Kyle Busch debuts new look for his No. 18 M&M Toyota at the Coca-Cola 600 this weekend.

Many fans and teammates love Kyle Busch for his ability to win and his straightforward personality. What many do not know is that he also runs a foundation to help underprivileged kids, in addition to volunteering his time to assist charities, like Habitat for Humanity, run by other NASCAR drivers

This weekend Kyle Busch will continue to drive his No. 18 M&M’s Toyota for the Coca-Cola 600. But there will be one slight difference in the car's paint scheme. The familiar M&M characters will be wearing construction gear to reflect Joe Gibbs Racings’ partnership with Habitat for Humanity. You can see before and after photos of the car here.

ISBN: 978-0-7660-3589-8

To learn more about Kyle Busch read, Kyle Busch: Gifted and Giving Racing Star from our Sports Stars Who Give Back series for grades 7–9. This book is also available as an eBook!

Have you hugged a turtle today?

Today is World Turtles Day!

May 23 is World Turtle Day, an annual celebration to increase awareness of turtles everywhere. World Turtle Day was started 13 years ago by the American Tortoise Rescue (ATR).

To learn more about leatherback turtles, check out our book, Leatherback Turtles, Giant Squids, and Other Mysterious Animals of the Deepest Seas by Ana Maria Rodriquez from our Extreme Animals from Extreme Environments series! And don't forget to hug a turtle today.

The leatherback is named for it's unique shell that looks like leather.

View a sample of the book

Thank our military members today.

Happy Armed Forces Day!

Enslow Publishers salutes members of our military. 

We appreciate all you do for our country!

It's Children's Book Week

For Children's Book Week, how about combining reading with cooking? Enslow's new series, Professor Cook's . . ., gives step-by-step instructions on making different recipes. Each book also includes some scientific background into the recipe.

For example, in the Professor Cook's Smashing Snacks title, there is a recipe for Big Dipper Bread Sticks. The author also explains what yeast is, and how it makes bread rise. Learn how popcorn pops while making the Pop-Tastic Popcorn recipe. Why do onions make you cry? Find out while learning how to make "No-Cry" Onion Bhajis & Dip.

Written for the upper-elementary and middle school student, these books add science to the cooking lesson. Other titles in the series include: Professor Cook's Dynamite Dinners, Professor Cook's Fruity Desserts, and Professor Cook's Mind-Blowing Baking.

All of these titles are available in both library and paperback editions from your preferred vendor, your independent bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble, as well as at enslow.com.

Happy Limerick Day!

A fun limerick from our Brainless Birthday Jokes to Tickle Your Funny Bone Book by Felicia Lowenstein Niven.

Available in library binding, paperback, and as an eBook!

Want to write a limerick of your own? It's easy. Here's how:

A limerick is a funny, rhyming poem that is five lines long. Lines 1,2, and 5 rhyme. Lines 3 and 4 are usually shorter and rhyme with each other.

Want to write a limerick of your own? It's easy. Here's how:

 First, brainstorm some rhyming words. Write them down on a piece of paper. Next, number lines on a piece of paper from 1 to 5. Write lines 1 and 2 so that the last word in line 2 rhymes with the last word in line 1.

Example:
1. There once was a man from France.
2. His friends thought he liked to dance.

Then write lines 3 and 4 so that the last word in line 4 rhymes with the last word in line 3.

Example:
3. But that was not true
4. And what no one knew

Finally, write line 5 so the last word rhymes with lines 1 and 2.

Example:
5. Was he really had ants in his pants.

Limericks are fun to write on your own or with a group of people!

The Great Gatsby and some fun fashion facts about the 1920s

The Great Gatsby is opening in theaters today which got us thinking about the fashions of the 1920s. We thought we would highlight some fun fashion facts of the time period from our book Fabulous Fashions of the 1920s. See how many you notice in the movie!

Did You Know:

• Sometimes, a tape measure was used to make sure a woman's bathing suit was no more than six inches above the knee.

• Ready-to-wear clothes in stores became available for women at the beginning of the twentieth century. Before that, they went to tailors or dressmakers or women sewed their own. 

• In the 1920s, it was fashionable to wear a different outfit for day, afternoon, and evening. Women would change clothes several times a day. The hemline indicated which outfit was for which time of day.

• Zippers started appearing on clothes. They were not used widely though. After all, zippers were metal. They rusted whenever the clothes were washed.

• Raccoon coats were popular with the people who owned cars. Back in those days, automobiles were wide open, and the fur coats kept the passengers warm.

