Illinois Authors

Holiday House, New York : ©2000.

Explains how apples were brought to America, how they grow, their traditional uses and cultural significance, and some of the varieties grown.

Holiday House, New York : ©1999.

Describes different kinds of bats, their physical characteristics, habits and behavior, and efforts to protect them.

Morrow Junior Books, New York : ©1999.

Explains how myths about dragons developed, different types of dragons, what draconologists do, and how different cultures portray dragons.

HarperCollins, New York : ©2002.

For centuries people believed in unicorns, legendary creatures that were said to have magical powers. Today these one-horned creatures still have a special power -- the power to capture our imaginations. Using careful research and spirited illustrations to explain the origins, mythology, and folklore of the unicorn, Gail Gibbons, gets right to the heart of why these marvelous creatures are still so popular today.--

Holiday House, New York : ©1995.

A brief history of bicycles, as well as information on the different kinds there are, how they work, and the different ways they are used. A list of safety tips for bike riders is included, as well as guidelines for bike maintenance.

Boats come in all sizes and we use them in different ways. for recreation, for transportation, and even for police work and fighting fires.

Little, Brown, Boston : ©1989.

When two children visit Ike's Kite Shop they learn about kites and how to fly them. Includes instructions for building a kite.

Paw Prints 2009.

Here is a fascinating journey through those dark, mysterious hollow places on earth--sea caves, lava caves, ice caves, and more. Caves and Caverns also includes information on where to go, what to bring, and how to have a safe, exciting spelunking adventure of your own. “This title will be enjoyed by budding scientists and explorers.”--School Library Journal

Paw Prints 2009.

“The brighly colored drawings will attract young readers and provide a first look at libraries--with all their complexity and excitement.”--Booklist

Holiday House, New York : ©2003.

An introduction to the physical characteristics, behavior, and life cycle of chickens, as well as a discussion of how chickens are raised on farms.

Holiday House, New York : ©2001.

All of the ways and reasons for celebrating Christmas.

Scholastic, New York : 1999, ©1997.

Describes the basic parts of a camera and how to take photographs.

Crowell, New York : ©1979.

Describes the weight clock and the spring clock and how they work.

Marine biologists believe coral reefs existed 400 million years ago, when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Today this active environment is home to about 20,000 kinds of brilliantly colored corals, plants, and animals--more sea creatures than are found anywhere else in the world. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is so large that astronauts can see it from outer space! Children in early elementary grades will enjoy Gibbon's informative text and clear, detailed illustrations on this journey into the unique lives of coral reefs.

Crowell, New York : ©1987.

Examines the diverse behind-the-scenes activities of a typical working day at a small daily newspaper, from morning preparations for meeting the deadline to the moment the afternoon papers leave the presses.

Harper & Row, New York : 1986, ©1984.

Describes the activities in a busy department store during a typical day.

Holiday House, New York : [2013], ©1996.

An introduction to the characteristics of deserts and the plants and animals that inhabit them.

Describes the work of paleontologists, relates special features of dinosaur groups, and examines the most recent theories of what led to their extinction.

Step back in time ... to the Age of the Dinosaurs! Dinosaurs ruled Earth for milions of years. Some were small and could run very, very fast. Others were big and covered with spikes and plates for protection. Some were huge and terrified other dinosaurs with their long, sharp teeth. In this newly revised edition, Dinosaurs! reflects further paleontological discoveries made since its publication in 2008, while still offering young dino-enthusiasts a timeless and accessible look at these magnificent creatures.--Jacket.

Scholastic Inc., New York : 1997, ©1996.

An introduction to dogs including their history, types of breeds, senses, and ways of communication.

Scholastic, New York : ©2001

Describes how ducks swim, dive, feed, communicate, build nests, and raise their young as well as offers information about how conservation groups are trying to protect many ducks and their habitats.

Paw Prints 2012.

he story, how it is celebrated today, and the origin of some traditions.

