Welcome the sights and sounds of the world with the Footprint Reading Library. This content-based reading series presents fascinating real-world stories in three formats: print, audio, and video from
The first trip outside of a spacecraft, or 'spacewalk', was completed in 1965. Since then many astronauts have participated in spacewalks, but spacewalking does not come without its risks and challeng
In Shark Alley, South Africa, people often go underwater in protected environments to watch sharks in their natural surroundings. Some people believe this makes the sharks more violent. Others feel th
People often visit aquariums to see sea creatures in their natural environment, but in Baltimore, a local program brings aquarium exhibits to people. Local teenagers travel to schools and libraries t
Most crocodiles live above ground but an unusual group of crocodiles in Africa lives underground, in caves. A team of scientists will go to Madagascar to learn more about these crocodiles. Will they
Sanaa is a beautiful old city in the Middle East. In Sanaa, it is a tradition to carry beautiful knives, or tools, called 'jambiya'. An unusual animal called a 'rhinoceros' is often killed to make t
The Orinoco River is one of the longest rivers in the world. Many lives depend on this river. Many people, animals and plants live in or near the water. However, things are changing on the Orinoco. Wh
Camogli is a small town in Italy. People there often paint in a special style called 'trompe l'oeil.' These paintings are so good, viewers think they're real things, but they're not. They're paintings
A snake park in the Sultanate of Oman has a serious problem: all but one of their snakes have died. The owner of the park has hired a 'snake detective' to uncover the mystery of the dying snakes. Wh
Every year, the city of Shirone, Japan goes 'kite crazy' during a five-day local festival. In this highly competitive contest, teams fly kites and fight to force each other's kites from the sky. This
Humboldt squids, or 'Red Devils,' are the world's largest animal without a backbone. These sometimes dangerous creatures live in the deep waters of the Gulf of California. A researcher and professiona
The Arctic region of Canada is home to a huge depression in the earth called the Haughton Crater. A group of explorers has come to the area to explore the challenges expected when traveling to Mars. W
People from all over the world love to visit a street in Barcelona, Spain called 'the Ramblas'. This walking-only street is centrally located and full of interesting artists, performers, and other ent
Every year, the city of Shirone, Japan goes 'kite crazy' during a five-day local festival. In this highly competitive contest, teams fly kites and fight to force each other's kites from the sky. This
Farmers in India are having a serious problem. A local animal is eating their food. However, the farmers cannot hurt the animal because it has a special name. How can a name protect an animal? What wi
Every year, over 500 cowboys and cowgirls gather in western Canada. They want to test their rodeo skills at the famous Calgary Stampede. This year, two cowboys intend to win one of the most exciting
Cheju, South Korea, is known for its traditional women divers. They have long dived into the ocean to look for seafood. It's dangerous, but there were no other jobs available. Now, women in Cheju have
In Africa, there is a group of people called 'Bushmen.' These people know a lot about wild animals. However, sometimes they can't tell others about the animals, because they don't speak the same langu
A volcano is a mountain with a large hole at the top. Active volcanoes can be dangerous because they can erupt, or produce very hot, melted rock. In Sicily, there are several towns near a large volcan
Puffins are a kind of bird that lives in Iceland. Each year baby puffins, or pufflings, leave their homes to find the sea. Sometimes the pufflings get lost and cannot find their way. Groups of people
Machu Picchu is a beautiful old city in Peru. It was forgotten for many years, but now many people are visiting it. Some people think that too many visitors may not be good for the city. What will hap
In France, some people earn money by selling a special food called a 'truffel'. Truffles can be found in the woods, however they are very rare and expensive. That's why they are sometimes called 'blac
Christopher Columbus lived in Europe in the 1400s. He wanted to find a new way to travel from Europe to Asia by sea. So Columbus went on a long sea trip, but he didn't know what he would find. What ha
This story is about water sports in the Columbia River. Cory Roeseler lives near the river and he loves water, sports, and going fast! Roeseler also likes to make new things. What does Roeseler do wit
Horseback riding is a very important tradition in Mongolia. Each year the people there have a race to celebrate this tradition. However, the race is a little unusual. What kind of race is it? Why is i
