Children's World History Books

INDIAN ELEPHANTS BOOKPLATES (Sample available)
art by Irinavk. Condition: NEW package of 10 bookplates made by pacaritambo books. The peel-off label stock is heavier than most bookplate materials and is matte and not glossy. They are as perfect as possible, and we feel the subject matter is much different than you can get at a big store. We can also personalize the bookplates if you like - just email us with the name. 3.5 wide x 3.25 high. Content: Representation of Indian art with black elephants on light gray background. Any questions or to request a sample, click here to email us.
$ 3.59 + $ 2.75 first class shipping. International shipping available - please use the drop-down menu.

100 FACTS: WARRIORS
by John Malam. Beautiful color photos, movie stills, drawings with a few B&W era photos. Condition: NEW 2010 MIles Kelly (UK) large soft cover, first printing. Content: March into battle and discover incredible facts about the greatest fighters of all time. Famous warriors throughout history are brilliantly portrayed through one hundred facts, fantastic images, and fun cartoons. Find out why knights took part in tournaments, learn about Alexander the Great's most important battle, and discover which warriors fought on elephants. Contains projects, quizzes, fun facts, and a few cartoons. Excellent! Junior High and up. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
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A 16th CENTURY MOSQUE (An Inside Story book)
by Fiona Macdonald. Detailed, historically accurate color illustrations by Mark Bergin. Condition: NEW 1994 Simon & Schuster hardcover (pictorial boards - no DJ issued), no printing given. Content: Detailed colour illustrations by Mark Bergin accompany another title from the "Inside Story" series, introducing the Islamic world - the beliefs and way of life, through an exploration of the activities associated with a 16th-century mosque. Reviewer: "MacDonald is interested in the construction techniques used in building mosques. But what separates her book from Macaulay's is that she interested in the broader subject of Islam and the role that mosques play in Muslim life. It is this interest in larger topics which makes this book a good read for children. Finally, Mark Bergin the illustrator, is one of the best artists working in children's non-fiction." Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
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AFRICAN BEGINNINGS
by James Haskins & Kathleen Benson. Beautiful color paintings by Floyd Cooper. Condition: UNREAD 1999 Lothrop, Lee & Shepard hard cover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), second printing. Content: This informative picture book is a handsomely illustrated overview of Africa's ancient empires. From thousands of years ago when the Sahara was green and fertile, to the peak of the African slave trade in the late 1700's, many cultures flourished. Readers learn that Egypt was once ruled by the Kushites, whose kings were shown in temple and tomb depictions as black pharaohs. European explorers and exploiters ignored the continent's past in their preoccupation with treasure. The slaves who survived the brutal journey of the Middle Passage brought with them their rich oral history and traditions, eventually blending elements of their cultures with those of the New World in North, Central, and South America. There is just enough information in the text to leave children curious to learn more about these ancient empires, and the extensive bibliography points to more detailed sources. Cooper's understated paintings in muted colors effectively convey a feeling of strength and power. His oil wash on boards technique gives a textured antique appearance to the beautiful double-page spreads. A stunning introduction to African history. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
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THE ALHAMBRA TOLD TO CHILDREN
by Ricardo Villa-Real. Wonderful clever color illustrations by Pilarin Bayes de Luna. Condition: UNREAD, but perused on the shelf, 1997 Ediciones Miguel Sanchez large soft cover, 1st edition. Content: When the Moors captured most of Spain, they built many beautiful monouments and buildings, but none captured the imagination (then as now) as the Alhambra, the red castle of Granada. Easy to understand for young readers but best suited for junior high school students, IMHO. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 8.50 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

ALI AND THE CAMEL (Bilingual Edition)
by Fay Gabriel. Lynn Jones color illustrations. Condition: UNREAD, but not perfect, 2001 Heritage of Arabia oblong soft cover, fifth edition. Very pale vertical near-crease back cover. Content: Bilingual offering with Arabic at the top of the page and English at the bottom of the page. Reads right to left. Cute story of how Ali learns how important the camel is to the desert dwellers of the Middle East. Sort of a "See Spot Run" for Arab countries. Cute and informative. For Early Readers, IMHO. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
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ANTARCTICA: Journey to the South Pole
by Walter Dean Myers. B&W era photos and drawings illustrate. Condition: NEW 2004 Scholastic hardcover (pictorial boards - no DJ issued), first printing. Content: Science and geography play a big role in this exciting overview of the discovery and exploration of Antarctica, "the last unexplored landmass on Earth." What drives the narrative is the personal adventures of those who raced to reach the South Pole first, especially the fierce rivalry between Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen (he got there first) and Britain's Robert Scott, whose entire party died. The writing is not always as strong as it was in Myers' Malcolm X (1993), but the book design is highly appealing, with archival photos and prints, and boxed insets with fascinating information about such topics as latitude and longitude, seals, scurvy, and magnetic and geographical poles. Although Myers doesn't include source notes, his extensive bibliography references personal accounts as well as the technology, and he has put together a useful fact summary and time line. Best of all are the quotes from primary documents that appear throughout the book; some are drawn from the journals of the explorers-- those who returned and those who didn't. Myers makes failure a part of heroism. Excellent homeschooling book. Grades 6 - 9. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 4.79 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

THE ARABS IN THE GOLDEN AGE (Peoples of the Past series)
by Mokhtar Moktefi and Veronique Ageorges. Translated by Mary Kae LaRose. Wonderful, detailed color illustrations by Ageorges. Condition: NEW c. 1998 Milbrook Press soft cover, third printing. Tiny tiny edge wear. Content: Describes that period when the Arabs spread their religion, art, architecture, and great knowledge of the ancient world throughout the Middle East and North Africa. The "trivia" insert boxes add to history and interest of the book. Excellent! Ages 9 - 12. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
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AROUND AFRICA AND ASIA BY SEA: Trade and Travel Routes
adapted from To The Ends of the Earth by Irene M. Franck and David M. Brownstone. B&W era art and woodcuts illustrate. Condition: UNREAD 1990 Facts On File hardcover & DJ (in mylar jacket), first printing. Content: This is an historical survey of the Spice Route and the Cape of Good Route, used to go around Africa and to reach Asia by sea from ancient times to the early 1800s. Wonderful! Ages 9 - 12. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 5.00 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

BEYOND THE GREAT MOUNTAINS: A Visual Poem About China
written & illustrated by Ed Young. Beautiful bright color illustrations. Condition: NEW 2005 Chronicle hardcover & DJ - a mylar jacket would not be appropriate for this book, IMHO), third printing. Content: Grade 3 Up–A stunning and uniquely designed picture book. Described as a visual poem about China, the book is comprised of 14 lines, each of which is accompanied by its own double-page illustration, done in cut- and torn-paper collage. Young also provides the ancient characters for the images he presents. Readers are able to read the entire poem from the title page since the pages are of graduated lengths, from short to longer, with a line of poetry appearing on the bottom of each page, overlapping just enough to allow for the text to show. Designed to be read vertically, each page is flipped up to reveal the accompanying illustration. In this way, the entire book becomes a piece of art, a visual treat of sublime colors and textures that joins with text and characters to describe the vastness and beauty of China. A chart shows the ancient characters that appear in the book, along with their modern-day equivalents. While the poetry, along with the illustrations and Chinese characters, may provide a creative experience that children can appreciate and enjoy, Young's rather abstract concept of visual verse, as explained in the author's note, will challenge most youngsters. Certainly, adults would find the explanation interesting, and would also appreciate the reflective poetry and images. An excellent choice for libraries looking for China-themed picture books. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 3.89 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