Enslow Book Is Awarded

Congratulations to Enslow author, Ana Maria Rodriguez whose book Leatherback Turtles, Giant Squids and Other Mysterious Animals of the Deepest Seas from our Extreme Animals in Extreme Environments series was awarded Honorable Mention in the Children's Books category in the 2013 Green Book Festival's annual competition. According to their web site, their annual competition honors books that "contribute to greater understanding, respect for and positive action on the changing worldwide environment."

For a complete list of winners click here.

Library Edition ISBN: 978-0-7660-3696-3
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-4644-0019-3
For Grades 5–9
48 pages

About the Book:
The ocean is one of the most extreme environments on Earth. The deepest ocean zones challenge animal survival in unique ways. When light and warmth totally disappear, when pressure can crush most bodies, and when food is extremely rare, how do deep-sea animals cope? Scientists have sent remotely operated vehicles to the sea floor to capture images and videos of these amazing creatures in hopes of answering these questions. Their expeditions have revealed amazing information about extreme deep-sea animals!

Sunday is Cinco de Mayo – How are you celebrating?

Enslow would like to share two great Cinco de Mayo titles:

Cinco de Mayo–Count and Celebrate!
Students in grades 3–4 can read about the history, customs and practices of Cinco de Mayo with this 48-page book that is available in library binding, paperback, and as an eBook.

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo
How many main colors are there on the Mexican flag? Can you count to ten in Spanish? Learn more in Cinco de Mayo—Count and Celebrate! Students in Grades 1–3 can count people, symbols, and more as you explore and learn about this fascinating holiday.This book is available in library binding.

These books and others in their series can be purchased from Enslow, Barnes and Noble, Amazon,your favorite bookstore, or your preferred vendor.

We have a raffle winner for April!

Congratulations to Illini Bluffs Elementary School in Illinois for winning our April monthly raffle!!!

What part will DNA play in the Boston Marathon bombing investigation?

Female DNA was found on a piece of at least one of the explosive devices used in April 15's Boston Marathon bombing. However, police have not yet determined whether or not the DNA discovery indicates a woman's involvement in the attack.

What is DNA? DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is a molecule that carries a set of instructions. These instructions tell our cells what to do, which determines physical traits such as eye color or height. The information encoded on the DNA molecule is what makes a person unique.

Available in paperback and library binding

The DNA in the blood can narrow down a list of suspects–clearing the innocent or helping send the guilty to prison. In our book, DNA and Blood: Dead People Do Tell Tales from our True Forensic Crime Stories series, discover how blood pattern analysis and DNA fingerprinting began, how they are used now for crimes like the Boston Marathon bombing, and how they have solved decades-old mysteries.

This book and others in the series are available from Enslow, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, your favorite independent bookstore or your preferred vendor.

Will you be in New Orleans?

The New Orleans Jazz and Hertitage Festival starts today and runs through May 5. Many great artists will be appearing. But do you know the history of jazz? What about Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Herbie Hancock? What do they all have in common?  The answer is, they are all great jazz artists. 

Enslow's Incredible African-American Jazz Musicians from our African-American Collective Biographies series highlights how each of these musicians got started and what gifts they brought to the world of music.

Each of these musicians had their own voice, sound, or style of playing. Miles Davis played trumpet in a muted whisper. Charlie Parker's saxophone solos displayed phenomenal speed and variety. 

Library Edition ISBN: 978-1-59845-137-5
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-4644-0036-0

The earliest jazz originated in New Orleans. It's musical elements were derived from African-American brass marching bands and ragtime music from the saloons. Known as Dixieland, it was characterized by several musicians simultaneously playing their improvisations based on the melody and chord pattern of the tune. The tune would most likely have been a popular song of the day or a blues that the musicians did not compose. Many of these early jazz musicians could not read music. But through improvisation they created exciting, joyful music that bore little resemblance to the original tune.

You can read more about the history of jazz and these eight great jazz musicians in our book, Incredible African American Jazz Musicians by Stephen Feinstein.

Available from Enslow, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, your favorite independent bookstore or your preferred vendor.

  

Do you have a little chef in your home?

From party food...

to pizza and pasta...

to tasty desserts...

and even yummy snacks...

young chefs will find the simple steps accompanied by illustrations easy to follow.

Enslow's Little Chef series that will be available June 1 is already receiving great advance reviews.

Available for preorder from Enslow, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, your favorite independent bookstore, or your preferred vendor. Reserve your copies today!

