Sheila Griffin Llanas

This biography introduces readers to Brian Selznick, author and illustrator of the award-winning novel The Invention of Hugo Cabret. Readers will learn about Selznick's childhood in New Jersey and his arrival in New York, his early interest in film and drawing, his exposure to children's publishing while working at Eeyore's Books for Children and his big break into the industry with The Houdini Box. Easy-to-read text highlights Selznick's childhood,...

In this title, unwrap the life of talented Chef Boyardee manufacturer Ettore Boiardi! Readers will enjoy getting the scoop on this Food Dude, beginning with his childhood in northern Italy. Students can follow Boiardi's success story from his early restaurant training in Europe to his immigration to the United States and his early success as a chef in New York. Boiardi's family and his retirement years as a television commercial star are also highlighted....

From gills to fins, the walleyed pike is a fascinating animal. This game fish is a valuable part of its environment. In the Great Lakes area, walleye is the most popular game fish. Walleye are predators, and mature fish are near the top of the food chain in their environments. Fittingly, the Fish & Game series is part life science, part sports and recreation. This book explores the walleyed pike, including its habitat, appearance, history, seasonal...

Who is the author behind your most beloved American classic? This title takes a look into Walt Whitman's life, including significant events, influences, and most remembered works. Whitman was an influential American poet who is responsible for the famous poetry collection Leaves of Grass. Special features include sidebars, infographics, on-page definitions, online search sidebar, further evidence sidebar and primary sources. This title also includes...

Fiction is more than a made up story. A piece of fiction is crafted by carefully inventing a unique plot and believable characters. But how does an author get started? Finding inspiration is as easy as looking at a picture.

This book relays the factual details of the Underground Railroad and slavery in the United States. The narrative provides multiple accounts of the events, and readers learn details from the point of view of a slave, a slave owner, and a conductor on the railroad. This book offers opportunities to compare and contrast various perspectives in a text while gathering and analyzing information about an historical event.

This biography examines the remarkable life of Jonas Salk using easy-to-read, compelling text. Through striking black-and-white images and rich color photographs, readers will learn about Salk's family background, childhood, education, groundbreaking research, and creation of the polio vaccine. Informative sidebars enhance and support the text. Features include a table of contents, timeline, facts page, glossary, bibliography, and an index. Aligned...

In this title, unwrap the life of talented KFC creator Colonel Harland Sanders! Readers will enjoy getting the scoop on this Food Dude, beginning with his childhood in rural Indiana. Students can follow Sanders's success from his early days as family cook to his work on farms, in the US Army, on railroads, and finally at gas stations, where he perfected the Kentucky Fried Chicken recipe. Sanders's family and his retirement years as a television advertising...

This book introduces young readers to the bald eagle, a sacred animal in many cultures. Easy-to-read text examines the bald eagle's development as a cultural icon, from Native American totems and rituals through early American admiration, to today's status as the United States's national symbol. Readers will also learn about the bald eagle's body, its appearance, size, and color. The bald eagle's method of reproduction is discussed, as is eaglet development...

This biography introduces readers to Jerry Pinkney, illustrator of more than 100 children's books, including the award-winning The Lion and the Mouse. Readers will learn about Pinkney's childhood in Pennsylvania and his current family life in New York State, his early interest in drawing, and the inspiration behind his traditional African-American stories such as John Henry and The Talking Eggs. Easy-to-read text and full-color photos highlight Pinkney's...