Scholastic, New York : 1996, ©1994.

Describes different types of emergency vehicles and the kind of emergencies they are used for.

To explore the deep sea, oceanographers climb into submersibles and employ ROVs to find out more about the ocean and ocean floor. Journey with them to the deep sea. Explains the technology for exploration and the kinds of animals found at different sea levels--Amazon.

Holiday House, 2014.

Farms are busy places throughout the year. Animals are born; fields are plowed and planted, and crops are harvested. The winters are quiet, but there are always chores to be done ... and soon spring will come again. Here Gail Gibbons describes the activities and special qualities of life on a family farm.

T.Y. Crowell, New York : ©1985.

Describes a busy day at a gas station, with cars coming in for gas or repairs.

Crowell, New York : ©1984.

Views fire fighters fighting fires in the city, in the country, in the forest, and on the waterfront.

Holiday House, New York : ©1986.

Presents a brief history of flight, from balloons to more sophisticated means of air transportation such as helicopters, jet planes, and shuttles.

An introduction to frogs, discussing their tadpole beginnings, noises they make, their hibernation, body parts, and how they differ from toads.

Crowell, New York : ©1986.

A history of the Boston Post Road from its early days as a series of Indian trails to the present.

Holiday House, New York : ©1991.

Explores the intricate relationship between seeds and the plants which they produce.

Planet Earth is in the Milky Way Galaxy, the cloudy band of light that stretches clear across the night sky. How many galaxies are there in the universe? For years astronomers thought that the Milky Way was the universe. Now we know that there are billions of them. Gail Gibbons takes the reader on a journey light-years away.

Every February 2nd, people all across the country wonder about the groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil. Will he see his shadow on that day or won't he? Will spring come early or late?

Dreamscape Media LLC, [Holland, Ohio] : [2015]

A celebration that provides all kinds of spooky fun. Discover the origins and history of Halloween traditions and festivities from ancient times to the present day.

Scholastic, New York : 1991, ©1986.

Examines the historical beliefs, traditions, and celebrations associated with birthdays.

Holiday House, New York : ©2003.

Presents information on horses, including their physical characteristics, behavior, and how to ride a horse.

Dreamscape Media, Holland, Ohio : [2016]

Clear wording explains the tools, materials, and workers needed to build a house, from basement to roof and everything in between.

Scholastic Press, New York : 2006.

While visiting her father's family in Mali, a young girl loses a tooth, places it under a calabash, and receives a hen and a rooster from the African Tooth Fairy.

Holiday House, New York : ©2006.

Discusses the history of ice cream, how it is made, and different flavors, and how it is sold.

Hachette Book Group, New York, NY : 2008.

Describes the skills needed to become a knight, illustrations of the armor, and some of the famous knights of the Middle Ages.

Harper & Row, [New York] : 1989, ©1985.

A step-by-step description of how a movie is made, including writing the script, casting, rehearsing, creating the scenery and costumes, editing the film, and attending the premier.

Scholastic, New York : ©1992.

The concept of opposites, such as little and big, is explored through pages that fold out.

Crowell, New York : ©1980.

Traces the history of locks and keys from ancient times to the present, describing the development of increasingly complex and pick-proof locks and how they work.

T.Y. Crowell, New York : ©1989.

Focuses on a small town diner where Marge and her workers prepare and serve meals to hungry customers twenty-four hours a day.

Holiday House, New York : ©1998.

Defines marshes and swamps, discusses how conditions in them may change, and examines the life found in and around them.

Live Oak Media, 2011.

Little, Brown and Co./Hachette Book Group, New York, NY : 2009.

Provides an overview of life in ancient Egypt, describing the people, daily activities, beliefs and customs, and what has been learned from artifacts left behind.

Scholastic, New York : 2002, ©2000.

An introduction to baseball, describing the equipment, playing field, rules, players, and process of the game.

HarperCollins Publishers, [New York] : ©2000.

