Most Popular Books by Nancy Dickmann

Why is Benjamin Franklin important? He invented the lightning rod and much more! Readers follow the journey of this inventor and founding father. Franklin created the lightning rod and other inventions that helped change the world. It''s an electrifying story filled with engaging text and colorful images, all reviewed by Smithsonian experts.

An introduction to different meats and proteins and the part they play in a healthy diet.

Letu0092s figure out Earth and its amazing world of rocks through fascinating facts and figures! Discover the different types of rocks that make up our planet, how they are made, and how Earth is constantly recycling its rocks in a never-ending process. Find out amazing information about rocks and then turn to the Figured Out! pages to discover more facts and easy-to-read statistics that bring our rocky planet to life.

In ''Divali'', children learn about the story of Rama and Sita and why Divali is celebrated today.

Describes the only national park that celebrates people and is named for the mesas that are found in the area.

Why is Lewis Latimer important? His invention of the carbon filament made light bulbs more afforable and longer lasting. Readers follow his journey from working with Alexander Graham Bell to improving Thomas Edison''s light bulb. It''s an enlightening story filled with engaging text and colorful images, all reviewed by Smithsonian experts.

Step back in time to Ancient Greece--one of history''s greatest civilizations. Find out how the fearsome hoplite soldiers fought. Discover Greek''s gorgeous goddesses and mighty gods. Find out how soothsayers predicted the future, why the Olympics could be deadly, and dig up the truth about the Trojan horse as you hunt down the secrets of the dead!

Scientist Marie Curie discovered radioactivity. What were the steps Curie took which lead her to this world-changing discovery?

Unlock the secrets of the mighty Romansu00adu00ad--one of history''s greatest people. Journey across the world as you track down the Roman Empire. Find out what it meant to be a slave and how you could work your way to freedom. Discover disgusting Roman manners, what the Romans did to look good, and dig up the gory truth about gladiators as you hunt down the secrets of the dead!

A car breaks down on the highway. It won''t go. What vehicle can help? A tow truck! Tow trucks carry broken vehicles to repair shops so they can be fixed and get back on the road. Young readers will find out about tow trucks, their main parts, and how these important vehicles are used.

We have Ralph Baer to thank for the video games people play around the world today. What were the steps Baer took that led him to his famous invention?

Introduces farm machines and shows what they do.

Simple explanation and illustrations giving basic information about two important festivals of Islam.

Introduces the meaning and customs of Hanukkah celebrations.

Take a tour along the Nile and visit Ancient Egypt. Peer inside the pyramids to find the treasure within. Unravel mysterious mummies and learn how the Egyptians had death wrapped up. Read hieroglyphic clues, journey into the afterlife, and find out what it meant to be a pharaoh as you hunt down the secrets of the dead!

Introduces the life cycle of an oak tree, explaining how it grows, develops, and reproduces.

Spiders live everywhere! We even find them inside our homes. But how do they get way up on the ceiling? You have questions, and this book has the answers. Find out about spiders, including their body parts and behavior.

A very basic introduction to Antarctica and some of the people who first explored it.

An engaging introduction to the world''s growing population and globalization, the challenges that presents, and the consequences for the natural world. "This bright and colorful nonfiction book covers the serious topics...concisely and in easy-to-understand language....It presents each topic in a nonpolitical way with just enough information to educate the reader but not overwhelm them....could also be used by teachers to start meaningful conversations in their classrooms..."—School Library Connection, Recommended Covering topics such as the global food chain and food miles, the gap between the world’s richest and poorest people, transportation, tourism, migration and the refugee crisis, and international responses to natural disasters and pandemics, the book also includes positive suggestions to enable readers to make a difference, and project ideas to help them engage with the topic. From the book: In an ideal world, the Earth’s resources would be shared out equally. But the sad truth is that they aren’t. Many people live a comfortable life, with everything they need. Others scrape by, with no money for luxuries. And many people live in poverty, facing a daily challenge to survive.

