Animals that Changed the World by Keltie Thomas

From chapters.ca:
From furry felines to hard-working horses, animals have had a tremendous impact on world history. For example, rats, through the diseases they carry, have probably killed more people than any war or natural disaster, goats may have been the first to discover coffee and, thanks to camels, people were able to survive for long periods in the desert and open up trade routes between Europe and Asia.

From Then to Now: A Short History of the World by Christopher Moore, illustrated by Andrej Krystoforski

From chapters.ca:
Just 50,000 years ago, our hunter-gatherer ancestors ventured off the African savannah and into the wider world. Now, our technology reaches far out into the cosmos. How did we get to where we are today? With lively text and colourful illustrations, From Then to Now explains how individual societies struggled to find their own paths, despite war, disease, slavery, natural disasters, and the relentless growth of human knowledge. From Hammurabi to Henry Ford, from Incan couriers to the Internet, from the Taj Mahal to the Eiffel Tower, from Marco Polo to Martin Luther King, from Cleopatra to Catherine the Great, from boiled haggis to fried tarantulas - this is no less than the story of humanity. It's the story of how we grew apart over all those years of migration and division, and how - as we recognize our common heritage and our often mixed ancestry - we can come together. An index, maps, and notes make this a must-have reference, as well as a delight to read and to discuss. From Then to Now is bound to create a generation of history buffs!

The Secrets Cave: Discovering Lascaux by Emily Arnold McCully

From chapters.ca:
Jacques, Jojo, Simon, and Marcel were looking for buried treasure when they explored a cave in the south of France in 1940. But the treasure inside was not what they expected, and in fact far more valuable: the walls were covered with stunning prehistoric paintings and engravings, preserved within the sealed cave for over 17,000 years. This is the true story of the boys who discovered the cave of Lascaux, bringing to the modern world powerful examples of the very beginning of art.

We’ve Got a Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children’s March by Cynthia Levinson

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The inspiring story of one of the greatest moments in civil rights history as seen through the eyes of four young people who were at the center of the action. The 1963 Birmingham Children's March was a turning point in American history. In the streets of Birmingham, Alabama, the fight for civil rights lay in the hands of children like Audrey Hendricks, Wash Booker, James Stewart, and Arnetta Streeter. Through the eyes of these four protesters and others who participated, We've Got a Job tells the little-known story of the 4,000 black elementary, middle, and high school students who voluntarily went to jail between May 2 and May 11, 1963. The children succeeded - where adults had failed - in desegregating one of the most racially violent cities in America.

Why Do I Have to Make my Bed? Or, A History of Messy Rooms by Wade Bradford, illustrated by Johanna van der Sterre

From chapters.ca:
Since ancient times, one question has endured in the hearts and minds of children: Why do I have to make my bed if it's just going to get messed up again? Now, Wade Bradford takes readers on a trip through time for a humorous look at how bed- making has evolved throughout history. Using examples of household tasks that might have been performed in colonial America, in ancient Egypt, by Vikings, and so on, this clever examination of chore lore eventually reveals the answer to this age- old question. (Hint: Mothers throughout history have always had a ready response.) This book makes history so much fun, kids won't even realize they're learning.

What's Inside? Fascinating Structures Around the World by Giles Laroche

From chapters.ca:
As it takes us on a tour of some of the most unique and beautiful structures, this book shows how the purpose of each structure dictated its design, or location. Here are soaring glass skyscrapers (for working people) and a humble stone barn (for working animals); a sealed tomb hewn out of a limestone hillside (for buried treasure) and a majestic marble building, honouring a goddess. As it reveals what lies inside each structure, this book gives insight into the people who designed these buildings -- into their hopes, their lives, and their concepts of beauty. Included - for budding engineers and architects - are statistics such as the year built, square footage, materials used, height, and other little known statistics.

