Most Popular Books by Laura Purdie Salas

Poetry + Math + Science = A new way of looking at spring Math meets metaphor in this eye-opening exploration of spring. Each clever equation is a tiny, perfect poem that prompts readers to look at the ordinary and see the miraculous. Can you look at an egg in a nest and see a jewelry box? How are sunlight and heat like an alarm clock? Engaging sidebars reveal the science behind the signs of spring.

Be creative with drawing, painting, stamps, or doodles on pages with your favorite photographs.

Discusses events leading up to the removal of the Cherokee Native Americans from their homelands, hardships faced on the Trail of Tears, challenges of the new territory in Oklahoma, and the Cherokee nation today.

Discusses colonial America''s need for a route to the west, how the Wilderness Road developed, early explorers and settlements along its path, and the impact it had on western expansion.

A tiny chipmunk named Oskar accidentally stows away on an enormous Great Lakes freighter. Can he survive an epic trip--and find his way back home? Near a bustling harbor, a plucky chipmunk''s love of tomatoes earns him a heart-pounding ride "up up up" onto a huge ship. After iron ore pellets thunder into the cargo holds, the boat sets sail across Lake Superior--with Oskar still aboard! Lost and desperate to return to land, Oskar explores the enormous boat for a way out. The metal, the machines, the noise--it''s all so different from his small home in the oak tree. Tasty treats in the galley calm his nerves, but when he ventures up to the pilothouse, where sailors steer the ship, he''s shocked to see his bridge and his oak tree fading into the distance. Soon, the lake stretches endlessly in all directions. As he searches for a way home, Oskar discovers excitement--and danger--instead. He''s never before seen a dizzying drop to icy water; an avalanche of mail; a roaring, rumbling engine room; or a steel boom swinging through the sky to deliver a ship''s cargo. Though he encounters amazing wonders on board, he can''t find the one thing he needs most--his oak tree back at the harbor. Will Oskar ever make it home? In 2019 author Laura Purdie Salas took a voyage on the Paul R. Tregurtha, the largest freighter on the Great Lakes. That trip inspired her poetic narrative highlighting the features of a working ship through a chipmunk''s eyes. Artist Kayla Harren''s vibrant illustrations offer glimpses into life aboard a laker--with dazzling scenes of both inland sea and shore. A diagram of a freighter offers perspective, and a map displays Oskar''s route. A glossary and further reading list round out this tale of an unlikely adventure--and may just inspire readers to imagine their own Great Lakes excursion.

They''re cheap, easy to find, and often legal to buy-and they kill. Inhalants are everyday products that are an overlooked danger to kids and teens. Read Inhalants to learn more. Book jacket.

“What does this poem mean?” “How should I read it?” “How do we talk about it?” “What do I DO with it?” “What''s the best way to assess it?” “How do I meet standards?” “When can I possibly fit it into my already over-packed day?” Have you ever asked these questions about poetry? The 30 Painless Classroom Poems series makes it easy for you, the elementary school teacher, media specialist, or reading specialist, to share poetry with your students. Whether you already love poetry or you fear or even actively dislike it, these books are for you. The poems, Notes from the Poet, extension activities written by experienced classroom teachers, and tips for using poetry in your classroom will have you sharing poems in no time. In Wacky, Wild, and Wonderful: 50 State Poems, award-winning poet Laura Purdie Salas (author ofBookSpeak!, Water Can Be…, and more) offers up a poem for every state, covering a wide variety of poetic forms, moods, and topics. Extension activities by teacher Catherine Flynn share ideas for spring-boarding from these poems into deeper learning across many content areas. Sample: Pennsylvania: Celebrity Weatherman Phil has no thermometers And no advanced degrees He only knows a cold front By its snapping, chapping breeze He can''t interpret radar He''s surprised by winter snows But Phil foretells the birth of spring Because his shadow knows ? Note: Every year since 1877, on February 2, a groundhog--who is always named Punxsutawney Phil--comes out of his hole in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. If he sees his shadow, tradition says, that means six more weeks of winter. If he does not see his shadow, that means winter is over. Thousands of people go to Gobbler''s Knob, a hill outside the town center, each year to see Phil''s Prognostication, and reporters around the country spread word of the results. A Note from the Poet: As high-tech as we are, we still love our traditions and superstitions. I love that every February 2nd, on Groundhog''s Day, newspapers and news shows still report on whether Phil sees his shadow or not. Up here in Minnesota, we ignore Phil''s prediction because there''s no chance winter is going to end before mid-March! See all of the 30 Painless Classroom Poems at www.30PainlessClassroomPoems.com. Disclaimer: For those of you collecting all my 30 Painless Classroom Poems books, please note that some information, such as Why Poetry Matters and Classroom Poetry Tips, is repeated from book to book. The introduction to the book, the poems, the Notes from the Poet, and the classroom activities are unique to each book.

An inventive poetry collection that shows the wild side of first- and second-graders at school. These 18 funny and imaginative poems observe students in their natural habitat and reveal their unusual behavior, crazy communication, and very healthy appetites. Whether they’re in the classroom, on the playground, or in the cafeteria, school brings out the animal in all of them. And if you look carefully as you turn the pages, you may even glimpse some of the wild side in yourself!

