"The Travels of Marco Polo — Volume 1" by Marco Polo and da Pisa Rusticiano is a historical account likely written in the late 13th to early 14th century. The work chronicles the remarkable journey of Marco Polo, a Venetian merchant, and explorer, detailing his travels across Asia and his experiences in the court of Kublai Khan. The opening of the book establishes its historical significance and its context as part of a larger work edited and annotated by Henry Yule. It includes dedications, prefaces, and initial remarks about the journeys Polo undertook alongside his family. The narrative hints at Polo's deep appreciation for the diverse cultures and riches he encountered, setting the stage for a tale of adventure, discovery, and detailed observation of the East. The author mixes poetic quotes with personal reflections, engaging the reader's sense of wonder about the vast world beyond Europe that Polo explores.

"The Travels of Marco Polo — Volume 2" by Marco Polo and da Pisa Rusticiano is a historical account likely written in the 14th century. This volume continues the detailed narrative of Marco Polo's journeys throughout Asia, focusing specifically on his travels to the western and southwestern regions of Cathay and beyond. The narrative promises an intriguing exploration of various cities, cultures, and geographical features that Polo encountered during his illustrious journey. At the start of this volume, the narrative outlines the beginning of Polo's journey from Cambaluc, where he describes the River Pulisanghin, an impressive waterway he encountered. He delivers a vivid depiction of a remarkable stone bridge spanning this river, adorned with impressive marble sculptures. Following this description, Polo introduces the city of Juju, highlighting its economy based on silk and textiles, and the flourishing agricultural areas surrounding it. The text suggests a blend of rich cultural insights, geographical observations, and the practicalities of travel during that era, setting the stage for Polo's further adventures in lands filled with unique customs and trading practices.

"The Book of Wonders: Gives Plain and Simple Answers to the Thousands of..." edited by Rudolph J. Bodmer is an illustrated educational compendium written in the early 20th century. This work serves as a wide-ranging reference, offering clear, concise explanations for a vast array of "everyday questions" about science, technology, language, and human inventions. Its evident aim is to stimulate curiosity and provide practical knowledge on how both nature and human ingenuity have shaped the modern world. The book's accessible style and abundance of illustrations make it suitable for curious readers of all ages, especially children and young adults eager to understand the wonders that surround them. The opening of "The Book of Wonders" begins by detailing the book's origins—rooted in a father's efforts to answer his son's questions—and frames the work as a response to the innate curiosity found in children. The first section delves into foundational topics such as the history of writing instruments (from the stylus to the steel pen), how writing and speech developed, and the evolution of language and personal names. Subsequent segments explain practical inquiries like why a pencil writes, how a camera captures images, what causes stars to twinkle, and the origins of tools and weapons. Early chapters also offer engaging narratives about technological progress, from primitive stone-throwing to modern firearms, and provide clear scientific explanations for everyday phenomena—ensuring readers are both informed and inspired to wonder about the world.

Yangjee and Lucky find they like different things. Can they still be best friends?

When Shyam is sleepy he has trouble brushing his teeth. But dreaming big is no trouble at all.

In a small hut near an old forest lived the curious and friendly manananggal named Elena. One evening, Elena woke up and realized something was terribly wrong. She looked down, and to her surprise, her legs were missing!