Chess House Review

Chess House is a company that was started in 1972, changed hands a couple of times, and is now owned by the Neff brothers.  Their company provides instruction in chess through DVDs, books, school kits, giant sets for parks, etc.  They are a resource for everything chess including boards, pieces, software, and so on.

We received the Starter Chess Learning Kit.  It comes with the "Pawn Level" DVD; a classic chess set with two spare queens; a 20" x 20" flexible board which is made in the USA (needs a solid surface on which to play) and is odor free; a cloth carrying case with handle which holds all pieces, the rolled-up board, DVD, and activity booklet.  We even received a chocolate bar with the Chess House logo imprinted on it.  Needless to say, that didn't last long in our house.  It was a nice little treat.  This kit usually sells for $49.99, but it is on sale now for just $39.99.

As soon as the kit arrived in the mail, we opened it and put the DVD in so that we could begin learning.  I was hoping that chess might be something my middle child could enjoy, something that might intrigue him enough to spend less time in front of his computer.  This didn't happen, but my daughter who is almost 12 enjoyed it and was eager to play me so that she could beat me.  I wanted to learn as well because the only thing about chess that I could remember over the years was that the knight moved in an L shape.

The instruction on the DVD is provided by National Master Elliott Neff.  He breaks the basics down into 10 lessons on this 53-minute DVD.  The lessons are as follows:

Intro to Chess

Pawns

Rooks

Bishops

The Queen

The King

The Knight

Castling

Pawn Shields

Development

Each lesson from Pawns to The Knight explains the piece's worth, its placement on the board, and its movement.  Elliott does a good job explaining each piece.  He is shown sitting in front of a chess board with the pieces on it that he is talking about, but as soon as he starts moving them an animated board is shown so that it appears we are looking down upon it.  That helps the viewer to understand the movement better.  Elliott gets basic but keeps his speech and explanation at a level that does not speak down to his viewer.  The video is geared towards those who are 4 years old and up, but he speaks as if teaching his equal.

The Castling, Pawn Shields, and Development sections on the DVD provide strategies to make the game more interesting beyond the basic movement of pieces.  My daughter and I were sure to employ these techniques in our games with each other.

As we played, there were things I couldn't remember from the video, but my daughter had no trouble remembering them.  I'd go back to the video to be sure, and she was always right.  One thing I would like to have in this set (and it could be included in the activity book) is a guide that simply lists the allowed movement of each piece.  After the game is played a few times, this information becomes routine, but when just starting out it would have been helpful to have it on hand without needing to go back to the video.

The activity book included in this set provides games for each piece so that they can be understood better.  We didn't play the games, as we just wanted to go directly to a regular chess game, but each piece has 2 or 3 additional games to play.  On the last page of the booklet, there is an order form for certificates of completion signed by Elliott Neff, succeeding videos in the series, and workbooks.

I feel Chess House has provided an excellent resource for teaching chess.  It is taught in a professional manner with nothing childish or cutesy in it.  The materials are of good quality and made in the U.S.A., which is a bonus.  I will continue to try to get my middle son to play chess, but if that doesn't work I at least know my daughter has taken to it.  Of course, that may be because she enjoys beating me at something.

The Fourth Kingdom: Free on Amazon Kindle October 15-19

The Fourth Kingdom is the story of Dr. Alexander Sinclair who travels to a cloning facility to meet with its director, Dr. Karl Helmick.  After years of working together, Sinclair begins to wonder who Dr. Helmick actually is.

If you like books by Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker, you'll like The Fourth Kingdom.

This book as written by a mother and daughter team, Alexandra and Joyce Swann.  Alexandra is a homeschool graduate.  They have co-authored two other novels.

This book is available for free through Amazon Kindle from Tuesday the 15th through Saturday the 19th.

This is your opportunity to own this book for free and read it before the sequel, The Force, becomes available.

Summer/Fall Series: 50 States - Maryland

MARYLAND

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One of two states to give up land for the capital city, Washington, D.C., Maryland became the 7th state on April 28, 1788.  The postal abbreviation is MD (remember that Maine was ME).  Maryland is the 42nd largest state in the Union.  It was named in honor of the wife of Britain's King Charles I, Henrietta Maria.  The capital of Maryland, Annapolis, was once the capital of the United States and was named in honor of Princess Anne who would later become the queen of England in 1702.  Washington, D.C., became the nation's capital on July 16, 1790.