Into the Unknown: How Great Explorers Found their Way by Land, Sea, and Air by Stewart Ross, illustrated by Stephen Biesty

From chapters.ca:
Ready to relive some of the most daring voyages of all time? Unfold these spectacular cross sections and explore fourteen historic journeys. Open this dynamic book and discover how the greatest explorers in history - from Marco Polo to Neil Armstrong - plunged into the unknown and boldly pieced together the picture of the world we have today. With the help of masterful cross sections, dramatic storytelling, and sidebars that highlight key concepts, places, and technology, immerse yourself in such expeditions as Leif Eriksson's voyage to North America (eleventh century), Zheng He's travels from China to East Africa (fifteenth century), Magellan's circumnavigation of the globe (sixteenth century), Tenzing Norgay's, Edmund Hillary's scaling of Mt. Everest (twentieth century), and more.

A Picture Book of Louis Braille by David A Adler, illustrated by John and Alexandra Wallner

From chapters.ca:
Blinded as a child, Louis Braille invented the raised dot system for reading and writing.

Three Remarkable Journeys Around the World by Matt Phelan

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As the nineteenth century wound down, a public inspired by the novel Around the World in Eighty Days clamoured for intrepid adventure. The challenge of circumnavigating the globe as no one ever had before - a feat assuring fame if not fortune - attracted the fearless in droves. Three hardy spirits stayed the course: In 1884, former miner Thomas Stevens made the journey on a bicycle, the kind with a big front wheel. In 1889, pioneer reporter Nellie Bly embarked on a global race against time that assumed the heights of spectacle, ushering in the age of the American celebrity. And in 1895, retired sea captain Joshua Slocum quietly set sail on a thirty- six- foot sloop, braving pirates and treacherous seas to become the first person to sail around the world alone. With cinematic pacing and deft, expressive art, acclaimed graphic novelist Matt Phelan weaves a trio of epic journeys into a single bold tale of three visionaries who set their sights on nothing short of the world.

Night Flight: Amelia Earhart Crosses the Atlantic by Robert Burleigh, illustrated by Wendell Minor

From chapters.ca:
Amelia Earhart is a legend in the field of aviation, and no accomplishment of hers is more acclaimed than her unparalleled 1932 solo flight across the Atlantic. As only the second person - and the first woman - to achieve such a feat, Amelia Earhart earned a place in the history books, and award- winning author Robert Burleigh has captured every nuance of her remarkable journey in this detailed picture book that is full of action and edge. Readers will be thrilled with the adventure and drama in this nonfiction account - and Wendell Minor’s vivid paintings will make them feel as if they’re along for the ride.

Big Wigs: A Little History of Hair by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Peter Malone

From chapters.ca: 

Did you know that kings and queens wore fake beards in ancient Egypt? Or that hair was used in medicine at the height of the Incan Empire? Or that Queen Elizabeth I had more than eighty wigs in various shades of red? Kathleen Krull and Peter Malone start at the dawn of history and bring us up to contemporary times, using incredible bits and bobs of hair fact and lore to show us just how much things have changed (and how they haven't!). This is a perfect way to introduce young readers to the idea of a longitudinal study. And it's also an irreverent and playful look at what funny fashion victims we humans have always been!

Wind Flyers by Angela Johnson, illustrated by Loren Long

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Three- time Coretta Scott King Award-winning author Angela Johnson and New York Times bestselling illustrator Loren Long invite readers to ponder a band of undercelebrated World War II heroes - the Tuskegee Airmen. With fleeting prose and transcendent imagery, this book by the masterful author/artist duo reveals how a boy's love of flight takes him on a journey from the dusty dirt roads of Alabama to the war- torn skies of Europe and into the hearts of those who are only now beginning to understand the part these brave souls played in the history of America.

Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters by Barack Obama, illustrated by Loren Long

From chapters.ca: In this tender, beautiful letter to his daughters, President Barack Obama has written a moving tribute to thirteen groundbreaking Americans and the ideals that have shaped our nation. From the artistry of Georgia O'Keeffe, to the courage of Jackie Robinson, to the patriotism of George Washington, President Obama sees the traits of these heroes within his own children, and within all of America's children. Breathtaking, evocative illustrations by award- winning artist Loren Long at once capture the personalities and achievements of these great Americans and the innocence and promise of childhood. This beautiful book celebrates the characteristics that unite all Americans, from our nation's founders to generations to come. It is about the potential within each of us to pursue our dreams and forge our own paths. It is a treasure to cherish with your family forever.

