Author Profile
Gina Shaw
12 Books
Gina Shaw is a children's book author who writes engaging educational stories and early readers. Her work includes fascinating non-fiction explorations like the Smithsonian's Curious About series, which covers topics from snow to zoo veterinarians. She has also written fun fictional adventures for young readers, including chapter books about dinosaurs and classic movie monsters.
Get ready to swing into the jungle and meet one of the most incredible primates on the planet! With their bright red hair, incredibly long arms, and clever minds, orangutans are masters of the rainforest canopy.
Did you know that these amazing animals use their toes just like thumbs and can even learn how to play on an iPad? In this exciting book, you will discover how orangutans live, what they eat, and how they play high up in the trees.
You will also get a special look at how the experts at the Smithsonian National Zoo work hard to protect these endangered creatures and keep them happy and healthy. It is a fantastic journey into the world of an unforgettable animal.
6-8 Years
34 Pages
How do you know when it is time to wake up, go to school, or celebrate your birthday? We use clocks and calendars every single day, but people have not always had such easy ways to measure the passing moments.
Journey back through history to discover the clever and fascinating ways humans first learned to tell time. You will explore a world of incredible inventions, from ancient hourglasses filled with sand to the super-accurate atomic clocks we use today.
Packed with amazing photographs and fun facts, this book reveals why keeping track of time is so important for communication and everyday life. It is the perfect adventure for curious minds who want to know how our world stays in sync.
6-8 Years
23 Pages
Have you ever wondered what amazing things you could find in a simple box? Get ready for a roarin' good time with "Dinosaurs in a Box"! Imagine opening a plain old box and discovering it's filled with incredible, prehistoric creatures.
Join in the adventure as a child's imagination brings these giant dinosaurs to life, right in their own home. What kind of dinosaurs will you meet? Will they be big and friendly, or small and sneaky? This story shows how much fun you can have just by using your imagination and a little bit of magic from a box. It's a journey back to a time when dinosaurs ruled, all from the comfort of your reading nook!
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
Ginny Fry has her perfect Halloween costume all planned out, and she cannot wait for the best night of the year. But her best friend Spike is acting very strange and refuses to share his costume ideas with anyone.
As the big spooky night gets closer, secrets start to cause trouble between the two friends. A massive costume mix-up threatens to turn their happy trick-or-treating plans into a complete disaster.
Will Ginny and Spike be able to figure out their misunderstanding before the Halloween parade? This fun and relatable story shows exactly what it takes to be a good friend, even when things get a little bit tricky.
6-8 Years
Meet Ginny Fry, a girl who always knows exactly what she wants, especially when it comes to the perfect Halloween costume. She has her entire spooky look planned out and is ready for the best trick-or-treating adventure ever.
But her best buddy Spike is keeping a big secret about his own costume, and it is starting to cause a problem. When a giant Halloween mix-up happens, Ginny realizes that her friendship might be in trouble.
Can the two friends fix their funny misunderstanding before the big night is ruined? Join Ginny and Spike for a hilarious holiday story about honesty, communication, and learning to share your secrets with your closest friends.
6-8 Years
48 Pages
Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan
Gina Shaw
Meet Helen Keller, a young girl who lost her sight and hearing, and Anne Sullivan, the remarkable teacher who changed her life forever. When Anne arrived to help Helen, she brought the gift of communication, teaching her how to understand the world through touch.
This inspiring true story shows how the bond between a dedicated teacher and a determined student helped them overcome impossible challenges. You will learn how Helen learned to read, write, and speak, proving that with patience and courage, anything is possible.
Discover the incredible teamwork that made Helen and Anne two of the most famous figures in history. Their friendship will inspire you to face your own obstacles with a brave heart.
6-8 Years
8 Pages
Open wide and get ready to learn all about the amazing chompers inside your mouth! Your teeth do so much more than just help you chew your favorite snacks; they give you a bright smile and help you speak clearly every single day.
In this fun and informative book, you will discover the different types of teeth you have and exactly what jobs they do. You will also learn the best ways to keep your mouth super clean, from brushing properly to visiting the dentist.
Taking care of your smile is important, and this guide makes dental hygiene easy and exciting to understand. Get ready to celebrate everything that makes your teeth so special!
6-8 Years
36 Pages
There is a brand-new furry face at the National Zoo, and she is capturing hearts all over the world! Meet Bao Bao, the adorable baby giant panda cub who loves to tumble, play, and munch on delicious treats.
In this delightful photo-filled book, you will get an exclusive look inside the special habitat where this precious bear lives with her parents. Learn the fascinating story of how she was given her beautiful name during a formal ceremony and discover what a growing panda needs to stay healthy.
You will also see exactly how the dedicated zookeepers work around the clock to care for her. Join the celebration and welcome one of the cutest new arrivals to the animal kingdom!
6-8 Years
50 Pages
When the winter sky turns gray and the air grows freezing cold, something magical happens. Snowflakes begin to fall, blanketing the world in shimmering white. But have you ever stopped to wonder where snow comes from and why it looks the way it does?
In this fascinating look at winter weather, you will uncover the science behind these icy crystals. You will learn exactly how snowflakes form in the clouds, why they are always white, and the amazing reason why no two snowflakes are ever exactly alike.
Featuring stunning close-up photographs of real snowflakes, this book also explores the history of massive snowstorms and the many ways people love to play in the winter snow.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
Have you ever wondered what happens when a giant panda gets a stomachache or a sea lion needs to visit the dentist? Keeping wild animals healthy takes a lot of special skills and a very dedicated team of experts.
Step inside the busy world of the Smithsonian National Zoo and meet the incredible veterinarians, technicians, and animal keepers who care for creatures of all shapes and sizes. You will discover exactly how they manage to weigh a massive bear, examine a limping llama, and make sure every animal is feeling its absolute best.
Packed with fascinating facts and vibrant photographs, this book gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the daily adventures and hard work of the people who dedicate their lives to animal care.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
34 Pages
Step outside and listen closely—the world around you is buzzing, crawling, and fluttering with incredible life! Insects are absolutely everywhere, and believe it or not, there are far more of them on Earth than there are human beings.
In this exciting exploration of the tiny creatures that share our planet, you will get up close and personal with bugs that bite, fly, and build amazing homes. Discover the fascinating secrets of insect behavior and see how they survive in almost every environment.
Featuring amazing insights inspired by the Smithsonian Insect Zoo, this book uses fantastic photographs to show you the hidden lives of your favorite multi-legged neighbors. Get ready to look at bugs in a whole new way!
6-8 Years
36 Pages
Have you ever wondered where your shadow comes from or why it changes size throughout the day? Shadows are all around you, hiding in plain sight and waiting to be discovered.
In this fun and educational journey, you will learn exactly what makes a shadow appear and why it needs a light source to exist. You will also discover how moving the light can make your shadow stretch super tall or shrink down tiny.
Get ready to use your imagination and try out exciting activities to make your very own shadows. It is the perfect way to explore the science of light while playing and having fun.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
