New crafts series for fall 2014

Enslow Elementary will be publishing a series of four titles, Fun and Festive Crafts for the Seasons, for fall 2014. Each 48 page book looks at a different season and gives step-by-step instructions on creating different crafts while learning about that particular season. Each title has eight crafts, including puppets and masks made out of various objects and materials.

All four books (and the crafts inside of them) were written and created by Randel McGee. These titles will be available in library and paperback formats. You can pre-order them through your preferred vendor, your local bookstore, enslow.com, amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The video below shows how to create a paper shamrock chain from the Paper Crafts for St. Patrick's Day book.

Eco Chic: New Series for Fall 2013!

 We're excited to announce "Eco Chic", another of our Fall 2013 new series!  Discover different ways to recycle, customize, and add sparkle to your bedroom, your clothes, your accessories, and yourself!  Each book in the Eco Chic series is written in easy, accessible language with step-by-step instructions, color photos illustrating each step, and "eco-friendly" tips explaining recycling, reusing, and renewing.

Titles in the Eco Chic series include:
Crafts for Accessorizing that Look  ISBN 978-0-7660-4313-8
Crafts for Pampering Yourself  ISBN 978-0-7660-4314-5
Crafts for Revamping Your Room  ISBN 978-0-7660-4315-2
Crafts for Styling Your Wardrobe  ISBN 978-0-7660-4316-9




Eco Chic will be available this September direct from Enslow Publishers and from all of your favorite booksellers!

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Happy Anniversary New Jersey! Ratification Day

Happy Anniversary New Jersey, 3rd state to ratify the Constitution, Dec 18, 1787.  Try some fun crafts about New Jersey in Fun and Simple Mid-Atlantic State Crafts, created by author June Ponte, published by Enslow Publishers, Inc. http://www.enslow.com/displayitem.asp?type=1&item=2331#.UM-dJeQmckg

August is Art Appreciation Month

Thinking about Art Appreciation Month brought back memories of how when my children were young
they spent one week each August with their grandparents on the lake. During this time their grandmother, whose hobby is painting, always included painting projects in their daily activities. They painted rocks and slates that are still displayed in my flower gardens today. They also created many watercolor paintings throughout the week. On the day we would go to pick them up there would be an art show waiting for us. Their masterpieces were carefully propped up around the living room for us to view. Then all of us shopped and purchased the paintings from them for small change.

Tomorrow my youngest daughter leaves for college. We went to the bookstore last night to pick up a few books and magazines she wanted to take with her. She also picked up a new sketchbook and spent some time sketching late into the night. I couldn't help but wonder how much her love for creating art has been influenced by those summer art sessions with grandma.


So, whether it's a sharing a drawing book, purchasing a new box of crayons, pulling out an easel, or a sketchbook, don't forget to celebrate Art Appreciation Month. You never know who you might inspire!

Enslow's "Paper Crafts for Christmas" Offers Hands-On Holiday Craft Fun

Children are already in mid-season form for Christmas excitement. Channeling this good feeling and energy into spirited, fun activities requires suitable materials and a little bit of planning. Books featuring hands-on activities, such as craft creation, offer useful ways to go that are suitable for classrooms and for the home.

Enslow's excellent Paper Crafts for Christmas provides the activities and step-by-step instructions needed for successful holiday activities. Author and storyteller Randel McGee's book is written in simple language, with photos illustrating each step in the preparation and execution of each craft. The book contains patterns and projects appropriate for the holiday. McGee's 48-page work also contains a short introduction to the holiday, so that young readers better understand the craft activities' connection to this special time of year.

McGee's book is part of Enslow's twelve-title "Paper Craft Fun for Holidays" series. Each title is available in library-bound editions for $17.95 (price represents a 25% institutional discount for schools and libraries).

Thanksgiving Day Crafts



ISBN:  978-0-7660-2345-1
Library Bound:  $22.60

 Make Thanksgiving special with Enslow's Thanksgiving Day Crafts, written by Arlene and Herbert Erlbach, and part of the Fun Holiday Crafts Kids Can Do! series.  The easy to follow directions for each craft feature full color photos of not only the finished product but the stages in between!  Patterns to cut and trace are also included, as well as key words to know about the holiday.

Children in grades 3-4 will have fun making "Pumpkin Napkin Rings", "Turkey Place Cards", or even a "Leaves in the Wind Glitter Globe".  The crafts in this book can be used as decorations, or can be given as gifts.  All your guests will truly be thankful for the cheerful ideas shared in this title!

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides opens on Friday

Would you like to make some crafts to get into the spirit before watching the new movie? Then check out Pirate Ship Adventure Crafts, written for the elementary reader.

Make a pirate crew, treasure chest, pirate ship,and more! You can then use those crafts to create your own story with your students or children.

These books are available in both library and paperback editions.

Free Chinese New Year Craft

According to the Chinese calendar, today marks the start of the Year of the Rabbit. Do you know why people wear red, why children receive money in red envelopes, or why some people paint the doors to their houses red? Red is a color that is supposed to scare away bad luck and bring good luck. This and many other interesting facts about Chinese New Year along with fun counting exercises are included in our title Chinese New Year: Count and Celebrate for grades 1–3.

If you're looking for a fun craft to celebrate the New Year, here's instructions on how to make a Dragon Streamer Puppet from our Chinese New Year Crafts book.

What you will need:

• construction paper
• bright fluffy feathers or bright tissue paper
• crepe paper in bright colors
• scissors
• glue
• wiggle eyes

1. Pick a piece of construction paper in a bright color. Fold the paper in half. Cut the corners opposite the
    fold to make them round. This is the dragon's head.

2. To make the dragon's mane, glue fluffy feathers along the folded edge or use fringed tissue paper. Cut   
    construction paper about 2 inches wide and about the same width of the dragon's head. Cut long, curving
    points to look like eyebrows. Glue in place to cover the ends of the feathers.

3. Cut two half-circles of paper for the eyes. Glue wiggle eyes to the half-circles. Glue some feather fluff to
    the backs of the eyes to make eyelashes. Glue the eyes below the eyebrows. Cut two shapes for nostrils.
    Glue in place.

4. For the dragon's whiskers, glue narrow feathers behind the nostrils. Cut six strips of crepe paper about 3
    feet long. Glue to the underside near the folded edge, overlapping the strips. Cut a strip of paper about 1
    inch wide and about the width of the head. Fold 1 inch under on either end. Glue the folded tabs to the
    underside of the head and let dry. This is the handle for your puppet. Glue long strips of tissue paper under
    the bottom "lip" of the dragon to form the dragon's beard.

5. Let everything dry completely. When the puppet is ready, hold it by the handle and make it dance around!