Juvenile Nonfiction

Lloyd Vogt, an award-winning New Orleans architect, offers young people a fascinating glimpse into the history of New Orleans architecture. Dividing his discussion into two parts--house types and house styles--he provides a basic yet comprehensive first course in New Orleans building design in a language designed for easy understanding. Also provided are labeled drawings for style identification, and a complete glossary.

Originally published in 1913, this is a lovely reproduction of the first American Girl Scout Handbook.

Author W.J. Hoxie—a naturalist—included tips and tricks for provisioning a camp, tying knots, tending the injured, and telling time by the stars. In 1916, How Girls Can Help Their Country was adapted by Juliette Low into a newer version of the Girl Scout Handbook.  The ranks of the American Girl Scouts have grown from the original eighteen members to the millions of members still active today. Through the decades, each Girl Scout has used some edition of the handbook to learn about everything from camping and first-aid, to housewifery and patriotism. Although the roles of women have changed over the years, the importance of the handbook has not.   Complete with photographs and diagrams, this centennial edition serves as a reference for life in the times of the great-, great-great-, or even great-great-great-grandmothers of today's Scouts.

Learn colors and numbers with a Lone Star twist!

From one black horse to ten purple pinwheels, this lively board book takes children on a colorful journey through Texas! Everything from four espátulas (“spoonbills”) to five botas (“boots”) to six garza (“egrets”) come to life in vivid photographs of Lone Star backyards and open fields. This bilingual picture book will spark the imagination and creativity in every child—Texan or not! Children will enjoy the educational nature of this book, counting from place to place and picking up a few Spanish words along the way! An enjoyable and relatable counting adventure, the beautiful photographs make learning colors and numbers in two languages as easy as uno, dos, très!

This entertaining seek-and-find alphabet book invites you to explore twenty-six must-see places at Biltmore Estate, offering beautiful photographs, clever rhymes and hidden animals on every page.

Children will discover everything from colorful gardens and underground tunnels to towering rooftops and lively farm animals. Included are fun facts about Biltmore's history in an illustrated glossary and a kid-friendly map for planning your journey. Whether you use this book as a guide for an upcoming visit to Biltmore or as a souvenir to commemorate your stay, a magical adventure awaits you and your family!

Martha Day Zschock, best-selling author and illustrator of the Hello! series of regionally-focused board books, has just completed a brand new board book, Read To Me! Created to encourage a love of reading in the very youngest children, Read To Me! is, with its rhymes and colorful illustrations, a wonderful book to read aloud, for the reader and the listener. The shared experience is sure to create an appreciation of books, and encourages children and their family and friends to read together. For ages 0-3. Made in the USA.

Celebrate the exciting life of a World War II naval hero! When Pearl Harbor was bombed, Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt sent Adm. Chester Nimitz to respond. Nimitz was put in charge of all US ships in the Pacific and was commander of the Pacific Fleet at the decisive Battle of Midway. This inspiring biography for young readers traces his remarkable life from his nineteenth-century childhood through his valiant service during World War II.

Did you know that camels were imported to Texas to serve the U.S. Army in the 1850s? They carried supplies and mail to isolated forts and settlers. Young readers will be fascinated to learn of this little-known part of American history.

From alligators to winding country lanes and fried zucchini, this picture book is an alphabetized list of Southern delights. Breezy rhymes recall an appreciation for good food, laid-back evenings, and the gentle dispositions the region is known for.

Voices from those who lived through the largest environmental catastrophe in American history.

Accelerated Reader Program Selection

The 1930s Dust Bowl was the greatest ecological tragedy in the United States. Through a combination of drought and fierce winds, America’s Great Plains were left bare. In a series of sixteen narrative profiles, the author brings to life the voices of this time period. The characters who symbolize common residents of the “Great American Desert,” include a teacher protecting her class from a black roller, a nurse treating patients with dust pneumonia, and a nine-year-old girl who has never seen rain.

Dated entries appear chronologically and depict outlaw Bonnie Parker and photographer Dorthea Lange, among other figures of the era. In the back of the book, a historical note gives a thorough overview of the Dust Bowl’s national impact on population growth, healthcare, and the government. A glossary explains terms such as Hooverville and Civilian Conservation Corps. An educational resource, this illustrated history conveys the full effect of this disastrous decade.

A popular career choice for most five year olds, firefighting conjures images of pump trucks, sirens, and ladders. This informative and fun ABC journey gives a bit of firefighting history with B is for bucket brigade and moves into the 21st century with T is for thermal imaging camera. The colorful illustrations sport a spotted Dalmatian hidden on every page.

Now in paperback!

Substitute teacher Victor Kennedy begins a middle-school American history class by writing one word on the chalkboard: Tuskegee. Over the next several days, the elderly veteran teaches students about the Tuskegee Airmen, brave men who fought racism and prejudice to fly more than 1,500 missions during World War II. The students learn about segregation and how the victories of the Tuskegee Airmen helped move the United States on a path toward racial equality. In Tuskegee Airmen: American Heroes, exciting battles against evil abroad and at home come alive for a new generation.

Pumpkins, pilgrims, and Indians punctuate this quintessential American holiday ABC picture book. With an eye on history and adventure, this ABC book cheerfully illuminates the classic American holiday. Each entry includes a few sentences explaining the word�s significance in Thanksgiving�s history. Children will relate to their own holiday traditions while learning the origins of the annual fall event.