Where can one find the world's largest mounted African elephant? Or the world's largest blue diamond? Why, at the world's largest museum complex and research organization, of course! In S is for Smithsonian® readers can take an armchair tour of the incredible exhibitions and collections found in the Smithsonian Museum. When it opened in 1855, no one could have imagined that the Smithsonian Museum would grow to include 19 museums, nine research

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Readers young and old will be delighted to discover the wonders of Washington State, from its natural beauty (Mount Rainier and evergreen forests), to its famous residents (Jimi Hendrix and Big Foot) and familiar skyline (Seattle's Space Needle). Intriguing facts coupled with beautiful, original artwork make E is for Evergreen an exciting journey.

Ring and Asia Wilde's wild life is anything but ordinary. Instead of attending school, they travel the world with their tutor and parents (scientists who work to protect endangered species). On their last adventure, they swung through the Amazon rainforest to save their mom from vile kidnappers--while defending the forest's population of golden lion tamarins. Now they're in Baja, Mexico--the Sea of Cortez to be exact--searching for the endangered...

From the mythological underwater city of Atlantis to the amount of water that covers Earth's surface, the oceanic world has challenged and intrigued man since recorded time. And it seems that as much as we do know already, there is so much more to learn. In W is for Waves: An Ocean Alphabet water enthusiasts and budding scientists are given an A to Z tour of the ocean's depths and the creatures that inhabit them. Did you know that jellyfish can range...

The polar bear are splashing in their pool. The monkeys are having the time of their lives in the trees. The lion peacefully observes his surroundings. The zoo is a great place to see animals from all over the world in one place. But who takes care of them and their home the zoo? The zookeeper. In Z is for Zookeeper: A Zoo Alphabet children will learn that he's probably the busiest person there. And if you don't see the zookeepers, rest assured they're...

Individual leaders can have a significant amount of influence over the development of organizational talent. One of the simplest yet most effective ways to develop others is the talent conversation - a way of building on relationships that are based on rapport, collaboration, and mutual commitment in order to help the individuals you lead improve performance, focus development, and reach positive outcomes. Learn how to prepare for and facilitate effective...

A fourteen-year-old boy attempts to be the youngest person to reach the top of Mount Everest.

Twelve-year-old Chase Masters travels the country with his father, a "storm runner, " but he is tested in ways he never could have imagined when he and a new friend are caught in a hurricane near St. Petersburg, Florida.

Amy and Dan Cahill are no strangers to impossible tasks. After seven of their relatives were kidnapped, the siblings scoured Europe for the priceless artifacts Vesper One demanded in exchange for the hostages. But then the Cahill kids are given an assignment that pushes them to their breaking point-a journey to a legendary city. Amy and Dan know they can't afford to fail, yet they're running out of options. . . and running out of time.

After barely surviving a terrifying hurricane, Chase and his friends Nicole and Rashawn have made it to the safety of Nicole's family farm, which is also the winter home of the Rossi Brothers Circus, where flood waters are rising and dangerous circus animals are on the loose.