This Year Marks the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham

Referred to as the "most segregated city in America," Birmingham, Alabama, became a hotbed for civil rights activity in the early 1960s. Great African-American leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth, helped lead the civil rights movement in the city. In Birmingham, African-American youth marched, sang, and spoke out against segregation. Although they faced police dogs and fire hoses, they offered non-violent resistance and did not back down. 

This May will mark the 50th anniversary of the children's marches in Birmingham.  It's a great opportunity to check out these honor and award-winning books about the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham.

Enslow's When the Children Marched by Robert H. Mayer is now also available as an eBook.

We've Got a Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children's March by Cynthia Levinson

Birmingham Sunday by Larry Dane Brimner

You can see a sample list of special events being held throughout the year to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham.

  

What if you were Paul Revere? What would you do?

General Thomas Gage was in charge of Massachusetts. On April 14, 1775, he received some special orders from Britain. He and his soldiers were to arrest John Hancock and Sam Adams. The pair was hiding out in Lexington.
     The British soldiers then were to go on to Concord.. The colonists had hidden weapons there. General Gage wanted those weapons destroyed.
     The raid would take place on April 18. The British hoped to surprise the colonists. If successful, they could hurt the rebel's cause.

What Would You Do?

What if you were Margaret Kemble Gage? She was General Gage's wife, who was born in the colonies. You overheard your husband discussing the attack. You do not want to betray him. Yet you do not want the king to crush the colonists. Would you alert the rebels? What do you think Margaret Kemble Gage did?

     On the evening of April 18, Warren asked Paul Revere to ride to Lexington. He was asked to warn Hancock and Adams that the British were coming. After that, he was to ride on to Concord to warn the colonists there.
     Colonists had formed their very own fighting groups called militias. In Massachusetts, these men were known as minutemen. They were proud that they could be ready to fight in a minute's notice. Now they would be put to the test.
     Revere had been a messenger for the patriots before. Tonight he would have to ride as fast as he could to get to Lexington and Concord before the British.

What Would You Do?

What if you were Paul Revere? Would you agree to do this? The British will be on the lookout for rebels tonight. If you are caught you could be arrested or even hanged! Would you be willing to take the risk?

The Revolutionary War Begins: Would You Join the Fight? is part our What Would You Do? series. It is available in library binding and in paperback from Enslow, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and your favorite Indie store or preferred vendor. A free educator guide is also available.
  

Interview with Author Bonnie Pryor and Special eBook Offer

Bonnie Pryor is the author of several of Enslow's historical fiction books, including the Hannah Pritchard trilogy. She took some time recently to talk to us about how she combines historical facts with her fictional characters. 

Bonnie Pryor

Enslow:  What is your favorite childhood memory about books?

Bonnie:  My favorite memories are about reading and my favorite places to read were…sitting in a crook of an old plum tree, under my covers at night, inside my math book at school, and under the dining room table when I was supposed to be dusting….any place I had a book.

Enslow:   How has your upbringing influenced your writing?

Bonnie:  I suppose I had a fairly sheltered childhood with strict parents, so I have trouble imagining bad characters.

Enslow:  When did your interest in writing historical fiction start?

Hannah Pritchard: Pirate of the
Revolution (Book  1)

Bonnie:  I’ve always enjoyed reading historical fiction, but, for some reason or other, I didn’t think of it until about fifteen years ago when an editor (knowing I liked historical fiction) suggested I try writing some.

Enslow:  What was your biggest challenge when writing The Hannah Pritchard trilogy?

Bonnie:  Fitting what was going on in the real world at that time into my story – for instance, John Paul Jones being in Portsmouth, NH, and Paul Revere in Boston.

Enslow:  What is your favorite trait of your female pirate character, Hannah Pritchard?

Bonnie:  Hannah is strong and independent. She figures things out and takes care of them on her own.

Enslow:   Hannah finds herself aboard an American privateer ship during the Revolutionary War and has to hide her female identity to be able to work as a cabin boy. How do you think this reflects the roles of women during this time period?

Pirate Hannah Pritchard:
Captured  (Book 2)

Bonnie:  Except for a few female pirates, who were not very nice characters, women were considered bad luck on a ship. Although women worked as hard and as well as men, they were restricted by the society of the times as to what they could and couldn’t do.

Enslow:  Hannah and her friends must complete some important missions for the Continental navy and outsmart an enemy pirate in a race to bring home the buried treasure. What’s your secret to writing fabulous adventures while still referencing real people and real historical events?

Bonnie:  I did a lot of research to get the timelines correct in my head. The events that were actually happening then were exciting, so it wasn’t hard to fit them into the story.