Maryland's nickname is the "Old Line State."  It dates back to the Revolutionary War and is said to have been given by George Washington himself after viewing the bravery and steadfastness of the Maryland Line at the Battle of Long Island.  The state motto is "Fatti Maschii, Parole Femine" and means "Manly Deeds, Womanly Words" or "Strong Deeds, Gentle Words."  It is written in Italian and stems from the Italian roots of the Calvert Family, the Lords Baltimore, who governed Maryland for 42 years.

The flag of Maryland was adopted in 1904 and is based on the coat of arms of the Calvert family.  It is the only U.S. flag that contains British heraldry.

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The state symbols of Maryland include the Baltimore oriole as the state bird, the striped bass as the state fish, and the Maryland blue crab as the state crustacean.  The state dog is the Chesapeake Bay retriever.

The state flower is the black-eyed Susan, and the official state tree is the Wye Oak which is a white oak that is more than 450 years old.  Milk is the state beverage.  (This isn't the first time we've heard this.)  Maryland also has a state boat: the Skipjack, which is a boat used for oyster dredging.

Seafood contributes a great deal to the economy of Maryland.  Blue crabs, oysters, striped bass, soft clams, and flounder are some varieties which are caught and sold.  Maryland contributes nearly half of the nation's blue crab supply.  Other top industries are corn, soybean, and tobacco farming; coal mining; and steel production.

Maryland holds the honor of having the first school in the nation.  In 1696, King William's School was established.  It also had the first dental school at the University of Maryland.  The United States Naval Academy was founded on October 10, 1845, in Annapolis.  It was called the Naval School until 1850.

People from Maryland are called Marylanders.  Some famous Maryland-born Marylanders are politicians such as Spiro Agnew, Charles Carroll who signed the Declaration of Independence, John Dickinson who was one of the writers of the Declaration of Independence, and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.  Authors Tom Clancy, Upton Sinclair (The Jungle), and Dashiell Hammett (The Maltese Falcon) were both born here.  Other people include Francis Scott Key, the writer of the Star Spangled Banner; Johns Hopkins, philanthropist who founded the university and hospital which bear his name; sports' stars Cal Ripken, Babe Ruth, Michael Phelps, and Pete Sampras; Benjamin Banneker, astronomer who helped plan Washington, D.C.; Stephen Decatur, the youngest captain in the Navy; Frederick Douglass, former slave who became the first black citizen to be a high-ranking government official; John Wilkes Booth, Lincoln's assassin; Harriet Tubman; and Frank Perdue of chicken fame.

Maryland has hundreds of events year round and tourists attractions.  Like most other states, there are aquariums, amusement parks, and zoos.  There are national parks and old war forts.  Antietam National Battlefield is part of the National Park Service and commemorates the Civil War battle along Antietam Creek.  Visit the Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum in Baltimore and the Clara Barton National Historic Site in Glen Echo which details the life of the founder of the American Red Cross.  The Charles Carroll House of Annapolis is open for tours on Saturdays and Sundays from June through September.

Try your hand at some of these Maryland puzzles and quizzes.

The following list of products is available at christianbook.com.  I am an affiliate of christianbook.com.  If you purchase through my blog, I will receive a commission.

A Primary Source History of the Colony of Maryland - Unabridged Audiobook on CD By Liz Sonneborn & Eileen Stevens / Brilliance Audio Learn all about the colony of Maryland through primary source documents! On November 22, 1633, two small ships sailed from England with about 150 people on board, mainly men, though there were some women and children. All were leaving their homes and setting sail for a strange land. They dropped anchor in Chesapeake Bay and landed on an island they named St. Clements, which they found to be too small, and moved to a larger area that they called St. Mary's City.  From these humble beginnings emerged Maryland, one of the thirteen colonies of America. From the colonists' early years, to political and religious upheaval and disease, this audiobook recounts the history of the colony. Unabridged audio CD; approximately 1 hour 12 minutes; 1 CD.