THE BHARUNDA BIRD: An East Indian Legend
retold by Beulah Candappa. Beautiful vibrant color illustrations by Shirley Tourett. Condition: NEW 1996 Rigby hardcover (pictorial boards - no DJ issued), fourth printing. Content: Have you heard of the fabulous two-headed bird that dwells deep in the rain forests of India? This book will tell you about them. It is a tale of friendship, selfishness, and greed and the consequences - all wrapped up in a dandy legend for early readers. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
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THE BIRD MAIDEN: A Serbian Legend (Legends of the World series)
retold by Jan Mike. Color illustrations by Dave Albers. Condition: NEW 1996 Troll soft cover, first printing. Content: Unhappy with the choice of wives that his father's advisors present to him, Prince Velimer sets off to find the kind and beautiful Princess Yevrossima, who has been enchanted by an old witch. Reviewer: "It is time for Prince Velimer to find a bride, but the princesses brought to him by the king's advisors... ouch! "Princess Militza (who never bathed and couldn't add the simplest sums) was followed by Princess Iconia (who couldn't read and made her servants carry her everywhere), then Princess Elena (who never stopped talking and blew her nose on her sleeve)." Then Prince Velimer hears about Princess Yevrossima, who disappeared while collecting medicinal herbs for her servants. He is intrigued, and goes out in search for her. What will he find? What adventures will he have? You'll have to read this book!" Ages 9 - 12. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
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BURIED IN ICE: The Mystery of a Lost Arctic Expedition
by Owen Beattie and John Geiger. B&W era drawings and color photos and illustrations. Condition: UNREAD, but not perfect, 1992 Scholastic large soft cover, 7th printing. Light edge wear with a name inside front cover. Content: In 1845, Sir John Franklin and his two ships, Erebus and Terror , sailed from England to begin a search in icy Arctic waters for the fabled Northwest Passage. It was one of the most well-planned, well-supplied, and well-commanded expeditions of all times; yet it ended in disaster. Not one man returned alive. For almost a century and a half, no one could explain their mysterious deaths. In this compelling, contemporary account, anthropologist Beattie and journalist Geiger describe how they solved the 147-year-old mystery. The narrative is interspersed with an imaginative section that relates the story of the expedition from the point of view of 19-year-old Luke, a member of the crew. While the text is exciting, the book's greatest strength is its superb illustrations: drawings, paintings, and historic and present day photographs are used to enrich each page. Probably the most intriguing photographs are those of the actual exhumation of three sailors whose graves had been discovered in 1857. Because of the cold, the bodies remained frozen and appeared almost exactly as they did at the time of interment. Another fine entry in an excellent series. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 3.39 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL: Songs of the West Indies
by Irving Burgie. Beautiful vibrant color illustrations by Frane Lessac. Afterword by Rosa Gary. Condition: NEW 1992 Tambourine hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), first edition, first printing. Content: Thirteen popular calypso songs are featured in this colorful collection. Traditional chants and ballads from Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Haiti, and elsewhere as well as Burgie's original compositions, which were popularized by singer Harry Belafonte, appear. Such selections as ``Day-O,'' ``Michael Row the Boat,'' ``Yellow Bird,'' and ``Que bonita bandera'' are included. The lyrics of the latter have been translated into English at the bottom of the page. Accompanying the arrangements are full- or double-page paintings and a title bar in Lessac's characteristic, primitive style. Her bright colors and lively scenes will attract young readers to the work, and she does a good job of showing the multiethnic heritage--African, Indian, European-- of the residents of the region. An informative afterword by Rosa Guy, which is written for adults but may be read and understood by older children, traces the origins of the songs in African tradition and in the experience of African-descended peoples in the West Indies. Words & "sheet" music. Ages 4+. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 5.00 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

CATHEDRALS: Stone upon Stone
by Brigitte Gandiol-Coppin. Dominique Thibault illustrations. Condition: UNREAD 1989 Young Discovery Library hardcover (pictorial boards) first thus, first printing. Content: I can't say enough good things about this little book (7" x 4.5"). Beautiful color illustrations appropriate to the era, "blueprint" of cathedral interior, and interesting and accurate history - not only of cathedrals, but of the era in which so many were built. Simply excellent!
$ 2.50 + $ 2.94 media shipping.

CELEBRATIONS! (Children Just Like Me series - Unicef)
by Barnabas and Anaabel Kindersley. Foreword by Harry Belafonte. Wonderful color photos illustrate. Condition: UNREAD, but not perfect, 1997 DK publishing large hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jackaet), third printing. DJ shows light shelf wear top edge with gift inscription loose endpage. Content: A rich, multicultural look at holidays around the world. The celebrations are arranged by season and include: Christmas in Germany, Halloween in Canada, Hanukkah in the U.S., Diwali in India, Hina Matsuri in Japan, and Egemenlik Bayrami in Turkey. Each holiday is shown on a two-page spread with a large photograph of a featured child or children and many smaller captioned photographs of the festivities and the culture. A preface by Harry Belafonte in his role as Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF opens the book. It is a superb addition to country/cultural teaching units, and also makes a wonderful lead-in to writing, art, and creative-drama activities used to teach holidays. An enjoyable visual experience. Questions welcome. [1 copy available.]
$ 4.50 + $ 3.39 media shipping.

THE CELTIC WORLD (Step Into series for Children)
by Fiona Macdonald. Wonderful color photos and detailed drawings plus detailed "how-to" photos for projects. Condition: NEW 1999 Lorenz large hardcover (pictorial boards - no DJ issued), first printing. Several, very small, pale impressions front cover. Content: Appealing, authoritative history books that capture the atmosphere and reality of the world's great cultures and civilizations. Inspiring and relevant craft projects further involve the reader in an active learning experience. Valuable and lively reference for school and home. Celtic history plus gods and goddesses, crafts, and a section on "missionaries and monks." Excellent. Questions encouraged. [1 copy available]
$ 11.19 + $ 3.39 media shipping. International shipping by arrangement - email us.

THE CHILDREN OF THE SIERRA MADRE
written & photographed by Frank Staub. Color photos. Condition: UNREAD 1996 Carolrhoda hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (mylar jacket), first edition, first printing. Content: Reviewer: "Children of the Sierra Madre by Frank J. Staub and Jules Hermes includes interesting text and beautiful photographs showing life for the Tarahumara or as they refer to themselves, the Raramuri people. The Raramuri live a traditional life in the mountains of north western Mexico. Daily life, family, food, homes, clothing, feasts, and contemporary issues such as health and clean water are revealed." Questions welcome.
$ 3.50 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

CLEVER KARLIS: A Latvian Legend (Legends of the World series)
retold by Jan Mike. Neat color illustrations by Charles Reasoner. Condition: UNREAD 1998 Troll soft cover, second printing. Perfect. Content: A picture book retelling of a Latvian legend. Will Karlis be able to rescue a woman who is being forced to marry a man she does not love? Questions welcome. [2 copies available.]
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CLOTHING: Garments, Styles, and Uses
text and color illustrations by Piero Ventura. Condition: Gently pre-read to page 10, 1993 Houghton Mifflin hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), first printing. Very light edgfe wear to top DJ edge. Interior clean & tight. Content: An overview of the development and use of clothing throughout history. Ventura begins with prehistoric times and proceeds through the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans to the barbarians and on into European civilization. The text is rather slight, and written with an eye toward entertainment. The whys and wherefores of particular styles are touched upon, and the author does a good job of putting clothes within their cultural context. Every page is host to brightly colored drawings that enhance the printed information with rich detail. The 1900s are covered in a two-page spread, the text of which refers to the "Great War," leaving readers to guess which war is meant. Ventura neatly balances clear and concise text, painstakingly explicit drawings and copious captions to show how clothing has evolved since prehistoric times. Due to its subject, Clothing is the more visually varied and colorful of the books, as Ventura chronicles the function and symbolism of clothes through the ages, delving into such details as the connotations of various fabrics, colors and styles; the processes of leather tanning and wool weaving; and the social and political forces behind certain fashion trends. Ages 9 - 12 and up. Questions welcome. [1 copy available.]
$ 5.00 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

