Alligator and Crocodile Rescue by
Crocodilians is the scientific name for crocodiles, alligators, gharials and caimans. Collectively they area walking, breathing link to the dinosaurs that roamed the Earth 240 million years ago. And they look even more fierce as long as a pickup truck, and with giant mouths full of razor-sharp teeth. Loathed for their eating habits and adored for their skins, alligators and crocodiles were hunted almost to extinction. But thanks to some creative conservation efforts the status of crocodilians has improved dramatically. Even though some populations are thriving, others are still at risk. Eight species remain on the endangered list, and some hover on the edge of extinction. 'Alligator and Crocodile Rescue' profiles the major programs and people around the world who are active in the conservation efforts to help these animals: Rene Hedegaard founded Denmark's Krokodille Zoo, which breeds and cares for 70 crocs from 19 species Christine Brewton is a member of Louisiana Fur and Alligator Advisory Council, which actually protects wild gators and their habitat Yosapong Temsiripong is a conservationist from Thailand who works to introduce captive-bred Siamese crocodiles into the wild. Illustrated with 50 colour photographs, Alligator and Crocodile Rescue covers the people, the issues and the challenges involved in preserving a future for endangered wildlife. AGES: 10up AUTHOR: Trish Snyder is a journalist and award-winning writer whose articles have appeared in a variety of magazines and newspapers. SELLING POINTS: The Firefly Animal Rescue titles identifies endangered and threatened species and what is being done to protect them. Combining lively, accessible text and stunning colour photographs, each book provides a detailed overview of the species, describing its characteristics, behaviour, habits, physiology and more. REVIEWS: "These attractive books are a call to action... fascinating readable accounts."- School Library Journal "Succinct introductions to the science and practice of wildlife conservation... written in accessible, lively language." - Booklist 50 colour photographs
The Blue Jean Book by
The story of denim's rise from modest workpants to high-fashion statement. Ever since Levi Strauss made the first blue jean pants in California in the 1870s, everyone has wanted a pair. No one imagined America's love of denim would travel around the world, yet jeans remain an essential part of our lives. The Blue Jean Book chronicles this love affair. Researchers suggest we're happiest when we're in our jeans. They express our personalities: compare the person who wears the latest designer label to someone who prefers the thrift store variety. The Blue Jean Book takes you deep into the world of denim. Chapters include: The Birth of the Blues: 1870 to 1900 -- Levi Strauss and the origin of jeans Movers and Shakers: 1900 to 1940 -- From workpants to play pants Blue Jean Time Machine: 1940 to 1970 -- From WWII wear to the trademark of teen rebellion The Jean Scene: 1980s -- Jeans go designer Borderless Blues: 1990s -- The politics of pants: sweatshops, ecological impacts Panting for Perfection -- 21st century jeans From their origins with hardscrabble miners and cowboys, to their popularity among laborers, rebels, and the incurably hip, The Blue Jean Book is the perfect fit for anyone who wants to know the story behind the seams.
In Your Face by
"In our factory, we make lipstick; in our advertising, we sell hope." - Charles Revson, founder of Revlon Cosmetics More money is spent on beauty products in the United States annually than on education: over $6 billion on makeup alone. From bedtime fairytales and blockbuster movies to magazine advertisements and reality TV, we absorb the lesson early -- being beautiful is the answer to our dreams. For pre-teens and teens, the pursuit of fitting in and measuring up feels like an essential survival strategy. Never before have so many messages offered so many unattainable ideals. With In Your Face, Shari Graydon encourages readers to look critically at the culture of beauty of both past and present. Whether it's the different standards for guys versus girls, the assumptions we all have about models and celebrities, or the message that the right makeup can make you a better person, Graydon's look into the realities of our ideals will help kids face up to the culture of beauty and the beauty industry hype. Accompanied by lively visuals, including sharp comic-style vignettes and photos from our beauty culture, this book will captivate readers.
Into the World of the Dead by
A compelling and visually stunning tour of the netherworlds. Into the World of the Dead takes preteens on a tour of the deep and dark places that haunt their dreams. Dramatic retellings of legendary tales and striking photos of artwork and artifacts reveal the forces and events that have challenged humanity to envision this most forbidding of environments. Each short chapter thematically explores underworld concepts in various cultures. Topics covered include: Underworlds Otherworlds Who went Who ruled Getting there Getting back Guardians and monsters. Readers will meet hellish inhabitants, such as Coatlicue, the Aztec goddess with a skirt of serpents and a necklace of skulls. They'll witness ways into the underworld, like the giant serpent's mouth leading to the Mayan realm of Xibalba, and ways out. And they'll learn that the underworld has its own set of laws, often learned at the peril of those who dare make the journey. By taking readers on a voyage of nightmarish proportion, Into the World of the Dead allows them to explore their own fears and imaginings, and ultimately to tame them.
It's Your Room by
Enough cute little bunnies dancing across your walls or toy trains and nursery rhymes plastered above your bed. That was the old you. It's time now to transform your space, to learn how to make it sparkle using more imagination than money. This exciting new book by Janice Weaver and Frieda Wishinsky offers creative solutions to all your design dilemmas -- and does it without breaking the bank. Inside, you'll find out how to: * Execute a TCC -- Total Clutter Clearout * Organize your space -- and your life * Choose paint colors to change the mood and feel of your room * Give new life to old furniture * Create zones with color and lighting * Accessorize to put your own stamp on your space
Jean Chretien: The Scrapper Who Climbed His Way To The Top by
"This is the "warts and all" story of Jean Chrétien, Canada's 20th prime minister.