Voices from Colonial America: Maryland 1634-1776 By Robin Doak / Random House, Inc

13 Colonies: Maryland By Roberta Wiener & James Arnold / Heinemann Raintree

Maryland My First Book, Grades K-5 By Carole Marsh / Gallopade International An "early bird" intro to basic state facts. Covers state basics such as state nickname, seal, song, bird, motto, flag, regions, industries, neighbors, and weather, plus an intro to state history, people and more. Includes: drawing, mazes, matching, coloring, and more! Reproducible. Available for all 50 states. Grades K-5; ages 5-10.

Harriet Tubman By Marion Dane Bauer & Tammie Lyon / Scholastic Trade Introduce young children to the important life that Harriet Tubman led with this illustrated picture book. Simply written and brightly illustrated, children will learn about Harriet's early life as a slave in the South, how she managed to run away to freedom, and her long and dangerous fight for freedom for slaves and rights for women.

Harriet Tubman: Freedom's Trailblazer By Kathleen V. Kudlinski / Aladdin

Harriet Tubman, Secret Agent: How Daring Slaves and Free Blacks Spied for the Union During the Civil War By Thomas B. Allen / Random House, Inc Readers discover that Harriet Tubman--well known to them as an ex-slave who led hundreds of her people to freedom along the Underground Railroad--was also a spy for the Union Army. More specifically, she worked behind Confederate lines in South Carolina getting information about troop movement and Rebel fortifications from slaves whom she was leading to freedom on the Underground Railroad. The report on her raid to Lincoln's Secretary of War stated: "This is the only military command in American history wherein a woman, black or white, led the raid and under whose inspiration it was originated and conducted."192 pages, hardcover.

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave, Written by Himself - eBook By Frederick Douglass / Simon & Schuster Fredrick Douglass' account of his life as a slave, and finally as a freedman, is one of the most dramatic tales in American history. First published when the author was only 28, after just achieving his freedom, he presents us with a vivid portrait of the harsh injustices and dehumanization that slavery had upon African Americans. His refreshing and eloquent prose popularized his autobiography and helped him launch his career as a minister and abolitionist. This Enriched Classic edition also contains and outline of key themes, detailed explanatory notes, critical analysis, discussion questions, and more. 182 pages, softcover.

Frederick Douglass By George E. Stanley / Aladdin Born into slavery, Frederick Douglass was separated from his family, beaten, and was forced to work constantly-all because of his skin color. How could anyone overcome such odds? But overcome he did, as Frederick eventually became a famous abolitionist, author, statesman, and reformer. Read about how one of the most prominent figures in African American history paved the way for others to achieve their own freedom! 192 pages, paperback. Ages 8-12.

For You They Signed: The Spiritual Heritage of Those Who Shaped Our Nation By Marilyn Boyer / Master Books Can you identify all the men who signed the Declaration of Independence? They were men who risked everything to bring our modern United States of America into being, yet we've largely forgotten their names, states, and their lives. For You They Signed features the stories of the 56 signers-perfect for a year's worth of week-long studies as a family devotion or independent study. Each entry features an original illustration, sidebar with quick statistics, close-up of their signature, quotes timeline, chapter text on their lives, and questions for discussion. A family activity guide Companion Book is available at the publisher's website. 342 pages, hardcover.

The Star Spangled Banner By Peter Spier / Random House, Inc Illustrated by favorite children's author/illustrator Peter Spier, his iconic images are set to all three verses of "The Star Spangled Banner." With a historic note at the end, this is an excellent way to introduce children not only to the words of the song, but also to the background it was born out of, and the meaning of the lyrics. Music also included on the last page.