Introduces the basics of the game of basketball, describing the players, court, techniques, and rules of play.

HarperCollins Publishers, New York : ©2000.

Introduces the basics of the game of football, describing the players, field, and how the game is played.

HarperCollins Publishers, New York : 2000.

Briefly describes the equipment, terminology, rules, positions, and plays of one of the world's most popular games.

Morrow Junior Books, New York : ©1994.

Describes the climatic conditions of the rain forest as well as the different layers of plants and animals that comprise the ecosystem. The ecosystem of the rain forest is explained, with material on how these resources should be protected and preserved.

HarperTrophy, [New York, N.Y.] : 1987, ©1983.

Describes the planning and construction of a new road.

Scholastic Inc., New York : 2006.

Owls are known for their haunting calls; yet when they are hunting, they can swoop down and snatch prey without making a sound. There are about 140 different kinds of owls, and they live on every continent except Antarctica. From the smallest, the elf owl, to the largest, the great gray owl, here is information about the 21 types that are believed to be living in North America. From egg to owlet to fierce bird of prey, this book offers an insightful look at these impressive creatures of the night.

Harcourt Brace, San Diego : 1997.

Briefly discusses where paper comes from, how it is made, and how we use it.

Mazzoli's steady, clear narration is perfect for articulating facts about these birds of the Arctic. Listeners will relish hearing about the variety of penguins and their distinctive characteristics.... Penguin calls and sounds from the habitat complete the recording. -AudioFile 2011

Holiday House, New York : ©1999.

Examines the basic characteristics, common breeds, intelligence, behavior, life cycle, and uses of pigs.

Morrow Junior Books, New York : ©1995.

Examines Earth from its red-hot core to the highest peak.

Holiday House, New York : ©1985.

Introduces the various types of playground equipment, including swings, slides, and sandboxes, as well as games and toys that may be enjoyed at the playground.

Holiday House, New York : ©2001.

Watercolor illustrations and text provide information about how polar bears swim and hunt, how they keep warm and dry, and many other ways they adapt to their environment.

Holiday House, New York : ©1988.

Introduces, in text and illustrations, a variety of prehistoric animals whose fossilized remains have provided scientists with clues about their physical characteristics and the environment in which they lived.

Hampton-Brown Books, Carmel, Calif. : ©1993 (1996 printing)

Describes ways people say things to each other without using spoken or written words such as beacon fires, hand signals, alarms, and flags.

Scholastic Press, New York : 2001, ©2000.

Describes different kinds of rabbits, their physical characteristics, behavior, where they live, and how to care for them.

Sagebrush, Boston : 1999, ©1992.

Explains the process of recycling from start to finish and discusses what happens to paper, glass, aluminum cans, and plastic when they are recycled into new products.

Morrow Junior Books, New York : ©1999.

Describes the origins and evolution of Santa Claus, from the Turkish Saint Nicholas to the jolly, red-suited Santa of today. Also discusses similar legendary figures in other cultures.

Macmillan ; New York : ©1992.

Describes the work of a veterinarian and some of the procedures and instruments he uses to treat animals in his office and on farms. Also tells how to take good care of pets.

Descended from enormous prehistoric creatures, sea turtles are fascinating. Hatched from eggs smaller than a baseball, some can grow to weigh over a thousand pounds. Once adults, they can live to be around 100 years old. And when it's time to nest, they migrate more than 1,000 miles. With colorful, clear illustrations and straightforward text, Gail Gibbons introduces the eight kinds of sea turtles living in the ocean today. Learn the similarities and differences with labeled diagrams and experience the hatching of the tiny turtle babies with detailed illustrations. This updated edition now includes the most up-to-date information about these beloved reptiles, as reviewed by an expert vetter in the field of herpetology. Sea Turtles also gives young readers an accessible overview of how the lives of these large reptiles have become threatened and discusses the conservation efforts currently taking place. Ideal for aspiring oceanographers, this brightly-illustrated book is a perfect introduction to the subject.

