'Sandy's Circus' by Tanya Lee Stone introduces the young reader to the extraordinary artist Alexander Calder. Although Calder would never call himself an artist, he invented the mobile as a form of moveable art and created giant sculptures that can be seen all over the world. 'Sandy' (Alexander) first became famous for his creation of a moveable and 'magical' circus. People came from miles around to see Calder make his minature circus figures perform. For the young reader who loves to create,'Sandy's Circus' is an inspiration.

Similar authors: Laurence Anholt; Mary Arrigan; Linda Lowery

Similar books: Alexander Calder by Mike Venezia; Pablo Picasso by Linda Lowery; Dreamer From the Village: The Story of Marc Chagall by Michelle Markel; Camille and the Sunflowers: a story about Vincent Van Gogh by Laurence Anholt

Reviewed by: mb

Date read: 7/30/2010

ISBN-10: 0670062685

ISBN-13: 9780670062683

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What fish has the head of a horse, a tail like a monkey, tiny prickles down its back like a dragon, and a pouch like a kangaroo? By the title, I bet you can guess- it is a sea horse. But did you know that sea horses can change color and are the only male fish that can be 'pregnant'. This book has a great way of supplying a lot on information is a fun and informative way.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/13/2009

ISBN-10: 0763629898

ISBN-13: 9780763629892

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Read the fascinating story of New York City's first subway. In the 1860s, New York City was a center of manufacturing, transportation and entertainment with a population of more than one million people and many more tourists. Unfortunately, traffic was so bad that it took hours to go a few miles and crossing the street was a hazard. The hundreds of horses that pulled wagons, buses, and trolleys produced as much as ten pounds of manure every day! Gross! Something had to be done! Enter Alfred Ely Beach, an inventor and entrepreneur. He thought an underground railway, which he would invent and build, was the only way to relieve the congestion, and the manure, on the streets. The challenges of designing and manufacturing the subway were daunting enough. But because Boss Tweed would not allow the city to give Beach permission to build the subway, his men dug the tunnel for the subway at night, storing the dirt in an empty building, so no one would know what they were doing. This story is so amazing that you won't believe it really happened.

Reviewed by: hap

Date read: 8/13/2009

ISBN-10: 1426304625

ISBN-13: 9781426304620

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Sheepherders are hired to tend the sheep herd or band of sheep in the American West. Each band of female sheep has one thousand to two thousand sheep, while the male sheep are in smaller bands. The ranch owner hires one or two shepherds to tend the whole herd. Many of them come from sheepherding cultures that include Mexicans, Basques, Native Americans, Mongolians, and Nepalese. The sheep are moved from one place to another as the shepherds ride horses, and use herding dogs to help them. The unique lifestyle of a shepherd, as he lives today, has been mostly the same for a century. The rams, ewes, and guardian dogs live together in a fascinating way.

Similar books: Cattle Kids by Cat Urbigkit and Ranch by Roxie Munro

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/14/2009

ISBN-10: 1590785096

ISBN-13: 9781590785096

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Imagine setting out on a voyage to explore Antarctica, having the goal of being the first team of explorers to cross Antarctica on land from one side to the other. This is what the crew of The Endurance did in August, 1914. Five months later, and only 100 miles from their destination, they ran into a bit of trouble, and their ship became trapped in ice, broke apart, and sank. They were so close to their goal when tragedy struck. Now, they were 1,400 miles away from help, and living in extreme weather conditions with dwindling supplies. Jennifer Armstrong has written an account of the unbelievable events of this voyage.

Similar books: Ice Story: Shackleton's Lost Expedition by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/13/2009

ISBN-10: 0517800136

ISBN-13: 9780517800133

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