Union 1812, audiobook on CD By A.J. Langguth / Tantor Media A gripping narrative of the second and final war of independence that secured the nation's permanence and established its claim to the entire continent, by the author of the enormously successful and acclaimed Patriots: The Men Who Started the American Revolution. This dramatic account of the War of 1812 fills a surprising gap in the popular literature of the nation's formative years. It is this war, followed closely on the War of Independence, that established the young nation as a permanent power and proved its claim to Manifest Destiny. Full of fascinating characters-Presidents Thomas Jefferson, John Quincy Adams, James Madison, James Monroe, and the future President Andrew Jackson, as well as Dolley Madison, Sam Houston, the great Indian chieftain Tecumseh, Francis Scott Key, Davey Crockett, and Oliver Perry, among others-Langguth's riveting account covers a vast panorama of battles, from the American sacking of Toronto and the British burning of the White House and the Capitol, to the thrilling war at sea and on the Great Lakes and the final spectacular American victory at New Orleans. Unabridged. 13 hours. 11 CDs. Read by Grover Gardner.

The Star-Spangled Banner: The Story Behind Our National Anthem By Liz Sonneborn / Facts On File In 1814, a young American lawyer named Francis Scott Key watched through the night as British troops attacked Fort McHenry in Baltimore. As the smoke cleared and dawn broke, he lifted a small telescope to his eye and saw the American flag waving above the fort. America had endured. Filled with emotion, Key wrote the first lines of "The Star-Spangled Banner" - the song that would become our national anthem. Elementary students can learn what each part of this song means, and better understand this national song. Colorfully illustrated with timeline, glossary, and index; 32 pages.

Benjamin Banneker By Coughlan Publishing A "Fact Finder" Biography, this short biography features short sentences and archival illustrations that give children a good idea of who Benjamin Banneker was and what he accomplished. His education-both by Quakers and himself-is discussed, as well as his creation of a wooden clock, published almanacs, and surveying skills. 32 pages. Ages 7-10.

What Are You Figuring Now?: A Story about Benjamin Banneker By Jeri Ferris & Amy Johnson(ILLUS) / Carolrhoda Books

The Bloodiest Day: Battle of Antietam By Larry Hama / Random House, Inc Relive the terrible story of the Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest day in American history. As Union and Confederate armies met, ordinary men and women showed extraordinary courage as they fought to decide the future of their county. In this Osprey Graphic History book, you'll meet John Gordon and Francis Barlow, who faced each other in the "bloody lane," in a desperate struggle for survival. Then use the extra information packed inside to learn about why they fought.

The President is Shot! The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln By Harold Holzer / Boyds Mills Press It was only one moment in history, yet one of the most significant and tragic. Author Harold Holzer explains the context for the assassination, including Lincoln's dreams about his death, Mary Lincoln's fears and phobias, his unpopularity in the South, and the ways in which John Wilkes Booth's life led him to the assassination of the president. Period etchings, momentos, and photographs included. Ages 10 & up.

Heroes of History: Clara Barton, Angel of the Battlefield By Janet & Geoff Benge / Emerald Books The Heroes of History series chronicles the true stories of fascinating men and women who changed the course of history. Known during the Civil War as the "Angel of the Battlefield," remarkable Clara Barton risked everything to save countless lives on the frontlines of battle. Once a painfully timid child, Clara was as bold as a lion when it came to helping others, whether wayward schoolboys, natural-disaster victims, or dying soldiers. For ages 10 and up.

Edgar Allan Poe By Edgar Allen Poe / Sterling Publishing Beautiful, commissioned illustrations accompany a number of Edgar Allan Poe's most beloved poems. A fantastic way to introduce children to poetry, the included vocabulary and context notes help make the art form more accessible to beginners. A biography of the poet is also provided at the beginning of the book. Ages 8 & up. 48 pages, hardcover.

YWAM Review: Jim Elliot

Over the years, I have become very familiar with the story of Jim Elliot and the other missionaries who were killed in Ecuador in the 1950s.  I have also used other books from the Christian Heroes: Then and Now series by YWAM Publishing and have always loved them.  They are always written well and share the stories so clearly and with such detail that you almost feel as if you are present.
We had the opportunity to review Jim Elliot: One Great Purpose and the corresponding study guide, Jim Elliot: Unit Study Curriculum Guide.  The book is geared towards children ages 10 and older and shares the story of Jim Elliott from before he landed in Ecuador to his death in the jungle.  The epilogue describes the work of God through Betty Elliot, Jim's wife, and Rachel Saint, Nate's sister, with the Auca's after the missionaries' deaths.  



