by Jeanne Bendick

Jeanne Bendick, through text and pictures, admirably succeeds in bringing to life the ancient Greek mathematician who enriched mathematics and all branches of science. Against the backdrop of Archimedes's life and culture, the author discusses the man's work, his discoveries and the knowledge later based upon it. The simple, often humorous, illustrations and diagrams greatly enhance the text.  Softcover · 160 pgs.· Ages 10 and up.

by Jane Porter

This magnificent book tells the story of the brave Scots who rebelled against the tyranny of King Edward during the period of 1296 - 1305.  This inspiring tale of courage has been a favorite for generations of readers.  Softcover · 504 pgs. ·  High School Reading Level

by Charlotte Mary Yonge

Charlotte Mary Yonge's Victorian bestseller is a domestic story, a novel of female education, and a detailed survey of the controversies and practices of High Church Anglicanism in the 19th century. 

Its portrayal of the bookish, awkward heroine, Ethel May, paved the way for stories of literary heroines like Jo March and Anne Shirley, and its emphasis on the domestic life of the May family illuminates the Victorian doctrine of separate spheres, the seemingly contradictory gender politics of the Woman Question, and the relationship between religion and the rights of women in the 19th century.  

Absorbing, moving, and intricately plotted, The Daisy Chain is Yonge's best-known novel; this edition will provide the 21st century reader with a comprehensive education in Victorian culture, not to mention a remendously satisfying reading experience.  Reading Level: High School · Softcover · 595 Pgs.

by Bradford Smith

Interesting biography, published by Beautiful Feet Books, of Bradford's childhood.  Orphaned at a young age, he was formed by forces which were providentially preparing him for the great call upon his life.  Follow his life from his boyhood in Scrooby, England through the years when he led the Pilgrims as the first governor of Plimoth Plantation.  200pgs. · Intermediate Reading Level (4th through 6th grade) 

by James Daugherty

Originally published in 1951, Newbery and Caldecott Medal winner James Daugherty has applied his literary and artistic skill to bringing to life the remarkable expedition of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on their 3555-mile trek from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean. Taken largely from original accounts of the expedition, Daugherty has written in his simple, forceful, and lyrical way to evoke the drama and pathos of what was one of American's most daring journeys of discovery. 

Commissioned in 1803 by President Thomas Jefferson to explore and open up this vast territory, Lewis and Clark felt it was the realization of a lifelong dream.  Against the hardships of the wilderness, possible attack by hostile Indians, sudden blizzards and terrifying natural obstacles, these two men led a Corps of Discovery ably and nobly to complete their mission. 

Their Corps included American Indians from the Sioux, Mandan, Shoshone, Clatsop and Chopunnish tribes as well as one black slave named York. Sacajawea—the only woman on the trip—was a Shoshone who contributed invaluable service as interpreter and guide. Daugherty's evocative sepia and black ink illustrations depict individuals of humor, vitality, passion, and strength. 168pgs. · Softcover · Reading Level: Advanced (7th grade and up)   

by Ingri and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire

Considered by some children's book authorities to be the D'Aulaire's finest work this biography of Leif Erickson, son of Eric the Red, best exemplifies the artist's skill in Norwegian folk art, style, and history.

Their well-researched text is lavishly illustrated with Viking rune-like carvings, from the dragon prow of the ship that Leif must hurry to remove, lest it anger the spirits of the land, to the stave churches so unique to Norway.  Landscapes depict emerald green fjords against floes of ice and mountains of snow.  The grand halls of King Olav Trygvason are ornamented with carvings of Nordic mythical creatures while tame polar bear cubs romp and play. 

In this setting the young Leif grows to manhood and learns the skills of navigation, sailing his own ship when just a teen from Greenland to Norway. It is on his return journey that he discovers a new land—what we now know to be Newfoundland.  Later he sends settlers there—actually establishing a colony.  His tale is aptly and authentically told in the D'Aulaires's inimitable style. 54pgs. ·  Softcover · Primary and Intermediate (1st through 6th grade)  

by Ingri and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire

America was at a crossroads in 1939 as they debated whether to join the Allies in their battle against Hitler's relentless march across Europe.  As European immigrants the D'Aulaires felt keenly the importance of standing against injustice, and saw in Lincoln the archetypal American hero as he stood against the injustice of slavery.  It was this spirit they hoped to exemplify in their biography of young Abe as he grew into manhood against the backdrop of the wilderness of Kentucky, the deep woods of Indiana, and the prairies of Illinois.