"You have eyelashes. Your dog has eyelashes. But fish don''t! Why? You have questions, and this book has the answers. Find out about fish, including their body parts and behavior"--

People don''t sleep standing up. But cows do! Why? You have questions, and this book has the answers. Find out all about cows and why they don''t need to lie down to catch some Zzzzzs.

Discusses the different jobs that are done on a farm.

Describes the two national parks located in central California that are famous for their giant sequoia trees.

What is it like to live in or visit Brazil? What makes Brazil''s culture unique? Explore the geography, traditions, and daily lives of Brazilians.

"A car zips down the street. But you don''t hear the engine rumbling. Why? It''s an electric car! Electric cars are becoming more common around the world. Young readers will get a basic introduction to the main parts of these vehicles. They will see how electric cars are different from gas-powered vehicles and why electric cars are better for the environment. Get young readers excited about electric vehicles!"--

"The world is full of colorful birds. But why are flamingos bright pink? You have questions and this book has answers. Find out about flamingos, including what they eat and their behavior"--

"Learn about number patterns that exist in a sunflower, the reason behind the hexagonal shape of a honeycomb, and all about the Fibonacci sequence. High impact photographs will draw in young readers as they learn about mathematical concepts that exist outside their front door."--]cProvided by publisher.

This brand-new series highlights some of the major contributions women have made in the world of science. From studying stars and discovering comets to flying into space as pioneering astronauts, women have been central to learning about space. Female astronomers gave us our first understanding of how large the universe really is and how much matter it contains. They were key to designing humans'' first rocket-powered flights into space. And as soon as women could go into space themselves, they were eager to do so: some 65 women have now become space travelers. This book tells their stories and describes their vital contributions. ABOUT THE SERIES: From studying the stars to curing disease, understanding plants and animals, pioneering computer studies, and unraveling the secrets of atoms and molecules, women have played a vital role in scientific advances since the ancient world. Yet their contributions have often gone unrecognized or, worse, have been credited to others. With lively text, photography, and art, Super SHEroes of Science sets out to redress the balance and give credit where it''s due. It examines the contributions to various fields of science of individual women from around the world!

You step carefully along the shore of a river. A lumpy rock catches your eye. You pick it up and smile as you drop the lightweight rock into your bucket. When it''s split open, you see beautiful blue crystals glittering in the light. It''s a geode--just like you thought! Find out how geodes form, where they are found, and about some of the most amazing geode discoveries. Then learn how you can find and collect these marvelous mineral-filled rocks too!

What is it like to live in or visit Italy? What makes Italy''s culture unique? Explore the geography, traditions, and daily lives of Italian people.

"Being trapped in a cave or collapsed mine is terrifying. It can be cold, wet, and completely dark. Even worse, you don''t know if anyone will ever find you. Read the true stories of Jessica McClure, Randal McCloy, the 33 Chilean miners, and others to discover how they survived being trapped far below the earth''s surface."--Page 4 cover

After rock hunting near a river all day, you bring home a bucket filled with rocks. You break one open. Inside, gold cube-shaped crystals shine. You''ve found pyrite! It will be a perfect addition to your growing rock collection. Find out how fool''s gold, or pyrite, forms, where it is found, and about some of the most amazing pyrite discoveries. Then learn how you can find and collect this gleaming gold mineral too!

You''re rock hunting along a lakeshore with your eyes glued to the ground. A see-through rock lights up in the sunlight. Your heart races as you pick up the rock. It has beautiful bands of orange, cream, and brown. You''ve just found an agate! Find out how agates form, where they are found, and about some of the most amazing agate discoveries. Then learn how you can find and collect these striking rocks too!

World War II was filled with deadly battles. And people caught in the crossfire were in just as much danger as the soldiers. Learn about the war''s determined survivors and what it took for them to escape.

Explore the history of World War I, from causes and effects to what made this period of history so deadly.

"What is it like to live in or visit Portugal? What makes Portugal''s culture unique? Explore the geography, traditions, and daily lives of Portuguese people"--