Jim Elliot: One Great Purpose is a 192-page paperback book that sells for $6.99, but it is also available in Kindle and Nook editions.  I received the Kindle version and, so, would sit on the couch with my kids and read them a chapter at a time.  The story was full of details about Jim's life.  I myself especially enjoyed the chapters that talked about Jim and Elizabeth's courtship.  They both loved the Lord so much, and it is evident throughout the story.  I am glad that there have been books written about Christian men and women who sacrificed to share the love of Christ with those who might not otherwise hear and that I have the chance to read those books to and with my children.  
The curriculum guide is 62 pages and sells for $7.49.  It is intended to be used to enhance the learning that comes from reading the book.  It contains Bible verses to memorize and chapter questions (with answers provided in the back of the book).  These two sections were the easiest for us.  We often look for verses to memorize, and there are just four included in the study guide.  They are each given in KJV and NIV.  We use the NIV as it is a bit easier for the kids to memorize.  There are only four questions for each chapter.  The first is a vocabulary question.  The second is a question about some fact from the chapter.  The third question measures whether or not the student comprehends what they have read.  Finally, the last question asks them to form an opinion about something related to the reading.  The chapter which talked about Jim's parents raising him to be independent struck a chord with my kids.  They tried to plead their own case.
We did not do anything with the display corner which encourages the kids to set up a table in a corner that displays items about Ecuador.  One of the items that is suggested is a map of Ecuador.  This can easily be completed by using the map that is included in the study guide.  Other items suggested are examples of Spanish writing, Ecuadoran food like bananas and cocoa, and photographs and articles about Ecuador.  We could have done the map and probably put some bananas on the table, but that would not have done it justice.
Essay questions are provided, as well as creative writing ideas.  I was not impressed with some of the creative writing ideas.  One was to write a song about Jim and Betty.  One was to write a poem about Jim for his funeral.  Some of the hands-on projects are simple like making a timeline.  This one is easy to do after reading each chapter.  There are some projects that my kids like such as making a poster advertising Jim as a guest and making an acrostic poem from Jim Elliot's name.  I was not willing to make a papier-mache topographical map of Ecuador, though.  The good thing about the curriculum guide is that it suits kids of all ages.  Some projects are too simple for junior high or high school but are just right for elementary kids, and some are perfect for the high-school level but are too hard for the younger kids.  It provides a variety of activities for all ages.
There is a chapter about planning field trips and getting the most out of them.  It includes several ideas for field trips that could tie into the story.  The social studies chapter has a lot of map work.  I love geography, and I am always happy when my kids are challenged to identify places on a map.  This chapter also includes terms like gulf, basin, and tropical storm that the kids can look up and learn.  Many of these my kids were already familiar with.  The last chapter is entitled, "Culminating Event."  This is the end of the unit study.  Some ideas given are to prepare and serve regional food, play traditional music, present poems or reports the kids have written, display art work, and play traditional Ecuadoran games.
YWAM has included in the study guide a list of other books that were written about the people and events surrounding these five missionaries who were killed in Ecuador.
I highly recommend both the book and study guide.  The book is well written and sensitive to the events surrounding the lives that were taken.  The study guide provides many opportunities for further learning for students of all ages.  There will most likely be something all kids will find enjoyable between its pages.

Summer/Fall Series: 50 States - Maine

MAINE

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From lobsters to toothpicks, Maine has put its name on the map.  Despite its most northeastern location of any state in the U.S., Maine is rich with history, fishing, and forested land.  On March 15, 1820, Maine became the 23rd state in the Union.  The original capital was Portland, but it was changed to Augusta in 1832.  Maine is the 39th largest state.  It covers more than 35,000 square miles, over 22.5 million acres of land.  More than 42% of the state is covered in state and national parks.

