New Releases by Natalie Lunis

Places that are filled with history are also thought to be filled with ghosts. If that is true, then Washington, D.C.—a city that dates back to the earliest days of the United States of America—is surely one of the most haunted cities in the country. In A Haunted Capital, children visit eleven of the most haunted spots in Washington, D.C. and come across some of its most famous ghosts. Among them are a former president who never left the White House, a vice-president who still hurries to his office in the Capitol building, and a First Lady who has found a quiet and peaceful home—years after her death. The haunting photographs and chilling nonfiction text will keep children turning the pages to discover more spooky stories.

Meet Isaiah. He’s one of nearly 70 golden retrievers who are sent around the county to perform a special job—to comfort and calm people after a tragedy has occurred. From meeting survivors of the Boston Marathon bombing to victims of Hurricane Sandy, these specially-trained dogs help relieve people’s stress as they provide peace and comfort. Run by the Lutheran Church Charities, the comfort dog program is truly an example of the amazing ways a furry friend can bring happiness—or even just a smile—to people when they need it most. With real heart-warming stories and full-color photos of these lovable canines, this book is sure to appeal to dog lovers everywhere.

To most people, an inn is a place for weary travelers who are hungry and tired to get a bite to eat and rest for a while. After a few days, guests usually check out and return home or continue on their journey. Some people, however, check into an inn and never check out. Their ghosts stay on, sharing their rooms with the living. Among the 11 eerie inns in this book, children will discover an inn in Gettysburg that is said to be haunted by the soldiers who died in one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War; a small hotel in San Francisco that was once a girls’ school and is now visited by the ghost of the headmistress; and a bed-and-breakfast in Florida that is haunted not by a person—but by a doll! The creepy photographs and chilling nonfiction text will keep children turning the pages to discover more spooky stories.

On the morning of July 15, 2012, the weather at Sant’Agostino Beach in Italy was clear and calm—just perfect for a swim. Shortly before noon, however, the wind picked up. Soon, it blew so hard that it pushed two swimmers dangerously far from shore. Fortunately, a lifeguard was on duty. She managed to swim out and help bring both swimmers back. Most of the time, such an event wouldn’t make headlines. This time, however, it did. That’s because the lifeguard was a yellow Labrador retriever named Ariel! Ariel is just one of hundreds of dogs that patrol beaches to keep people safe. Whether diving into dangerous waves from the decks of rescue boats or jumping from helicopters hovering above the water, these brave canines are willing to risk their lives to make sure no one drowns. With real-life stories and full-color photos of these courageous canines on the job, this book is sure to appeal to dog lovers everywhere.

Gravity is an invisible yet powerful force that pulls people, animals, and objects down to the ground so that they don’t float into the air. As powerful as gravity is, however, there are certain animals that are able to break free of its forceful pull. Some do so by flapping their wings to fly incredibly high. Others shoot out from under the water. Still others stick to ceilings without any glue. In this book, young readers will discover eight of these extraordinary animals—and the secrets behind their gravity-defying powers. Eye-popping photos and clear, simple text bring these one-of-a-kind creatures to vivid life.

Readers will get a lesson in history in this title that looks at what happened in various schools and how these happenings are tied to tales of ghosts, poltergeists, and other unexplainable phenomena.

Readers will get a lesson in history in this series of titles that looks at what happened in various historical places and how these happenings are tied to tales of ghosts, poltergeists and other unexplainable phenomena.

Explains how the U.S. Navy SEALs tracked down and defeated the terrorist, Osama bin Laden.

Humpback whales are prolific singers. These marine mammals belt out songs that travel incredible distances through the ocean and can continue for hours on end. The whales use howls, cries, moans and other noises to create their intricate songs. These are just some of the fun facts kids will discover as they learn all about these animal loudmouths. Spectacular photos and clear, easy-to-read text will engage emergent readers as they come face-to-face with these noisy animals. In addition, children discover where the animals live, how they stay safe, and the different ways their sounds help them communicate with each other. A “Sound Check” chart at the end of the book compares the decibel level of the humpback whale to familiar noises, including an ambulance, a lawnmower, and a whisper.

Young readers will meet coyotes and learn where these animals live, how they stay safe, and the different ways their howls help them communicate.

Describes how mockingbirds communicate with each other and how the sounds they make help them survive, and discusses their habitat, diet, and behavior.

Explains bioluminescence, introduces animals that produce their own light, and describes how it functions in creatures.

Instructions to create greeting cards, various gifts and gift wrapping.

You can make your very own fingerprint artwork! Read this book to find out how.

Learn how to make a desert terrarium.

This book is about the coloration of animals, how colors are used in traffic signals, and the color spectrum.

This book is about the co-dependent relationship, or partnership, between plants and animals.

This book is about the evolution of the automobile from the horseless carriages to the hybrid cars of today.

Find out about nature''s fiercest weather and explore how meteorologists predict when and where such weather will occur.

Find out about how to make greeting cards and gifts using various materials.

Find out about the distinguishing characteristics of fruits and vegetables and how you can grow them in your own kitchen.

This book is about many of the holidays that are celebrated in the United States.

Describes the pronghorn, the fastest-running animal in North America, including its habitat, how it avoids predators, and the history of conservation of the animal.

The mummy of King Tutankhamun, the Egyptian boy king, had not been disturbed for over 3,000 years. In 1922, archaeologist Howard Carter and his team discovered the ancient tomb and examined the dazzling treasures within its chambers. However, soon after the thrilling discovery, a member of Carter’s team became ill and died. Stories of other deaths connected to the tomb followed. Had an ancient curse doomed those who entered the pharaoh’s tomb? An exciting narrative format brings Egyptian history to life, while providing plenty of creepy details to satisfy young horror fans. Chilling photos and illustrations and clear, age-appropriate text will keep readers turning the pages to unlock the secrets of the mummy’s tomb.

Describes the anatomical features that make the California sea lion the fastest animal in the water, includes fascinating facts about its habits and behavior, and compares its speed to that of other animals.

The alarm sounds and Lyric bolts into action. Lyric knows just what to do in an emergency. She is a service dog who has been trained to help her owner out of danger. She knocks off the phone receiver and presses the key, calling 911--and saving her owner''s life! Lyric isn''t the only smart dog in the kennel. People are discovering why dogs really are man''s best friend. In Dogs, kids will read many exciting stories of dogs displaying their amazing intelligence. From saving lives, detecting cancer, and communicating using body language, dogs are surprising people with their intelligence and ingenuity. Full-color photographs, a diagram of animal intelligence features, and lively canine anecdotes will engage every smart child.

Introduces tree frogs, describing their physical characteristics, life cycle, habitat, common predators, defense mechanism, and the dangers they face from pollution and climate change.

Introduces katydids, including information on their physical characteristics, behavior, habitat, and life cycle.