Louise Spilsbury

Wetlands are complex ecosystems necessary for the health of our planet. In recent years, governments and environmental organizations have worked to protect these habitats and the organisms that can only thrive within their unique ecosystems. This enlightening volume takes readers into marshy wetlands, introducing them to high-interest animals and plants such as hulking hippos and the carnivorous Venus flytrap. Each stimulating chapter contains a flowchart...

The Mayan Empire is remembered as one of the most progressive but violent civilizations in history. Readers will explore a variety of unsavory topics, from bloody battles and skull racks to living with the dead and human sacrifices. Features like detailed sidebars and full-color photographs and illustrations will engage readers as they discover a whole new side to the history of the ancient Americas.

Alexander Graham Bell revolutionized the way people communicate. Readers will enjoy this book about Bell's life and his impact on the world. The text follows Bell's early life and work, with an emphasis on his experiments in sound transmission. Readers will learn all about early telephones and how they worked, as well as a few of Bell's other inventions. Authentic photographs and fascinating content bring Alexander Graham Bell to life. This is the...

Swimming is a fun but dangerous activity. Lifeguards help us stay safe while having fun, thanks to their special life-saving skills and first-aid training. Readers learn about these community heroes and explore a typical day in the life and the requirements needed to perform this job. The text explores lifeguarding equipment, how lifeguards respond in an emergency, and the characteristics a person must have to be good at this job. Readers are encouraged...

Like many viruses, smallpox is highly contagious. It's also dreadful, deadly, and thanks to microscopes and modern technology--now officially eradicated. This fascinating book explains how a concerted effort to produce a vaccine and distribute it around the world helped eliminate the deadly scourge by 1980.

It's time to go deep, deep into the jungle, and no raincoat is needed! This motivating volume provides all the facts that rain forest explorers need, including comprehensive explanations about the interconnectedness of this habitat's high-interest plants and animals. Colorful flowcharts will aid in retention of such important concepts as a rain forest's distinctive water cycle and its many food chains. Vibrant photographs pop off the page, while the...

Stories about mysterious and mythical creatures have gripped human imagination for centuries. From Big Foot and giants through the Loch Ness Monster and fairies, the tales of strange beings from the past pose many unanswered questions. This high-interest title will enthrall readers with its investigation of ancient curious creatures and the intriguing answers that could solve these fascinating mysteries of history.

The ingredients for a quality narrative, informational, or opinion piece of writing are found in this thorough guide to the world of writing. Readers will examine the steps of crafting a well-written report as well as learn how fiction writers construct believable characters and helpful dialogue to keep their stories flowing. "Tips for Success" boxes and plenty of examples make this book an accessible and valuable tool for any writer's toolbox.