New Release Books by Dina Anastasio

Discover the history and culture of one of the most famous waterways in the world: the mighty Mississippi! The most famous river in America runs like a spine between the eastern and western parts of the country, flowing through ten states before it empties into the Gulf of Mexico. The mighty Miss also flows through the history of America, giving rise to great stories about the people who lived on it and used it as a watery highway, from Native Americans and European explorers to skillful riverboat captains and colorful gamblers traveling on luxurious steamboats. And of course it was the first truly American writer, Mark Twain, who grew up along its banks and made the Mississippi River famous around the world. This book, part of the New York Times best-selling series, is enhanced by eighty illustrations.

Learn about the Eiffel Tower, beloved and iconic symbol of Paris, France, and one of the most recognizable structures in the world! When the plans for the Eiffel Tower were first announced, many people hated the design of the future landmark, calling it ungainly and out of step with the beautiful stone buildings of the city. But once it went up for the World's Fair in 1889, the people of Paris quickly fell in love with the tower. Today it seems impossible to imagine Paris without the Eiffel Tower, which greets millions of visitors each year who climb up its wrought-iron stairs, ride its glass elevators, and enjoy the wonderful views of the city spread out below it. This book, part of the New York Times best-selling series, is enhanced by eighty illustrations.

With over 110 million viewers every year, the Super Bowl is one of the most watched television events in the United States. The final showdown between the two best football teams in the NFL attracts some of the biggest musicians to perform at the half-time show. But the Super Bowl is more than just a spectacle – it’s a high-stakes game to win the championship and claim a place in history. Go back in time and relive all the magic from years past – from excruciating fumbles to game winning plays.

Native Americans told stories about how things in nature happened. How did raven and Owl get their colours?.

Who HQ rolls out the red carpet for Where Is Hollywood?--the film capital of the world. Developed in the 1880s by Midwesterners looking for a sunny winter getaway, Hollywood was a small housing development outside still-small Los Angeles. But everything changed in the early 1900s when filmmakers from New York flocked to the area, where they could make movies without having to pay Thomas Edison's patent fee. It didn't hurt that the weather was perfect, too. Readers will take a journey from the Golden Age of Hollywood to the present-day film industry, learning all about what turned lush farmland into Tinseltown.

A classic Disney Little Golden Book, starring Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy, in their own version of the fairy tale Jack and the Beanstalk. Mickey Mouse stars as a peasant who finds some magic beans in Walt Disney's classic fairy tale Mickey and the Beanstalk. This Little Golden Book is based on the animated movie originally released in 1947 as one of the two stories in the film Fun and Fancy Free. Now this delightful full-color Little Golden Book, first published 30 years ago, is back to delight a new generation of boys and girls ages 2 to 5--as well as collectors of all ages!

By popular demand, the 100th Who Was...? subject is Steve Irwin! Steve Irwin did not have a typical childhood. Born in Melbourne, Australia, on February 22, 1962, he was raised on the wildlife park his parents owned. He cared for the animals and especially loved reptiles--he got a python for his sixth birthday! At nine years old, Steve was already helping his father wrestle small crocodiles. He became a crocodile trapper after graduating high school, catching the creatures before dangerous poachers could. Steve met his wife, Terri, at his family's park, and instead of a honeymoon, the pair filmed a wildlife documentary that led to the creation of the well-known series The Crocodile Hunter. Tragically, Steve was killed on September 4, 2006 while filming a documentary when a stingray attacked, piercing his heart. He was forty-four years old. However, his life's work obviously still strikes a chord with kids who voted him the winner of the 100th Who Was...? title.

Cai finds a key ring with a big skeleton key and a little gold whistle on it. What does the key open? Why is his dog Tucker the only one to respond to the whistle? Brooke is fed up with the Oak Street kids' goofy behavior and joins up with some more mature girls. Will switching friends make her happier? Read these stories to find out.

This book is about the different types of masks that are made around the world.

This story is about the Magic Square game that originated in China.

Sam's enjoying the Madame Olivia concert when she and her dad are presented with a mystery. Did her favorite singer steal the number-one song on the pop charts? When Sam's dad reunites with a retired guitar-playing rock star at an auction, things soon get exciting—and mysterious. Who took the valuable guitar that's disappeared? Read these mysteries to find out.

Cai likes to play board games; Jake likes to shoot hoops. Neither boy is good at his friend's favorite activity. Will this jeopardize the friendship? Jamal may have to give up his dog Buff. The Oak Street kids have to do something fast. How does Luke's behavior lead them to their solution? Read these stories to find out.