COMMODORE PERRY IN THE LAND OF THE SHOGUN
by Rhoda Blumberg. Wonderful B&W repros of era Japanese art work, drawings, maps. Condition: PLEASE READ! UNREAD, but not perfect, 1985 Lothrop, Lee hardcover & DJ (in mylar jacket), third printing. Proble is the DJ: edgewear with small chip bottom DJ edge. There is a Newbery Honor Book seal on the front cover. The DJ is also price-clipped. An unread gift. Content: Blumberg's book succeeds on two levels. First it is a well-written story of Matthew Perry's expedition to open Japan to American trade and whaling ports. The account is sensitive to the extreme cultural differences that both the Japanese and Americans had to overcome. Especially good are the chapters and paragraphs explaining Japanese feudal society and culture. The text is marvelously complemented by the illustrations, almost all reproductions of contemporary Japanese art, underscoring the unbiased approach of the book. On the second level, the book is a well-researched chronicle of the events of the trip. Blumberg has gone to the original sources to capture the sights, emotions, reactions and even tastes of both the Japanese and Americans. Yet she has not neglected the political and economic importance or mission of Perry's trip. The notes, appendixes and bibliography show a carefully thought out book which holds valuable information for sophisticated readers. There is no better book for students on this historical event. Grade 5 and up. Questions welcome. [1 copy available.]
$ 5.00 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

COMMODORE PERRY IN THE LAND OF THE SHOGUN
by Rhoda Blumberg. Wonderful B&W repros of era Japanese art work, drawings, maps. Condition: NEW 1985 Lothrop, Lee hardcover & DJ (in mylar jacket), third printing. Light edge wear top DJ spine. Interior perfect. Content: Blumberg's book succeeds on two levels. First it is a well-written story of Matthew Perry's expedition to open Japan to American trade and whaling ports. The account is sensitive to the extreme cultural differences that both the Japanese and Americans had to overcome. Especially good are the chapters and paragraphs explaining Japanese feudal society and culture. The text is marvelously complemented by the illustrations, almost all reproductions of contemporary Japanese art, underscoring the unbiased approach of the book. On the second level, the book is a well-researched chronicle of the events of the trip. Blumberg has gone to the original sources to capture the sights, emotions, reactions and even tastes of both the Japanese and Americans. Yet she has not neglected the political and economic importance or mission of Perry's trip. The notes, appendixes and bibliography show a carefully thought out book which holds valuable information for sophisticated readers. There is no better book for students on this historical event. Grade 5 and up. Questions welcome. [1 copy available.]
$ 6.00 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

CUT & ASSEMBLE A MEDIEVAL CASTLE
A Full-Color Model of Caernarvon Castle in Wales)
by A. G. Smith. Color illustrations and "parts." Cover photos by Bill Pell. Condition: NEW 1984 Dover large softcover. Tiny edgewear. 48 pages. Content: Authentic full-color replica of Caernarvon Castle built in Wales (ca. 1285–1322) comes with complete instructions for cutting, folding and assembling parts. Includes historical text. Excellent for teachers either homeschooling or regular classrooms. Questions welcome
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DARK KNIGHTS AND DINGY CASTLES (Horrible Histories)
by Terry Deary. Philip Reeve B&W comic illustrations. Condition: UNREAD, but not perfect, 1997 Scholastic (London) Trade paperback, first printing. Front cover shows diagonal crease bottom corner with light impressions and edge wear. Interior clean & tight. Content: This horrible history takes you charging back in time to days of chivalry, when knights clanked about in armour waving weapons, peasants cleaned up the mess afterwards, and everyone lived in dark, dingy, horrible homes. Find out about dreadful dungeons, ghastly ghosts, and the famous Saint George. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 4.49 + $ 3.19 media shipping. Priority shipping available - please use the drop-down menu.

THE DAY OF AHMED'S SECRET
by Florence Parry Heide & Judith Heide Gilliland. Color illustrations by Ted Lewin. Condition: UNREAD 1991 Scholastic softcover, first printing. Beautiful and detailed color illustrations. Content:: A day in the life of a boy from Cairo. Early reading level.
$ 2.75 +$ 3.09 media shipping.

THE DAY THE WORLD EXPLODED: The Earthshaking Catastrophe at Krakatoa
by Simon Winchester. Adaptation from Winchester's Krakatoa for adults by Dwight Jon Zimmerman. B&W and color photos and illustrtions by various artists. Original artwork by Jason Chin. Condition: UNREAD, but not perfect, 2008 Collins large hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), first printing. Problem: small "repaired" tear bottom front DJ cover at fold. Content:: Zimmerman has successfully adapted Winchester's Krakatoa (HarperCollins, 2003) for young people. The book casts light on a specific moment when geological forces interacted with civilization, providing readers with a vivid picture of the destruction and human suffering caused by the volcanic eruption. The volume conveys much historical background to the 1883 Indonesian disaster, including the European colonization of the region in response to the spice trade. Relevant cultural and scientific advances are also presented, such as Alfred Wegener's concept of "continental displacement," Alfred Russel Wallace's breakthroughs in evolutionary science, and the invention of the telegraph. The eruption sequence is portrayed chronologically from personal records, telegraph reports, and official officer logs. Chin's full-color cartoon illustrations enhance the many archival and contemporary photographs, historical illustrations, and maps that accompany the text. The account of 19th-century scientific achievement is coupled with the drama of the eruption, resulting in an exciting and informative read, with the wide-ranging effects of the volcanic explosion explained in a powerful manner. In addition to this work's educational and reference potential, it lends a human face to a natural disaster and will attract general readers as well. Excellent book! Questions welcome. [1 copy left]
$ 4.69 +$ 3.39 media shipping.

Don't Know Much About THE KINGS & QUEENS OF ENGLAND
by Kenneth C. Davis. Clever & fun color illustrations by S.D. Schindler. Condition: NEW 2002 HarperCollins hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), first printing. Crease to inside front DJ flap (shelf wear). Content: Davis applies a tongue-in-cheek approach in this broad overview of English history. Writing for the totally uninformed, the author answers two to seven questions on the life and times of each of 20-plus monarchs, occasionally revealing only obscure incidents or facts in the royals' lives. For example, for Edward I, the two questions asked are: "How Did King Edward I get his nickname, Longshanks?" and "Was Edward a 'Lucky Duck?'" Much of King Henry VIII's section features information on his wives, ending with a rhyme to help students remember their fates: "Divorced, beheaded, died; divorced, beheaded, survived." Illustrated sidebars provide additional facts. Youngsters will enjoy Davis's sense of fun, but there is some oversimplification. The colorful cartoon drawings, like the text, are often humorous and/or poke fun at the historical figures. Grades 4-7. Questions welcome. [1 copy left]
$ 14.69 +$ 3.29 media shipping.

THE EASTER RISING (Revolution! series)
by Richard Killeen. B&W maps and era photos illustrate. Condition: NEW 1995 Thomason Learning hardcover (pictorial boards), no printing given. Content: Ages 9 - 12. In this fascinating history of the beginnings of the Irish Republic, you'll meet men and women, like James Connolly and Countess Markievic, sho led the Irish to freedom from British rule. You'll also learn about the long historyh of Irish resistance, from unsuccessful revolts to the victory of the Easter Rising. Then you'll discover just how disorganized the resistance was, and why, through a series of accidents, they succeeded in winning independence. The book uses first-person accounts, documents, and photos. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 5.49 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

THE EMPEROR AND THE KITE
by Jane Yolen. Neat color illustrations by Ed Young. Condition: UNREAD 1988 McGraw Hill soft cover (stapled wraps), 2nd printing. Content: Reviewer: "This book shows us that even (seemingly) small, insignificant individuals can accomplish great deeds and challenges us not to underestimate anyone's capabilities. The story, by Jane Yolen, takes place in ancient China and tells of a tiny princess, not much thought of by her family, who uses her intellect, creativity, and skill to save her father, the emperor, held hostage by kidnappers. The text of the story is lengthy (many pages have ten or more lines of text) and more explanatory than descriptive. The illustrations, done in multi-colored paper cuts, bring the text to life, depicting the most dramatic moments of the story. The illustrations stretch across both pages and often bleed off the edge. Despite their exquisite detail, the illustrations are flat and float in the white space of the page, without any sense of depth or context." Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
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EXPLORERS (Adventure, Discovery, Research, Navigation)
by Philip Wilkinson. Wonderful detailed color illustrations and maps. Condition: NEW 2002 Kingfisher large hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), first printing. Content:: This fascinating book slips down the Silk Road with Marco Polo, joins David Livingstone in Africa trekking along the Nile, and braves the icy reaches of the polar regions. The full gamut of exploration is covered from the pioneering, westward trailblazing of Lewis and Clark to deep-sea diving with Jacques Cousteau. Children will explore mapping techniques and discover how past explorers have made their mark. Whether it's a simple survey of one's own street or an adventurous round-the-world expedition, this is the perfect reference for any would-be explorer. Special Features: An illustrated timeline places each exploration in its historical context; Section on preparing for an expedition—choosing tools and equipment; and Glossary and index. Excellent overview of world history. Excellent for homeschooling or public school teachers. Ages 4 - 8. Questions welcome. [1 copy available.]
$ 3.59 + $ 3.39 media shipping.

