Hughes, Susan

"Children around the world live different lives from one another--different cultures, different geographic and socio-economic realities, differing access to health and education. Despite these differences, they all share common needs: the need to feel loved and protected, the need to have a place to live, the need to learn, to eat, to play, to share, and to dream for the future. Grounded in careful and extensive research, this book introduces readers to kids from around the world and the lives they lead. The child-centered narrative and playful illustrations explore how education, family, free time, and other aspects of daily life look different depending on who you are and where you live . . . fostering a global worldview, [and]encourages kids to draw connections to their own lives while learning about the experiences of others"--Provided by publisher.

"Blink, blink. What's that? A firefly! Such a tiny insect, but its light seems so bright in the darkness. Light is something we take for granted--especially in the age of electricity. Where does light come from? How does it work? What is it made of? This book answers all of these questions, taking young children on a journey of scientific discovery and offering a charming and gentle introduction to light and all its mysteries. Kids will learn: how light is an energy that we can see; how all life on our planet depends on light from the Sun; how light helps us to communicate with others; how light waves travel in a straight lines and how they absorb, reflect and refract; how some animals can see at night; how we often use light to celebrate!"--OCLC.

"Carmen Batll? and Dragon, her imaginary salamander friend, love exploring the woods behind their home. But when Carmen's family announces a move to the city, Carmen is miserable. Not only will she lose her connection to nature, she will also lose Dragon. After all, the city is no place for salamanders. As she watches her family's new house take shape under famous architect Antoni Gaud?, Carmen discovers Gaud? also has a passion for the natural world. Walls curve and rise like a cave, mosaic flooring sparkles like lilies on a pond, and a fireplace shaped like a mushroom keeps the house warm. Best of all, there's even a place for Dragon! Inspired by the real Batll? family and the house Gaud? designed for them, this picture book encourages readers to find inspiration in their surroundings and keep their hearts open to change"--Provided by publisher.

"Kat, Maya, and Grace are thrilled to be helping Aunt Jenn care for another puppy boarder at Tails Up. This time it is a 3-month-old Cavalier King Charles spaniel named Nutmeg. The girls show up on several afternoons to play with the puppy, but she seems sad most of the time. When Nutmeg stops eating altogether, the girls become quite worried. Eventually, the girls realize that the puppy only seems to perk up when she sees Marmalade, the elderly cat who belongs to Tony, the receptionist at Tails Up. They begin to suspect that Nutmeg is missing her cat pals back home"--Amazon.

"Sound is a sense we often take for granted. Where does sound come from? Why are some sounds loud and some soft? Some high-pitched and some low-pitched? How do humans and animals use sound to communicate? What's the difference between natural and artificial sound? This . . . book explores all of these questions, giving young children a . . . gentle introduction to how sound works"--Provided by publisher.

"Victor is a pretty typical eight-year-old: he races to get his chores done, finds math challenging and likes to play with his friends. One day, the new school teacher introduces Vic and the other students to the idea of equality between boys and girls. Vic has never really thought about it before, but he soon begins to notice the disparities around him. Like all the older girls and women in their Malawi village, his twin sister, Linesi, now walks the long walk to the river to collect water for the family. Now she can't go to school anymore. It's just the way things have always been. But does it have to be? And is there a way for Vic to change it? When Vic has an idea about how to help, he discovers that even small changes can have an impact"--Provided by publisher.

Contains graphic style stories about seven daring young women from around the world who disguised themselves as men in order to achieve their goals, including Hatshepsut, Mu Lan, Alfhild, Esther Brandeau, James Barry, Ellen Craft, and Sarah Rosetta Wakeman.