Folks who live in Maine are called Mainers, and some who were born there include Milton Bradley, the owner and creator of Milton Bradley, Co.; Patrick Dempsey, an actor who played the role of Robert in the movie, Enchanted; Stephen King, horror author; Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who wrote "Paul Revere's Ride" among other poems, as well as many U.S. representatives and other writers.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's house can be visited as it is now a museum.  Stephen King's house cannot.  There are many state parks in Maine as mentioned above, including Acadia National Park.  The coastline is dotted with many lighthouses, some of which are Portland Head Light, Pemaquid Point Light, and Portland Breakwater Light.  The last surviving signal tower in the United States is Portland Observatory.  Maine has a desert; it is a 40-acre portion of land covered with glacial silt.  There are ski resorts such as Sunday River and old decommissioned forts such as Fort Knox.  Fort Western is an old colonial outpost that can be toured.  Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village is the last active Shaker community and can be visited.

Maine's motto is Dirigo, which means "I lead."  It saw itself as a guide for the people, hence the motto.  The nickname is the Pine Tree State for the many pines that fill its forests.  The state tree-the Eastern white pine-was used for ships' masts.  The state flower is not actually a flower: the white pine cone and tassel.  Another of Maine's nicknames is the Lumber State.  Its abundance of forests allows for the manufacturing of many paper products.  Maine also produces 90% of the country's toothpicks.

Maine is an important fishing state.  Almost 90% of the country's lobster is caught off the coast of Maine.  It is also an important state for potato farming, shipbuilding, electronics, and tourism.

The state animal is the moose.

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Maine is the only state in the U.S. with only one syllable.  Its abbreviation is ME.  Try to keep the abbreviations straight for the states that start with M.  There are quite a few of them.

The state bird is the Black-capped chickadee, and the state insect is the honeybee.  What other states have the honeybee as their state insect?  The state fish is the Landlocked salmon.

Maine's state flag was adopted in 1909.

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Included on the flag is Maine's state seal which shows a farmer with his scythe and a sailor leaning on an anchor who are both flanking a shield which has a pine tree and a moose beside a blue stream.  A yellow star, the Polar Star, sits atop the shield while the state motto, "Dirigo," is printed on a red banner and "Maine" is printed on a blue banner below the shield.

Visit the Maine Kids page for puzzles, recipes using food found in Maine, coloring pages, and a license plate decoding game.

Play some Maine recycling games.

The following is a list of resources about Maine or things found in Maine from christianbook.com.  DISCLAIMER: I am an affiliate with christianbook.com.  If you purchase items through my blog, I will receive a commission.

The Great State of Maine Activity Book, Revised Edition By Jane Petrlik Smolik / Midrun Press With over 90 pages of answers to "Are we there yet?" this activity book is stuffed with enough puzzles to keep children busy! Inside, you'll find crosswords, logic games, secret codes, mazes, and word puzzles. You'll also find fun facts, activities, and games all about life in Maine from Kittery to Fort Kent. Enjoy puzzles about Augusta, Bar Harbor, Freeport, The "Downeaster", Puffins, Ogunquit, Moose, Lobsters, Lighthouses, Sugarloaf, Acadia National Park, Baxter State Park, festivals, famous Mariners, mapping Maine, Moosehead and Sebago Lakes, and more! Recommended for ages 8 to 12.

The Names of Maine: How Maine Places Got Their Names and What They Mean By Brian McCauley / Acadia Press Discover the origin and meaning of the names of over 1,000 cities, towns, mountains, rivers, lakes, bays, and islands, listed alphabetically. Whether you are a visitor to Maine or live there, you will find this information fascinating.

Maine State History Lapbook - PDF Download [Download] By Cyndi Kinney & Judy Trout / Knowledge Box Central Get to know your home state! Comprehensive state history lapbook resources from Knowledge Box Central are designed so that children of all ages can study together. Explore state symbols, songs and landmarks, famous people, geographical regions, timelines of historical events, and more. The included state-specific study guide provides background information, history, and other factual information; this study guide is the same for both lapbook (Grades K-8) and lapbook journal (Grades 6-12) students, so that the parent only needs to go over the information once. This lapbook includes a list of all the supplies needed if following the included base guide. Blackline masters are provided for students to cut out and paste into their lapbook, while a photo of a finished lapbook provides a visual example. This Lapbook is structured for use with K-8th Grade Students.

Native American Place Names of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont By R.A. Douglas-Lithgow / Applewood Books This dictionary of Native American places was originally published in 1909. Arranged alphabetically by Native American name, this reference work gives insight into the name origins of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont cities, towns, rivers, streams, lakes and other locales. 116 pages, softcover.