THE FAITHFUL ELEPHANTS: A True Story of Animals, People and War
translated from the Japanese by Tomoko Tsuchiya Dykes. Color illustrations by Ted Lewin. Condition: UNREAD 1991 Trumpet soft cover, first printing. Content: This book has a true message about war - but is a heart-rending, gut-wrenching story for people who love animals and don't watch them eating each other on Animal Planet. A zookeeper narrates the story of how there came to be graves at the zoo: when Tokyo was showered with bombs during the bleak days of World War II, the authorities feared that if the zoo were destroyed, the animals might accidentally be freed and wreak havoc on the city. So they decided that all the zoo animals would be killed. But the elephants wouldn't eat the poisonous food they were offered, and the needles in the syringes containing poison broke before they could penetrate the elephants' rough skin. So the elephants were starved to death, a slow and painful process watched by the zookeepers who loved them. An upsetting story for children or adults, this powerfully conveys the deadly side effects of war. Lewin's watercolors show the massive gray bodies in their state of decline; it is impossible not to appreciate the heartbreak of the animals' plight. But this is a book that provokes questions about the nature of death and dying (children may read into this that some may be killed for the greater good of all), and so should be chosen with care. All ages. [NOTE: The Japanese version of this book states that to show the people of Japan that in this war, people would have to be ready to sacrifice anything for their country. If it was necessary, the lives of animals or even other people would have to be given up for the good of Japan. The US version does not include this tidbit.} Questions welcome. [1 copy only]
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FOLKTAILS: Animal Legends from Around the World
retold & illustrated by Jan Thornhill. Wonderful, colorful illustrations by the Author. Each full-page illustration is framed with a colorful border. Condition: NEW 2006 Maple Tree Press (Canada) hardcover (pictorial boards - no DJ issued), reissue edition, first printing. Original title: Crow & Fox and Other Animal Legends. Content: Animal tales from around the world: Elephant and the Hare (India); Hare & Tortoise (Africa); Tortoise & Crane (China); Crane & Crow (Australia); Crow & Fox (Middle East); Fox & Bear (N. Europe); Bear & Coyote (Canada); Coyote & Mouse (American Southwest); Mouse & Tapir (South America); and the last page shows a map of the world and an explanation of the border & colors used for each illustration (i.e., based on African blanket design). Very cool book for kids. [1 copy available]
$ 5.00 + $ 3.19 media shipping. International shipping available - please use the drop-down menu.

THE FORTUNE-TELLERS
by Lloyd Alexander. Wonderful vivid color illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman. Condition: UNREAD, but not perfect, c. 1995 Dutton hardcover (decorated boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), 5th printing. DJ has a short "repaired" tear back DJ top edge with light edge wear (shelf-wear) to the DJ corners. Interior is clean & tight. UNREAD, but not perfect, c. 1995 Dutton hardcover (decorated boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), 5th printing. DJ has a short "repaired" tear back DJ top edge with light edge wear (shelf-wear) to the DJ corners. Interior is clean & tight. Content: The hands of fate deftly propel this original folktale. A seedy fortune-teller profits from gullible and sometimes desperate villagers who seek predictions for a rosier future. One unhappy carpenter takes to heart the seer's hardly helpful advice--"Rich you will surely be, on one condition: that you earn large sums of money"--and looks forward to a prosperous life. Most surprising to the craftsman, he ends up in the right place at the right time and the prediction comes true. Alexander's chipper text has a jaunty and infectious "just so" tone. Amazing coincidences fuse the plot elements, but the story's logic remains intact, successfully suspending the reader's disbelief. Hyman's acrylic, ink and crayon illustrations capture the landscape and people of West Africa in vivid detail. Indigenous plants and animals--including comically placed lizards--dot each scene, and the villagers' lushly textured apparel is spectacular. Especially opulent are spreads featuring the fortune-teller's cluttered quarters and the market stalls with their baskets and pottery. Ages 5-8. [1 copy available]
$ 15.29 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

THE GENIUS OF LEONARDO (Da Vinci)
by Guido Visconti. Beautiful color illustrations by Bimba Landmann. Condition: UNREAD, BUT NOT PERFECT, 2000 Barefoot hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), first printing. Gift inscription loose end page (can be covered by a blank bookplate) and shelf wear to DJ edges. Interior perfect - clean & tight. Content: The Author uses "quotations, some abridged, from the notebooks" of Da Vinci. Landmann s richly colored iconographic illustrations both illuminate this stunning life of Leonardo and create an air of mystery around this far-reaching genius. At once instructive and entertaining, the story is told by ten-year-old Giacomo, who comes to respect, love, and learn from Leonardo, his wise and eccentric master. The many facets of this towering genius of Renaissance Italy are explored in a book that will inspire everyone to search for their own greatness within. Grade 2 and up. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 5.00 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

GOOD QUEEN BESS; The Story of Elizabeth I of England
written by Diane Stanley & Peter Vennema. Lovely, historically accurate color illustrations by Diane Stanley. Condition: NEW 1992 Four Winds hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), third printing. Content: Grade 5 Up-- That most wise and wily queen of England, Elizabeth I, is the subject of this picture biography. The handsome illustrations, exemplified by the visualization of those small English boats set afire and launched to face the Spanish Armada, are worthy of their subject. Although the format suggests a picture-book audience, this biography needs to be introduced to older readers who have the background to appreciate and understand this woman who dominated and named an age, and of whom the authors write, "When it came to a clash of wills, the two houses of Parliament and all her councillors were no match for Elizabeth." The text is clearly written, explaining the main events and key decisions of Elizabeth's life and reign (1533 - 1603). For readers wanting more depth, a short bibliography of mostly adult titles ends the book. With their attention to period detail--most strikingly the elaborate Elizabethan dress, jewels and palace furnishings--Stanley's paintings transport readers back to an intriguing era. A wonderful book! [1 copy available]
$ 5.59 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

GOOD QUEEN BESS; The Story of Elizabeth I of England
written by Diane Stanley & Peter Vennema. Lovely, historically accurate color illustrations by Diane Stanley. Condition: NEW 2001 HarperCollins hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), first thus, first printing. Content: Grade 5 Up-- This is not a new edition, but basically a "reprint" by another publisher with a new DJ and cover. That most wise and wily queen of England, Elizabeth I, is the subject of this picture biography. The handsome illustrations, exemplified by the visualization of those small English boats set afire and launched to face the Spanish Armada, are worthy of their subject. Although the format suggests a picture-book audience, this biography needs to be introduced to older readers who have the background to appreciate and understand this woman who dominated and named an age, and of whom the authors write, "When it came to a clash of wills, the two houses of Parliament and all her councillors were no match for Elizabeth." The text is clearly written, explaining the main events and key decisions of Elizabeth's life and reign (1533 - 1603). For readers wanting more depth, a short bibliography of mostly adult titles ends the book. With their attention to period detail--most strikingly the elaborate Elizabethan dress, jewels and palace furnishings--Stanley's paintings transport readers back to an intriguing era. A wonderful book! [1 copy available]
$ 6.49 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