Live Oak Media, Pine Plains, NY : 1992.

An introduction to the world of sharks by author/illustrator Gail Gibbons that combines succinct text and color illustrations, with interesting facts about how they differ from other fish, how their bodies work and how they survive in their environment. Offers advice on what to do if one encounters a shark while in water.

Information about these cold-blooded animals, including their physical characteristics, where they live, how they give birth, and more.

Morrow Junior Books, New York : 1998.

Describes the characteristics, behavior, and life cycle of the bald eagle.

Live Oak Media, [New York] : ℗1999, ©1993.

Examines the physical characteristics, behavior, habitats, and different kinds of spiders.

Scholastic, New York : ©1994.

Tells what stars are, why they twinkle, how constellations were named, how telescopes are used to study stars, and more.

Paw Prints 2009.

Simple language and bold illustrations make this a fun and informative book about the sun. “Add this one to primary-grade science shelves.”--Booklist

Houghton Mifflin, Boston : 1999.

Describes the many-years-long search for the treasure that went down with the Atocha, a Spanish galleon sunk off Florida in a hurricane in 1622. Includes facts about four other famous shipwrecks.

Holiday House, New York : [2005]

Discover what life is like season by season when you're surrounded by the sea--Jacket flap.

Little Brown & Co., Boston : ©2002.

Featuring a special section on how children can make a tree identification book of their own, this title is a bright and colorful introduction to trees, leaves, and their inner workings in nature.

Live Oak Media, [United States] : 2008.

A thorough introduction to the rich history, traditions and customs of the holiday.

Holiday House, New York : ©1998.

Describes the many different kinds of tools and supplies which artists use to produce their work.

Two women who sailed with Calico Jack Rackham and his pirates in the early 1700s do their best to defend their ship while the men on board are busy drinking.

Holiday House, New York : ©2002.

Describes different types of berries and how they grow. Includes recipes with berry ingredients.

Morrow Junior Books, New York : ©1992.

Tells the story of this inland waterway from the earliest explorers' dream of an Orient passage to today's vast computer-operated system of canals, locks, and gates, and the ships that traverse them.

Morrow Junior Books, New York : ©1997.

Covers the physical structure of honeybees and how they live in colonies, as well as how they produce honey and are managed by beekeepers.--Title page verso.

Scholastic Inc., New York : ©1985.

Explains how cows produce milk and how it is processed before being delivered to stores.

Holiday House, 2014.

Some planets have many moons. Earth has one. Because it is so close to Earth, our moon is the brightest and biggest light in our night sky. Here is information about our moon, including how the oceans' tides are affected by it, why the same side always faces Earth, why there are different phases of the moon, and why there are solar and lunar eclipses. The book ends with a list of legends and facts, from the man in the moon to the first person to land on it.

Discusses the movements, location, and characteristics of the planets in Earth's solar system.

HarperCollins, [New York] : ©1982.

A step-by-step description of what happens to mail from the time it is deposited in the mailbox to its arrival at its destination. Also includes brief historical facts about mail service in the United States.

Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, San Diego : ©1987.

Describes the history and process of potterymaking by following a potter through a day of work.

Introduces readers to the lives of puffins and puffin conservation.

Blending factual information with fun tidbits, Gail Gibbons takes a popular autumn symbol and explores its growth cycle from seed to table. The informative text, including instructions for young gardeners to grow and harvest their own pumpkins and to carve jack-o-lanterns, is clearly presented.

HarperCollins Publishers, New York : ©2004.

An introduction to the process of quilt making, including a history of the craft, sample quilt patterns, and directions for creating a children's book authors and illustrators quilt.

Holiday House, 2013.

Why is there winter in the Southern Hemisphere at the same time there is summer in the Northern Hemisphere? Here is an explanation of how the position of the Earth in relation to the sun causes seasons, and the wonders that come with each one of them. Summer. Autumn. Winter. Spring comes again. Year after year the seasons repeat themselves.

