Most Popular Books by Ruth Thomson

Six fantastic, fun themes offer beginning writers all kinds of story ideas. With lively illustrations and helpful hints, this book guides children through every stage of creating a story.

Every day, tons of used materials-from glass and paper to plastic and rubber-are thrown away and taken to landfills. This series explains how we can simultaneously do Earth a favor and create practical items from materials that would otherwise be discarded. Each book features colorful pictures and easy-to-follow text that explain how to turn glass jars into pencil holders, newspaper into bags, and much more

''What is a Self-Portrait?'' features well-known examples of fine art and discusses how artists reveal themselves through their self-portraits.

Illustrated instructions for constructing toys, games, and other amusements that recreate the fun of country fairs.

''Changing Times'' is a series that looks at life in the recent past through the eyes of four generations of the same family. Change and continuity are emphasised through contemporary photos and artefacts. The books aim to stimulate historical interest and awareness. The seaside is the focus of this title.

Children can become mathematical problem solvers, learning to communicate and reason mathematically, by using the Math Counts series. The full-color photographs and simple text encourage talk about topics that are essentially mathematical.

Discovering Paintings is a thought-provoking series of books, which compare and contrast paintings on a particular theme. The books are packed with intriguing facts and questions about pictures and painters, and also include observation games and activities.

Uses six well known tales from around the world to give beginning writers a model for creating their own tales. Covers each stage of writing, from setting the scene and describing the characters to introducing a problem and solving it in an exciting way. Suggested level: junior.

First Writing is a range of books from the hugely successful Adventures in Literacy series. These two new titles in the range offer the basic skills essential for forming simple sentences, rhymes and stories and guide children from phonics through to independent writing and reading. The series covers non-fiction and fiction writing skills, enabling children to expand their vocabulary and express their imagination.

Intended for the literacy hour, this book aims to teach budding writers how to plan, draft and write through the practice of writing styles such as invitations, labels and lists. There is also a large format version for class use.

Examines the uses of paper, how it is made and, how it may be reused.

In ''World of Design'' you can read about unusual and inspiring crafts created by people in many different parts of the world. This book features masks made for a variety of reasons using all sorts of materials, techniques and decoration.

Examines why metal is useful, how it is made and how to reuse it.

With a cross-curricular approach that links environmental issues with both science and geography, this series provides insight into the ways materials are re-used or recycled all around the world.

These books will help you think about and look around your local area. Find out what your surroundings can tell you about how people live and work, where they shop and go to school and how they travel and spend their leisure time. Discover the clues that will tell you how people lived in the past. Think about the changes that could benefit your local area, whether it''s your home, school or further afield.

Objects from around the world are gathered together to give design inspiration and then linked with art and design projects for readers to create their own work

With over 1000 words, this first wordbook should help young children aged five and over to extend their vocabulary and improve their spelling. Using lists of illustrated words about many subjects, children will be inspired to write both fiction and non-fiction.

Get Set Go is an innovative activity series which explores a variety of popular themes, combining information with ideas for fun activities.

This title focuses on people''s everyday lives in different countries around the world. It features quality, specially commissioned photographs and offers a very accessible approach with a lot of information given in extended captions.

What is Still Life? Featuring examples of fine art, this title looks at the variety of subjects used for still life paintings, plus elements of painting such as colour and line. What are Textiles? This title uses examples from different cultures to discuss materials and techniques for making different kinds of textiles.

Photos First is the perfect introduction to studying photography, looking at important photos every child should know.

Part of a series which uses oral history, archive photographs and colour ephemera to bring to life social history over the last century. This book focuses on children''s toys. What were/are toys made of? The book brings the topic up to date by finishing on the experiences of the five-year-old child.

How does the heart work, and what makes muscles stronger? Why do we blink, sweat and shiver? And why can''t we eat just sweets?

What was it like when your relatives were young? -- Changing times is an original series that looks at life in the recent past through the eyes of four generations of the same family. Change and continuity are emphasized through contemporary photographs and artefacts. The books will stimulate historical interest and awarenes.

Almost all children are fascinated by living things. This book will help them towards a greater understanding and appreciation of the plants and animals around them.

An overview of the first Indians to arrive in North America that tells their story through crafts. Projects include creating a tepee, war bonnet and beadwork, and interpreting sign language.

The United States has over 3.5 million miles of rivers meandering through its mountains and forests and into its seas. In this book, readers will find out all about rivers, from their source to where they meet the sea. The informative text covers the wildlife found in rivers, flooding, and a great deal more. A writing activity at the end helps young people assimilate what they have learned.

Ready Set Go is an innovative activity series that explores a variety of popular themes, combining information with ideas for fun activities. Ages 7+.

Presto the magician performs a number of tricks with circles, triangles, and other shapes.

Argues that the hands are the busiest part of the human body, and looks at gestures, sign language, and other things we can do with our hands.