Background
Helaine Becker was born in Plainview, New York, United States. She’s a daughter of Aaron Becker, a science publisher, and Arlene Becker, a teacher; maiden name, Eber. She wrote her first poem when she was five.
1952
Helaine Becker at the age of 9.
2006
Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West; Toronto, Ontario; M5J 2G8, Canada
Helaine Becker accepting the award at the 2006 Silver Birch Award Ceremony.
2006
Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2G8, Canada
Helaine Becker with children's author Sherri Fitch (and Wallace P. "Wiggy" Wigden) at the Aloud Children's Festival.
2006
Av Las Palmeras 325, Lima 15023, Peru
Helaine Becker at Colegio de Roosevelt in Lima, Peru, where she spent a week teaching student workshops, April 2006.
2006
Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2G8, Canada
Helaine Becker on the Main Stage at the Aloud Children's Festival.
2010
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Helaine Becker at the Word on the Street Book Festival.
2013
TD South Tower 79 Wellington Street West tower 36th floor, Toronto, ON M5K 1J5, Canada
Helaine Becker with physicist Neil Turok, accepting our matching Lane Anderson awards for Science Writing at Stratus Restaurant.
2013
770 Don Mills Rd, North York, Ontario M3C 1T3, Canada
Helaine Becker with Robert Munsch at a Family Literacy Day event.
2019
41 Barker St, Picton, Ontario K0K 2T0, Canada
Helaine Becker visiting Prince Edward Collegiate Institute.
2020
22 Heritage Rd, Markham, Ontario L3P 1M4, Canada
Helaine Becker at the Literacy Day in the Wesley Christian Academy.
Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
Helaine Becker graduated cum laude from Duke University with a Bachelor of Science In History in 1983.
220 Sunnyside Dr, London, Ontario N5X 3R1, Canada
Helaine Becker with the fabulous students of Blessed Kateri School.
3560 Bathurst St, North York, Ontario M6A 2E1, Canada
Helaine Becker volunteering her brain for a research study at the Rotman Institute.
Helaine Becker with fellow children's authors Helene Boudreau, Marina Cohen, and Debra Kerbel.
California, United States
Helaine Becker with students at their school in California.
Cankurtaran, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
Helaine Becker in Turkey, Topkapi.
Helaine Becker on Test Day at Fireworks school.
Helaine Becker with Bookworm, a puppet used in the TV Show Planet Echo.
Helaine Becker reading about Wiggling.
Helaine Becker
(Psychic phenomena have been raising the hairs on the back...)
Psychic phenomena have been raising the hairs on the backs of necks for centuries. Are You Psychic? takes the spooky out of the paranormal world, putting psychic abilities to the test even your own! Helaine Becker, with her lighthearted, witty approach, joins mysteries of the mind with the natural curiosity of savvy young readers. What is Extra Sensory Perception (ESP)? Do psychic powers really exist, or can they be explained by science? Better yet, how can we have fun with it? Are You Psychic? is chock-full of exciting activities to try with friends, amazing ways to test psychic abilities, and even exposes the tricks that phony psychics use to fool us. Refreshing, kid-friendly design and engaging illustrations complement the high-spirited text. This book will spark interest in skeptics and believers alike, providing tools to become your own psychic investigator. Identify and weed out the real thing from the scheming phonies, and have a great time testing friends, family, even your pets!
https://www.amazon.com/Are-You-Psychic-Official-Guide/dp/189706621X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=becker+helaine+Are+You+Psychic%3F+%282005%29&qid=1587501677&sr=8-1
2005
(This handy book shows children how to do the really impor...)
This handy book shows children how to do the really important things that every child needs to know, from surfing the Internet safely to roasting the perfect marshmallow. Simple step-by-step instructions cover all manner of interesting and useful subjects, including getting along with the grown-up world (setting the table, writing thank-you notes); being a good pal (how to cheer up a friend, how to keep a secret); real-world safety tips (approaching a strange dog, dealing with bullies); just plain fun (the ultimate piggyback ride, choosing it,” building a snow fort); and everything in between (surviving on a desert island, how to meet and greet royalty).
https://www.amazon.com/Like-Pro-Simple-Really-Important/dp/1897066538/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=becker+helaine+Like+A+Pro+%282006%29&qid=1587501845&sr=8-1
2006
(Any kid who’s ever trained a gerbil solved a crossword, o...)
Any kid who’s ever trained a gerbil solved a crossword, or performed a magic trick has what it takes to become the next 007. This action-packed book readies readers for the world of clandestine affairs with a lively lineup of games and activities. Kids learn how to conduct surveillance, write in code, improve reflexes by dodging poisoned darts (or at least chicken drumsticks), and create disguises so artful they even fool the dog. These super-secret missions build skills required not only in the spy world imagination, awareness, and physical fitness but also in everyday life. Colorful cartoon-style illustrations add to the fun.
https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Agent-U-Disguises-Surveillance/dp/1897066686/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=becker+helaine+Secret+Agent+Y.O.U.&qid=1587501938&sr=8-1
2006
(Who can keep a fight going for a thousand years? That wou...)
Who can keep a fight going for a thousand years? That would be sir Hugh and Sir Waverly, a pair of feuding knights who suddenly find themselves in present-day Looney Bay. Can they settle their age-old battle? Only if Reese and the All-Stars can teach them to play lacrosse.
https://www.amazon.com/Attack-Knight-Helaine-Becker/dp/0439946212/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=becker+helaine+Attack+by+Knight&qid=1587502040&sr=8-1
2006
(Finally the truth about Little Bo Peep and those pesky, l...)
