Albatros

Written by Oldřich Růžička
Illustrated by Tomáš Tůma

Let’s take a walk together, see the most wonderful Egyptian sights, and learn what life in Ancient Egypt looked like for pharaohs, officials, soldiers, and ordinary people.

Over 5‚000 years ago, a civilization developed along the Nile River whose sights and remnants are still enchanting people from all over the world. Huge wonderful pyramids, stone temples, decorated tombs, larger-thanlife statues of rulers, tall columns, obelisks, and other memorials can be seen in Egypt wherever you look. Still, many sights are waiting to be freed from the African sands and it remains somewhat mysterious how Egyptian builders could create such towering, beautiful buildings, considering the limited technology of the day.

Hardcover, 12 pages, with folding maps.  9 x 10.2 inches.

Albatros Books.

Written by Oldřich Růžička
Illustrated by Tomáš Tůma

Over 4000 years ago, the first tribes arrived at the Balkan Peninsula and laid the foundations of the oldest European civilisation. Ancient Greece gave democracy to the world, as well as an endless amount of knowledge of mathematics, architecture, military affairs, or philosophy.

Many modern scientists used Greek mathematicians or philosophers as a basis for their own work. Nowadays, Greece is littered with remnants of beautiful temples and ancient buildings whose architecture shaped the taste and style of modern builders. Let’s travel a few thousand years into the past and take a look at how the ancient Greeks lived, worked, fought, or created art.

Hardcover, 12 pages, with folding maps.  9 x 10.2 inches.

Albatros Books.

Written by Oldřich Růžička
Illustrated by Tomáš Tůma

Learn about one of the most important civilisations in history with these six folding maps. All roads lead to Rome, the old saying goes, aptly expressing what an important civilisation was founded almost 3000 years ago.

When the foundations of the ancient city of Rome were laid, no one had any idea that it would eventually develop into one of the most significant empires in human history; an empire which in its heyday covered large parts of Europe, Britain, regions around the Mediterranean, and lands by the Black Sea. The Roman Empire inspired the entire world, especially in regards to arts, architecture, language, politics, trade, and military. Let us playfully learn about Rome, one of the most interesting civilisations of the ancient times.

Hardcover, 12 pages, with folding maps.  9 x 10.2 inches.

Albatros Books.

Written by Tom Velčovský; Illustrated by Jakub Cenkl

Recommended by the publisher for children ages 6-9 years.  Recommended by Nest for studying Grade 6 geology, as the details are lovely.

Hardcover.  9 x 9 inches.  7 spread with gatefolds.

Published by Albatros Books.

Architecture Around the World

by Marie Kraus & Tom Velčovský

Explore the fascinating world of architecture, from ancient monuments to modern structures, and decode architectural styles and history in this engaging non-fiction book

This non-fiction compendium takes readers on a global tour of architectural wonders, from ancient monuments that have withstood the test of time to the new streamlined modern structures that define our contemporary landscape. Explore iconic buildings by uncovering the intricate secrets of architectural styles and the rich histories they represent. From the timeworn exterior of the Great Pyramid of Giza to the smooth sleek lines of the White House, this book offers an immersive explorationof architectural diversity, offering readers a lens through which to decipher the architectural language of the structures that surround us.

Aimed at adolescents ages 10-14, this book transcends age barriers, offering a window into the world of architecture for all. Through vivid content and imagery, it offers an exciting journey through history and design. Young readers seeking a deeper understanding of architecture will gain deep insights into the world's architectural legacy. It's not just a book; it's a key to unlocking architectural secrets, an educational resource, and a visual delight. Whether for personal enrichmentor education, this invaluable guide will deepen your appreciation for our shared global architectural heritage.

Hardcover, 80 pages.  9.5 x 12.6 inches.

Albatros. Printed in China.

by Jiri Bartunek and Tom Velcovsky; illustrated by Jan Sramek

The New Seven Wonders of the World are introduced from the architectural point of view in this fully illustrated title.

The Great Wall of China, Petra, The Colosseum, Chichen Itze, Machu Picchu, The Taj Mahal, and Christ the Redeemer were selected as the new seven wonders of the world by over 600 million people who participated in a vote between 2000 and 2007. But have you ever wondered how these monumental structures were built centuries ago without using the modern technologies and heavy machinery that is available today? This book will give you the answers you are looking for.

These buildings are a unique cross-section of world architecture and offer a unique opportunity to compare the approaches, but also cultures of the entire world and different historical periods. Come and travel with us across the world and time and peek behind the curtain of the creation of the architectural monuments that have helped shape the current world.

Hardcover, 56 pages.  9.5 x 12.5 inches.

Recommended for 9 years and up.

Published by Albatros Books.

by Ludmila Henkova; illustrated by Tomas Svoboda

We admire the ancient wonders today, but somebody had to build them. No heavy machinery, no semitrucks, no cement mixers. How was it even possible to build such wonders as pyramids and temples in ancient times?

Each one was unique, its beauty and magnificence lauded by the greatest poets and writers of the age. Everyone longed to see for themselves the Wonders of the World: the Colossus of Rhodes, the majestic Great Pyramids of Giza, the Lighthouse of Alexandria (which withstood earthquakes and gales), the spellbinding Statue of Zeus at Olympia, the breathtaking Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon (inspiration for so many myths and legends). Just one of them-the pyramids-survives today. But come with us as we go back in time and learn the secrets of how these gems of ancient architecture were created. The building of each architectural masterpiece comprised so many details and small jobs, so much daily grind and sustained effort, with or without the help of machines.

Ludmila Henkova hails from the Czech Republic and besides writing, she designs teaching programs and evening activities and writes song lyrics.

Tomas Svoboda is a self-taught illustrator from Brno, Czech Republic. Although his main professional interest is in graphic design, in the past two years he has focused more on drawing.