“What does this poem mean?” “How should I read it?” “How do we talk about it?” “What do I DO with it?” “What''s the best way to assess it?” “How do I meet standards?” “When can I possibly fit it into my already over-packed day?” Have you ever asked these questions about poetry? The 30 Painless Classroom Poems series makes it easy for you, the elementary school teacher, media specialist, or reading specialist, to share poetry with your students. Whether you already love poetry or you fear or even actively dislike it, these books are for you. The poems, Notes from the Poet, extension activities written by experienced classroom teachers, and tips for using poetry in your classroom will have you sharing poems in no time. In What''s Inside? Poems to Explore the Park, award-winning poet Laura Purdie Salas (author of BookSpeak!, Water Can Be…, and more) offers up fifteen couplets asking students “what''s inside” some common objects at the park. Fifteen answering quatrains reveal the details of each item''s interior or potential. Vivid language and rich nonfiction content—along with a sense of wonder and a dash of humor—make these poems engaging and accessible. Extension activities by teacher Ed Spicer share ideas for spring-boarding from these poems into deeper learning across many content areas. Sample: Ninth-Inning Win (answering poem to the what''s inside a baseball couplet) A bull''s-eye of cork helps you punish fast pitches— and rubber and yarn add some bounce from within all tucked below zippers of tight ruby stitches This ball holds a breathtaking ninth-inning win! A Note from the Poet: Did you know that every Major League Baseball has 108 stitches? I love those little lines of red. They remind me of zippers, so I called them that, even though you can''t unzip them. And I used ruby instead of red for two reasons: 1) the line sounded better with two syllables there instead of one; and 2) since a ruby is a jewel, it makes me think of something valuable and important, not just everyday stuff like red. See all of the 30 Painless Classroom Poems at www.30PainlessClassroomPoems.com. Disclaimer: For those of you collecting all my 30 Painless Classroom Poems books, please note that some information, such as Why Poetry Matters and Classroom Poetry Tips, is repeated from book to book. The introduction to the book, the poems, the Notes from the Poet, and the classroom activities are unique to each book.

Explore the science of snow in this informative picture book with a lyrical read-aloud from award-winning author and poet Laura Purdie Salas. Stars and columns fill the sky with dreams to flurry, float, and fly. When the first flakes of snow swirl toward the ground, it almost feels like magic. But in fact, it''s science: a delicate process where cold air and moisture high in the sky work together to create tiny crystals that grow into sparkling snowflakes. Laura Purdie Salas''s accessible, poetic text and Chiara Fedele''s breathtaking art present the science behind snow and revel in the wonder of winter weather. Follow as the weather sets the stage for a glowing, snowy morning full of flakes that flurry, float, and fly! An author''s note delves deeper into the science of snow, making the book an excellent choice for classroom lessons on weather and seasons. There''s more to explore! Also read Zap! Clap! Boom! The Story of a Thunderstorm.

Describes rain forests and the animals and plants found there.

Examines what lives in the ocean and gives answers to many different questions children may have.

Illustrations and rhyming text follow a loon chick as she learns how to survive--and thrive--in her first year. Includes facts about loons.

"This poetic board book surveys various types of homes in nature, spotlighting their differences but concluding with the elements common to all: love and family"--

A step-by-step guide to planning a career in writing for the educational market for children. Includes an introduction to understanding publisher catalogers and writing for series, sample query letters to publishers and many hints from the author''s extensive career in educational writing.

Would a crunchy taco bursting with seasoned beef, cheese, and lettuce hit the spot? Then you''re ready to learn about Taco Bell®, the most popular Mexican-inspired fast-food chain in the United States. Discover how the company started near Los Angeles, California. Find out how Taco Bell comes up with new menu items. Then, read the rest of the Favorite Food Franchises series for more fascinating facts.

Does a hot toasted cinnamon bagel sound tasty? Then get ready to devour this book as you learn about Panera Bread®. Is it a bakery? Is it a café? It’s surely the home of breads, soups, salads, and sandwiches, including many foods that are not only good tasting but also good for you. Discover how the company started. Find out where its bread is made. See what happens to leftovers at the end of the day. Then, read the rest of the Favorite Food Franchises series for more fascinating facts.

This series provides a different look at community workers through lively text and vibrant illustrations. Young children can explore the captivating world of life in their communities with predictable text and fun facts--a perfect choice for read-alouds.

You know the song Pop Goes the Weasel. Sing along with new words that explain how our planets water cycle works.

You know the song Clementine. Sing along with new words that explain the six main categories into which all animals can be grouped.

Come explore the Great Outdoors. Outdoor enthusiasts will learn about the equipment they need, the techniques to employ, and the conservation measures that will ensure a great adventure.

"Discusses the history, effects, and dangers of inhalants as well as addiction treatment options"--Provided by publisher.

Filled with terrible struggles and tremendous gains, these books help readers understand the "Second Revolutionary War," feel the sorrow and suffering along the Trail of Tears, applaud the women suffrage movement, and more.

This informative series teaches readers the facts about drugs.

You know the song Ive Been Working on the Railroad. Sing along with new words that explain how our five senses help us explore the world.

Bossy scarecrows, three-headed zebras, and mysterious school lunches, it''s all in the world of poetry. Striking photos pair with well-crafted wordplay in these themed introductions to rhyme and rhythm. Poems in various forms celebrate everything from sitting in class to sailing through space.

The first rule of becoming a good writer is simply to write. Awesome photos and engaging writing prompts encourage students to practice writing in a variety of genres, inspiring ideas that become springboards for authentic writing experiences. Instructional tips complete these valuable resources for aspiring writers.

"This poetic board book relates a school day from the perspective of a migrating butterfly whose own routine mirrors that of a child''s"--