Finally the truth about Little Bo Peep and those pesky, lost sheep! In this wacky take on familiar fairy tales, readers meet Rapper Rapunzel, a mouthy tween banished to her room by fed-up parents; the Big Bad Wolf, now wanted for identity theft; advice columnist Fairy Godmother; and assorted witches, fairies, gnomes, princes, stepsisters, trolls, and others now free to tell the other side of the story. In addition to the hilarious exposés, the book’s crafts, cartoons, recipes, riddles, writing projects, brainteasers, and other amusing activities supply hours of enjoyment.
https://www.amazon.com/Mother-Goose-Unplucked-Activities-Childhood/dp/189706683X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=becker+helaine+Mother+Goose+Unplucked&qid=1587502229&sr=8-1
2007
(When the All-Stars go on a field trip to L'anse au Meadow...)
When the All-Stars go on a field trip to L'anse au Meadows, Vikings show up and, thinking the All-Stars wreaked their settlement, take them captive. To win their freedom the All-Stars challenge the Vikings to a track and field day.
https://www.amazon.ca/Looney-Bay-All-Stars-Vikings-Field/dp/0439946239
2007
(Infused with Helaine Becker’s trademark wit and irrepress...)
Infused with Helaine Becker’s trademark wit and irrepressible energy, Science on the Loose encourages young readers to release their inner scientists so that they can think, do, and learn in the most entertaining way possible. Whether it’s to test density in fruit, determine dominant genes, or make slimy goo, each experiment follows accepted scientific procedure, is easy to conduct, can be safely performed using ordinary household materials, and makes for a satisfying, surprising adventure in science. Each experiment features a "What’s Going On?" component that explains the science behind the results in a clear and concise way, so even when an experiment just feels like silly fun, children are learning about chemistry, climate change, genes, the senses, photosynthesis, the scientific method even Einstein’s Theory of Relativity. From fooling our senses to discovering whether Jell-o can have brain waves to creating ice cream by kicking a can, Science on the Loose feeds into children’s natural curiosity about the world around them. A helpful listing outlines all the scientific principles covered in the book an indispensable tool for teachers and a mark of a serious science book for parents. Claudia Dávila’s amusing illustrations strike the perfect note.
https://www.amazon.com/Science-Loose-Amazing-Activities-Believe/dp/1897349181/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=becker+helaine+Science+on+the+Loose&qid=1587502895&sr=8-1
2008
(This lively book by an award-winning author brings to lif...)
This lively book by an award-winning author brings to life the history of human innovation for young readers. What's the Big Idea? focuses on those inventions that help fulfill people's six basic needs: food, sleep, security, shelter, companionship, and good health. Main spreads feature a specific invention such as the wheel and axle, paper, bicycles, or the Internet. Each one starts with a "What’s the Big Idea?" box that explains the problem the inventors were trying to solve. It answers the pertinent questions: Why this invention and why now? "Fast Facts" and "Big Ideas" sidebars give young readers quick blasts of information reference-style. Twelve special spreads scattered throughout the book highlight either a famous inventor or a specific theme. The "Inventor Biography" spreads profile inventors such as da Vinci, Galileo, and Thomas Edison, and summarize their main inventions. Comic strips deliver an added snippet of information and a humorous punch. Helaine Becker's witty, inventive text and Steve Attoe's wonderfully whimsical art make this a book children can enjoy while they learn.
https://www.amazon.com/Whats-Big-Idea-Inventions-Changed/dp/1897349602/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=becker+helaine+What%E2%80%99s+the+Big+Idea%3F&qid=1587503086&sr=8-1
2009
(Most experts believe there are over 10 quintillions (10,0...)
Most experts believe there are over 10 quintillions (10,000,000,000,000,000,000) individual insects digging, boring, flying, crawling, and excreting their way in and around the Earth. That’s about a billion bugs for every single person. And that’s not even counting their close relatives, the arachnids, which include spiders, lice, ticks, scorpions, and mites. So, if we humans really are that outnumbered, wouldn’t it be a good idea to learn a little more about our insect overlords? Helaine Becker’s latest activities guide does just that. Following the same format as her critically acclaimed Science on the Loose, which demystified science through fun and silly experiments, The Insecto-Files investigates the hidden lives of insects. It blends little-known facts about bugs with a wealth of easy-to-do activities that are as entertaining as they are educational. Packed with Becker’s trademark blend of energy, irreverence, and information, The Insecto-Files offers budding entomologists a gleeful guerilla approach to learning about the wonderful world of bugs.
https://www.amazon.com/Insecto-files-Helaine-Becker/dp/1897349467/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?dchild=1&keywords=becker+healing+the+insecto-files+%282009%29&qid=1587503172&sr=8-1-fkmr0
2009
(The world of science is often described as magical but is...)
The world of science is often described as magical but is magic itself scientific? You bet! Award-winning author Helaine Becker teams up with illustrator Claudia Dávila once again to unleash her special brand of humor and facts on young readers. This time around, the duo reveals the science hidden in magic tricks! Becker uses dozens of activities to show how the world of magic manipulates simple scientific principles of illusion and perception to leave audiences baffled. Each activity has been tested and is clearly explained and designed to provide quick results using a handful of common household materials. A "What’s Going On?" feature accompanies each activity, so whether kids are mystified by a bouncing apple, spun about by an incredible optical illusion, or making spaghetti mysteriously come alive, they always know the science that's at work behind each trick. Whether a science nut or a casual observer looking for amazement, readers find that Magic Up Your Sleeve does the trick.
https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Up-Your-Sleeve-Illusions/dp/1897349750/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=becker+helaine+Magic+up+Your+Sleeve+%282010%29&qid=1587503321&sr=8-1
2010
(Traditional “juba” rhythms have a long history. They orig...)
Traditional “juba” rhythms have a long history. They originated in Nigeria as hand-clapping games. People who were brought to the New World as slaves fought hard to keep their culture alive against terrible odds. They transformed “juba” rhythms into work songs that were passed down orally. Juba This, Juba That is based on one of the most popular songs. With its strong beat and read-along repetition, it will delight small children. Along with all the fun there’s also fascinating history and concepts including opposites and prepositions. Children will have fun discovering the story told in the art about a boy named Juba who follows a mysterious yellow cat on a magical, middle-of-the night adventure that leaves them both happy and ready for slumber.
https://www.amazon.com/Juba-This-That-Helaine-Becker/dp/0887769756/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=becker+helaine+Juba+This%2C+Juba+That&qid=1587503645&sr=8-1
2011
(Set in the Rocky Mountain borderlands, Trouble in the Hil...)