THE GREAT ADVENTURE OF CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS: A Pop-up Book
by Jean Fritz. Illustrated by Tomie dePaola. Paper engineering by James Diaz. Full color pop-ups. Condition: Gently pre-read, but not perfect, 1992 Putnam hardcover (pictorial boards - no DJ issued), first printing. Problem: Shelf wear in the vorm of bumbs to the bottom corners with frayed top spine with a short tear under that. The interior, however, is ezcellent. All Pop-ups work. Content: This collaborative work deserves consideration in spite of being a pop-up. The readable text, printed on fold-over extensions to each page, provides a good brief summary of the reasons Columbus attempted his voyage, a short description of his cargo, the journey, landfall, and his return to Spain. Fritz does not delve into any of the darker aspects of the explorations or their aftermath, but presents the trip as the ``great adventure.'' DePaola's illustrations include a view of the Orient, the royal Spanish court, the ocean voyage and landing, the shipwreck of the Santa Maria, and Columbus's triumphant procession through Barcelona. The paintings are done in deep pastel shades that evoke both the splendor of the court and the natural richness of the New World. The people have the flat, serious-looking faces characteristic of much of the artist's work. Diaz's paper engineering, which is less complicated than that of some of the genre, will provide enough movement to satisfy most readers as they make the ships bob through the waves and Columbus bow to Ferdinand and Isabella. Wonderful! Ages 7+. [1 copy available]
$ 9.49 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

THE HAPPIEST ENDING
Yoshiko Uchida. Cover art by the great Kinuko Craft. Condition: UNREAD 1993 Macmillian soft cover, second printing. School supplemental reading book. Content: Rinko Tsujimura is a 12-year-old Japanese-American girl. When forced by her mother to take Japanese language lessons from Mrs. Sugino, she meets Mrs. Sugino's three boarders, one of whom is to marry Teru, an American-born girl of 19 who has been raised in Japan. Rinko is outraged by Teru's arranged marriage with a stranger and promptly finds a more handsome and youthful bridegroom. The Japanese community in Oakland, California, is a closely-knit one of mutual support and assistance, and when Mrs. Sugino's irresponsible husband loses the money that a boarder had given him to invest, her friends contribute their help and support. Most important, Rinko learns a valuable lesson in growing up and redefines her expectations regarding personal relationships. Rinko is an attractive heroinebright, active and caught between the divergent cultures of Japan and America. Young readers may be confused by the attitudes expressed and the vocational and educational restrictions imposed upon the Japanese-Americans, for the fact that the story takes place in 1936 is not well integrated into the story. However, this is a good, comforting rite-of-passage story which will be particularly appealing to those who have read the previous two books about Rinko: A Jar of Dreams and The Best Bad Thing. Grades 4 - 6. [1 copy available]
$ 3.59 + $ 3.09 media shipping. International shipping by arrangement - email us.

THE HARMONICA
by Tony Johnsontl. Color illustrations by Ron Mazellan. Condition: NEW 2004 Charlesbridge hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), first printing. Tiny edge wear to top spine of DJ. Content: Based on a true survivor story, this powerful picture book is yet another astonishing Holocaust account for discussion. A Polish Jewish child, blissfully happy with his loving parents, gets a harmonica from his coal-miner father and learns to play Schubert while his parents dance. The realistic mixed-media, double-page illustrations contrast that glowing warmth of home with the darkness that comes when Nazi soldiers break down the door, separate the boy from his family, and send him to the camps. His harmonica becomes his solace. The commandant hears about the child's playing. He orders the boy to play Schubert and throws him bread. In the end, however, the music does nothing to humanize the brutal Nazis. In fact, one unforgettable picture shows the commandant blissfully listening to the music, one hand over his heart and the other holding a whip. The home memories are idyllic, but there's absolutely no sentimentality about the child's survival. Johnston gives children and grown-ups lots to talk about here--for example, Can a person be both sensitive and cruel? The mixed-media illustrations change from a warm to cold palette to underscore the move from home to camp. While the story is set in World War II, the theme is broader, and makes a case for the power of music/art to support and sustain humanity. There is an appended note about the life of Henryk Rosmaryn. (Ages 3 to 7). [1 copy available]
$ 7.59 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

THE HAUGHTY TOAD AND OTHER TALES FROM BALI
selected and re-told by Victor Mason. Wonderful color artwork by the Artists of Pengosekan, Bali. Condition: Gently pre-read 1975 PT Bali Art Print (Bali) huge (14 x 11) hardcover (pictorial boards - no DJ), assumed first printing. Content: Primarily Hindu mythology and folklore of the Island of Bali - for children and adults, as well. Questions encouraged. [1 copy available]
$ 10.69 + $ 4.29 media shipping. .

HERE COMES THE CAT! (Blue Ribbon English-Russian bilingual for kids)
by Vladimir Vagin and Frank Asch. Adorable and very colorful illustrations by the Authors. Condition: Good+, 1989 Scholastic soft cover, first printing. Edge wear with "frey" bottom cover spine. Name top of title page. Interior clean. Content: This unique Soviet/U.S. collaboration, in PW 's words, features "colorful, humorous illustrations that include delightful details" and "turns the universal 'cat vs. mouse' theme pleasantly upside down." Ages 4-8. Questions encouraged. [1 copy available]
$ 2.69 + $ 3.09 media shipping. .

THOR HEYERDAHL: Viking Scientist
by Wyatt Blassingame. B&W maps. Condition: UNREAD 1979 Nelson hardcover (pictorial boards - no DJ issued), no printing given. Light tanning. Content: Reviewer: "This slim book (only some 85 pages of text) is a fascinating biography of the controversial anthropologist and explorer. Starting with his birth in Norway, the book shows his life, and also his development of his theories about the prehistoric movements of peoples. His first three expeditions (Kon-Tiki, Ra I and Ra II) are covered in exquisite detail, showing what he discovered (about prehistoric man and about pollution on the modern world) and how. This book makes a wonderful addition to the library of anyone interested in Thor Heyerdahl and his theories. Seeing what he learned and when, and how he developed his theories was quite informative to me. Having been published in 1979, it is obvious that there is a great deal of information that is not here. That said, however, this is a wonderful biography, and a great introduction for anyone interested in his life." Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 2.59 + $ 3.09 media shipping. International shipping available - please use the drop-down menu

HIROSHIMA: The Story of the First Atom Bomb
by Clive Lawton. B&W and color era photos illustrate. . Condition: NEW 2004 Candlewick hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), first printing. Content: A large, profusely illustrated account of the development and use of the atomic bomb. Lawton presents the basics of the nuclear theory behind it; the Manhattan Project; the progress of World War II and V-E Day; Truman's decision to use the bomb; the mission of the Enola Gay and the results of the Hiroshima explosion; and the subsequent use of the bomb on Nagasaki. The book also looks at the aftermath, including the surrender of Japan, the survivors, the rebirth of Hiroshima, and the continuing influence of nuclear weapons on the world. The text is clearly written though superficial in places, especially the passage on the complexities of the decision to use this weapon. Brief biographical entries on the primary characters and a chronology enhance the text, while outstanding black-and-white and full-color photos and drawings convey as much of the story as the text. Questions welcome. [1 copy left]
$ 5.89 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

A HISTORY OF BUILDINGS FROM HUTS TO HIGHRISE [Panorama series]
by Fiona Macdonald. Detailed & historically accurate color drawings by various artists. Condition: UNREAD 1996 Macdonald Young Books hardcover (pictorial boards - no DJ issued), no printing given. This was my book and my name is on the top loose end page in small letters. That will be covered by a blank bookplate. Content: This book examines buildings from prehistoric structure to late twentieth century high-tech buildings. Includes a frieze tracing the chronology of building across Europe, Japan and America. Suitable for National Curriculum Key Stage 2-3. Illustrated in full colour. A huge oversight, IMHO, no buildings from the New World were included. Junior high and up. Questions welcome. [1 copy left]
$ 5.89 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

HOW TO SURVIVE IN ANTARCTICA
by Lucy Jane Bledsoe. B&W photos by the Author. Line drawings & maps also. Condition: NEW 2006 Holiday hardcover & DJ (in mylar jacket), first edition, first printing. Content: Antarctica is drier than the Sahara Desert, so how come an ice sheet, three miles thick in places, covers 98 percent of the continent? Bledsoe, who has made three trips to study Antarctica, bases her informal, chatty narrative on her thrilling adventure, bringing close the amazing science and geography as well as the gritty facts of human survival in the frigid environment (all human waste is collected and taken to the U.S. so that Antarctica does not get contaminated). The information is exciting enough without all the exclamatory punctuation, but Bledsoe's tone never seems condescending or self-important. The open book design features lots of boxes with information about the historic explorers and their daily challenges, and Bledsoe's own black-and-white photos showing wildlife close up and scientists at work will grab students across the curriculum. Her first-person narrative adds excitement to the already interesting adventure, and her enthusiasm for the continent comes through on every page. Clear and informative maps and line drawings appear throughout. Grades 7+. Questions encouraged. [1 copy available]
$ 5.69 + $ 3.29 media shipping. nternational shipping available - please use the drop-down menu. .

