Seen the Disney movie? Here's the real story. Grand Duchess Anastasia, daughter of the last Russian Tsar, comes to life through her own diary entries and a wealth of historical photographs. Winner of the Red Cedar Award for non-fiction, 1998.

Charming folk art illustrations and a simple text introduce the very young to one of the greatest (and most prolific) composers of all time - Johann Sebastian Bach.

In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell sent the first message by telephone and the world would never be quite so big again. But this was only one of many dazzling new ideas in a long and "inventive life." After all, as Bell himself observed, an inventor "can no more help inventing than he can help thinking or breathing." Short-listed for the Information Book of the Year Award by the Children's Literature Roundtables of Canada.

Wilson Bentley was fascinated by snow. For fifty years, he spent much of his time observing and photographing snowflakes, capturing their beauty on film for all to see. Mary Azarian's rich and vibrant woodcut illustrations accompany the charming tale of this extraordinary individual. Winner of the Caldecott Medal, 1999.

1849: Her village was burned and her parents killed before her eyes. She herself was to be executed. But at the last moment, rescue came. The British captain of the S.S. Bonetta took the five-year-old African princess back to England and christened her Sarah Forbes Bonetta. Intrigued and sympathetic, Queen Victoria herself decided to provide for the orphaned girl. Celebrated author Walter Dean Myers pieced together Sarah's compelling story from a chance discovery of letters in a rare book shop.

This odd and charming little book explores a small and private place in the personal life of one of Canada's great art icons: her great affection for her Old English Bobtail sheepdogs and in particular, Flirt, Punk, and Loo.

The author of such favorites as The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me tells several family stories that helped to develop his love for animals - and making pictures.

Cleopatra's fame has lasted two thousand years. Her life was certainly dramatic. She became the queen of Egypt at eighteen, was deposed two years later, and returned to power with the help of Julius Caesar. She dreamed of a world united under Egyptian rule - and nearly succeeded. What made her extraordinary was not her beauty, but her intelligence, courage and ambition. Delve into the story of the most captivating woman in history in this lavishly illustrated "storybook" biography.

Meet the creator of the Magic School Bus series! Author Joanna Cole takes readers on board to find out how the Magic School Bus really works.

As a scientist and inventor, Leonardo Da Vinci was far ahead of his time, considering such possibilities as submarines, air conditioning and airplanes. As an artist he was masterful. The multitalented Da Vinci was the original Renaissance man. But despite all his ability, Leonardo was never rich, or very contented. He spent his life in search of people to support his work and in an endless quest for new ideas and activities. Diane Stanley has also written a similarly stunning work on the life of Da Vinci's rival, Michelangelo.

Roald Dahl, author of numerous wildly funny and extremely popular novels (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, and The BFG, to name a few), tells his own story in this exciting autobiography. Readers won't want to miss his continuing adventures in Going Solo.

No one believed that a woman on her own could be a successful ruler. Intelligent and ruthless, Elizabeth reigned alone for forty-five years, surviving war, court intrigue, religious conflict, illness and personal heartbreak. Defeating the Spanish Armada was just one of the triumphs of her rule, remembered as a golden age in English history.

Once, long ago, a brilliant man looked at the stars and changed history. In 1610 Galileo Galilei published a book of his observations, calling it "The Starry Messenger." Because his ideas conflicted with those of the Catholic Church, Galileo was imprisoned for the rest of his life. But his ideas still ran free... Peter Sis' ornate and exquisitely detailed art adorns this simple picture book version of a great life.

This is the story of one of the most amazing women in history. An illiterate peasant girl who led the French army to victory over the English, Joan of Arc was condemned to die as a heretic at the age of nineteen and canonized as a saint five hundred years later. Diane Stanley's lively text is complemented by glowing illustrations recalling the glorious illuminated manuscripts of medieval times.

In 1880 being blind, deaf and unable to speak was a life sentence of loneliness, frustration and anger. Helen Keller was lost in silence until an untried but determined young teacher, Annie Sullivan, entered her dark world. Years later, Helen Keller was a college graduate, best-selling author, successful lecturer, and political activist famous for her humanitarian work on behalf of the disabled. An inspiring story indeed.

This glowing picture book biography tells the tale of Blanche Leathers, the first woman in America to captain a steamboat. Hop aboard for a great journey along the Mississippi River with a gutsy heroine!

Author-illustrator Anita Lobel has produced many lush and beautiful picture books, including One Lighthouse, One Moon and My Day in the Garden. However, her early life was far from beautiful. Her heartrending story of life in the Warsaw Ghetto and a succession of concentration camps makes a gripping tale for older readers.

He was not a pirate, not quite. Henry Morgan's exploits on the high seas were supported by the English crown, unofficially. He was a "leader of thieves, a "prince" among a group of outcasts, desperados and failed gentlemen known as buccaneers." A riveting tale of historical adventure, definitely not for the faint of heart.

Edith Nesbit's delightful novels for children - Five Children and It, The Railway Children, and the Treasure-Seekers, to name a few - are still charming audiences a hundred years later. Here are her own recollections of a Victorian childhood, the only autobiographical work she ever did.

Most readers will never have heard his name, but Frederick Law Olmsted created some of the most famous (and lovely) parks in North America, including New York's Central Park, Montreal's Mount Royal, and Niagara Falls Reservation. Beautifully illustrated by award-winner Song Nan Zhang, this picture book is an intriguing look at an unsung hero.

Long ago, when Elizabeth I was queen of England, there was a fierce Irish pirate roaming the seas. Her name was Grace O'Malley. This is her thrilling story. A splendid picture book by Caldecott Award-winning author-illustrator Emily Arnold McCully.

Gary Paulsen's gripping adventure and survival stories (Hatchet, the "Mr. Tucket" series) have audiences on the edge of their seats. Surprisingly, the author's own life has been equally full of excitement, humour and heartbreak. Readers may also be interested in Paulsen's autobiography, My Life in Dog Years, and works of fiction based on his childhood experiences: The Cookcamp and Alida's Song.

Sitting Bull became the greatest Lakota Sioux hero of all time. But this is the story of his childhood, the story of how he earned his name. Before he became Sitting Bull, he was a boy called Slow. Rocco Baviera's intensely powerful paintings are a wonderful match for Joseph Bruchac's sensitively told story of a boy's search for his place in the world.

Elvis Stojko rose to fame in the shadow of another brilliant Canadian skater, Kurt Browning. But Elvis was destined for a spotlight all his own. A superb athlete, consummate professional, and all-around nice guy, Elvis is a Canadian superstar.

Fans of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings may be wondering just who was the man behind the amazing fantasy world of Middle Earth? Here is your chance to find out. Younger readers may enjoy J.R.R. Tolkien: Man of Fantasy.

Laura Ingalls Wilder's "Little House" books are perhaps the most successful autobiographical series ever written. Here is a scrapbook of letters, notes photographs and memorabilia that will fascinate her many fans.

"Babe" Didrickson Zaharias was one of the greatest women athletes ever. She competed in numerous track and field events, winning two gold medals and breaking several world records. She also excelled at basketball and golf. More than that, Babe had a character and spirit that no one could forget. Find out about a true sports legend!