Lighthouses of Maine By Bruce Roberts & Ray Jones / Globe Pequot A winning combination of practical travel information, stunning color photographs, and rich maritime history makes Lighthouses of Maine your essential guide to maritime beacons in the Pine Tree State. From Whitlocks Mill Light near the St. Croix river to Whaleback Ledge Light near Portsmouth Harbor, the fifty lights included here are presented in geographical order. Take this handy little guide with you on your travels, and keep it as a picture-perfect souvenir of your trip to Maine. Inside you will find: detailed descriptions of each lighthouse Complete travel information, including driving directions and GPS coordinates historical background notes quick summaries of key information, such as date established, height of tower, and type of lens fifty-six beautiful full-color photographs a glossary of important terms helpful icons indicating historic interest, scenic quality, accessibility and amenities

Maine Birds By Globe Pequot A must-have reference guide for beginners and experts alike. Whether you're on a nature hike or in your own backyard, you'll want to take along a copy of this indispensable guide. This series is an introduction to common plants and animals and natural phenomena. Each pocket-sized, folding guide highlights up to 150 species and most feature a map highlighting prominent sanctuaries and outstanding natural attractions. Each is laminated for durability. (31/2 x 81/4 folded, opens to 22 x 81/4, color illustrations, map)

A Penny for a Hundred By Ethel Pochocki / Bethlehem Books Farm life in Aroostook County, Maine, is much the same year after year--but 1944 is different. When German POWs come to help Clare and her family bring in the crops, she befriends Peter. She's determined to make his Christmas away from home special, but she never expects to receive a precious gift in return. Recommended for ages 5 to 9.

One Morning in Maine By Robert McCloskey / Penguin Putnam Inc. One morning in Maine, Sal woke up. She peeked over the top of the covers. The bright sunlight made her blink, so she pulled the covers up and was just about to go back to sleep when she remembered "today is the day I am going to Buck's Harbor with my father!" As Sal brushes her teeth she notices something strange. One of her teeth is loose! Her first loose tooth! When the tooth falls out, she'll be able to put it under her pillow and make a wish. But while Sal digs for clams with Dad, her loose tooth becomes a lost tooth. How can she make her wish now? Luckily an exciting trip to Buck's Harbor with Dad and baby Jane helps make Sal's wish come true. In this heartwarming story, Robert McCloskey beautifully conveys life's everyday pleasures and his intimate knowledge and deep appreciation of the Maine islands. Recommended for ages 3 to 8. A 1953 Caldecott Honor book.

Hello Maine! By Martha Day Zschock / Applewood Books Tag along after a Moose and its calf as they explore Maine. Cute illustrations and fun rhymes highlight the uniqueness of the city with classic and kid-friendly examples. Great for reading before a trip or for children already familiar with the state! 16 boardbook pages. Ages 2 & up. 6" x 6".

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow / Sterling Publishing Beautiful, commissioned illustrations accompany a number of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's most beloved poems. A fantastic way to introduce children to poetry, the included vocabulary and context notes help make the art form more accessible to beginners. A biography of the poet is also provided at the beginning of the book. Ages 8 & up. 48 pages, hardcover.

The Song of Hiawatha By Henry Wasworth Longfellow / Dover Publications Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's 1855 classic is regarded as a masterpiece of American literature, combining romance and idealism in an idyllic natural setting.

Paul Revere's Ride By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Ted Rand / Puffin Books Here is one of the most stirring poems in American Literature, brought vividly to life in this breathtaking new edition by a master of picture-book illustration. Ted Rand's moonlit vision captures the swift, rhythmic gait of Longfellow's words and the drama of Revere's brave ride as he gallops from town to farm, sounding the call to rise and arm against the British. The story unfolds in memorable pictorial images: Revere's anxious wait on the shore, the two lights in the belfry of the Old North Church, Concord Bridge in the early morning hours. The mixture of history, art, and poetry results in a book as gorgeous to behold as its message is inspiring to all who love freedom. Recommended for ages 6 to 9.

Acadia National Park Wildlife By Independent Publishers Group