Set in the Rocky Mountain borderlands, Trouble in the Hills is an action-packed adventure that pits an injured teen against the elements as he tries to elude kidnappers and drug runners. After a fight with his father, Cam takes to the hills that surround his small, mountain community where an error in judgment leads to a serious mountain biking accident. As he slowly makes his way back to town over cold, inhospitable terrain, he encounters a trio of kidnappers, the girl who escaped them, his former best friend, and a gang of drug runners.
https://www.amazon.com/Trouble-Hills-Helaine-Becker-ebook/dp/B00T53SKK0/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=becker+helaine+Trouble+in+the+Hills&qid=1587503669&sr=8-1
2011
(How well do you know you? Do you have what it takes to be...)
How well do you know you? Do you have what it takes to be a great best friend? Are you a total diva? Or are you a bit more of a total nerd - and happy to be so? Find out the answers to all of these questions and more in this hilarious new book. Mixing quizzes and humour in a fun fill-in quiz book, best-selling author Helaine Becker will have girls and their friends entertained for hours! Quizzes include: What Superheroine Are You? Are You a "Queen Bee?" Which Kids' Book Character Are You? What Colour Is Your Aura? How Well Do You Understand Boys? And so many more!
https://www.amazon.com/Quiz-Book-Girls-Helaine-Becker/dp/1443104620
2011
(Based on the idea that knowledge is power, The Big Green ...)
Based on the idea that knowledge is power, The Big Green Book of the Big Blue Sea shows how the ocean works and why this immense ecosystem needs our protection. Experiments using everyday materials help explain scientific concepts, such as why the ocean is salty, how temperature affects water density and why fish don't get waterlogged. A focus on pollution and other ecological hazards raises awareness. Young scientists will gain a hands-on understanding of how ? booms? clean oil spills and how a garbage patch roughly twice the size of Texas came to exist in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Newsy sidebars bring readers up to date on efforts to combat environmental hazards - such as the use of oysters to help squelch pollution in urban waterways. An ideal tool for classroom use or the perfect way to spend a rainy day, The Big Green Book of the Big Blue Sea is an essential part of any science library.
https://www.amazon.com/Big-Green-Book-Blue-Sea/dp/1554537460/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=becker+helaine+The+Big+Green+Book+of+the+Big+Blue+Sea&qid=1587503873&sr=8-1
2012
(Sometimes regular adjectives just aren't enough. With Alp...)
Sometimes regular adjectives just aren't enough. With AlphaBest, kids will learn a whole alphabet's worth of zany, zanier, zaniest adjectives! An easy guide at the back explains the rules of forming comparatives and superlatives so kids can compare anything using just the right words.
https://www.amazon.com/AlphaBest-Zanier-Zaniest-Comparatives-Superlatives/dp/1554537150/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=becker+helaine+Alphabest&qid=1587503883&sr=8-1
2012
(Are you and your BFF meant to be? Find out in this awesom...)
Are you and your BFF meant to be? Find out in this awesome quiz book for best friends! Can you keep a secret? Do you always know the right things to say to cheer up a friend? And, most important of all, can you throw the best sleepover ever? If you answered yes to any of these, you may just be the best friend ever. If you aren't sure, then it's time to crack open The Quiz Book for BFFs and find out what you're made of! Chock full of quizzes, this book is the humorously foolproof way for young readers to find out if they are BFF material, and more importantly, how to recognize their own BFFs when they find them!
https://www.amazon.in/Quiz-Book-BFFs-H-Becker/dp/1443113379
2012
(Get in touch with your inner spy in this fun quiz book fo...)
Get in touch with your inner spy in this fun quiz book for agents-in-training! Most kids think they are smart, sneaky and stealthy enough to be a super-spy, and at long last, here's a book to let them prove it once and for all! Readers can determine if they have what it takes to be a super-spy - are they smart, sneaky, stealthy? Do they like their milkshakes shaken, not stirred? Are they suited to a life of high-intrigue or should they take on their school's gossip blog? Is this a fun quiz book or is CSIS recruiting young? Our lips are sealed.
https://www.amazon.in/Quiz-Book-Spies-H-Becker/dp/1443113387
2012
(A hilarious barnyard tale that plucks favorite characters...)
A hilarious barnyard tale that plucks favorite characters from nursery rhymes and stirs them all together in one silly song! Old MacDonald had a dog... didn't he? Shy Little Jack Horner steps out of the corner to sing for his friends - but Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary can't stop butting in to tell the real story! Helaine Becker's witty text and Mike Boldt's quirky, dynamic illustrations are a perfect match in this lively romp that turns classic nursery rhymes on their heads! Full of familiar characters like Humpty Dumpty, Little Bo Peep, the Three Little Pigs, and Goosey Loosey, kids won't be able to resist giggling (and singing) along as Jack tries to remember who exactly was on Old MacDonald's farm!
https://www.amazon.ca/Little-Jack-Horner-Live-Corner/dp/1443113786
2013
(Innovations in the world of robotics are multiplying, wit...)