He failed to eliminate the GST. He almost lost Canada to the separatists. And many people feel he could have prevented the sponsorship scandal. But if confronted with these and other "failings," Jean Chrétien would reply: So what!
The story of the feisty "little guy from Shawinigan" is still one of triumph, hard work, and determination. Dyslexia affected his speech and a childhood illness paralyzed one side of his face. Being teased and laughed at eventually turned him into a schoolyard scrapper.
Neither flashy nor smooth, Jean sure could sound funny at times. He still holds the dubious honour of being misunderstood in both of Canada's official languages. But he had the smarts to get into power, stay in charge, and get a lot done.
Not bad for a kid who was always in trouble at school, eh?" -Indigo
Money, Money, Money by
The history of money is as interesting and varied as the people who've used it. Imagine paying for a bag of grains in ancient Sri Lanka with their common currency at the time -- elephants! When most people were farmers, and coin mints and banknotes didn't exist, animals and goods were bartered, like we use money today. Precious metals and special paper revolutionized how we trade for goods and services -- it definitely took a load off! But how did it all get organized? Explained here in easy-to-follow language, young readers will understand the basics of a bank's many functions. Amazing and often humorous stories about master counterfeiters, bank robbers, and computer hackers offer examples of people's criminal greed for money. But bank robbers rarely get away with their crimes, so your best way for making money is to save and manage what you have. Young readers will learn how to open their own accounts, keep track of their balance, help their money grow, budget for the things they want, and even discover the basics of investment with the handy guide included. Entertaining "Money Myth" sidebars throughout the book explore the theme of money in old sayings, songs, fables, folk tales, customs, and superstitions. And other factoids sprinkled through the book complement the rich text, adding even more to the wealth of fabulous information in Money, Money, Money.
Our Stories, Our Songs by
Stories of survival. Songs of hope. Children you'll never forget. In Sub-Saharan Africa, there are more than 11.5 million orphans. The AIDS pandemic has claimed their parents, their aunts, and their uncles. What is life like for these children? Who do they care for, and who cares for them? Come and meet them. They might surprise you. Royalties from this book will be donated to UNICEF
Season of Rage by
The last place in North America where black people and white people could not sit down together to share a cup of coffee in a restaurant was not in the Deep South. It was in the small, sleepy Ontario town of Dresden. Dresden is the site of Uncle Tom's Cabin. Slaves who made their way north through the Underground Railroad created the thriving Dawn Settlement in Dresden before and during the Civil War. They did not find Utopia on the Canadian side of the border, despite their efforts. In 1954 something extraordinary happened. The National Unity Association was a group of African Canadian citizens in Dresden who had challenged the racist attitudes of the 1950s and had forged an alliance with civil rights activists in Toronto to push the Ontario Government for changes to the law in order to outlaw discrimination. Despite the law, some business owners continued to refuse to serve blacks. The National Unity Association worked courageously through a variety of means of protest to change attitudes. The story of their season of rage is told in this compelling new book.
Thieves! by
Ten classic stories about cunning plans and daring escapades. Of all the crimes that human beings commit, stealing is probably the most common. Thieves!, the latest in the True Stories from the Edge series, brings ten exciting stories of master thieves and their master crimes. Willie Sutton was casing a bank when he noticed that the manager looked a lot like Sutton himself, so he walked into the vault, loaded up with banknotes, and calmly walked out. D.B. Cooper hijacked a plane, demanded $200,000 in payment, and parachuted from the aircraft. He was never captured. Other criminals in this book were no less brazen: Arthur Barry, the greatest jewel thief in American criminal history Vincente Perugia, who boldly stole one of the world's greatest art treasures Amil Dinsio, one of the most accomplished bank vault robbers in the U.S. Victor Desmarais and Leo Martial, a hapless duo who bungled their getaway James Landis, who stole two bricks of freshly printed banknotes from his employer -- the U.S. Treasury Adam Worth, the Napoleon of Crime the Great Train Robbers, who planned one of the largest heists of all time the five heisters of the Great Purolator Caper, whose ineptitude ensured capture Readers will find nothing but high-stakes action in Thieves!. Though many of the bandits ended their careers broke and disillusioned, these impresarios of crime make for great reading.
Thieves! by
Ten classic stories about cunning plans and daring escapades. Of all the crimes that human beings commit, stealing is probably the most common. Thieves!, the latest in the True Stories from the Edge series, brings ten exciting stories of master thieves and their master crimes. Willie Sutton was casing a bank when he noticed that the manager looked a lot like Sutton himself, so he walked into the vault, loaded up with banknotes, and calmly walked out. D.B. Cooper hijacked a plane, demanded $200,000 in payment, and parachuted from the aircraft. He was never captured. Other criminals in this book were no less brazen: Arthur Barry, the greatest jewel thief in American criminal history Vincente Perugia, who boldly stole one of the world's greatest art treasures Amil Dinsio, one of the most accomplished bank vault robbers in the U.S. Victor Desmarais and Leo Martial, a hapless duo who bungled their getaway James Landis, who stole two bricks of freshly printed banknotes from his employer -- the U.S. Treasury Adam Worth, the Napoleon of Crime the Great Train Robbers, who planned one of the largest heists of all time the five heisters of the Great Purolator Caper, whose ineptitude ensured capture Readers will find nothing but high-stakes action in Thieves!. Though many of the bandits ended their careers broke and disillusioned, these impresarios of crime make for great reading.