Most Popular Books by Barbara Kerley

Depicts people from around the world and their friends.

When someone is serving our country, far from home, everyone in their family has to be brave. Including -- and sometimes especially -- the kids. This book speaks to all kids in this situation in telling the story of a boy and a girl with parents away on duty. It captures the children''s worries, fears, trials, and triumphs while waiting for their parents to return from service. Although the narrative tells one universal tale, the photographs depict multiple perspectives so that every reader has someone they can relate to. In the end, each child finds the strength and patience to endure the wait, showing admirable bravery and inspiring us all. An afterword looks further at the meaning of bravery and offers resources for helping kids deal with transition, deployment, and separation.

This sophisticated yet elegant picture book uses exquisite, moving photographs from top international photographers and Kerley''s poetic text to follow the course of one day to convey a simple yet profound concept: the world''s inhabitants are a global family. Full color.

Simple text and colorful photography encourages children to explore the world beyond the surface.

If you had one minute to describe life on Earth, what would you say? It''s 1977, and Theo and his class are creating a golden record inspired by the one Voyager 2 will carry into space as a greeting from Earth. But as Theo searches for an original answer to his teacher''s question, other questions begin to surface: What happened to his father in Vietnam? And why has his mother been keeping secrets all these years?Two-time Sibert Award Honoree, Barbara Kerley is well-known for her masterful narrative nonfiction picture books, which are consistently hailed for their incisiveness, eloquence, and meticulous research. Greetings from Planet Earth, published in hardcover in 2007, is Kerley''s debut novel--a thought-provoking exploration of war (as well as a crippling family secret), and its devastating effect upon a 12-year-old boy whose father never returned from Vietnam. Sadly, the subject matter continues to be timely as the war continues in Iraq and Afghanistan, affecting thousands of American families. The book has an intriguing format with shifting points of view and Kerley''s signature lucid, economical prose. It was recently named a finalist for the 2010-2011 California Young Reader Medal.

Juxtaposes photographs from around the world with a simple message about our responsibilities for making and keeping peace on the planet.

An Italian boy sips from a fountain in the town square. A hiker takes a refreshing drink from a mountain stream. Black-robed women in India stride gracefully through a field with brass water jugs balanced on their heads. Whether they squeeze it out of a burlap bag, haul it home from a communal tap, or get it out of their kitchen faucet, people all around the world are unified by their common need for water. Barbara Kerley brings home this point simply and eloquently in this beautiful and educational picture book that combines striking National Geographic photographs with a poetic text to show how people in various cultures use and conserve the world''s most vital resource. National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources. Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.

An illuminating history of Mr. Waterhouse Hawkins artist and lecturer.

Brief text and photographs show the unified love of parent and children from all around the world.

Thirteen-year-old Susy Clemens wants the world to know that her papa, Mark Twain, is more than just a humorist and sets out to write a comprehensive biography of the American icon.

Here come the Portland babies, ready to give you a tour of their city in this appealing board book. Spirited and charming images pair with quirky text to introduce young readers to a group of smart, active, stylish, and just plain silly tots enjoying life in Portland. From Forest Park to the iconic aerial tram and the Portland Children''s Museum, this entertaining book is an essential introduction to the fun, arts, and diversity in store for the babies of Portland. And the fun doesn’t end there. Portland Baby includes oodles of amusing activities and educational reading tips to help parents enjoy the book with their children over and over again!

An inspiring true story about modeling good leadership and being the change you wish to see. "A compelling celebration of Eleanor Roosevelt that will inspire children to follow in her footsteps." -- Kirkus Reviews "A necessary source of inspiration." -- School Library Journal All her life, Eleanor Roosevelt hoped to "leave some mark upon the world." She was a shy child who found joy in helping others. A passionate young adult who longed for adventure. An independent young woman who formed her own opinions. A trustworthy partner who worked tirelessly for change. So when her husband became president and she became first lady, Eleanor was ready to make her mark. With characteristic candor, compassion, and courage, she traversed the country and trotted the globe, championing the value and dignity of every human being and transforming the role of first lady. This graceful portrait of a vivacious American icon radiates the essence of Eleanor, a model for kindness and purpose, in her time and in ours. How will you leave your mark upon the world?

In this enchanting picture book, two children set out on separate adventures to blaze their very own trail, mapping it as they go. Set out, pen in hand. Yours are the first footsteps on the map! You never know where the path to adventure might lead! This imaginative picture book combines brief, lyrical text with a stunning combination of photographs and artist’s illustrations as it spins a charming story that introduces the art of mapmaking from a child’s perspective. Perfect for preschoolers and early elementary kids just learning about maps, the book also includes basic information needed to read maps, such as symbols and a map key. Filled with beautifully illustrated, child-centered maps, Footsteps on the Map will inspire budding cartographers to map their own world and tell their own stories.

From Barbara Kerley, author of the Caldecott Honor Book The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins, comes an enchanting true story that marks her return to science and natural history! An NPR Best Book of the YearA Booklist Notable BookA Junior Library Guild Selection* "A powerful story of following one''s dreams and passions, despite life''s challenges." --School Library Journal, starred reviewRhoda loves spending time with Toppy. He is not only her beloved grandpa, but also the world-famous wildlife artist Charles R. Knight! Every outing with Toppy -- from visits to the American Museum of Natural History and the Central Park Zoo to tea parties at The Plaza Hotel -- is filled with fun and adventure.Lovers of animals, art, natural history, and New York City will relish this vivacious and winsomely depicted true story. Presented through Rhoda''s eyes, it celebrates the enchantment of scientific inquiry, a tender grandparent-grandchild bond, and the vision of a pioneering artist who opened our eyes to the wonders of the ancient world.Included in this book are dozens of Charles R. Knight''s original paintings and drawings, interspersed with Matte Stephens''s winsome illustrations.

This heartwarming adventure for dog lovers everywhere is a great match for fans of books such as The Fourteenth Goldfish and A Snicker of Magic. Eleven-year-old Jordie Marie Wallace has been waiting forever for someone to move in next door, so she is thrilled when Professor Reece arrives: she has a laboratory in her basement and an extraordinary dog named Baxter—who seems to understand everything Jordie says. Jordie and her younger brother T.J. begin walking Baxter and helping Professor Reece in the lab. But being lab assistants ends up being more than Jordie and T.J. bargained for and leads them to a secret neither of them expected. When Professor Reece goes missing, it''s up to Jordie and T.J. to use their smarts and Baxter''s magical powers to find her. Will they be able to save Professor Reece before it''s too late? From award-winning author Barbara Kerley comes a sweet and funny story about a young girl, a quirky professor, and a magical dog. A Bank Street Book of the Year! Praise for the award-winning Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins by Barbara Kerley: "Marvelous." —New York Times "Stunning." —Kirkus (starred review) "[Kerley] suffuses her text with a contagious sense of wonder and amazement." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

A brief biography in pictures and simple text of Alice Roosevelt, the daughter of Theodore Roosevelt and his first wife.

Meticulously researched and documented, this portrait of American poet Walt Whitman celebrates his work and provides insight to this man, artist, and Civil War hero who is a symbol of America. Full color.

A mother tells her daughter a series of stories about life on Guam before the daughter was born and when she was a baby.