Innovations in the world of robotics are multiplying, with many cutting-edge breakthroughs, and this exciting and timely new book for young readers explores one particularly intriguing area: the world of robo-animals, or zoobots. In an attempt to design robots that can solve problems or perform tasks that humans can't, or just can't do easily, roboticists have been looking at the unique skills some animals have. Using something called mechatronics - mechanical and electrical engineering combined with computer science - they are finding ways to closely mirror those skills in robot form. Some fascinating examples from the book of what zoobots can do include: finding survivors of a fire using sensitive, computerized? whiskers?; scaling skyscraper walls using super stickiness; or delivering drugs deep within the human body using microscopic whiptails for locomotion. Twelve zoobots are described, each on its own two-page spread. Award-winning children's author Helaine Becker's text is comprehensive, yet clear and lively, and is made more manageable by being broken up into shorter segments. The futuristic design of the book includes vivid, detailed color illustrations by Alex Ries, of both the zoobot prototypes as well as the animals from which their skills were derived. This imaginative and interesting nonfiction book will definitely capture the imaginations of technology buffs. It also has enormous potential for classroom use in exploring everything from basic technology and robots to engineering concepts, to inventions. A glossary and an index make it work well as a wonderful reference tool.
https://www.amazon.com/Zoobots-Wild-Robots-Inspired-Animals/dp/1554539714/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=becker+helaine+Zoobots&qid=1587504319&sr=8-1
2014
(When Darren Dirkowitz’s evil stepbrother (code name: Wald...)
When Darren Dirkowitz’s evil stepbrother (code name: Waldo) gets hold of Darren’s tippity-top-secret spy journal, he threatens to expose it to the entire Preston Middle School student body. Unless, that is, Darren starts doing his dirty work for him. Now Darren’s got to use the oh-so-cloak-and-daggery skills he’s honed in his secret alternate life as Dirk Daring, Secret Agent to spy on kids at school. Naturally, he also sets up a separate, sneaky surveillance program to unearth Waldo’s own secrets. As more and more ugly truths are exposed, new alliances are forged and old friendships broken. Can Darren learn to be true to himself and build real friendships for the first time in his life? Or will he retreat back into his exciting but imaginary shadow world?
https://www.amazon.com/Daring-Secret-Agent-Helaine-Becker-ebook/dp/B00P6ZP04K/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=becker+helaine+Dirk+Daring%2C+Secret+Agent&qid=1587504333&sr=8-1
2014
(Are you and your BFF still meant to be? Take these quizze...)
Are you and your BFF still meant to be? Take these quizzes and find out! Are you twins separated at birth? What sports star is she? Is she a princess, a peasant or a jester? Are you destined to remain friends? Whether you want to make sure you've still got what it takes to be a great best friend, or have a new BFF, or need more questions for your best-ever sleepover, The Quiz Book for BFFs 2 is another fun way to celebrate your friendship and get to know each other even better!
https://www.amazon.in/Quiz-Book-BFFs-2/dp/1443128791
2014
(If you had to choose... what would YOU do? You are with a...)
If you had to choose... what would YOU do? You are with a group of friends walking through a deep, dark wood. There are monsters, lots of monsters. Do you take the lead and walk at the front of the line or bring up the rear? Would you spacewalk 100,000 km from Earth, or scuba dive 5 km beneath the sea... alone... and with air tanks on low? Filled with wacky questions and daring activities, Do you Dare? will keep conversations lively as kids make their choices and find out what their friends are really made of.
https://www.amazon.ca/Do-You-Dare-H-Becker/dp/1443128805
2014
(Get ready to blast off into space to explore planets, sta...)
Get ready to blast off into space to explore planets, stars, and beyond! This fun book will pull you in like gravity, full of fun facts, reports from explorers, maps and infographics, and more than 100 pictures.
https://www.amazon.com/National-Geographic-Kids-Everything-Space/dp/1426320744/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=becker+helaine+Everything%3A+Space&qid=1587504758&sr=8-1
2015
(Who do you think you are? What makes you tick? Are you an...)
Who do you think you are? What makes you tick? Are you an extrovert or an introvert? A bold, brash Leo or a live-and-let-live Libra? An Ox or a Monkey? A creative red or a mystical purple? This insightful quiz book will give you a fascinating glimpse into the secret workings of your - and your pals’ - personalities.
https://www.amazon.ca/Quiz-Book-About-Me-You/dp/1443143006
2015
(Have you got what it takes to survive? Would you survive ...)
Have you got what it takes to survive? Would you survive an attack by intergalactic microbes? What about sentient robots? Ghost cats? Or a Sharknado? See how you stack up against evil masterminds, giant scorpions, and the neighborhood bully! Rate your bravery, confidence, musclepower, and find out if you can master your own inner demons. Reader tip: Don’t open the book without a firm grip on your security blanket. You’ll need every extra bit of bravery-boosting possible!
https://www.amazon.in/Would-You-Survive-H-Becker/dp/1443146013
2015
(What if the terrifying creatures of your nightmares were ...)
What if the terrifying creatures of your nightmares were indeed prowling the big, wide world beyond your blankie? begins the intriguing premise of this book? Could they really exist? And if so, how? In a completely original approach to exploring science, award-winning author Helaine Becker places six different kinds of monsters - Frankenstein, vampires, bigfoot, zombies, werewolves, and sea monsters - under her microscope to expose the proven scientific principles behind the legends. For example, the chapter on Frankenstein delves into how electricity and organ transplants work in the human body, and whether they could really bring someone back to life - all presented in short, readable sections. There's also historical background on each monster, as well as trivia and jokes in sidebars, and fun quizzes at the end of every chapter for readers to test their knowledge. Becker uses the never-ending appetite for all things monster to engage the imaginations of children and get them excited about science. The just-ghoulish-and-icky-enough illustrations by Phil McAndrew are pitch-perfect, drenched with child-friendly humor. This is a book with tremendous cross-curricular applications in life, earth, and physical sciences, as well as in literature (myths and legends), history, and literacy skills. With its playful spirit, this is also a book children will happily pick up and devour on their own.
https://www.amazon.com/Monster-Science-Monsters-Survive-Thrive/dp/1771380543/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=becker+helaine+Monster+Science&qid=1587505001&sr=8-1
2016
(Feeding time is one of the most popular events at zoos. I...)
