New Releases by Ellen Labrecque

Celebrate 50+ artists who broke barriers, took risks, and changed the world of entertainment forever! While these creatives came from different backgrounds and overcame unique struggles, they had one thing in common: they would not take "You can''t" for an answer. With a don''t-give-up attitude, these fearless firsts fought for what they believed in and created a better artistic world. In this book, you''ll read about very famous entertainers, like Taylor Swift and Oprah Winfrey. You''ll also discover the first Asian American comic book writer and the first runway model in a wheelchair. You''ll meet the world''s first modern graffiti artist, the first Black man to host a TV series, and the first Indigenous American Oscar winner. Beyond individuals, you''ll learn about important groups, like the East West Players and the Hamilton cast. By the time you''re done reading, whether you see yourself as an artist or not, you''ll be inspired to stay optimistic, fight against injustice, and be fearless in whatever you set your mind to!

How did a young boy who played three sports become a two-time Super Bowl champion? Find out in this exciting Who HQ Now book about one of America''s favorite football players. Travis Kelce was born an athlete -- he played football, basketball, and baseball in high school. He excelled at football, and served as Cleveland Heights High School''s quarterback -- though he''d one day become a famous tight end because of his impressive skills on the field. Travis was offered a scholarship to play football at the University of Cincinnati. After being drafted in the NFL to play for the Kansas City Chiefs, Travis got his first Super Bowl win. Travis won his second Super Bowl in 2022, when the Chiefs defeated his brother''s team, the Philadelphia Eagles. Although he is best known for his excellence in football, Travis is also the founder of the Eighty-Seven & Running Foundation, which provides children in need with opportunities in education, athletics, and the arts. He is also a podcaster and an avid car collector.

Celebrate over 50 athletes who broke barriers, took risks, and changed the rules! While these athletes came from different backgrounds and overcame unique struggles, they had one thing in common: they would not take "You can''t" for an answer. With a don''t-give-up attitude, these fearless firsts fought for what they believed in and created a better sports world. In this book, you''ll read about very famous athletes, like Jackie Robinson and Simone Biles. You''ll also discover the first female drag-racing champion and the first Latino American baseball superstar. You''ll meet the first Olympian with an amputated leg, the first blind Ironman racer, the first transgender college champion, and the first Asian American Olympic gold medalists. Beyond individual athletes, you''ll learn how Title IX impacted sports, why the Paralympics matters, and the history behind the Haudenosaunee lacrosse team. By the time you''re done reading, whether you''re an athlete or not, you''ll be inspired to stay optimistic, fight against injustice, and be fearless in anything you set your mind to!

A Wabi-Sabi World journeys through a wondrous slice of heaven--an animal sanctuary--where perfection is joyously discovered in imperfection. Within these pages, the serenity is palpable--the simple yet powerful poem draws you into a realm where all life is not only respected but celebrated. Not only will you meet some of the sanctuaries shining lights, but you''ll also learn how they came to call it home and realize the choices we make every day can affect the lives of so many others in this web of a world of ours.

Learn about the showstopping life of one of the most famous entertainers of all time in this book about Frank Sinatra from the #1 New York Times Bestselling Series! Before Frank Sinatra became the international superstar that we remember him as today, he was just a young boy singing for spare change in his family''s New Jersey tavern. Those small beginnings would be the start of an incredible career in which Frank became one of the best-selling musicians of all time -- selling over 150 million records worldwide. More than just a musician, Frank also went on to win an Academy Award and a Golden Globe during his career as an actor. With hundreds of songs from several genres such as big-band, swing, jazz, and pop, the "My Way" singer is considered one of the world''s most beloved entertainers.

Journey to Avonlea and meet Anne Shirley -- the imaginative and bold star of the beloved Anne of Green Gables series -- in this addition to the What Is the Story Of? series. Author L. M. Montgomery first brought Anne Shirley onto the page in 1908, and this independent and inspiring character has been capturing readers'' hearts ever since. The story of an orphaned girl who is sent to Avonlea on Prince Edward Island to live with the Cuthbert family includes adventure, romance, and an ensemble of iconic characters like Diana Barry and Gilbert Blythe. Today, fans enjoy Anne on page, on screen, and even on stage as the popular series continues to draw audiences. Learn about the history of this iconic literary character, Anne with an “e” – in this exciting biography.

NBA champion, sports analyst, and successful businessman Shaquille O''Neal is a lively and entertaining addition to the #1 New York Times Bestselling Series! Shaquille O''Neal discovered his love of basketball while spending time in an afterschool program called the Boys & Girls Club of America. Standing over six feet tall by the time he turned eleven years old, Shaq--as he is affectionately known--continued to practice the game and stunned the country with his phenomenal skills. From leading his high-school team to its first-ever state title to becoming the first pick in the 1992 NBA draft and going on to win four NBA championships, Shaq proved that he could dominate almost any player. But the fifteen-time All Star who played for six teams throughout his nineteen-year NBA career isn''t just a force on the court, he is also an actor, television host, musician, and businessman who is always ready to crack a joke or bust a dance move. With such a welcoming personality and immense talent, it is easy to see why Shaquille O''Neal is often considered one of the greatest players in NBA history.

Spend a day and night in the forest! Learn about this wooded habitat through the fascinating animals that call it home. Leap from tree to tree with a squirrel searching for breakfast. Pounce with a fox on the forest floor. Soar with a red-tailed hawk as the sun sets. After dark, build a dam with a beaver. What will tomorrow bring in the forest?

