In fifteenth-century Florence, Italy, a contest is held to design a magnificent dome for the town's cathedral, but when Pippo the Fool claims he will win the contest, everyone laughs at him. Based on a true story.

Barnum Brown's (1873-1963) parents named him after the circus icon P.T. Barnum, hoping that he would do something extraordinary--and he did! As a paleonotologist for the American Museum of Natural History, he discovered the first documented skeleton of the Tyrannosaurus Rex, as well as most of the other dinosaurs on display there today. An appealing and fun picture book biography, with zany and stunning illustrations by Boris Kulikov, BARNUM'S BONES captures the spirit of this remarkable man. Barnum's Bones is one The Washington Post's Best Kids Books of 2012.

This valuable reference guide provides suggestions of picture books set in more than 70 countries in each continent of the world, along with standards-based activities. Reading the World with Picture Books presents an exhaustive collection of booktalk options with picture books that are set in the major countries of each continent. Hundreds of children's books with an international flavor are organized by continent and then by country, and suggested activities accompany the titles, encouraging students to interpret information related to historical or geographic concepts and use problem-solving skills. Activities range from those appropriate for beginners to experienced researchers/writers. All call for high-level thinking and most provide opportunities to respond in creative ways. In addition, all of the activities are keyed to selected national standards in language arts and social studies. The picture books suggested are not only excellent choices to capture a booktalk audience's attention and educate young readers about world culture, but also to demonstrate how human beings have adapted to the various environments of the world.

A comprehensive guide to designing homeschool curriculum, from one of the country’s foremost homeschooling experts—now revised and updated! Homeschooling can be a tremendous gift to your children—a personalized educational experience tailored to each kid’s interests, abilities, and learning styles. But what to teach, and when, and how? Especially for first-time homeschoolers, the prospect of tackling an annual curriculum can be daunting. In Home Learning Year by Year, Rebecca Rupp presents comprehensive plans from preschool through high school, covering integral subjects for each grade, with lists of topics commonly presented at each level, recommended resource and reading lists, and suggestions for creative alternative options and approaches. Included, along with all the educational basics, are techniques and resources for teaching everything from philosophy to engineering, as well as suggestions for dealing with such sensitive topics as sex education. Now revised throughout with all-new updates featuring the most effective and up-to-date methods and reading guides to homeschool your child at all ages, Home Learning Year by Year continues to be the definitive book for the homeschooling parent.

Ellen Prentiss's papa said she was born with saltwater in her veins, so he gave her sailing lessons and taught her how to navigate. As soon as she met a man who loved sailing like she did, she married him. When her husband was given command of a clipper ship custom-made to travel quickly, she knew that they would need every bit of its speed for their maiden voyage: out of New York City, down around the tip of Cape Horn, and into San Francisco, where the Gold Rush was well under way. In a time when few women even accompanied their husbands onboard, Ellen Prentiss navigated their ship to set the world record for speed along that route. A Margaret Ferguson Book

Showcases one hundred different places to visit on vacation that will provide an unforgettable experience that will enrich and change a child's life forever.

"A picture book biography of Noah Webster."--