Kristen Susienka

Being active is an important part of healthy living, and there are many ways to do so. Some examples include running, playing sports, or riding a bike. This guide to staying active gives kids the tools they need to form exercise and physical activity into lifelong habits. Full-color photographs illustrate examples of exercise. Age-appropriate language familiarizes readers with each activity. Readers will learn important facts about the benefits of exercising regularly. Beginning readers will feel encouraged and motivated to make exercise and activity a key part of their life.

Sierra Leone is a West African nation inhabited by people of different ethnic groups and religious beliefs. However, it's generally known as a tolerant nation, and this engaging exploration of its unique history and culture instills in readers a greater appreciation for diversity. Through well-researched text, clear maps, and vibrant photographs, the natural landscapes, architecture, celebrations, and citizens of Sierra Leone are introduced to readers in impressive detail. This exciting learning experience even includes simple recipes to bring the flavors of this nation into readers' homes.

Look to the Stars

There are all sorts of families in the world. Some have a mom and a dad. Others have two dads or have two moms. This guidebook explores the joy of family in its varied forms, focusing on family life in homes with two moms. It examines key concepts such as teamwork, discussing feelings, family structure, and the many benefits of living with two moms under one roof.

Martin Luther King Jr. was a tremendous leader and champion for the civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s. His courage, kindness, and wise words inspired men and women in the United States and around the world. King's efforts and influence led to change for the better in the United States and continue to resonate today. This biography tells King's life story in an accessible and engaging way, introducing young readers to the legend and the man we celebrate today.

Rosa Parks is best known as the woman who helped start the Montgomery bus boycott of 1955 to 1956. However, her life story extends far beyond her defiance on that Alabama bus in 1955. Parks was an activist for change and a supporter of equal rights. This book tells her story, both before and after her actions on the bus, and stresses her importance in American history to this day. Using manageable language and vivid photographs, this beginner biography introduces young readers to a notable and important human being.

Harriet Tubman's story is one of bravery and resilience. Tubman, who was born a slave, suffered both physically and emotionally, but she didn't let that affect her dreams of a better future. Tubman escaped to the North, but she didn't stay there long. Instead, she returned to the South many times, becoming a key figure on the Underground Railroad. This is the story of her life, from her childhood to her time as a nurse and leader of a spy ring during the Civil War. Using easy-to-understand language, this biography will educate young readers about Tubman and her importance in American history.

After enduring years as a slave, Frederick Douglass escaped to freedom as a young man and made it his mission to work toward emancipation for all. He became a renowned orator, an inspiring writer, and above all, a champion for equal rights. This biography presents his life story, full of challenges and successes, and the legacy that has lived on long after he died. Using simple language young readers can understand, this biography showcases the story of this important, influential figure in American history.

Jackie Robinson's immense talent led to an important event in American sports history: the breaking of the color barrier in baseball. This is the story of a legend, how Robinson overcame challenges both on and off the field, and his lasting legacy in the sport of baseball and beyond. Told in easy-to-understand language, this book introduces readers to a baseball idol who broke barriers and changed lives over the course of his incredible career and life.

There are key songs that hold significance long after the era in which they were written passes. "Battle Hymn of the Republic" is one such piece. Its history began in the Civil War era. Its words were written when the lyricist, Julia Ward Howe, visited a Union army camp in 1861. While initially the song was intended to rally abolitionists, soldiers, and suffragettes, its meanings are many. This engaging book examines how Howe's words continue to unfold today, while also tracing the unique history of the song's melody. Using easy-to-read sheet music, sidebars, fun facts, timelines, and historical and new photographs, this book tells the tale of how this song materialized and how it earned its place as one of the most patriotic songs in the United States.

There are key songs that hold significance long after the era in which they were written passes. Battle Hymn of the Republic is one such piece. Its history began in the Civil War era. Its words were written when the lyricist, Julia Ward Howe, visited a Union army camp in 1861. While initially the song was intended to rally abolitionists, soldiers, and suffragettes, its meanings are many. This engaging book examines how Howe's words continue to unfold today, while also tracing the unique history of the song's melody. Using easy-to-read sheet music, sidebars, fun facts, timelines, and historical and new photographs, this book tells the tale of how this song materialized and how it earned its place as one of the most patriotic songs in the United States.

One of the most recognizable patriotic songs in the United States today, "America the Beautiful" started out as a poem inspired by the captivating scenery of the West. Written in 1893 by college professor Katharine Lee Bates, the lyrics evoke images of wheat fields, towering mountains, and skies spanning the vast country. Its melody, however, was added decades after the poem's first publication. Today, the song is used as an unofficial national anthem celebrating America's beauty and its future prospects of opportunity. This book explores the song's history, its significance, and its journey to patriotic celebration in simple and concise language. The narrative offers a variety of features including easy-to-read sheet music, sidebars, fun facts, timelines, and vivid photographs. It tells the story, engages readers, and celebrates the song's place in the patriotic canon today.