Camping for weeks in Lincoln country, the D'Aulaires imbibed the spirit of the man Lincoln as well as his humor and good will.  From his days as a clerk, teaching himself law reading Blackstone, practicing law in Springfield, running unsuccessfully for office, debating Stephen Douglas over the issue of slavery, and ultimately becoming President of the United States, the D'Aulaires have written and beautifully illustrated the life of one of America's most remarkable citizens. This book was awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1940. Softcover · Reading Level: Primary and Intermediate (1st through 6th grade)

by Ingri and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire

As is their custom, the D'Aulaires have thoroughly researched their subject in order to provide the most historically accurate account of the life of the man Samuel Eliot Morrison called "the greatest mariner that ever lived."  In their pursuit, the D'Aulaires traveled to Spain, Portugal, and the Caribbean Islands to research original documents on the life of Columbus.

Their text reflects many little- known facts not generally included in the typical biographies of Columbus.  Readers will learn that it was the saga of Leif Erickson that was one of the inspirations for Columbus's voyage to the East.  They will also learn that Columbus was such a skilled astronomer that he knew the exact date when the next eclipse of the moon was and used that knowledge to his advantage.  They will also learn that though "Columbus was a great man, he was not a modest man.  He wanted too much, and so he did not get enough."

This book is lavishly illustrated with the D'Aulaire's detailed lithographs in four colors. 54pgs. ·  Softcover ·  Reading Level Primary and Intermediate (1st through 6th grade)

by Ingri and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire

An intuitive understanding of the things children love to know, combined with the d'Aulaire's extraordinary artistic ability make this book on the life of one of America's most beloved founders a perennial classic.  Folk art style illustrations are enhanced with pert aphorisms from Poor Richard's Almanac on each page. 

Readers will learn that Benjamin was the youngest of seventeen children "all counted" and that "it was a piece of luck that his kite experiment had not killed him."  They will also come to know the inventor whose thirst for knowledge led him to constantly seek to improve the lives of his fellow men.

Readers will follow his life as a leader in the American Revolution and ambassador to both Britain and France and
learn why the French hailed him as the man who "tore the lightening from the sky and the scepter from tyrants."
48 pgs. · Softcover · Primary and Intermediate (1st through 6th grade)

by Ingri and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire

William F. Cody was born in the middle of the nineteenth century on the plains of Kansas Territory where his family had settled to trade with the friendly Kickapoo Tribe.  These Natives were Bill's childhood playmates and at a tender age he traded his brand-new buckskin suit for a little wild Indian pony that he learned to ride like the wind.  By the time he was twelve, he was doing the work of a grown man as a cattle driver, camping under the stars each night. 

When he was caught in a buffalo stampede his horsemanship saved his life.  Then he met wilderness scout Kit Carson who taught him how to read the language of the plains.  When daredevil riders were needed to carry the mail on the new Pony Express, Bill was one of the first to sign up.  Then the Civil War began and Bill went East to fight for Kansas, since that state wanted nothing to do with slavery.

The D'Aulaires have captured the allure of one of America's frontier icons in the drama of their lush lithographs and in a text that brings to life the story of the fearless, wild Buffalo Bill. 42pgs · Softcover · Reading Level: Primary and Intermediate (1st through 6th grade)

by Genevieve Foster

Originally published in 1944, Foster earned her reputation by her masterful display of "horizontal history"—telling the story of world events in the geo-political sphere, while giving as much importance to advances in science, medicine, music, literature, and exploration.  Thus, while Abe Lincoln was a boy romping the woods of Kentucky, Thomas Jefferson was completing his eighth year as president, George III reigned in Great Britain and Napolean was about to meet his Waterloo.  Beethoven and Sir Walter Scott were at the height of their creative powers, while Victor Hugo was staging plays at school.

By the time Lincoln was old enough to help his father chop wood, other young boys and girls were being prepared for the
future parts they would play.  Harriet Beecher was reading anything she could get her hands on, Charles Darwin
was collecting toads, crabs and shells, and the impoverished boy Dickens was working in a shoe blacking factory in
London.  

When Lincoln opened his shop in Salem, David Livingstone was opening up deepest Africa, and thousands of Americans were opening up the West on the Oregon Trail.  The spirit of freedom was moving around
the globe as the abolitionist movement gained power in the States and serfdom saw its demise in Russia.
Technologically the world was bursting with the invention of the telegraph, the railroad and the steamboat. 