As the seasons pass, Arnold enjoys a variety of activities as a result of his apple tree. Includes a recipe for apple pie and a description of how an apple cider press works.

Illustrations and simple text describe the various vegetables people eat.

F. Watts, New York : 1977.

Describes the reasons Columbus Day is celebrated and gives suggestions for celebrating by making and doing various things.

F. Watts, New York : 1976.

A collection of games, jokes, and instructions on how to make costumes, party foods, makeup, and puppets, all on a Halloween theme.

F. Watts, New York : 1978.

Includes projects, games, jokes, and party foods for use in celebrating birthdays.

Depicts a number of different tools used in building and the kinds of work they are used for.

Examines different kinds of trains, past and present, describing their features and functions.

Trucks dig holes, trucks push heavy loads, trucks haul, pull, lift, and dig. 60 trucks, and what they do, are shown in this colorful board book.

Circonflexe, [Paris?] : 1990.

Cet album présente la circulation dans le monde souterrain : des galeries creusées par les animaux aux conduites d'eau en passant par les voies de circulation souterraines..

ALADDIN Books, [Place of publication not identified], 2017.

From the architectural drawings to the foundation to ironworkers building 30 stories up, learn how skyscrapers are built step-by-step. This new edition includes the latest building techniques and has been vetted by an expert. Author of over 120 nonfiction books for kids, including Tool Book and How a House is Built, and with hundreds of thousands of books sold, Gail Gibbons continues to bring science to kids in this inside look at skyscrapers.

Milkweed Editions, Minneapolis, MN : 2000.

Urban Nature celebrates nature's resiliency and captures the many faces of wildness in the city with poems by more than 130 emerging and recognized poets.

Holiday House, New York : ©2006.

The history of the holiday and all its fun festivities are presented in this easy-to-read tale filled with Valentine cards, candy hearts, flowers, and full-color illustrations. Valentine's Day is candy hearts, flowers, and chocolate truffles. It is Valentine cards galore. Most of all, it is a time to share with family and friends, and a time to give thanks for our loved ones. Gail Gibbons presents the history of this special holiday and shares what the day has come to mean in our society today.

Macmillan Pub. Co. ; New York : 1993.

Describes forecasters at work in a weather station as they use sophisticated equipment to track and gauge the constant changes in the weather.

Holiday House, New York : ©1990.

Introduces basic weather terms and concepts.

Did you know that whales breathe air just like people do? How about that a blue whale is one of the biggest mammals that ever lived? Discover these fascinating facts and more in this updated deep-dive into the biology of whales, including the latest information on whale sizes and statistics, how and why some whales use echolocation, and stories of recent whale rescue efforts. Perfect for young readers studying the natural world, simple text and watercolor art explore the anatomy, evolution, diet, and more of these majestic ocean creatures. Captions identify different species, vocabulary words (with pronunciations), and key facts. A "Whale Tales" section with bonus trivia is included at the end. Gail Gibbons is a titan in the field of children's nonfiction, having published over 120 nonfiction books for kids, including the Sharks and Sea Turtles, and having sold hundreds of thousands of books. Whales is a vital tool for anyone who wants to begin conversations with kids about the importance of protecting this magnificent species.

Award-winning narrator George Guidall's adept reading enlivens a text packed with information in this exploration of the life of the gray wolf (or timber wolf). Using her effective format of large color drawings and useful facts, Gail Gibbons once again provides an excellent resource for primary-grade students.

Little, Brown, Boston : ©1998.

Explains and illustrates the equipment, work, and lifestyle of cowboys and cowgirls in the Old West.

Live Oak Media, [Ancramdale, N.Y.] : ℗1991.

Provides a behind-the-scenes look at a working day at the zoo, from the moment the workers arrive until the night guard locks the gate.