Hardcover, 56 pages.  9.4 x 12.6 inches.

Recommended for 9 years and up.

Published by Albatros Books.

Written by Tereza Němcová, Štěpánka Sekaninová;

Illustrated by Magda Andresová, Linh Dao

Far, far away after crossing nine mountains and nine rivers lived a charming princess Sleeping Beauty and her great passion was gardening and taking great care of all plants that surrounded her palace. The princess was cursed when she pricked her finger on a thorn one day. She fell fast asleep, and the entire garden became shrouded in brier roses, hawthorn, and weeds. How will the charming princess save her garden? Discover the princess’s story, and find out about the wonderful world of gardening with this richly illustrated book with seven gatefolds on each spread.

Recommended by the publisher for children ages 6-9 years.  Recommended by Nest for studying Grade 5 & 6 botany, as the details are lovely.

Hardcover.  9 x 9 inches.  7 spread with gatefolds.

Published by Albatros Books.

Reviews:

"LEARNING ABOUT THE GARDEN WITH SLEEPING BEAUTY is an intriguing combination of fairy tale and nonfiction facts about gardens. On the pages a reader would normally flip through, there is the story of Sleeping Beauty who loves her gardens and all the things that grow within it. When you fold open each page, there are facts and information about elements of gardens, such as plants that have thorns, vegetables, ornamental flowers, and herbs. All of it is illustrated with a gentle and imaginative style that speaks to the topic.

What I loved: It was really fun how the fairy tale was interwoven with the nonfiction parts of the book. After reading each part of Sleeping Beauty and her gardens, the reader can take a deeper dive into the plants that grow in them. I appreciated all the facts along with the illustrations and use of background color that make this fun to explore. For children who live around gardens in their yards and around town, they will enjoy learning more about the different kinds of plants. The book also gives some context around key words, such as what makes a herb different from a spice. This could definitely spark an interest in learning more about gardens and plants - as well as starting your own.

Final verdict: An intriguing book to learn about gardens, LEARNING ABOUT THE GARDEN WITH SLEEPING BEAUTY is a delightful combination of fairy tale and facts. This is a great pick for elementary school aged children who enjoy the story of Sleeping Beauty and learning more about the world around them." ― YA Books Central

“While this book was beautifully illustrated, and the approach is interesting and unique the writing became too compex at times. I enjoyed weaving gardening in with a fairytale, and I would like to see the other books in this series. That being said, the depth in which the explanation for plants and gardening went was too expansive for juvenile nonfiction. If it is meant for older juveniles, it would be a good start to learning about gardening. The patrons at my library that tend toward fairy tales are generally younger, not that illustrated fairy tales can't appeal to older ages, but the approach seemed to switch between two ages of reading levels.“ ― Jordan Gray, Librarian

Written by Pavla Hanáčková
Illustrated by Diarmuid Ó Catháin

Recommended for ages 6-8 years.

A flightless bird that wishes to fly into space? Our kiwi bird Karl will show you that you can literally reach the stars, if you are determined and work hard to follow your dreams. Together with him, the readers will learn about rockets, space travel and space itself.

Is space the number one topic you’re interested in? Would you like to learn what breathtaking objects and man-made machines are flying around out there? Would you like to become an astronaut and see everything with your own eyes? Karl the kiwi bird is interested in just that. His biggest dream is to visit space as an astronaut.

Together you’ll learn many interesting things about all kinds of spacecraft. You’ll meet the most famous types and also catch a glimpse of what goes on before you even get to go to space—astronaut training and liftoff included! Join Karl in his spacecraft, get to know the solar system, and even more! Who knows what is hiding beyond our galaxy . . .

20 pages.  24.13 x 1.27 x 24.13 cm.

Albatros Media.

Review

About the Author

Jana Sedlackova and Helena Harastova; illustrated by Giulia Lombardo

How many cat breeds are there? Let's find out! This book belongs to all cat lovers!

Did you know that some cats don't have five fingers, but six? We're not pulling your whiskers-it's true! Whether you have your own pet at home or whether you just like these adorable little rascals-read our illustrated cat atlas, which will introduce you to the most interesting, lazy, cuddly, and wild cat breeds in the world, from the common European tabby to the silky-haired Persian cat and the unusual Lykoi. And don't worry, that one over there isn't a tiny werewolf-it just looks like one.And if you enjoy bedtime stories, don't forget to cuddle up in bed and immerse yourself in the Meow News, a newspaper that comes with the atlas. It contains many stories, interviews, and news from around the world of renowned feline celebrities, as well as lesser-known cat heroes and heroines.

Recommended for children ages 7-12 years, although could also be nicer for younger or older depending.

Proud holder of the California Reading Association Eureka Silver Award for 2022

Hardcover, 108 pages.  9 x 11 inches.

Published by Albatros.

Printed in China.

Written by Ester Dobiášová, Jana Sedláčková, Štěpánka Sekaninová
Illustrated by Marcel Králik

Paw on the heart that you can‘t guess how many dog species there are in the world. In our well-arranged atlas, you can find them all, from the smallest Chihuahua to the hairiest Komondor. Learn basic information about their natures and find your dream dog. Each breed is playfully introduced, and you will have the opportunity to find out which dogs are among the bravest and most devoted, who is the biggest barker, or who snores loudly when dreaming of a juicy bone. Use our dog to human years converter to discover how old your dog actually is. And, last but not least, if you like bedtime stories, read the Dogs’ Post Daily—a spectacular dog newspaper with a lot of stories, interviews, and reports from the lives of famous dog heroes and heroines!

Recommended for children ages 7-12 years, although could also be nicer for younger or older depending.

Hardcover, 104 pages. 9 x 11 inches.

Albatros Books.

Printed in Czech Republic.

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