Feeding time is one of the most popular events at zoos. It also prompts a smorgasbord of questions: what do different animals eat? How much food do they need to stay healthy? Where do zookeepers get all that chow? And what constitutes a special treat? Worms for Breakfast answers all these questions and more in a cookbook-style primer packed with facts from experts at zoos and aquariums. Covering everything from regular animal nutrition to feeding babies to mimicking how animals hunt and eat in the wild, this book explores the eating habits of carnivores, omnivores, herbivores, and insectivores. Inside, you’ll also find real-life recipes from zoos around the world for meals like eucalyptus-leaf pesto, kelp tank goulash, and mealworm mush. Beware! You probably don’t want to eat any of it yourself. Written in a plucky, conversational tone with delightfully wacky illustrations, a glossary, and tips for zoo animal care, this book is bound to appeal to picky readers.
https://www.amazon.com/Worms-Breakfast-How-Feed-Zoo/dp/1771471050/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=becker+helaine+Worms+for+Breakfast&qid=1587505013&sr=8-1
2016
(Darren Dirkowitz thought his life was over when his tippi...)
Darren Dirkowitz thought his life was over when his tippity-top-secret alter ego, Dirk Daring, Secret Agent, was outed to the entire Preston Middle School student body. If only he’d been so lucky. Now the Wolf Lords, a gang of teen thugs bent on wringing every last penny out of Preston students, are breathing down his neck. There’s only one solution: Dirk Daring must embark on his most daring mission yet. A mission so audacious, so cunning, so doggone crazy, that if it succeeds, the Wolf Lords will wind up begging for mercy. But first, Darren must bring his own disobedient “associates” to heel. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie is the sequel to the runaway bestseller Dirk Daring, Secret Agent.
https://www.amazon.com/Let-Sleeping-Dogs-Lie-Daring-ebook/dp/B01FV75OC0/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=becker+helaine+Dirk+Daring+2%3ALet+Sleeping+Dogs+Lie&qid=1587505038&sr=8-1
2016
(A quiz book for spy girls! Do you have what it takes to b...)
A quiz book for spy girls! Do you have what it takes to be a super spy? Are you smart, sneaky, stealthy? Are you a master of disguise? Can you break a code in seconds flat? Take these quizzes and find out if you’re cut out for a life of intrigue and adventure.
https://www.amazon.ca/Top-Secret-Uncover-Your-Inner/dp/1443148202
2016
(Born in Scotland more than 250 years ago, William Playfai...)
Born in Scotland more than 250 years ago, William Playfair was a dreamer who saw the world differently from other people. Unfortunately, this difference sometimes got in the way of his success. Early on, as he attempted to apply his unique perspective to a series of career opportunities in order to gain riches! fame! glory! He instead suffered one failure after another. Then, while writing a book about economics, Will's innovative vision inspired an idea that would set him apart: he created the first modern line graph. Next came a bar graph and later a pie chart. These infographic inventions provided a way for numbers to be seen as pictures, which made them easier to understand and to remember - and thus changed the way the world would interact with data forever. With this story of an unconventional man whose creative expressions revolved around math, science, engineering, and technology, bestselling author Helaine Becker has created the perfect picture book introduction to STEM education. It would easily find use across curriculums in the classroom.
https://www.amazon.com/Lines-Bars-Circles-Playfair-Invented/dp/1771385707/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=becker+helaine+Lines%2C+Bars+and+Circles&qid=1587505566&sr=8-1
2017
(In this fun and funny celebration of literacy, kids of al...)
In this fun and funny celebration of literacy, kids of all ages will discover that the act of reading is a daring adventure that can take you anywhere! You can read at the playground, under the sea, at the opera and even in outer space! It turns out you can read everywhere! And when you do, you open yourself to a universe of adventure. Presented in light-hearted, rib-tickling verse that's perfect for reading aloud, You Can Read sings it loud and proud: Books are awesome. And so are the people who read them.
https://www.amazon.com/You-Can-Read-Helaine-Becker-ebook/dp/B07KQNRFNP/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=becker+helaine+You+Can+Read&qid=1587505578&sr=8-1
2017
(What is democracy? How does Canada's government work? Wha...)
What is democracy? How does Canada's government work? What's the difference between the Senate and the House of Commons? And just what does a Prime Minister do, anyway? Discover the answers to these questions and more in Our Great Prime Ministers. This Level 4 DK Reader will build reading skills and teach vocabulary while telling the story of Canada's government, how it is formed, how it works, and profiling 12 of Canada's Prime Ministers throughout history, including Sir John A. Macdonald, Louis St. Laurent, Lester B. Pearson, Pierre Trudeau, Stephen Harper, and more. Perfect for 9-11-year-olds reading independently, reading becomes a fact-discovering adventure with these Level 4 readers. Supporting and encouraging a lifetime love of reading, nonfiction subjects are clearly explained, described vividly, and brought to life with true stories, fascinating statistics, and photographic images. Additional information boxes are full of extra fun facts, and topics are developed with additional maps and charts.
https://www.amazon.com/Readers-Great-Prime-Ministers-Level/dp/1553632850/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?dchild=1&keywords=becker+healing+our+great+prime+ministers&qid=1587505590&sr=8-1-fkmr0
2017
(Using increasingly sophisticated levels of artificial int...)
