Rebecca Kraft Rector

Max and Molly feel squished in the back seat of their car after their mom invites some animals to pile in and come along for the ride.

"A plate breaks, an ice cube melts, a room is painted. Each of these is an example of a physical change. In this easy-to-follow text, readers are introduced to physical changes in matter. Simple explanations cover forms of matter, properties, and changes. Real-life examples illustrate important concepts. Fast facts and Words to Know provide additional information. Full color images expand and support the text, while an activity reinforces ideas through...

"We may not be able to see asteroids without a telescope, but there are thousands of these space rocks circling the sun. In this fact-filled, simple text, readers learn about asteroid formation, size, shape, and orbits. They are also introduced to the methods that scientists use to track asteroids. Fast facts and a hands-on activity expand the reader's learning experience, while full-color images enrich the text with additional details and examples....

"Throughout our solar system, chunks of ice, gas, and dust fly around in the form of comets. This engaging text introduces readers to the wonders of comets: their size and shape, their formation, and how they orbit the sun. Each of the main parts of the comet is explained using simple vocabulary as well as full-color photos. Fast facts increase readability and interest, while a fun activity encourages readers to use their new knowledge in an entertaining...

"All of the planets in our solar system circle around one giant ball of gases: the sun. This simple yet fascinating text explains how the sun was formed and where its energy comes from. Readers also learn to identify the different parts of the sun. A hands-on activity investigates the sun's changing place in our sky, while full-color photos and fast facts enhance the text. The book correlates directly with the Next Generation Science Standards' expectation...

"The sight of the moon in the night sky can be both familiar and mysterious. In this easy-to-follow text, readers are introduced to concepts such as the moon's rotation, orbit, and formation. They learn the basics of gravity and tides, atmosphere, and the phases of the moon. Fast facts, a hands-on activity, and eye-catching images capture the readers' attention and enhance their understanding of this fascinating topic. The book correlates directly...

Explore the past, present, and future of the Amazon Rainforest. Beautiful photos, fact-filled text, and engaging infographics help readers learn all about this natural wonder and how to protect it long into the future.

"Soft, slippery, rough, or prickly: All day long, we encounter objects with different textures. In this easy-to-follow text, readers are introduced to fundamental concepts of matter and texture. The connection between texture and touch is explored, as well as specific examples of texture in solids and liquids. Fast Facts, Words to Know, and dynamic full-color images stimulate curiosity and learning. An activity underlines the new concepts and allows...

The earliest civilizations developed in fertile river valleys, where the conditions were right to support large, settled populations. This book tracks how social hierarchies, religion, culture, written language, technology, and more developed first in Mesopotamia and then independently in the Nile, Indus, and Yellow River Valleys. A timeline helps readers get a better grasp of what developments were happening simultaneously in different parts of the...

Introduces the Grand Canyon while describing the formation of the canyon, its different parts, and the animals and plants that live there.