With her whimsical and informative illustrations and timelines Foster has magnificently captured a remarkable age and
a remarkable man. 345pgs.  Softcover Reading Level: Advanced (7th grade and up)

by Genevieve Foster

Considered the innovator of "horizontal history," Genevieve Foster became frustrated when her two school-aged children complained about the boring presentation of history in their school texts.  This frustration led to Foster's first book, George Washington's World (1941).  In her unique approach, Foster weaves a story of the world around her central character; rather than focusing exclusively on geo-political events, as most textbooks do; she includes stories of scientific discovery and invention, music, literature, art, and religion. She has a keen intuition for stories that will especially delight and amuse her youthful audience. 

In Augustus Caesar's World, Foster traces the seven major civilizations—Rome, Greece, Israel, Egypt, China, India, and Persia—from 4500 B.C. to the time of Augustus Caesar in 44 B.C. and culminating in 14 A.D. Within this timeframe readers will learn not only the stories of Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, and Marc Antony, but also the historian Livy and how Virgil came to write the Aeneid.

Foster will then take her readers all over the world to learn what was happening at this same time in China, Persia, India and so on.  Foster's detailed pen and ink drawings are fresh and appealing, and her illustrated timelines give a clear sense of chronology, enriching the engaging text. 334 pgs. ·  Softcover · Reading Level: Intermediate and Advanced (4th through 8th grade) 

by Ingri and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire

"He was born in a little red brick house that his father had built on the oyster-shell hill.  By that time so much land had been cleared that the wilderness was far in the distance."  So begins the simple and inauspicious life of George Washington—a backwoods Virginia boy destined to become the Father of His Country.  

Meticulously researched, the D'Aulaires hiked and camped all over Virginia as they imbibed the spirit of this great man. The story follows his growth from young boy to surveyor, to soldier in the French and Indian War where he became a war hero.  Then George courted Martha Custis and after their marriage they built a thriving plantation at Mount Vernon. Slavery is depicted as an acceptable fact "where his hundreds of slaves . . . kept everything spick and span and in beautiful order."   Then we see Washington lead his troops through the dark and hungry days of the Revolution—by his courage and integrity, inspiring the same in his men.

The D'Aulaire illustrations reflect the folk-art style they intended, seeking to depict characters that would appear much as the rocking horses and toy soldiers children played with in their nurseries.  60pgs. · Softcover · Primary and Intermediate (1st through 6th grade)

by Genevieve Foster

Spanning the years from 1580-1631 the life of the adventurous John Smith gives a picture of the world just before and during the colonization of America. 

When Smith was a boy, Shakespeare was on his way to London to become an actor, the Spanish Armada had failed to conquer England, Mary Queen of Scots had lost her head, and Akbar the young prince of India sought to rule his people wisely.  Galileo was perfecting his telescope and seeing things never before seen by the human eye, while Pocahontas romped the forests of Virginia and saved a young Englishman's life.   A little band of Pilgrims seeking to escape religious persecution in England fled to Holland and a little Dutch boy named Rembrandt began to paint. 

These are just a few of the intriguing personalities, events, discoveries, and advances that made up the world of Captain John Smith and are now made alive to the reader in Foster's masterful way. 406pgs. ·  Softcover · Reading Level: Advanced (7th grade and up)

by Genevieve Foster

The period measured by the life of George Washington—1732 to 1799 —was one of revolution and change in many parts of the world as Enlightenment thinking took hold in the minds of men.  

When George was a young man, Benjamin Franklin was the most well-known American, Louis XV was on the throne of France, and George II was king of England.  Father Junipero Serra had just arrived in Mexico to work with the Panes Indians.  Mozart and Bach were writing their immortal music and Voltaire warred with his pen against Ignorance, Injustice and Superstition.  The young nobleman Lafayette watched the feisty American colonies with fascinated interest as they stood up to Mother England when she sought to tax them unfairly.

James Cook was sent by the Royal Society of London to Tahiti where their team of astronomers might observe a total eclipse of the sun and thereby accurately measure the distance between the earth and the sun.  These are just a few of the wonderful narratives explored by Foster in her Newbery Honor Book of 1940.  Prolifically illustrated with intriguing line drawings and detailed timelines, Foster's telling of the life story of George Washington does justice to the man it celebrates. 355pgs.· Softcover · Reading Level: Intermediate and Advanced (4th through 8th grade)