Using increasingly sophisticated levels of artificial intelligence (AI) and embodied intelligence (EI), a new generation of robots is being designed to look, act and even think like humans. Hubots, or human-inspired robots, are expanding the boundaries of what robots can do. Here, ten different real-life hubots are described, highlighting each one's appearance, unique skills, and purpose - from fighting fires on the high seas, to acting as setup crew for space colonies, to providing companionship for the elderly. The book also includes an illustrated graph of the uncanny valley, which shows us what distinguishes a friendly robot from a creepy one, and back matter that provides a closer examination of some of the robots' physical components and looks to the future of these fascinating machines. The creators of the popular Zoobots bring to life the groundbreaking robotics technology that's changing the world. Award-winning author Helaine Becker uses short paragraphs and accessible vocabulary to present a book that will appeal to even the most reluctant readers. Hyperrealistic illustrations by Alex Ries enhance the interest level of the material for children, especially those who love all things that are weird, unfamiliar and futuristic. Reference tools include a glossary and an index. This topic spans science, technology, inventions, and engineering lessons. It also provides a terrific jumping-off point for classroom discussions about the larger societal issues surrounding these cutting-edge robots.
https://www.amazon.com/Hubots-Real-World-Robots-Inspired-Humans/dp/1771387858/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=becker+helaine+HuBots&qid=1587505936&sr=8-1
2018
(More tips and tools for the anti-stress tool kit! Kids to...)
More tips and tools for the anti-stress tool kit! Kids today experience high levels of stress. With so much of their daily activity charted for them, they often feel overwhelmed and out of control. In this light and fun collection, kids will find a variety of time-tested and scientifically proven methods for dealing with stress. Tips cover physical, emotional, social and just-plain-fun techniques. The breezy style that lets kids flip around in the book and choose whatever seems to suit at the moment. This companion to the highly successful Don't Stress: How to Handle Life's Little Problems gives kids even more tools to deal with everyday challenges. From showing gratitude to embracing boredom to shaking stress away, there are lots of ways to help kids keep their cool.
https://www.amazon.ca/Stress-Less-Tips-Tools-Chill/dp/1443148709
2018
(Christmas + quiz book = fun! Are you an expert on all thi...)
Christmas + quiz book = fun! Are you an expert on all things Christmas or do you need to brush up on your Yuletide basics? In this holiday quiz book, you'll find out... Your secret elf name. How well you know Santa. What holiday treat you are. How much Christmas spirit you have. From the creator of the Do Beavers Eat Poutine? The Quiz Book for Spies and The Quiz Book for BFFs comes a whole new quiz book perfect for the holidays. Enjoy it alone or with buddies over the December break and spread the Christmas cheer!
https://www.amazon.ca/Merry-Quizmas-H-Becker/dp/1443142867
2018
(One day, a sloth accidentally gets delivered to the Zoom!...)
One day, a sloth accidentally gets delivered to the Zoom! She was supposed to be dropped off at the Zzzzzoo, a much more laid-back, slow-paced place. She had been looking forward to long, languorous naps while the sun gently warmed her belly. But at the Zoom, the zebras gallop so fast they leave their stripes in puddles. The monkeys climb so fast they forget to stop at the treetops. And the parrots fly so fast their tails draw rainbows across the sky. When the sloth tries to make friends, nobody has any time - until the sloth meets a creature who’s a little more her speed, and everyone stops to notice. This is a surprising, delightful, and funny picture book about slowing down to enjoy the little things and making time for what matters.
https://www.amazon.com/Sloth-at-Zoom-Becker/dp/1771472499
2018
(Handpicked by Amazon kids’ books editor, Seira Wilson, fo...)
Handpicked by Amazon kids’ books editor, Seira Wilson, for Prime Book Box - a children’s subscription that inspires a love of reading. The bold story of Katherine Johnson, an African-American mathematician who worked for NASA during the space race and was depicted in the film Hidden Figures. You've likely heard of the historic Apollo 13 moon landing. But do you know about the mathematical genius who made sure that Apollo 13 returned safely home? As a child, Katherine Johnson loved to count. She counted the steps on the road, the number of dishes and spoons she washed in the kitchen sink, everything! Boundless, curious, and excited by calculations, young Katherine longed to know as much as she could about math, about the universe. From Katherine's early beginnings as a gifted student to her heroic accomplishments as a prominent mathematician at NASA, Counting on Katherine is the story of a groundbreaking American woman who not only calculated the course of moon landings but, in turn, saved lives and made enormous contributions to history. Christy Ottaviano Books
https://www.amazon.com/Counting-Katherine-Johnson-Saved-Apollo/dp/1250137527/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=becker+helaine+Counting+on+Katherine&qid=1587506358&sr=8-1
2018
(Can you imagine a bug the size of a small crocodile? How ...)
Can you imagine a bug the size of a small crocodile? How about one bigger than a large basketball player? As scary as it may seem, supersized, insect-like critters such as these roamed Earth long before humans. In this peek into prehistory, award-winning science writer Helaine Becker introduces seven of these megabugs, the ancestors of modern-day insects, spiders, crabs, and other arthropods, which lived from 480 million to 47 million years ago. The book explores when, where, and how they each lived, why they grew so big, and what caused their extinction. Highly realistic illustrations show each megabug in its habitat. The end of the book includes a few supersized critters that are still around today! This book hits the sweet spot for the many young fans of dinosaurs, prehistoric life, and insects of all kinds. Thoroughly reviewed by paleontological experts, the information is presented in an easy-to-digest format for a hi-lo audience (high interest, low reading level). Each spread features one animal and loads of visuals - such as a size chart that shows how big the animal could grow, a timeline placing it in its geological period and a map of where its fossils have been discovered. Sidebars provide further context on such topics as adaptation, fossils, and the Permian Extinction. Detailed illustrations by John Bindon are based on fossil evidence and were created in consultation with experts in the field. This book has terrific steam applications in earth science and life science. End matter includes a glossary, resources, and an index.
https://www.amazon.com/Megabugs-Prehistoric-Critters-Roamed-Planet/dp/1771388110/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=becker+helaine+Megabugs%21&qid=1587506276&sr=8-1
2019
(In this quintessential guide to summer activities, kids w...)
