Most Popular Books by Anita Yasuda

Who is the lady who floated to the moon? Did a monkey really hatch from an egg? Did tears bring down the Great Wall of China? Does the sky rest on the legs of a turtle? In Explore Ancient Chinese Myths! With 25 Projects, readers ages 7 to 10 soar on a journey through ancient China to learn about history, geography, science, and art through stories that have been told and retold for thousands of years. They learn the tales of past heroes and wise kings, brave goddesses and gods who brought riches, rain, and immortality. Then there are the gods who taught people how to live by sharing their knowledge of agriculture, writing, music, and math. The myths and legends told by the ancient Chinese that have survived into modern times showcase the ingenuity and passion that this culture has applied to problem solving and cultural expression. Through the 25 hands-on projects, kids will have fun and gain a deeper understanding of ancient Chinese myths. Projects include making mooncakes, writing in Chinese, designing a New Year’s story board game, and observing the stars. Exploring myths and legends is also a way to discover how ancient China is still impacting the world today through inventions such as fireworks, silk, paper, and printing. In addition, kids will be invited to think about how Chinese culture is similar or different from their life today. By combining social studies and literature with activities, fun facts, jokes, and cartoons, Explore Ancient Chinese Myths offers the opportunity to discover Ancient China through myths and legends.

Gives readers a close-up look at the history and importance of Hoover Dam. With colorful spreads featuring fun facts, sidebars, a labeled map, and a “That’s Amazing!” special feature, this book provides an engaging overview of this amazing landmark.

Who invented the airplane? When were airplanes invented? And why do planes have wings if the wings don’t flap? Kids can answer these questions and more by jumping into the cockpit and soaring into Explore Flight! With 25 Great Projects, where they’ll learn about the history of our human obsession to conquer the feat of flying. For kids ages 6-9, Explore Flight! With 25 Great Projects introduces them to the dreamers, inventors, aviation pioneers, and record breakers. They will read about the myths and legends of flying and about the wondrous flying machines of the past, present and future. They will learn that in the 15th century Leonardo da Vinci drew sketches of airplanes, helicopters and other flying machines, and that the first passengers in a hot air balloon were a sheep, a rooster, and a duck. Along the way, they will develop a better understanding of the rich history of aviation, investigate what causes flight, and learn about the science of aerodynamics. Projects and experiments range from making a paper airplane to building an airfoil. All the projects in this book are easy to follow, require little adult supervision, and use commonly found household products, many from the recycling.

The stories of Norse myths and legends are a terrific introduction to Viking culture, history, science, and traditions, which thrived in Scandinavia from the eighth to the eleventh centuries. But who were the Norse, who left their homelands in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden to trade, raid, and explore around the world? In Explore Norse Myths! With 25 Great Projects, young readers discover the remarkable people and mythical creatures of old. Learning about Norse myths means unearthing the origin of Viking beliefs, as well as exploring their ships, tools, and other technology that flourished for nearly 450 years. Along the way, kids will read how Norse myths helped explain the natural world from thunder to the seasons, from creation to death. They may be surprised at how Norse myths continue to influence modern culture in the form of movies and books, including the new series by Rick Riordan. Readers will read Norse stories and learn about the adventures of real Norse explorers, including Erik the Red and Leif Erikson. Through a mixture of fun facts, trivia, jokes, comics, and hands-on activities, kids will dig up Scandinavia''s past and sail the seas along with the gods and giants in Explore Norse Myths!

Explores a range of dangerous and disgusting jobs people had to do in America during the frontier days, such as mining for gold, herding cattle, and washing flea-ridden clothes.

The Seminole people often told stories that taught the listener lessons on human behavior. In this trickster myth, we learn that rabbit helped humans get fire. The Seminole trickster myth is retold in this brilliantly illustrated Native American Myth. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Short Tales is an imprint of Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO.

Iroquois myths and legends were an important way for customs, beliefs, and histories to be passed down orally through the generations. These myths often explain natural events. In this creation myth, the creation of Earth by Sky Woman and Big Turtle is told. The Iroquois nature myth is retold in this brilliantly illustrated Native American Myth. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Short Tales is an imprint of Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO.

Explore the Solar System! 25 Great Projects, Activities, Experiments introduces kids ages 6-9 to the planets, moons, and other celestial bodies that surround our star, the sun, as well as the universe beyond. Combining a hands-on element with history and science, kids investigate solar eclipses, phases of the moon, Jupiter''s rings, and what astronauts wear. Who named the stars? What is the Milky Way? Why is there night? By combining a hands-on element with riddles, jokes, fun facts, and comic cartoons, kids Explore the Solar System!, and have a blast along the way.

