WHAT A WALL!

In China, there is a wall that twists and turns like a dragon as it goes
over moun- tains and across valleys. It is about as high as a
three-story building. And it goes on and on, for nearly 4,000 miles
(6,400 kilometers). No wonder it is called the Great Wall of China!

At one time, there were many rulers in China. These rulers often put up
walls to protect their land and their people. About two thousand years
ago, the first emperor of all China decided to connect some of these
walls. He wanted to protect China from invaders living to the north. So
he began work on the Great Wall. It was made of dirt, stones, and
bricks. And the top was wide enough for troops and horsemen to use as a
road.

In later years, other emperors made repairs and added new sections to
the wall. The last work was done about four hundred years ago. Much of
the Great Wall still stands. But it isn’t any good for protection
because airplanes can fly over it.

Books to Read

If you enjoy reading about different places, you will find many other
books to read. Look for these and others in your school and public
libraries.

Ages 5 to 8

Beacons of Light: Lighthouses by Gail

Gibbons (Morrow, 1990)

Lighthouses are special places. This book tells how lighthouses work and
shows you some existing lighthouses in the United States and one
legendary lighthouse.

Bridges by Norman and Madelyn Carlisle (Children’s Press, 1983)

Read about some famous and unusual bridges and how they were built.

Canals by Cass R. Sandak (Franklin

Watts, 1983)

Learn how some famous canals, such as the Panama, Suez, and Erie, were
built, and how they are used. If you like this book, look for Dams
by the same author.

Castles by Richard Clark (Bookwright

Press, 1986)

Find out how some famous castles, forts, and fortresses were built and
learn about life in a castle.

Mammoth Cave National Park by Ruth

Radlauer (Children’s Press, 1986) Mammoth Cave is the world’s longest
cave. Let this book guide you on a journey through it.

The Man-Made Wonders of the World

by Dorothy Turner (Dillon, 1986) There are many interesting places to
know that were built by people, such as the Taj Mahal in India; the
canals in Venice, Italy; or the Opera House in Sydney, Australia.

Miss Liberty: First Lady of the World by June Behrens (Children’s
Press, 1986)

The Statue of Liberty is the tallest statue of modern times. This book
tells how it was designed and constructed in France and erected in New
York Harbor.

Museums by Janet Papajani (Children’s

Press, 1983)

This book introduces you to different kinds of museums. It contains
photographs of displays you can see in some famous museums.

The Natural Wonders of the World by

Sue Naylor (Dillon, 1986)

Read about some of the world’s wonders that nature created, such as the
Grand Canyon in Arizona, the Himalaya Mountains in Nepal, and the
Iguassu Falls in Brazil.

Pompeii . . . Buried Alive! by Edith

Kunhardt (Random House, 1987) Here is the story of Pompeii, Italy, a
town that was buried when a volcano, Mount Vesuvius, erupted over 2,000
years ago.

The Story of the Empire State Building by Patrick Clinton
(Children’s Press, 1987)

This book describes the planning and building of one of New York City’s
most famous buildings—the Empire State Building.

Super Structures by Paul Nash (Garrett, 1989)

Here is a look at some of the world’s largest structures, including the
Pentagon in Washington, D.C., a temple in Egypt, Windsor Castle in
England, and the Sears Tower in Chicago.

Ages 9 and Up

Auks, Rocks and the Odd Dinosaur: Inside Stories from the
Smithsonian’s Museum of Natural History by Peggy Thomson (Crowell,
1985)

Take an inside look at the Smithsonian’s Museum of Natural History, in
Washington, D.C. Learn what it takes to make an exhibit.

Castles by Beth Smith (Franklin Watts, 1988)

This book discusses the design of some famous castles in Europe and
tells about life in a castle. It also contains some legends and stories
that take place in castles.

Grand Canyon by Jan Mell (Crestwood House, 1988)

Take a trip through the Grand Canyon in Arizona. With this book you can
learn about its geography, history, and plant and animal life.

Grand Constructions by Gian Paolo Ceserani and Piero Ventura
(Putnam, 1983)

Read about some of the architectural highlights of the world, from
Stonehenge in England to the skyscrapers in New York.

Historic Places of Early America by

David M. Brownstone and Irene M.

Franck (Atheneum, 1989)

The sights and sounds of early America come to life in this book about
famous historical places.

The Mount Rushmore Story by Judith

St. George (Putnam, 1985)

This is a biography of Gutzon Borglum, the sculptor who carved the four
presidents’ faces on Mount Rushmore in South Dakota.

The Pyramids by Harriette Abels (Crestwood House, 1987)

The pyramids of Egypt are one of the great mysteries of all time. This
book discusses the design, construction, and mysteries of the Great
Pyramid of Cheops.

Secret Cities by Mike Corbishley

(Dutton, 1989)

Here is a fascinating description of cities that have been discovered,
excavated, and restored by archaeologists.

The Seine by C. A. R. Hills (Silver

Burdett, 1981)

Follow the famous Seine River as it winds its way through France.

The Statue of Liberty: America’s Proud

Lady by James Haskins (Lerner, 1986) Reading this book will help you
appreciate the history of America’s most famous statue.

Stonehenge by Harriette Abels

(Crestwood House, 1987)

What is the mystery behind those giant stones towering above the English
plain? Read to find out!

The Tower of London by Leonard

Everett Fisher (Macmillan, 1987) The Tower of London was a fortress, a
prison, and a place of execution for England’s kings and queens for
almost 600 years. Find out more about its fascinating story.

Washington, D.C. by Kathleen

Thompson (Raintree, 1987)

Here is a look at the capital city of the United States, its history,
and the sights to see there.