In this quintessential guide to summer activities, kids will learn the old-fashioned joys of creating their own fun! Parents and kids alike will absolutely love this boredom-busting guide to outdoor and indoor summer fun! Filled with hundreds of ideas for games with friends, solo activities, DIY projects, recipes and fascinating fun facts, this book will teach kids just how much there is to do when the screens are turned off. Kids will learn: How to catch a fish How to crack a code How to master canoe strokes How to make fresh lemonade (complete with an economics lesson about selling at a lemonade stand!) How to put on a play How to do rock art How to make a tie-dyed shirt Games for surviving car trips And so much more! Appealing to a wide range of ages, abilities, and timeframes, The Canadian Kid's Guide to Outdoor Fun will connect kids to the world around them and to one another. Some activities are classics, some will get them started on a new adventure, but each and everyone is safe, easy, instant and requires virtually no adult intervention - except to join in the fun, of course!
https://www.amazon.ca/Canadian-Kids-Guide-Outdoor-Fun/dp/1443148458
2019
(Find out how to be your stress-free best and live an awes...)
Find out how to be your stress-free best and live an awesome life! You Got This! provides kids ages 8 and up with 100 positive suggestions for adding fun to each and every day, contributing to their own well-being, and developing the habits of successful people. Tips include energy boosters, social skill enhancers, confidence builders, and task managers. A perfect companion to Don't Stress and Stress Less, this book is a reassuring reminder to kids that they have the tools to deal with all of life's hurdles.
https://www.amazon.ca/You-Got-This-Being-Stress-Free/dp/1443170453
2019
(The most powerful pirate in history was a woman who was b...)
The most powerful pirate in history was a woman who was born into poverty in Guangzhou, China, in the late 1700s. When pirates attacked her town and the captain took a liking to her, she saw a way out. Zheng Yi Sao agreed to marry him only if she got an equal share of his business. When her husband died six years later, she took command of the fleet. Over the next decade, the pirate queen built a fleet of over 1,800 ships and 70,000 men. On land and sea, Zheng Yi Sao’s power rivaled the emperor himself. Time and again, her ships triumphed over the emperor’s ships. When she was ready to retire, Zheng Yi Sao surrendered - on her own terms, of course. Even though there was a price on her head, she was able to negotiate her freedom, living in peace and prosperity for the rest of her days. Zheng Yi Sao’s powerful story is told in lyrical prose by award-winning author Helaine Becker. Liz Wong’s colorful, engaging illustrations illuminate this inspiring woman in history. An author’s note provides historical context and outlines the challenges of researching a figure about whom little is known.
https://www.amazon.com/Pirate-Queen-Story-Zheng-Sao-ebook/dp/B081TLDHG4/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?dchild=1&keywords=becker+helaine+Pirate+Queen%3A+A+Storyt+of+Zheng+Yi+Sao&qid=1587506697&sr=8-1-fkmr0
2020
(It's high summer in the meadow where Alice the ant and Ge...)
It's high summer in the meadow where Alice the ant and Gert the grasshopper live. Alice is hard at work preparing for winter, harvesting heavy loads of seeds. Meanwhile, Gert prefers to play, since winter is ages away. Gert dances through the long days of summer, singing, performing, and creating art out of flowers and leaves. Alice tries to convince Gert to work, but Gert wants to have fun and to entertain Alice, too! She hates to see Alice work so hard. When winter arrives, Gert's nest is cold and her food supplies are low. But rather than refusing to share, Alice acknowledges the value of Gert's work and the beauty of the art that lightened her load. Alice repays Gert's kindness by sharing her hard-won food. Based on the classic story of the ant and grasshopper, this is a modern fable with a heartwarming twist that values diverse contributions and honors friendship and the power of art.
https://www.amazon.in/Alice-Gert-Ant-Grasshopper-Story/dp/1771473584
2020
(In this engaging and inspiring biography, a groundbreakin...)
In this engaging and inspiring biography, a groundbreaking but relatively unknown woman finally gets her due as one of the most influential mathematicians of the twentieth century. Emmy Noether is not pretty, quiet, good at housework, or eager to marry - all the things a German girl is expected to be in her time. What she is, though, is a genius at math. When she grows up, she finds a way to first study maths at a university (by sitting in, not actually enrolling), and then to teach it (by doing so for free). She also manages to do her own research into some of the most pressing math and physics problems of the day. And though she doesn't get much credit during her lifetime, her discoveries continue to influence how we understand the world today. Bestselling and award-winning Helaine Becker has crafted an engaging look at the life of Emmy Noether, a contemporary of Einstein's and one of the most influential, though little known, mathematicians of the twentieth century. Despite the obstacles, she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field, and as a Jew who had to flee the Nazis, Emmy still accomplished a great deal. Artwork by Kari Rust uses touches of humor for emphasis and a golden glowing effect around Emmy to visually express her brilliance and ideas. Back matter includes a biographical note, explanations of complex mathematical concepts, and suggestions for further reading. There are curriculum links to physics and mathematics - subjects portrayed here as fascinating and exciting - and poignant real-life character education lessons on courage and perseverance.
https://www.amazon.com/Emmy-Noether-Important-Mathematician-Youve/dp/1525300598
2020
Helaine Becker was born in Plainview, New York, United States. She’s a daughter of Aaron Becker, a science publisher, and Arlene Becker, a teacher; maiden name, Eber. She wrote her first poem when she was five.
Both an American and Canadian citizen, Helaine Becker attended high school in New York and graduated cum laude from Duke University with a Bachelor of Science in History in 1983.
Helaine Becker is the bestselling author of over 90 books for children and young adults. A Porcupine in a Pine Tree, Deck the Halls, and Dashing Through the Snow; You Can Read, and Sloth at the Zoom; popular non-fiction, including Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13, Megabugs, Worms for Breakfast, Hubots, Zoobots, Monster Science and Don't Stress!; and novels including Gottika, Dirk Daring, Secret Agent, and How to Survive Absolutely Anything.
Helaine Becker has been a writer since the age of five when she wrote her first poem. When she was six she wrote her second poem.
