Miranda the Explorer — James Mayhew

Miranda wins a balloon ride -- but the rope snaps and away she goes, over seas, mountains, and deserts. She touches down at the Taj Mahal and the Pyramids, flies over the Great Wall of China, visits Japan, almost falls into a river full of crocodiles in Australia, makes some new friends at the Leaning Tower of Pisa, is buffeted by storms over the Channel, and much more. Miranda is a brave and resourceful character whose adventures are shown in delightful pictures of the places she visits. With map backgrounds and place names, this is a big story with lots of action, told with warmth and humor.