Books in The Best Book of series

Pack up your gear and get ready to go on a dig. Whether it's iron ore, dazzling gemstones, or a prehistoric creature preserved in amber, a mother lode of exciting discoveries await budding paleontologists and geologists in this informative picture book. Large and detailed full-color spreads, complemented by clear, concise text unearth the mysteries of the ground beneath our feet. Children will learn how rocks, crystals, minerals, and fossils are formed, where they are found, and how they are used. Step-by-step illustrations and captions explore such processes as the fossilization of ancient animals and plants, together with the work of the scientists who catalog and preserve them. Includes an illustrated glossary and an index to sharpen the young reader's reference skills.

My Best Book of Whales and Dolphins looks at the life cycles, habitats, and amazing diversity of these underwater mammals. It helps readers understand the differences between these marine creatures, and offers insights into their ability to communicate and their migration patterns. From the largest animal on Earth--the blue whale–– to the bottlenose dolphin with its permanent grin, this book has everything a wildlife fan would ever want to know about whales and dolphins!

The Best Book of Knights and Castles takes the reader on an amazing journey to explore medieval castles all over the world. From the earliest fortifications in Europe, like motte and bailey castles, to the stone castles of the Normans, Crusader castles, and German castles on the Rhine, this book looks at what it was like to be a knight in medieval times. Learn about chivalry, heraldry, and jousting, and some of the most famous castle battles in history.

Find out more about everyday life in ancient Rome and what it meant to live in this fascinating city at the height of its empire. Every aspect of this great civilization is explored, from the bloodthirsty gladiators and the terrifying chariot races, to a day in the life of the wealthy, to how the powerful senators controlled their city and expanded its empire.

Explore the Earth's core, climb the world's highest peaks, and witness the dramatic eruptions of volcanoes. This enthralling introduction to one of the planet's mightiest physical forces shows how volcanoes are formed, where they are found and how they have changed the face of the Earth. Spectacular cut-away illustrations, fact panels, and a lively, informative text will keep young Earth Scientists on the boil. A reference section at the back of the book includes an illustrated glossary and a comprehensive index.

Enter the mysterious underwater world of the shark, and discover how the various members of this fascinating family of fish are perfectly adapted to their environments. Large, colorful spreads complemented by step-by-step illustrations and informative captions provide children with a close-up look at these toothy predators, including where they live, how their bodies work, what they eat, and how they catch their prey. Whether it's the ferocious tiger shark, the slow-moving basking shark, or the cleverly camouflaged nurse shark, every child's favorite shark can be found in this exciting overview of shark life. At the end of the book, an illustrated glossary and comprehensive index offer a feeding frenzy of exciting details to sharpen the young reader's reference skills.

Any child who's been dazzled by dance will treasure The Best Book of Ballet. Lavishly illustrated in full color, this information-packed book offers a behind-the-scenes look at ballet, and shows aspiring dancers the fascinating, elegant world of dance.The Best Book of Ballet takes readers from ballet school, where they'll learn basic steps and techniques, to the stage, where they'll learn how a performance is created. Along the way, the detailed text and step-by-step illustrations give an overview of ballet history, display costumes and make-up, and reveal the busy lives of professional dancers. Young readers developing their reference skills will find an illustrated glossary and index at the back of the book.

The Best Book of Whales and Dolphins introduces children to these mysterious, intelligent, and elusive animals that fascinate children all over the world. Evocative text and realistic, detailed artwork help the young reader understand the differences between these marine mammals, and offer an amazing insight into their reputation for intelligence and their ability to communicate. Also covered are the migratory journeys of various whale species, how whales and dolphins nurture their young, and the acrobatic exploits of the agile dolphins. Includes an illustrated glossary and index.