Spend a day and night in the prairie! Learn about this grassy habitat through the exciting animals that call it home. Spot prairie dogs popping aboveground as morning sun floods a field. Join giant bison as they graze on grass. Stir up dust on a sunset sprint with antelope. After dark, stake out prey with a coyote in dense grass. What will tomorrow bring in the prairie?

How did an immigrant who sold sewing supplies in New York City reinvent himself in the American West by creating the most iconic pair of pants in the world? Find out in this addition to the Who HQ library! As a young working-class German immigrant, Levi Strauss left his family''s dry goods business in New York City to journey out west for the California Gold Rush. Only Levi wasn''t looking for gold -- he wanted to provide the miners with sturdy clothes to wear while they worked in the dusty river beds. His solution? Blue jeans -- pants made of strong denim fabric -- which have become one of the most beloved and fashionable clothing items in the world. Who Was Levi Strauss? follows the remarkable journey of this American businessman, and takes a look at how one man and a pair of pants changed fashion and the world forever.

How much do you know about Crispus Attucks? Find out the facts you need to know about the first person killed in America''s fight for independence. You''ll learn about the early life, challenges, and major accomplishments of this important American.

How much do you know about Philo T. Farnsworth? Find out the facts you need to know about this inventor, scientist, and TV pioneer. You''ll learn about the early life, challenges, and major accomplishments of this important American.

Smelly trash, rotting food, and piles of poop are disgusting! But not to flies! Why? You have questions, and this book has the answers. Find out all about flies, including their body parts, young, food, and behavior.

Weather is at work changing the Earth every day. Dramatic rainfall can cause devastating landslides. Wind can erode rocks over thousands of years. Discover the impact of wind, rain and sun on the habitats of the world.

What are asteroids, comets, and meteors made of? What can scientists do if an asteroid is headed toward Earth? Learn how astronomers prepare for space objects hitting Earth, from tracking them to building asteroid-hunting telescopes. Budding astronomers will learn all about meteors, asteroids, and comets, including the history of asteroids hitting Earth and the differences between space rocks.

Full moons in folklore and legends are said to have magic power. Does a full moon really affect our planet and people living on it? Get a closer look at the moons in our solar system, from the known moons to the ones that haven''t been discovered. Budding astronomers will learn all about moons, from Jupiter''s 63 moons to the features of Earth''s moon.

What is a black hole? What is dark matter and what is it made of? How do scientists discover black holes and dark matter if they can''t be seen? What do scientists know about these mysterious parts of the universe and what do they still hope to find out? Budding astronomers will learn the answers to these questions and more!

Whether you call it football or soccer, there''s no disputing that David Beckham is one of the best players in the history of the game! Whenever a young David Beckham was asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, he''d always answer with the same response: I want to be a footballer. This English native got his wish when he joined the Manchester United team in 1991. Since then, he has been crossing, bending, and free-kicking his way to stardom. In his twenty-year career as a professional soccer player, he has won nineteen major trophies, and appeared at three FIFA World Cup tournaments. David Beckham has become an international cultural icon for his soccer skills, his charity work, and his fashionable wife and family. Young soccer fans are in for a treat with this Who HQ book.

Told in a new Who HQ NOW format for trending topics, this Who Was? biography details NBA superstar Kobe Bryant''s legendary career and the impact of his legacy on the sports world and beyond. Kobe Bryant was just an eighteen-year-old high-school basketball player when he decided to enter the National Basketball Association''s draft. Though he was the thirteenth overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets, he would never play a single game for them. Instead, Kobe was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he would spend his entire twenty-season career, winning five championships and numerous awards. Author Ellen Labreque takes readers through each exciting moment, from his iconic dunks to his 81-point game--all the milestones that span Kobe Bryant''s legendary career and legacy.

"Weather affects us every day. How do we know what the weather will be like where we live? How can we prepare for it? Find out the science behind weather observation and prediction"--

"From wind and rain to tornadoes and hurricanes, weather is a powerful force in our world. Discover how weather changes the world we live in and how scientists learn about its impact on our daily lives"--

Our expert author picks the best players in the 20-plus year history of the WNBA. Find out what made the players stars and how they helped build the league into what it has become. Additional features to enhance the text include a table of contents, a phonetic glossary, an index, an introduction to the author, and sources for further research.

The Amazons were some of the most mysterious and lauded women in Greek mythology. An all-female nation of brave fighters, they rode horseback and were expert archers. Although the stories about the Amazons were first told more than two thousand years ago, these powerful women still strike a chord with readers today. Indeed, they are the same Amazons that DC Comics'' Wonder Woman calls her family. Using engaging images, facts, sidebars, and pop culture references, this exciting book tells the Amazon origin myth while weaving in true stories of ancient Greek life and highlighting the relevance of the Amazons in modern-day society.

Our home is on Earth, but how is it different from other planets? What creates night and day? Which planets have rings? Early readers will love getting the answers to all their questions about the Earth and other planets. Includes sidebars and infographics that are worked seamlessly into the design for easy reading and better comprehension.

What is a star? How big do they get? Why do stars appear in different colors? Early readers will love getting the answers to all their questions about the Sun and other stars. Includes sidebars and infographics that are worked seamlessly into the design for easy reading and better comprehension.