How the Sphinx got to the Museum by Jessie Hartland

From chapters.ca:
Acclaimed author and illustrator, Jessie Hartland, beautifully presents this informative and fascinating history of the Hatshepsut sphinx: from its carving in ancient Egypt to its arrival in the hallowed halls of New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art. This is essential reading for junior Egyptologists!

How they Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous by Georgia Bragg, illustrated by Kevin O’Malley

From chapters.ca:
This fascinating collection of remarkable deaths relays all the gory details of how 19 world figures gave up the ghost, including King Tut, Julius Caesar, George Washington, Edgar Allan Poe, and Henry VIII.

Sky Sailors: True Stories of the Balloon Era by David L Bristow

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For more than a century before airplanes, people explored the sky in balloons. From 1783 to the early 1900s, aeronauts flew into storms, crossed large bodies of water, sailed over enemy armies, and soared to deadly altitudes. Illustrated in full colour with dramatuc period artwork, here are the stories of the pioneers of human flight, such as daredevil Sophie Blanchard from Napoleon's France, and Solmon Andree, who lead an aerial assault on the North Pole in 1897.

Hot Diggity Dog: The History of the Hot Dog by Adrienne Sylver, illustrated by elwood H Smith

From chapters.ca:
If we are what we eat, Americans are hot dogs. We ate them on the way to the moon and served them to the king of England. We name a Hot Dog? Eating Champ! Garnished with hilarious illustrations and amazing "foodie" facts, this kid- friendly, globe spanning history of our favorite fast-food meal offers unique insight into America?s multicultural heritage. From a hobo?s franks-and-beans to astronaut food, there?s more to the wiener?and what?s for dinner?than you think.

What Darwin Saw: The Journey that Changed the World by Rosalyn Schanzer

From chapters.ca: In 1831 a 22- year- old naturalist named Charles Darwin stepped aboard the HMS Beagle as a traveling companion of an equally youthful sea captain called Robert FitzRoy. The Beagle's round- the- world surveying journey lasted five long years on the high seas. The young Darwin noticed everything, and proved himself an avid and detailed chronicler of daily events on the Beagle and onshore. What Darwin Saw takes young readers back to the pages of his journals as they travel alongside Darwin and read his lively and awestruck words about the wonders of the world. We follow Darwin's voyage, looking over his shoulder as he explores new lands, asks questions about the natural world, and draws groundbreaking conclusions. We walk in his footsteps, collecting animals and fossils, experiencing earthquakes and volcanoes, and meeting people of many cultures and languages. We examine his opinions on life in all its forms. We consider the thoughts of this remarkable scientist, who poured his observations and research into his expansive theories about life on Earth. In this exciting and educational account, Charles Darwin comes alive as an inspirational model for kids who think and question the world around them.

Harry Houdini: Escape Artist by Patricia Lakin, illustrated by Rick Geary

From chapters.ca: Find out how a little boy named Ehrlich Weiss became Harry Houdini - the greatest magician the world has ever known!

An Uncommon History of Common Things by Bethanne Patrick and John Thompson

From chapters.ca:
Sometime about 30,000 years ago, somebody stuck a sharp rock into a split stick — and presto! The axe was born. Our inquisitive species just loves tinkering, testing, and pushing the limits, and this delightfully different book is a freewheeling reference to hundreds of customs, notions, and inventions that reflect human ingenuity throughout history. From hand tools to holidays to weapons to washing machines, An Uncommon History of Common Things features hundreds of colourful illustrations, timelines, sidebars, and more as it explores just about every subject under the sun. Who knew that indoor plumbing has been around for 4,600 years, but punctuation, capital letters, and the handy spaces between written words only date back to the Dark Ages? Or that ancient soldiers baked a kind of pizza on their shields — when they weren't busy flying kites to frighten their foes?