey. Enter the ocean's "twilight zone" that lies deep, deep below the surface. Visit the thriving coral reefs where bright and beautiful fish swim amid lush plants. From giant squids and barracuda to Portuguese man-of-war fish and eels who cross the Atlantic just to give birth, each one has an incredible story to tell. And as an added bonus, the reverse of the jacket is a poster of a great white shark!

"The Zoo Life series offers a fascinating look at the captivating world of animals and zoos. With content supplied and verified by experienced zoo staff, each book explores the life of an animal born in an American zoo and compares it to life in the wild. Brain boosters, folktales, and links to conservation organizations provide additional insights into each species."

Young Elva loves her summer days―once her daily milking, household, and gardening chores are done. In book two of the Farm Life Series, author Elva Hurst spins a simple tale of a summer spent splashing in the creek on hot afternoons and singing hymns with the other youth at the hymn sing. When news of a wedding surfaces, the neighboring Amish and Mennonite families all pitch in to make the day special for the young couple.This delightful story is a beautiful picture of a young girl discovering joy in a simple life centered on a loving family, a tightly knit community, and an active faith in God…and just a little bit of mischief along the way.

When eleven-year-old Elva finally finishes her chores on this beautiful summer morning, she hurries to the neighboring farm to see if her friend Linda can join her for an afternoon adventure. Come on along with the young Mennonite girls as they hitch up the pony, climb into the cart, and trot down the drive for a day filled with unexpected excitement.This charming story, the first in the Farm Life Series, is based on author Elva Hurst's growing-up years on the family farm and written for children from seven to eleven years old. Reminiscent of days gone by, this simple tale is full of good-hearted fun.

This endearing story invites readers ages seven to eleven to share in a few of young Elva's adventures while working the autumn harvest with her family and attending school in rural Lancaster County. While abiding by the traditions of her Mennonite faith, she steps from one fun adventure to another.Every family member, including children like Elva, help gather the fruits and vegetables from the orchards and gardens and then join the efforts to preserve the bounty. Is it all work and no fun? Certainly not! Find out what happens when Teacher invites the girls in Elva's class to a sleepover. Read about the day Elva decides to teach herself to play her brother's guitar—without his permission. Much can happen—and does—between chores!

Readers ages seven to eleven will be drawn to this charming story that happened during a time not so long ago. Take a peek at life in a large, loving Mennonite family where everyone works together, faith is practiced daily, and fun happens often.When the harvest starts in Lancaster County, it signals time for school to begin. Children help gather the fruits and vegetables from the gardens and prepare the one-room schoolhouse for the first day of school, and Elva loves it all!One day Elva and her classmates plan a secret "food roll" to bless Teacher. They try their best to hide their giggles but erupt with laughter as Teacher shows her surprise. Then when her fifth-grade arithmetic lessons get Elva down, her brother suggests the perfect way to forget about her troubles—for a while anyway. And when the beautiful harvest moon is at its fullest, Elva steps quietly through the rustling corn fields to listen for...for what? What is it that makes Elva love autumn so much?