Autor: Walter LaPlante

Even the most inactive animals can be dangerous! The deadly stinging tentacles of the sea anemone are useful and multifunctional. They’re used to kill and capture food, keep predators away, and prote …

The Great Lakes watershed can be traveled from end to end, from the St. Lawrence River all the way to Duluth, Minnesota. In order for that to happen, man-made waterways had to be constructed to bypas …

The surface of the Great Lakes covers 94, 250 square miles. About 40 million people in the United States and Canada drink water from the Great Lakes, and millions of birds, fish, and other animals ma …

No matter their age, sharing is one of the most important skills children can learn and practice. It’s something they will do at school, home, and even later in life. Through understandable and age-a …

Standing tall over New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty shines her light for all to see. This U.S. monument isn’t just a great place to visit on a trip to New York City. It has represented U.S. fre …

The American flag flies from government buildings, schools, and often from homes. Great care is taken with it, and if anything happens to a U.S. flag, outrage often follows. While readers are likely …

The presidential seal is one of the most respected symbols of the United States. It authenticates documents signed by the president and is seen on the presidential flag. The story behind this importa …

Tecumseh played a role in much of early U.S. history. He formed a confederacy of Native American tribes in the early 1800s, fought future president William Henry Harrison in the Battle of Tippecanoe, …

There are a lot of ways to start a fire: flint and steel, matches, a magnifying glass and sunlight. However it starts, all fire needs oxygen, fuel, and heat. To some, it may almost seem like magic, b …

During the early 1800s, it was difficult and expensive to transport goods from the East Coast to the Great Lakes region. The Erie Canal connected these two areas, causing a population boom in western …

The man who conceived of the Appalachian Trail believed that time outdoors was good for a clear mind. Millions of people couldn’t agree more and hike the trail each year! In addition to the history o …

Many people around the world live in the forest biome. That’s because temperate forests grow in places where winter isn’t too cold and summer isn’t too hot. Readers learn that we need to care for thi …

In North America, grasslands are called the “prairie.” In South America, they’re called the “pampas.” Whatever they’re called, grasslands are a vibrant biome! Readers are introduced to grasslands thr …

Many people around the world live in the forest biome. That’s because temperate forests grow in places where winter isn’t too cold and summer isn’t too hot. Readers learn that we need to care for thi …

It would seem logical that once a home is vacuumed, swept, and dusted, someone with a dust allergy would feel better. It’s actually the opposite! Cleaning disturbs dust particles and it can make alle …

It can be difficult to find food that doesn’t have eggs in it. From pasta to packaged cookies, many products have eggs it in, which isn’t great news for people with allergies to eggs! However, with a …

Shellfish allergies can be dangerous. While about 60 percent of sufferers don’t have a reaction until adulthood, many children do have shellfish allergies. They only way to avoid a scary situation is …

Soy allergies often surface as early as infancy with some babies showing signs of an allergy to soy in formula. Most of the time, soy allergies cause hives and itchiness, however sometimes, soy aller …

What exactly counts as a tree nut? Pine nuts, cashews, pecans, and hazelnuts are just some of the nuts that fall into this category, and are a common allergen. Learning how to tell if a food needs to …

Dolphins are often called friendly animals due to their "smiling" faces and their splashing fins and water play. Maybe because of this perception or dolphins’ reputation for being very smar …

Manatees are often called "sea cows, " but that name doesn’t do them justice, even though they may weigh as much as a full-grown cow. These enormous ocean animals can cruise along underwate …

Octopuses are the escape artists of the sea. With no bones, they’re known to squeeze into tiny places and out of their tanks in aquariums. They come in all sizes and colors and feature some interesti …

The importance of biodiversity in the Great Lakes watershed cannot be overemphasized. The thousands of kinds of plants and animals that live in the lakes’ habitats affect the health of the lakes, jus …

No matter their age, sharing is one of the most important skills children can learn and practice. It’s something they will do at school, home, and even later in life. Through understandable and age-a …

Sitting Bull is best known for his part in the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He continually resisted the U.S. government’s mandate that all Native Americans must move to reservations they set up. Sit …

One person uses more than 20, 000 sheets of toilet paper each year. That means a family of four uses more than 80, 000 sheets. What happens to all that used tissue? Readers follow this and other wast …

In North America, grasslands are called the "prairie." In South America, they’re called the "pampas." Whatever they’re called, grasslands are a vibrant biome! Readers are introduc …

Deserts are the driest places on Earth, but they’re full of life! Cacti, kangaroo rats, shrubs, foxes, and more have found ways to adapt to the extreme temperatures and dry conditions of deserts arou …

Deserts are the driest places on Earth, but they”re full of life! Cacti, kangaroo rats, shrubs, foxes, and more have found ways to adapt to the extreme temperatures and dry conditions of deserts aro …

Spring makes many people so happy, but not those with allergies to grass! Itchy eyes, a stuffy nose, and wheezing are just some of the symptoms these allergy sufferers may have. Readers are introduce …