Jake wants to help prepare for the Fourth of July clambake, but he can't find a way to be useful. How will Jake's knowledge of the tides help him save the day? Luke can change his failing grade in science to a B by helping the visiting insect expert. Will he succeed, or will he bug his idol? Read these stories to find out.

Linda wants to be a great writer. How will her efforts get her into trouble with her friends? What will she learn from the experience? Jalissa wants the grand finale for her show to really bring the house down. Will she learn patience and perseverance? Read these stories to find out.

Linda and her friends decide to have a race to the cave, but no one wins. What has distracted them? Luke's report on 19th Century settlers is due tomorrow, but the computer has crashed. What will he and the Oak Street kids do? Read this book to find out.

Jake convinces Linda, Maria, and Cai to be in a band, but he can't sing or play an instrument. Jalissa, Jamal, Luke and Tia don't follow Brooke's instructions for a home-improvement project. How will Jake and Brooke handle these situations? Read this book to find out.

Could the ancient carving on the cave wall really be Maria's twin? Tia's day goes from bad to worse when she breaks Mr. Morgan's flowerpots. What will happen next?

What is that scary noise coming from the cave? Will any of the kids vacationing at this rocky beach be brave enough to go inside? How will the Oak Street kids keep Jamal's secret from Ms. Tilly?

Syd Stowe hated the idea of leaving New York City and her best friend Jill. But when she arrived in that Minnesota town and met Laura, her new best friend, she thought everything would be just fine-until she realized that Laura looked exactly like the wooden doll in the toy shop. And when she noticed that the carved Laura doll was an exact replica of a girl who had lived more than fifty years ago-well, that was even more confusing. As Syd unravels the secret of the carved wooden dolls, she learns about her new town, her family history, and herself.

Fly Trap; It's hard to get excited when your aunt buys you a plant for your birthday. But this is no ordinary plant. First it eats flies. Then burgers start disappearing from the barbeque. The more it eats, the more the plant grows, and grows. Until it's hungry for something much bigger than burgers... Dragon Breath; Wyllylldrygyn is a weird place. And not just because of its funny name. All the boys have left town and the whole place smells of smoke. And there's a rumour spreading about a dragon. A dragon who's going to wake up very soon...

When their main oxygen tank explodes on the way to the moon, the crew of Apollo 13 use their tiny lunar module as a lifeboat and hope to return to earth.

For 50 years, Guinness World Records has been collecting cool facts about the world's most amazing record-breakers. In this collection, we focus on the animal and plant kindoms. From the friendliest to the most dangerous, the coldest to the wettest, in fossils and in flocks, the creatures and the climates of the natural world amaze and astonish us.

The Black Stones tells the story of twins who learn to put aside their differences and get along with each other. Tala finds two obsidian stones and wants to learn more about how they were formed from a scientific viewpoint. Her brother, Paco, isn't interested in science and wants to find out if the stones are lucky charms or have magical properties. Their mother forces them to work together to find the answers. The twins discover that they actually enjoy working together.

Bright yellow stars in a navy blue sky. A sunny meadow during a summer afternoon. Golden sunflowers in a bouquet. These are some examples of the works that artist Vincent Van Gogh created during his lifetime, Vincent's Bedroom is an introduction to the life and work of Van Gogh. Readers will learn about how Vincent's personality and lifestyle influenced his style of painting. Vivid color photographs of Van Gogh's most famous works, particularly The Bedroom Series, are included throughout the book.

Carlos's Puzzle is the story of 9-year-old Carlos's family trip to a cornfield maze. Unlike Carlos, Javier, his older and more athletic brother, is not interested in the trip. However, Javier believes his athletic ability will make him better at completing a maze, so he challenges Carlos to see who will finish the maze first. Although Javier rarely recognizes Carlos's abilities, something happens inside the giant maze that gives Javier a new impression of his younger brother.

Two Artists: Vermeer's Forger tells the story of a young child, Han Van Meegeren, and his desire to spend his life as an artist. Van Meegeren goes to school to become an architect and designs a few buildings; however, he realizes he still loves painting, so he quits to study art. He becomes frustrated early on because critics say he has no talent. To get back at them, he decides to take on a famous painter's style and forge his paintings. Even though he works very hard and becomes very rich, his dishonesty does not pay off in the end. Illustrations support the text.