Books in Tiny Epic Adventures series

Timothy is an adventurous little turtle who gets separated from his family during a day of fun at the beach. When a human boy thinks the tiny turtle is a unique rock, he snatches Timothy up and places him in his bag. Poor Timothy Turtle gets further and further from his turtle family as the human family drives back home. Timothy escapes only to find out that he has a long and winding road home! With the help of his new friends, each amazing in their own way, Timothy will learn that life comes with many surprises and challenges. Whether Timothy makes it home or not, he will discover the importance of friendship and seeing the world beyond his little turtle shell. Children will love reading the adventures of Timothy Turtle and discovering that even with its twists and turns, life is meant to be lived the fullest!

The first people to fly did so in hot-air balloons. Some 120 years later, theWright brothers' heavier-than-air flying machine made powered, controlled flight possible. Ever since, aviators have aspired to fly faster, farther, and higher. Charles Lindbergh set the world alight with his nonstop flight acrossthe Atlantic. Amy Johnson won hearts and acclaim flying solo from England to Australia in a small biplane. With advances in rocketry, a new era dawned. The world watched in awe as the Apollo 11 astronauts landed on the Moon. The Voyager claimed the last major record for fixed-wing aircraft, flying nonstop around the world. And aviation's last major record was set when the Breitling Orbiter 3 pilots flew their balloon nonstop around the world.

From the earliest times, men and women explored their world. Some searched for trade routes, lost treasures, or new lands to colonize; others traveled as missionaries, to spread religious beliefs. More than anything else, however, what motivated the greatest explorers was simple curiosity:What was on the other side of that mountain? How wide was North America? Where was the source of the Nile River? In the days before railroads, motor cars, and airplanes, finding out often involved traveling incredible distances overland: on foot, horse, or camel, by wagon or canoe,and for months, even years, at a time. And it usually meant facing severe dangers, extraordinary hardships, and the uncertainty of not knowing when, if ever, you might make it back home.

It takes a certain kind of adventurer to sail off into the unknown of the world's oceans, sailing by the stars, alone in the vastness of a life at sea. Join an accomplished sailor for the stories of five epic mariners who set off on some of the great ocean journeys ever undertaken. Learn the art and skill of sailing from great square-riggers to the smallest craft. Learn what it takes to survive at sea, and how great sailors must adapt to challenging conditions like unpredictable weather, physical hardship, sleep deprivation, and unforeseen perils. Find out what survival strategies succeeded, and which failed-with tragic results. Illustrated throughout with maps, photographs, posters and eye-popping gatefolds, this book is the perfect introduction to the incredible distances and epic challenges of a life at sea.

Nothing is quite so awe inspiring, or inhospitable to humans as the world's tallest mountains. Journey to the European Alps, the Himalaya, the Karakoram Range, and the polar region of North America with one of the world's great climbers and discover how mountaineers reached the top of five of the world's highest mountains for the first time. Meet the pioneers who braved incredible dangers like rock falls, crevasses, whiteouts, and avalanches to summit against all odds. Large fold-out posters and gatefolds illustrate the story of each dangerous climb, and detailed maps show how later climbers changed the routes to the summit. Throughout it all, readers will explore the fascinating question of what drives these adventurers to reach the top, no matter the cost.

Ponderings on Lily Pads is an inspiring story about three frogs who are a misfit bunch. One can’t hop, one can’t swim and one has a voice that is too loud, making them all feel as if they don’t belong. One day, they venture upon an Old Wise Toad who shares with them stories of frogs who were just like them and how they left their own amazing impact on the animal world. Follow Claudia, Victor and Dale as they learn that what makes them seem odd at first is really what makes them shine like diamonds in the rough. Ponderings on Lily Pads is a powerful tale about embracing your differences because that’s what makes you… you!

Drawn from real life and giving 12 exciting narratives of climbing adventures, this book describes the variety, mystery, and thrills of learning history among mountains. Part Where in the World and part social history the chapters offer travelogues to wondrous environments and tell the reader what they'll find there. It is a high interest introduction to our world and includes maps and the additional resources available at 12StoryLibrary.com: Editor-selected news articles; videos; online resources; teacher resources; live Twitter and RSS feeds