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The prairie is home to lush and unique plants and animals. Here they are introduced in the cadence of a familiar rhyme (“Over in the Meadow”) which is followed by brief factual information. All is accompanied by eye-catching, textured mixed media illustrations that inform and engage.

Brief explanations of both the inside and outside of the human body are presented in direct text and full-color photographs with overlaid drawings. Also included are: a table of contents, index, glossary, and code to a download an interactive web-based book from the publisher.

Short, imaginative poems combine with brief facts and handsome, full color photographs to introduce a variety of insects. Fact or fiction can be shared independent of the other to find out about everything from the common house fly to the colorful lovebug and many more insects.

Each type of train makes a slightly different sound from the “clang, ting” and “bing” of a freight train to the “zooosh” of the diesel. The long format is reminiscent of a track to support the colorful trains rushing by as well as their onomatopoeic sounds in varied typeface.

The city is filled with trucks, trains, and more things that go and “vroom”, “beep”, “honk” and more. Young machine aficionados are sure to appreciate them as presented in deeply colored illustrations and alliterative text. Questions asked are answered with a flap lift.

Textured illustrations cleverly incorporate die-cuts exploring the many shades of green. Language is as inspired as the textured paintings, subtly suggesting an environmental note. The book concludes with “forever green” in which a man and a child admire a large, lush tree, presumably from a seedling planted earlier.

A young gardener plants seeds and waits for the transformation from late Winter’s mud brown to the lush green of Springtime. Evocative, lyrical text and delicate, expressive illustrations follow the evolution and depict the gradual change — all with understated humor.

Rich, rhythmic language combines with lush illustration to poetically describe the water cycle and more. This memorable volume will be read aloud — and perhaps discussed as: “Thirsty air/licks it [water] from lakes/sips it from ponds/guzzles it from oceans…”

Susan B. Anthony lived and worked as a teacher when women were paid less for the same jobs performed by men and could not vote in any election. Her work and perseverance helped change the entire country and is presented in accessible language and simple illustrations that evoke the period. Resource notes are included.

Rachel Carson was a shy child, always drawn to nature. She grew up to become a professional biologist and enter a field with few women and write a book that changed the way people looked at the environment. Soft, cartoon-like illustrations and straightforward narrative present an overview of Carson’s life; sources are included at the end.

Brief sketches of the lives of both well (e.g. Harriet Tubman) and lesser known African American women (e.g., Biddy Mason) and their impact on civil rights are presented in the lively language of a storyteller sure to read aloud well. Vibrant, stylized Illustrations enhance the evocative text to complete the thought-provoking portraits.

Juliette “Daisy” Gordon was born into a family of pioneers, she loved the outdoors, and yearned to make a difference in the world. Combining her passion for service with her own adventurous spirit and her belief that girls could do anything, she founded the Girl Scouts. March 2012 is the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts and they’re still going strong, with more than 3 million Girl Scouts throughout the world!

Emily’s dog, Carlos, accompanied her almost everywhere, “decorating her clothes with dog hair” even when she wrote. Rich narrative sprinkled with quotes from Emily Dickinson’s poetry and letters combines with expressive watercolors for a unique portrait of the poet. Additional information and sources complete this handsome book.

Roosevelt’s own words define her growth from a shy child to reluctant but forceful political voice to respected citizen of the world. Evocative illustrations express Roosevelt’s strength and unique beauty.

A young Frederick Douglass narrates this handsome, moving, and authentic story of his early life as a slave, his desire to learn, and plans to escape slavery. The child who grew up to be an abolitionist, memorable writer, and orator knew that words — reading — would set him free.

Two children aroused by their parents join a march for equal rights.  Short sentences and semi-abstract illustrations convey the children’s evolving feelings as they join scores of others in what adults recognize as an historic march for civil rights.

Brief, staccato text and dark-hued, mixed-media illustrations convey the drama of enslaved people escaping on the Underground Railroad. There is limited light and grave danger until the family reaches freedom in this seemingly simple yet rich and sophisticated book.

Martin Luther King’s niece recalls how the power of her uncle’s words and his strength of conviction changed the United States. Realistic illustrations, straightforward language, and factual back matter create an accessible glimpse of the man and his place in history.

His unusual escape from slavery — in a box mailed to Philadelphia — is told in a conversational, folksy style illustrated with evocative illustrations. The cadence of the text calls to mind the music and song that were always important to Henry Brown.

Through original artwork by the renowned artist Tomie dePaola — a longtime aficionado of Frida Kahlo’s work — as well as beautiful reproductions of Kahlo’s paintings, this latest Smart About book explores the creative, imaginative world of Mexico’s most celebrated female artist.

Why is the time different in New York and in Tokyo at the same moment? How time zones were developed and standardized are clearly presented in this lighthearted but informative look at the science and history of time and travel.

In just a second, a bat can make 200 calls, a black mamba snake can slither 24 feet, four babies are born somewhere in the world, and much more. Time takes on new meaning in this stylishly illustrated, provocative look at time and how it’s measured.

The author/illustrator’s enthusiasm for the birds he observes is contagious in this artful and informative look at various birds of prey. Several pages fold out to showcase the splendor of these amazing flyers.

Sophisticated children (or children with an adult) will appreciate the variety of aircraft designs ranging from easy to difficult, silly to complex, and the science behind them. All is presented in easy-to-follow instructions and crisp diagrams.