Drip—Drop—Splash! Water is essential to all forms of life. Explore Water! 25 Great Projects, Activities, Experiments, captures a child’s imagination with an intriguing look at the world of water. Combining hands-on activities with history and science, kids will have fun learning about the water cycle, water resources, drinking water and sanitation, water pollution and conservation, water use, water folklore and festivals, and the latest in water technology. Entertaining illustrations and fascinating sidebars illuminate the topic and bring it to life, while Words to Know highlighted and defined within the text reinforce new vocabulary. Projects include a nilometer, a rain harvester made out of plastic containers, a transpiration experiment, and a mini water wheel. Auxiliary materials include a glossary, and a list of current reference works, websites, museums, and science centers.

What are natural resources? And why is it important to prevent natural resources from being wasted? Explore Natural Resources! answers these questions. The 25 projects inspire young readers ages 6-9 to have fun while learning why natural resources are important to all living things and how every child can take care of the earth’s resources through reducing, reusing, and recycling. Kids will read about national parks and early environmentalists, Earth celebrations, and the science behind renewable and nonrenewable resources. With projects and experiments ranging from making a wind-powered car and creating a solar catcher to calculating their water footprint, children will discover that everything comes from the earth. Projects are easy-to-follow, require little adult supervision, and use commonly found household products, many from the recycling box. Through a mixture of fun facts, trivia, jokes, comics, and hands-on activities, kids will Explore Natural Resources! and gain an appreciation of earth’s resources, from its vast oceans to its open skies. Explore Natural Resources! meets common core state standards in language arts for reading informational text and literary nonfiction and is aligned with Next Generation Science Standards. Guided Reading Levels and Lexile measurements indicate grade level and text complexity.

Have you ever wished on a shooting star? Shooting stars often appear when the earth passes through the dust and debris left by a passing comet. Explore Comets and Asteroids! With 25 Amazing Projects takes readers ages 7 to 10 on a fantastic journey through space, where they investigate comets, asteroids, and lesser-known space wonders through 25 experiments and activities designed for curious kids. Readers learn about everything from the first asteroid discovered to many current spacecraft missions. They also investigate famous comets, such Halley’s comet, which returns faithfully every 75 or 76 years. Learning about comets and asteroids means asking lots of questions. Could we live and work on asteroids? Why do we only occasionally see comets? Kids find the answers and more through hands-on projects and experiments that encourage them to be curious about how and why things work. Activities range from mapping the positions of celestial objects to designing spacecraft for asteroid missions. By combining science with activities, fun facts, and cartoons, kids will investigate, create, design, test, and redesign. Explore Comets and Asteroids! inspires kids to want to know more about how these rocky worlds formed and how they may have shaped life on Earth.

After bringing home a lucky cat statue, Moto discovers that it is haunted. The only way he can shake the cat''s spirit is by teaming up with his friend to find the statue''s original owner. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Spellbound is an imprint of Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO.

The Algonquin people often told stories that taught the listener lessons on human behavior. In this nature myth, the sunrise and sunset is honored in the tale of chief''s son who cried for the colors of the sunset. This tale also provide the explanation of how tadpoles came to be. The Algonquin nature myth is retold in this brilliantly illustrated Native American Myth. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Short Tales is an imprint of Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO.

Head outside and look up. What do you see? At night you might see stars, the moon, the Milky Way, and planets! During the day all these things will still be there, but they’ll be hidden by the bright light of the sun. Astronomy is the study of celestial objects and what’s beyond the nebulous boundaries of space. In Astronomy: Cool Women in Space, young readers will be inspired by stories of women who have made great strides in a field that takes courage, persistence, and creativity to pursue. Most people have heard of Carl Sagan and Stephen Hawking, but have you heard of Maria Mitchell or Caroline Herschel? For many decades, female astronomers have been defining the field by making discoveries that changed the human relationship with space. Astronomy: Cool Women in Space will introduce young readers to three women who are bringing the science of astronomy forward and inspiring the next generation of astronomers. The primary sources, essentials questions, and knowledge connections within Astronomy: Cool Women in Space encourage both boys and girls to explore our celestial world while being inspired to ask what role they might play in the next discovery.

On the eve of Ghost Month, Moto Maki discovers a box of lost things, but is disappointed by the old, broken umbrella inside it until the haunted umbrella starts to follow him. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Spellbound is an imprint of Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO.

Photos of kimono remnants, chiefly of the Showa period, with identification and dates from designers and collectors in Japan.

The Chinese people often told stories that taught the listener about their land. This creation myth explains how the world was made. The Chinese creation myth is retold in this brilliantly illustrated Chinese Myth. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Short Tales is an imprint of Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO.

Step back in time and experience the Westward expansion of the United States. The past will come to life with well-researched, clearly written informational text, primary sources with accompanying questions, charts, graphs, diagrams, timelines, and maps, multiple prompts, and more. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Core Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

Women played an essential role in the development of the West. Women of the American West takes a look at the daring, inventive, and determined women that helped shape the nation. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject. Features include a table of contents, maps, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Core Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.