Books in Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children series

Published in association with The Art Institute of Chicago The story behind one of the best- known paintings of all time A Sunday on la Grande Jatte-1884 continues to fascinate art lovers over a century since Georges Seurat painted and first displayed it-so much so that it alone will form the basis of an entire exhibit at the world-famous Art Institute of Chicago. Award-winning author Robert Burleigh uses this extraordinary painting to give young children a compelling look at Seurat's life and introduce them to the post-impressionist art technique Seurat invented-pointillism, in which a picture is constructed from dots of pure color that blend at a distance into recognizable shapes and various color tones. Part biography, part art appreciation, Seurat and La Grande Jatte tells the story behind the story depicted on the canvas of a busy park on a Sunday afternoon in 1884, and encourages children to discover their own methods of self-expression.

You've probably heard about Lewis and Clark. This famous duo led an exploration through uncharted lands. Did you know that a black man, Clark's slave York, was part of this famous expedition? Working alongside free men, York paddled boats, lugged provisions, climbed mountains, and built shelters for the Corps of Discovery. Throughout the journey, he significantly helped foster friendly relations with the many different Native American tribes whose goodwill was vital to the expe- dition's success. York was even allowed to vote, sixty years before the Civil War. The award-winning author Rhoda Blumberg tells of Lewis and Clark's adventure with York's experiences firmly in view. Giving readers an unusual perspective, she draws on Clark's journal entries to reveal York's importance. Insightful, historically accurate, and gripping, this account has an ending that will shock you. It will leave you with a clear understanding of what life was like for a slave, and a new appreciation of the role an African-American played in one of the nation's landmark events.

Who would solve one of the most perplexing scientific problems of all time?This dramatic picture-book biography brings to life – with illustrations that glow with wit and inspiration – the fascinating story of the quest to measure longitude. While the scientific establishment of the eighteenth century was certain that the answer lay in mapping the heavens, John Harrison, an obscure, uneducated clockmaker, dared to imagine a different solution: a seafaring clock. How Harrison held fast to his vision and dedicated his life to the creation of a small jewel of a timepiece that would change the world is a compelling story – as well as a memorable piece of history, science, and biography.A Junior Library Guild Selection

Mammoths and mastodons roamed the earth for more than a million years, and then suddenly went extinct. What was everyday life like for these colossal cousins of the modern elephant? What did they eat? How did they fit into their Ice Age landscape? Why did they disappear? These questions and more are answered in this fascinating book that presents the latest research, drawing on the recent discovery of a fully frozen baby mammoth—which has allowed scientists to learn more than they ever could have known just from studying bones and fossils. Profusely illustrated, Mammoths and Mastodons features photographs of archaeological digs, scientists at work in the field and in labs, and archival relics. Specially commissioned artwork also brings the story of mammoths and mastodons to life. The book includes a bibliography, a glossary, and an index. Exhibition schedulePublication will coincide with the Field Museum exhibit Mammoths and Mastodons, which runs from March 5 through September 6 in Chicago and is then projected to tour up to 10 venues through 2014. March 5–September 6, 2010: The Field Museum, ChicagoOctober 16, 2010–January 9, 2011: City TBANovember 25, 2011–April 15, 2012: City TBAMay 26–September 3, 2012: City TBAOctober 13, 2012–January 13, 2013: Museum of Science, BostonFebruary 23–May 27, 2013: City TBAMay 10–September, 2014: City TBAF&P level: V F&P genre: I

A true story of chocolate, bubble gum, and hope.After World War II the United States and Britain airlifted food and supplies into Russian-blockaded West Berlin. US Air Force Lieutenant Gail S. Halvorsen knew the children of the city were suffering. To lift their spirits, he began dropping chocolate and gum by parachute.Michael O. Tunnell tells an inspiring tale of candy and courage, illustrated with Lt. Halvorsen's personal photographs, as well as letters and drawings from the children of Berlin to their beloved "Uncle Wiggly Wings."Back matter includes a biographical note, a historical note, a source list, an index, and a note from the author.Click here to see a short film about the Berlin Airlift, created and narrated by Gail Halvorsen.Read more about Gail Halvorsen, the other candy bombers, and other American heroes during the Berlin Airlift in Andrei Cherney's The Candy BombersThis book is good for your brain because:World History, Government, Genre Study, Non-fiction narrative