I, JUAN de PAREJA (Newbery Medal Book)
by Elizabeth Barton de Trevino. Condition: Gently pre-read 1990 Sunburst Trade paperback, 6th printing. Read to page 32 and abandoned. Interior clean & tight with 1 dog earred page. Small edgewear at corners and top spine. A very nice copy. Content: Based on "thin threads" of truth, "I, Juan de Pareja" explores the relationship between famous 17th-century Spanish painter Diego Velazquez and his black slave, Juan de Pareja. Written in first person as if Juan is really telling his story, it is the chronicle of much of Juan's life and and his colorful experiences as apprentice to a master painter. Historical detail also adds great richness to the book. Author de Trevino has captured the mood of 17th century Spain perfectly, and her accounts of Juan's Italian travels fascinate the reader as well. Art facts and descriptions are well-placed, and the reader will find themselves interested in the rich history presented in the book, rather than bored by it. Furthermore, supporting characters are excellent! The portrayal of Diego Velazquez was well-imagined by the author, and the master painter's comments ring with insight and truth. The nobles, the painter's family, the Spanish king, Dutch painter Ruebens...they all come to life in "I, Juan de Pareja." [1 copy available]
$ 3.50 + $ 2.89 media shipping.

IN THE TIME OF KNIGHTS: The real-life story of history's greatest knight
(an I Was There Book)
by Shelley Tanaka. Wonderful color illustrations by Greg Ruhl. Diagrams & maps by Jack McMaster. Condition: Gently pre-read, IF AT ALL, 2000 Hyperion/Madison large hardcover (pictorial boards - no DJ), third printing. I actually don't believe this book has been read. Content: A fictionalized account of one of history's greatest knights. The book opens as six-year-old William Marshal, the youngest son of an English lord, is taken captive by King Stephen in 1152. The ruler threatens to kill the child if the father does not surrender all his wealth. When the man refuses to pay the ransom, the young boy understands how society measures those who are not firstborn. From that moment on, William realizes he must learn to stand on his own and he does; first as a knight's apprentice, and then as a true and loyal knight to some of the most important rulers of the time. Tanaka weaves a fascinating tale filled with plenty of historical detail on life during this oftentimes brutal world. She draws on documents, maps, period reproductions, and other primary sources. Clear, colorful photos of sites and artifacts and original art complement the story line. Excellent organization is an added plus. Grades 4 - 7. [1 copy available]
$ 5.50 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

JOSEPH HAYDN (Composer's World Series)
by Wendy Thompson. Color & B&W photos and era drawings illustrate. Condition: NEW 1991 Viking hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (In mylar jacket), first printing. Content: One more handsome volume in the ``Composer's World'' series, with the same format, rather distanced style, excellent period illustrations, and musical excerpts. Haydn's longer, more orderly life -- most of his work was originally done for his wealthy employers, the Esterhzy family (their vast establishment rivaled Versailles), and he actually received a generous pension -- makes a fine backdrop for the lives of his Viennese contemporaries; Thompson enlivens it with details like the youthful Haydn's irrepressibility (the Empress Maria Theresa once had him whipped for climbing on a scaffold after she'd warned him not to) and his later triumphs in England. Glossary; list of works. Grades 7 - 12.
$ 4.49 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

JOAN OF ARC
by Diane Stanley. Beautiful color illustrations by the Author. Condition: UNREAD 1999 Scholastic large soft cover, first printing. Tiny edge wear. Content: Reviewer: "Once again, Diane Stanley has brought intriguing facts and interesting tidbits to a book about a well known character, Joan of Arc, which makes the reader interested and excited about the subject, no matter what age he or she might be. Joan was born an illiterate, peasant daughter of a leader in a French village during the time of the Hundred Years War between France and England. She was highly disciplined in Catholicism, and was often teased about it by her friends. At the age of thirteen, Joan began having visions, while in the family garden, of various Catholic Saints giving her distressing messages and that she needed to act in order to save the French Kingdom. Joan was so convinced and moved by these visions that she took on a life long task of saving the French kingdom, although a woman doing this would have been unheard of at the time. She was eventually captured by the Burgundies that occupied Northern France and handed over to the English for a ransom. She was put on trial by the church for dressing in men's clothing and for acting on her voices and visitations which should have only been heard by members of the clergy. She was found guilty, although she gave clever testimony and was not easily disrupted by tricky questioning, and eventually burned at the stake. Charles, the ruler that Joan help restore to the crown, made it his personal mission to have Joan's trial declared a mistrial sixteen years after her death. This act fueled by his guilt for not negotiating for her release from prison helped her to be declared a saint five hundred years later. This book helps the reader realize that although Joan my have appeared unstable with her visions in modern times, she brought hope and life to a battle that was hopeless leaving many French residents in despair. A note at the end of the book indicates that there have been three theories behind Joan's visions, depending on where one's personal beliefs lie. Included within the book are pronunciations of French names and places and a map, so the reader can follow the path taken by Joan. This book provides interesting and understandable information for readers of all ages, including adults that want a short but informative look into Joan of Arc's life." Questions welcome. [1 copy left.]
$ 3.39 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

Journey Through History: THE MIDDLE AGES
by Gloria & Oriol Verges. Neat color illustrations by Maria Rius. Condition: UNREAD 1989 Barron's soft cover, first pritning. Tiny edge wear. Content: Reviewer: "The Journey Through History series consists of six books written for young readers that are designed to encourage their interest in the study of history. What is interesting about them is that they were originally published in Spain ("Edad antigua"), which provides for a slightly different perspective on the past that you get from American historians." [The objective is to present topics of interest and significance for discussion among children.] This is an illustrated history of the Middle Ages, with a fictional story involving children to depict the time in history. The content covers serfs, peasants, monasteries, warfare, knights, castles, and agriculture. Excellent! Grades 4+. .
$ 3.49 + $ 3.09 media shipping.

Journey Through History: MODERN TIMES
by Gloria & Oriol Verges. Neat color illustrations by Maria Rius. Condition: UNREAD 1989 Barron's soft cover, first pritning. Tiny edge wear. Content: Reviewer: "The Journey Through History series consists of six books written for young readers that are designed to encourage their interest in the study of history. What is interesting about them is that they were originally published in Spain ("Edad antigua"), which provides for a slightly different perspective on the past that you get from American historians." [The objective is to present topics of interest and significance for discussion among children.] This is an illustrated history of the 17th and 18th century, with a fictional story involving children to depict the time in history. The content covers the European "god kings" to the violin to immigration to new lands to factories dotting the landscape.. Excellent! Grades 4+. .
$ 3.49 + $ 3.09 media shipping.

Journey Through History: THE RENAISSANCE
by Gloria & Oriol Verges. Neat color illustrations by Carme Peris. Condition: UNREAD 1989 Barron's soft cover, first pritning. Tiny edge wear. Pale shelf wear diagonal crease bottom front cover corner. Slight binding era bottom of book. Content: Reviewer: "The Journey Through History series consists of six books written for young readers that are designed to encourage their interest in the study of history. What is interesting about them is that they were originally published in Spain ("Edad antigua"), which provides for a slightly different perspective on the past that you get from American historians." [The objective is to present topics of interest and significance for discussion among children.] This is an illustrated history of the Renaissance, with a fictional story involving children to depict the time in history. The content covers religion, the advent of science, the arts, the printing press, and the civilizations of the ancient Americas. Excellent! Grades 4+. .
$ 3.49 + $ 3.09 media shipping.

