A is for Abigail: An Almanac of Amazing American Women
by Lynne Cheney (Author), Robin Preiss Glasser (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 4-8

Lynne Cheney and Robin Preiss Glasser collaborated on America: A Patriotic Primer, which captured the imagination of American children and became a national best-seller. Now they turn their hands to A is for Abigail: An Almanac of Amazing American Women and bring the great women of American history to life. Filled to the brim with words and pictures that celebrate the remarkable (although often unmarked) achievements of American women, this is a book to relish and to read again and again.

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Capital by Lynn Curlee
Reading level: Ages 9-12

The White House. The Washington Monument. The Lincoln Memorial. The Jefferson Memorial. The Capitol building. These structures define and glorify our nation's history and stand today as towering symbols of architectural achievement. However the tale behind their construction is often left untold. Brought to life by Lynn Curlee, the story of the emergence of our capital city is one that is both moving and awe-inspiring.

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Horses and Ponies by Sandy Ransford (Author)
Reading level: Ages 9-12

The perfect gift for the child who has been smitten with the horse and pony bug! Packed with specially commissioned photos, this handsome reference gathers all the essential information the aspiring young rider wants to know as well as the fun and romance of the world of horses and ponies.

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The Chimpanzees I Love: Saving Their World and Ours by Jane Goodall
Reading level: Ages 4-8

Jane Goodall might be a household name for most grownups, thanks to her pioneering work with chimpanzees and more recent efforts at habitat preservation. But many kids don't know the Goodall story and will love this chance to hit the ground in Tanzania and learn about the remarkable scientist and her beloved chimp friends.

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National Geographic Dinosaurs by Paul M. Barrett, Kevin Padian (Introduction), Raul Martin (Introduction), pa Barrett

Here is everything young readers want to know about dinosaurs and their worldâ??in one magnificently illustrated, up-to-date family reference. Through dramatic graphics and age-appropriate text, this authoritative volume charts the discovery of all the main types of dinosaurs and reveals the latest details on how these creatures most likely looked, behaved, defended themselves, found food, cared for their young, and interacted.

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Travels With Tarra by Carol Buckley
Reading level: Ages 8-12

"Travels With Tarra is a heartwarming look at the life of one captive elephant and her devoted human caretaker, who realizes that Tarra's needs as an elephant are more important than anything else in their life together. All captive elephants should be as lucky as Tarra is now." -Richard Farinato, Director, Captive Wildlife Protection, Humane Society of the United States

What happens when you fall in love with a three-foot-tall, 700-pound infant covered with thick black hair?

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The Best Book of Spaceships by Ian Graham
Reading level: Ages 4-8

Join the crew and find out how rockets, probes, telescopes, and space shuttles work! Discover the incredibly diverse challenges that can be met by modern satellites! This colorful book introduces young readers to the amazing variety of spaceships past, present, and ready to blast off into the future. Full color illustrations, clear captions, combined with a simple, descriptive text will help kids to discover the answers to tricky questions such as - What's in space? - What does it feel like to put on a space suit? - and provide a fascinating overview of life and work in the space environment, from the first steps on the moon, to life on a space station. This information-packed book makes an exciting gift and is an ideal reference for the young reader who wants to know more about spaceships and the work of humans beyond the Earth's atmosphere.

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There's No Place Like Space (Cat in the Hat's Learning Library) by Tish Rabe, Aristides Ruiz (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 4-8

Blast off for educational fun! Beginning readers and budding astronomers are launched via Seussian sorcery on a wild trip to visit the nine planets in our solar system along with the Cat in the Hat, Thing One, Thing Two, and Dick and Sally.

The perfect first space book for those almost-readers, There's No Place Like Space takes us on a whirlwind tour of our solar system, with a few constellations thrown in for good measure.

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The Backyard Astronomer's Guide by Terence Dickinson, Alan Dyer

What type of telescope is best for beginners? Can I use my camera to take photographs through a telescope? How good are the new computerized telescope mounts? What charts, books, software and other references do I need? These questions are asked time and again by enthusiastic new amateurs as they take up recreational astronomy.

But accurate, objective and up-to-date information can be hard to find. Throughout the 1990s, the first edition of The Backyard Astronomer's Guide established itself as the indispensable reference to the equipment and techniques used by the modern recreational stargazer. Now, authors Terence Dickinson and Alan Dyer have produced an expanded and completely updated edition that again sets the standard for accessible and reliable information on one of the world's most popular hobbies.

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Non fiction

Meltdown: A Race Against Nuclear Disaster at Three Mile Island by Wilborn Hampton

This book is a compelling account of the nuclear meltdown on March 28, 1979, at Three Mile Island. Journalist Wilborn Hampton was ordered to Pennsylvania to cover the unfolding real-life disaster.

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