Grade 4: Historical Perspectives

Takes readers on a historical journey with 12 engaging chapters about World War I. With colorful spreads featuring the war's critical moments, key players, and lasting effects paired with interesting sidebars, questions to consider, and a timeline, the book provides a holistic view of the event.

World War I was one of the messiest and bloodiest wars ever seen. Soldiers often fought from trenches and used gas warfare, grenades, and machine guns. The war also saw great advancements in vehicles and other tools of war. Learn about the uniforms, amazing weapons, and unique gear used by the Central and Allied powers.

In this title, readers will examine the technology used by military forces during World War I. Engaging text introduces readers to trench engineering, rifles, machine guns, cannons, howitzers, mortars, mustard and chlorine gas, gas masks, tanks, U-boats, the machine gun/airplane propeller synchronization system, and the roles they played in military campaigns. A short history of the war is also included. Aligned to Common Core standards and correlated to state standards. Checkerboard Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

Used mainly for reconnaissance, the first wartime pilots merely waved in greeting at passing enemy pilots. By the end of WWI, airplanes had evolved into deadly fighting machines. Exciting, realistic illustrations and photos help portray bombers and fighters, the Fokker scourge, Zeppelins, the Red Baron and other aces, and the Last Battle.

Who could care for a bear? When Harry Colebourn saw a baby bear for sale at the train station, he knew he could care for it. Harry was a veterinarian. But he was also a soldier in training for World War I. Harry named the bear Winnie, short for Winnipeg, his company's home town, and he brought her along to the training camp in England. Winnie followed Harry everywhere and slept under his cot every night. Before long, she became the regiment's much-loved mascot. But who could care for the bear when Harry had to go to the battleground in France? Harry found just the right place for Winnie while he was away -- the London Zoo. There a little boy named Christopher Robin came along and played with Winnie -- he could care for this bear too! Sally Walker's heartwarming story, paired with Jonathan Voss's evocative illustrations, brings to life the story of the real bear who inspired Winnie the Pooh.

This moving book about peace, understanding, and unity is based on the real-life World War I event known as the Christmas Truce. It is cold and clear on Christmas Eve night in 1914. Suddenly, a strange sound pierces the darkness. Someone is singing a Christmas carol in German. Francis Tolliver and his fellow British soldiers are holed up in muddy trenches along the Western Front. Their enemies--German soldiers--lie in wait just across a field known as "No Man's Land." As the Germans' carol ends, Tolliver and the other British soldiers sing "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." Soon carols are being sung back and forth. Then a figure emerges in the dark, carrying a small Christmas tree with lighted candles. The British and German soldiers slowly leave their trenches--and the war--behind to stand together in the open field. This haunting story is adapted by award-winning songwriter John McCutcheon from his song of the same name. Henri Sørensen's traditional, full-color oil paintings reinforce the emotional power and dignity of the story. Back matter provides more information about the historical event, and a CD featuring readings of the story and recordings of "Silent Night" and "Christmas in the Trenches" is included.