KATE CULHANE: A Ghost Story
written & illustrated by Michael Hague. Beautiful full-page spooky color illustrations. Condition: 2002 Sea Star Books (NY) hardcover (pictorial boards) and DJ (in mylar jacket). Perfect! Content: Certain to bring on a shiver or two, this volume presents a tale from Irish folklore, which Hague embellishes with suitably shadowy, eerie watercolors. The opening image effectively conveys the story's chilly soon-to-be chilling setting: the craggy, cloud-filled coast of Ireland where Kate Culhane lives. Tending to her recently deceased mother's grave one evening, lonely Kate inadvertently steps on a newly dug grave, which holds her fast. Her "bones cold with fear," the girl unwittingly follows a voice's instruction to "Open this grave for me." The bony, ghost-like man who emerges forces her to carry him on her back to the home of a wealthy merchant. There the spectral creature cuts the fingers of the merchant's three sleeping sons with a sharp knife, draws blood and leaves his victims lifeless. Though Hague's pictures do not portray the details of this gruesome act, they are sufficiently lifelike to be a wee bit scary especially the image of the villain trying to pull Kate into the grave with him. But the tale ends happily, as Kate outwits the dead man and finds love and wealth and Hague at last has reason to add smiles and sunshine to his convincing illustrations. Ages 7-10, but adults interested in Irish legends will like it, as well. [2 copies available.]
$ 3.50 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

KING PUCK
story & color illustrations by Michael Garland. Beautiful & fun color illustrations by the Author. Condition: NEW 2007 HarperCollins hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), first printing. Content: Set against the backdrop of Ireland's oldest and most unusual fair, this book is a jig-reeling, kid-appealing tale of friendship and fun. Farmer Seamus and his goat, Finny, live on the most beautiful mountain in Ireland, where each night he reads the stories of Finn MacCool (the only book he has). Life is simple and Seamus is content, but he wishes for someone to talk to. Fortunately, the fairies overhear him, and magically Finny begins to speak. When the two discover a handbill inviting everyone to the King Puck Festival where a lucky goat will be crowned king for one day, they make their way to Killorglin, and, predictably, Finny is chosen. The ending has a nice touch for book lovers: in answer to Finny's wish for more books, a librarian delivers new ones every week. An author's note explains the origin of the story. Garland's trademark illustrations feature a rotund, traditionally dressed Farmer Seamus, a sprightly, wide-eyed goat, and fairies set against authentic Irish landscapes. K - 3rd Grade. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 6.49 + $ 3.39 media shipping.

KUN-MAN-GUR: The Rainbow Serpent (From Australia)
by James Cowan. Wonderful color illustrations by Bronwyn Bancroft. Condition: Gently pre-read, if at all, 1994 Barefoot Books hardcover & DJ (in mylar jacket), first printing. While the book is in excellent condition, the DJ shows some edgewear. Content: In this retelling of an Aboriginal creation myth, the Rainbow Serpent, Kun-man-gur, finds a home and food for the flying foxes after he punishes a bat for saying that they smelled bad. Includes a foreword explaining the background and importance of the myth. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 3.50 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

LET'S CELEBRATE ST. PATRICK'S DAY: A Book of Drawing Fun
story and pictures by Pamela Johnson. Condition: NEW 1988 Watermill Press soft cover, no printing given. Content: This is a really neat little book - a topic, typically Irish, has a history and detailed "how-to" instructions on how to draw the subject. Covers the Irish Country Cottage, Lepechauns, the Shamrock, the Shillelagh, the Fairy Harp, etc. Educational and fun. Questions welcome. [1copy available]
$ 3.89 + $ 3.09 media shipping.

THE LION'S WHISKERS: An Ethiopian Folktale
by Nancy Raines Day. Wonderful warm color illustrations by Ann Grifalconi. Condition: UNREAD 1995 Scholastic hardcvoer & DJ (in mylar jacket), fourth printing. Content: Day retells a folktale of Ethiopia's Amhara people in a readable manner that will appeal to both children and adults. A woman seeking the advice of a medicine man on how to win the love of her young stepson is told that she must pluck three whiskers from the chin of a fierce old lion. As she slowly earns the beast's trust, she learns the way to the boy's heart, as well. Day has elaborated upon the ending of the story as told in Russell Davis and Brent Ashabranner's The Lion's Whiskers (Little, 1959; o.p.), giving more life to the characters. Grifalconi's earth-toned collages provide a perfect window to the tale. Her careful use of plain and patterned papers of various textures, both cut and torn, results in an effective portrait of the desert?its ever-changing sands, oases, dunes, and rock formations. Pieces of fabric, parts of photographs (sometimes just a head, arm, hand, or leg attached to a body made of paper and cloth with face and hair drawn in), and tiny twigs, moss, and other natural materials add both artistic appeal and ethnic veracity. A surefire read-aloud and discussion-starter, accompanied by masterful artistic expression. Questions welcome. [1 copy available.]
$ 8.49 + $ 3.39 media shipping.

THE LION'S WHISKERS: An Ethiopian Folktale
by Brent Ashabranner and Russell Davis. Revised Edition by Brent Ashabranner. B&W woodcuts by Helen Siegl. Condition: NEW 1998 Linnet Books hardcover & DJ (in mylar jackaet), no printing given. Revised edition. Content: The earlier title by the same name had 31 stories divided by region and accompanied by background material on the culture of each place. The present edition culls 16 of the favorite stories from that book and provides striking woodcut illustrations, making the tales more accessible to younger audiences. Some of the stories have clear morals and give messages about love, honor, courage, and wisdom. Others, in the way of oral tradition, end abruptly with the storyteller asking listeners to provide their own conclusions or leave the ending open for an additional tale. The characters are people of various regions and faiths; animals such as lions, hyenas, baboons, and turtles; kings and commoners; and even a thumb-sized character who could be compared to the Western Thumbelina. The diversity of cultures in this nation is revealed by selections that come out of the Christian tradition and Old Testament stories told by the Jews who live there. Each story is framed by a short introduction to the teller and the circumstances in which it was heard, thus providing some understanding of the story tradition in Ethiopia and a connection to the previous tale. An introduction provides background to the book and an afterword updates it to show the historical changes in Ethiopia since the first book was published. A selection worth acquiring for folktale collections or to supplement African studies. Questions welcome. [1 copy available.]
$ 7.49 + $ 3.19 media shipping. International shipping available - please use the drop-down menu.

LOST WORLDS
by John Howe. Text and spectacular color illustrations by the Author. Condition: NEW 2009 Kingfisher hardcover (pictorial boards - no DJ issued), first printing. Content: This is just visually spectacular - from the decorated end pages to the artwork for each "lost world." Don't buy into the Lord of the Rings connection - this is really history & myth woven together for some entries (King Arthur) to real archaeological sites (Troy). Fabulous! A large, clear lens embedded in the front cover of this far-ranging browsing title invites readers to step through to a series of quick stops at over two dozen vanished cultures. In no particular order and freely mixing history with myth, Howe slips from the Garden of Eden to Pompeii, Atlantis to Cahokia, Babylon to Faerie, pausing for one to three pages of general remarks about what each was or might have been like, then moving on. He closes with a section of even shorter notes on 35 more real or storied sites. Bringing his experience as a concept artist for the filmed Lord of the Rings (Gandalf—er, Ian McKellan even provides an introduction) to bear, he depicts each featured locale at its height with handsome, dramatic painted tableaux and expert pencil sketches. The new world entries are Cahokia, Cibola, Rapa Nui, and TeotihuacanGrade school to Adults will love this book. [2 copies available]
$ 10.00 + $ 3.49 media shipping. International shipping available upon arrangement - email us for details.

