Book excerpt: The River Thames has a colorful history. It was a river highway long before railways and roads were built. It has brought flood, disease and death to thousands of Londoners. Today it contains over 80 islands, 200 bridges, 20 tunnels, 45 locks, six public ferries and one ford. Yet it still reminds us of its history with an average of one body a week being found in its waters. How much do you know about the River Thames? Can you answer these questions: The Thames was once a tributary of what European river? What was the world’s first underwater tunnel? Is the Thames deeper or shallower than it was 300 years ago? What sea animals live in the Thames River? What is the Thames Barrier? Find out the answers to these questions and more and amaze your family and friends with these fun facts. Ages 8 and up. All measurements in American and metric. The Educational Version has activities that meet Common Core Curriculum Standards. LearningIsland.com believes in the value of children practicing reading for 15 minutes every day. Our 15-Minute Books give children lots of fun, exciting choices to read, from classic stories, to mysteries, to books of knowledge. Many books are appropriate for hi-lo readers. Open the world of reading to a child by having them read for 15 minutes a day.