In the next few years, she had a few poems published in the Nassau County Public Library’s Literary Journal, and she wrote her first ‘chapter book,' which received thundering acclaim from the kid next door. After that, she experienced a long literary dearth, while she embarked on the more sensible path of chasing boys, finishing school, and doing lots of travel with a smelly old backpack.
From 1986 to 1996 Becker worked on her own at Edu source and Concepts in Learning, Toronto, Canada, then as a copywriter at McClelland & Stewart in Toronto and had experience as a consultant in Renaissance Solutions, 1996-2001.
She was a director of sales and marketing at Louise Kool & Galt, Toronto, 2001-2002.
Helaine has changed several publishing houses where she has worked as a writer: Scholastic Canada Ltd, Mapletree Press, Owlkids, Tundra Books, Kids Can Press, Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Orca Books, Dancing Cat Books.
She also wrote for children's magazines and for kids' television shows. She wrote four seasons of Dr. Greenie's Mad Lab (2012) and a segment on Planet Echo (2011), an environmental science show.
She has presented at the Vancouver Writers Festival, Tucson Festival of Books, the Orange County Children's Book Festival in California, Aloud International Children’s Festival in Ontario, the Festival of Women Writers, the Frye Festival in New Brunswick, the Weaving Words Festival, the World Science Festival in New York, the Celebration for Young Readers in Toronto, the Literacy for Life Conference and other major venues. She has also been the keynote speaker at the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Canada East's regional conference in 2016.
(Get in touch with your inner spy in this fun quiz book fo...)
2012(What if the terrifying creatures of your nightmares were ...)
2016(Are you and your BFF still meant to be? Take these quizze...)
2014(In this quintessential guide to summer activities, kids w...)
2019(Finally the truth about Little Bo Peep and those pesky, l...)
2007(Have you got what it takes to survive? Would you survive ...)
2015(In this fun and funny celebration of literacy, kids of al...)
2017(Who do you think you are? What makes you tick? Are you an...)
2015(Are you and your BFF meant to be? Find out in this awesom...)
2012(Find out how to be your stress-free best and live an awes...)
2019(A quiz book for spy girls! Do you have what it takes to b...)
2016(What is democracy? How does Canada's government work? Wha...)
2017(The world of science is often described as magical but is...)
2010(How well do you know you? Do you have what it takes to be...)
2011(Innovations in the world of robotics are multiplying, wit...)
2014(Infused with Helaine Becker’s trademark wit and irrepress...)
2008(Get ready to blast off into space to explore planets, sta...)
2015(Can you imagine a bug the size of a small crocodile? How ...)
2019(When Darren Dirkowitz’s evil stepbrother (code name: Wald...)
2014(Using increasingly sophisticated levels of artificial int...)
2018(Set in the Rocky Mountain borderlands, Trouble in the Hil...)
2011(Most experts believe there are over 10 quintillions (10,0...)
2009(In this engaging and inspiring biography, a groundbreakin...)
2020(This handy book shows children how to do the really impor...)
2006(Who can keep a fight going for a thousand years? That wou...)
2006(Darren Dirkowitz thought his life was over when his tippi...)
2016(Christmas + quiz book = fun! Are you an expert on all thi...)
2018(Based on the idea that knowledge is power, The Big Green ...)
2012(A hilarious barnyard tale that plucks favorite characters...)
2013(One day, a sloth accidentally gets delivered to the Zoom!...)
2018(When the All-Stars go on a field trip to L'anse au Meadow...)
2007(Handpicked by Amazon kids’ books editor, Seira Wilson, fo...)
2018(Any kid who’s ever trained a gerbil solved a crossword, o...)
2006(Born in Scotland more than 250 years ago, William Playfai...)
2017(The most powerful pirate in history was a woman who was b...)
2020(This lively book by an award-winning author brings to lif...)
2009(More tips and tools for the anti-stress tool kit! Kids to...)
2018(Psychic phenomena have been raising the hairs on the back...)
2005(It's high summer in the meadow where Alice the ant and Ge...)
2020(Feeding time is one of the most popular events at zoos. I...)
2016(Sometimes regular adjectives just aren't enough. With Alp...)
2012(Traditional “juba” rhythms have a long history. They orig...)
2011(If you had to choose... what would YOU do? You are with a...)
2014Helaine Becker thinks variety is the spice of life so she is always trying new things. She has a zillion projects in the works including chapter books, graphic novels, poetry collections, and more.
Helaine volunteers for several literacy organizations and charities, including First Book, ABC Literacy, Canadian Organization for Development through Education (CODE), and Librarians Without Borders.
Helaine spent 6 weeks in Ethiopia, teaching creative writing and talking to students and teachers in schools and libraries in various parts of the country.
Helaine frequently volunteers her brain for research - as a study "control." That means her brain is the normal brain they are using for comparison in scientific studies.
Quotations:
“Many years, a husband, two kids, and a dog later, I realized I could as much give up writing as give up chocolate.”
“Ideas for stories and poems would come to me at the dinner table, in the office, while driving, or on the Stairmaster.”
“I know that whether or not my poems or books are published, I am a writer, a real writer, down to my toes. It’s who I am, not what I do.”
Helaine Becker is crazy about fluffy dogs, coral reefs, ice cream, and color-changing nail polish.
She loves bright shiny colorful things, especially happy faces, and flowers as well as she loves puli dogs. Helaine has a dog named Ella. She is a puli - a Hungarian sheepdog. Ella's predecessor, Marley, also a puli, appeared in Boredom Blasters (2004) in her own comic strip. Sharp-eyed readers will find Marley making cameo appearances in several other of Helaine's books too.
Helaine Becker is also a certified pyrotechnician, so she knows how to set up and explode fireworks.
Helaine has an orange belt in karate and is contemplating going for her grapefruit belt.
A New York native, Helaine has lived happily in Toronto for more than 20 years. She shares her home with her husband and a Puli dog named Ella. She has two grown sons.