MAGIC IN THE MARGINS: A Medieval Tale of Bookmaking
by W. Nikola-Lisa. Beautiful, ornate color illustrations by Bonnie Christensen. Condition: NEW 2007 Houghton Mifflin hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), first printing. Lightly perused on shelf. Content: Simon, a young orphan in the Middle Ages, is an apprentice in a monastery's scriptorium, where books are written. He learns to prepare parchment, grind pigments, and write, but he dreams of illustrating illuminated manuscripts. The monastery's Father instructs Simon to practice by capturing mice. "Study them, get to know them . . and use your imagination." Simon begins by setting traps, but he eventually understands the figurative use of language, and his fanciful drawings of mice earn him a job in the scriptorium at last. Younger children may struggle with the play on the word capture and the messages about what an artist does. Many kids, though, will be drawn in by the appealing story of a child's empowerment and the glimpse of the medieval world. Christensen extends the story with strong, clear scenes, bordered by botanical patterns and executed in ink and egg-tempura pigments, just like the monks used. A final word about the time period closes this solid title. Ages 5 - 8. [2 copies available]
$ 5.49 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

THE MAGIC FEATHER: A Jamaican Legend (Legends of the World series)
retold by Lisa Rojany. Delightful color illustrations by Philip Kuznicki. Condition: UNREAD 1996 Troll soft cover, first preinting. Tiny shelf wear. Content: The evil Mancrow -- half bird, half human -- has stolen the light from the world. Now a young girl sets out to find the magic feather that holds Mancrow's power. Reviewer: "This volume finds us in Jamaica, spending time with Solidae, her Gran'mother, living a simple but fulfilling life gather the fruits of the forest and sea. As the story starts out, Solidae comes to her Gran and tells her that the once colorful fish are now brown and drab as the mud...all the color is gone. Gran'mother knows immediately that it is Mancrow and begins to tell Solidae his story, the only creature among man and beast who never chose one nature over the other and who had slunk away into the forest, with this dark and savage heart. With that Gran leaves for the village for a few days and advises Solidae to stay away from Mancrow and not to speak to him at all. Naturally, she does have an encounter with him and Iguana loses his colors as a result and Mancrow steals all the light and color from the world in his anger...Solidae goes home, but eventually Gran'mother returns and she confesses her part in the lasting darkness and decides that she must track down Mancrow and pluck his colored feather to set things right again. In the end, The Magic Feather is an interesting look at this folk story and we all enjoyed reading how Solidae worked with all the other animals in the end to pluck Mancrow's magic feather and bring back light and color to their island. The kids also picked up that storms must be something people living on Jamaica were worried about, and that's why they had the story to explain why storms happen and how Mancrow might one day return." Wonderful! [1 copy available]
$ 5.00 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

MARRIAGE OF THE RAIN GODDESS: A South African Myth
by Margaret Olivia Wolfson. Beautiful color illustrations by Clifford Alexander Parms. Condition: NEW 1997 Barefoot hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), second printing. Content: Lush, dramatic illustrations enhance this picture book for older readers, based on a fragment of a Zulu myth about the rain goddess Mbaba Mwana Waresa, who searches for a mate who would move her heart. Not able to find the perfect partner among the gods, she looks among mortals, and in a simple village, she finds the cattle herder Thandiwe, who reveals much about himself as he sings of his love of land. She then arranges a most unusual test to judge whether Thandiwe is worthy of her affection. Parms' attractive illustrations, which show a mixture of modern styles of traditional dress and beadwork with older designs, are a fitting complement to the love story, which never becomes sentimental. With appealing characters and a strong sense of place, the book is a good choice for reading aloud, and it may prompt older children to investigate Zulu customs and traditions further. Wolfson discusses pronunciation of Zulu terms and sources in an afterword. Karen Morgan. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 4.89 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

MASKS (The Metropolitan Museum of Art) [Pop-Up & Wear Book]
by Heather Simmons, Olivier Charbonnel, Miriam Berman. Wonderful color photos of artifacts and color masks. Condition: NEW 1997 DK Ink hardcover (pictorial boards), first printing. Content: There are FIVE masks with history of the country and time of the mask, color photos of artifacts from the era, AND the child can slip the mask out of its holder and wear it. Each mask has an elastic "string" attached for holding the mask on. Then just slip the mask back in the book and it becomes a pop-up again. Featured: Colombia, New Guinea, Nigeria, Europe (Knight's mask), and Feudal Japan. Neat! Excellent for homeschooling. [1 copy available]
$ 7.69 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

MEDIEVAL LIFE
by John Guy. Wonderful color reproductions of medieval art. Color photos of artifacts. Condition: NEW 1995 Snapping Turtle (UK) Trade paperback, no printing given. Very light shelf wear. Content: The book colourfully illustrates life in medieval times, with contemporary paintings and striking photographs of surviving buildings and artefacts. It shows the everyday lives of the rich and poor from the humble peasant to the Lord of the Manor, the cruelty of warfare and the role of the church in society. John Guy has studied Medieval & Tudor history and is acknowledged as a leading authority on Castles. In his numerous books on historical subjects, he is passionate about bringing history alive and removing false ideas of the past. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 5.00 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

MEXICO (WorldFocus Series)
by Rob Alcraft & Sean Sprague. Color photos & maps throughout. Condition: NEW 1996 Rigby Educational/Oxfam America hardcover (pictorial boards - no DJ issued), first edition, first printing. Content: Introduces Mexico through a geographical and historical profile and case studies of individuals and a representative community of La Trinidad. Grades 1 - 3. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 2.69 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

THE MIRACLE CHILD: A Story from Ethiopia
by Elizabeth Laird with Abba Aregawi Wolde Gabriel. Beautiful color illustrations from an 18th century Ethiopian manuscript. Condition: Gently pre-read 1985 Holt Rinehart hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), first American edition, first printing. DJ price-clipped. Content: This is an Ethiopian story of a miracle child who fed the hungry and healed the sick during a time of great famine. Based on the life of Saint Tekla Haymanot, a 13th century monk, the story is one of the best-loved tales in Ethiopia's rich and ancient literature. In case you wondered about the co-author of the book, Gabriel is a priest of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in England. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 7.50 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

MS. FRIZZLE'S ADVENTURES: MEDIEVAL CASTLE
by Joanna Cole. Wonderful color "comic" detailed illustrations by Bruce Degen. Color illustrations remind one of the great detailed drawins of the DK books for kids. Condition: NEW 2004 Scholastic over-sized soft cover, second printing. Light edge wear. Content: One Saturday morning, Ms. Frizzle runs into one of her students, Arnold, at Craig's Castle Shop. They find themselves traveling back to medieval times, checking out life in a castle. The story mixes adventure with humor, fact with fiction. Cartoon illustrations, as usual, are awash with action and scenery. The busy layout includes large-type narration in white rectangles, pale yellow dialogue bubbles, and fact boxes. Kids will appreciate the funny asides, particularly Arnold's thoughts on his teacher-"Not my teacher! It's Saturday!" Although most of the facts can be found elsewhere, the presentation will be a draw for the many Frizzle devotees. Although the book has a larger format than the "Magic School Bus" series, it will attract the same audience. Even the endpapers have a spiffy spin on heraldry, with coats of arms depicting the teacher, her student, and their friends. Bus or no bus, there's no denying the Frizzle magic. [1 copy available]
$ 10.49 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

MYSTERY ON EVEREST: A Photobiography of George Mallory [A National Geographic book]
by Audrey Salkeld. B&W era photos illustrate. Condition: UNREAD 2000 Scholastic large soft cover, 5th printing. Tiny edge wear. Content: Why did George Mallory want to climb Mount Everest? "Because it's there." In 1924 mountain climbers George Mallory and Sandy Irvine were spotted a short distance from the summit of Mount Everest - and then they disappeared "from the face of the earth." For 70 years the mystery of Mallory's disappearance captivated the imagination of the world. Finally in 1999, climbers discovered Mallory's body. The "search" for Mallory and Irvine is a fascinating and classic mystery story for all ages - even though this book is geared to junior high school and up. Questions welcome. [1 copy available.]
$ 2.59 + $ 3.29 media shipping.