Captain Hannah Pritchard:
The Hunt for Pirate Gold
(Book 3)

Enslow:  What do you and Hannah have in common?

Bonnie:  Like Hannah, I’m an independent person with a mind of my own and I’ve always been fairly interested in having adventures.

Enslow:  If you could trade places for a day with one historical character, who would it be and why?

Bonnie:  It would be Margaret Mead. Growing up I admired her and her amazing adventures as an anthropologist and actually thought about going into that field.

About the Author: 

Bonnie Pryor claims she was ‘born loving books’ and it certainly seems as if books are the warp and weft upon which the threads of her life are woven.

Thirty years after the publication of her first book, Grandpa Bear, she has written and had published a total of thirty-seven books for children and young adults. Though her first love is picture books, she has written easy-to-read books, chapter books, mysteries, and historical fiction. Many of her books have been translated into different languages and are sold in countries around the world.

REVIEW

"The 'Real History Behind the Story' section is a great addition to this historical fiction series. These would be excellent books for teachers to use in their classrooms, because they intertwine American history with realistic tales."
     –Library Media Connection, March 2008

SPECIAL EBOOK OFFER FOR A LIMTED TIME ONLY!
Consumers can take advantage of a SPECIAL OFFER on the eBook versions of the Hannah Pritchard trilogy from their favorite eBook retailers including Amazon and Kobo. For a limited time, Hannah Pritchard: Pirate of the Revolution (Book 1) is only 99 cents and Pirate Hannah Pritchard: Captured (Book 2) is just $3.49. Captain Hannah Pritchard: The Hunt for Pirate Gold (Book 3) is also available for $7.69.

Learn About Booker T. Washington

With skills like farming, carpentry, and sewing, Booker T. Washington believed that blacks could find acceptance in the racist white society of the late 1880s. His school became a leading educator of African Americans, and he became a powerful national figure, advising business owners and even presidents. Though many considered Washington the most important black leader of his time, some other black leaders criticized his accommodating "Uncle Tom" views. In simple language, the McKissacks clarify Booker T. Washington's philosophy, accomplishments, and place in history.

Booker T. Washington: African American Leader from our Famous African Americans series for grades K–3 is available from Enslow, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble. Now available in library, paperback, and eBook editions!

Looking forward to the American Country Music Awards this weekend?

Stars like Tim McGraw and Taylor Swift will be appearing and performing at the 48th Annual American Country Music Awards this Sunday evening. Who is your favorite nominee?

 

ISBN: 978-1598452075

ISBN: 978-1598452860

April Fool's Day pranks

Did you know that in France, Belgium, and Italy, paper fish are tacked onto people's backs as a trick (hopefully, without being noticed) and shout "April Fish" in their local languages? Poland, Denmark, and Scotland have their own versions of different types of tricks played on others on April 1.

Some of the pranks Enslow employees have admitted to:

• Gluing pages of the newspaper together
• Replacing a spouse's morning cup of coffee with tea (or vice versa)
• Making a bunch of photo-copies of a paper clip and then loading those copies into the paper tray. Watch as co-workers go nuts looking for the paper clip!
• Coated a hard-boiled egg in melted chocolate. Let the chocolate cool, and then wrap in tin-foil so that it appears to be a chocolate Easter egg.
• Put a bunch of fake parking tickets on a neighbor's car . . . in his own driveway!
• Set up a dummy of himself on the couch, reading the newspaper. Kids came downstairs and couldn't understand why the dummy wasn't answering them. Prankster was hiding and laughing from a nearby coat closet.

Let us know what April Fools Day pranks you have done to your family, friends, or coworkers!

Win a free book on Friday

The seven wonders of the ancient world have dazzled people with their beauty, size, and sheer magnificence. Majestic pyramids, grand monuments, and towering statues are among the many wonders to have graced the list. 

The picture below is one of those natural wonders of the ancient world from our book What Are the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World?. Can you guess the name of this ancient wonder? 

Leave your answer in a comment and we will pick one random winner from all of the correct answers to win a free copy of the book. Repin the book cover image from Pinterest using #WondersNaturalWorld and we'll throw your name in the hat twice. Maximum of two entries per person. U.S. residents only. Contest ends March 31st. 

ISBN: 978-0-7660-4151-6
For Grades 5-6

P.T. Barnum and James A. Bailey join forces for "The Greatest Show on Earth"

In the spring of 1881 P.T. Barnum and James A. Bailey opened their new show, the largest circus ever seen, and the first three-ring circus in history. A hippodrome track circled the edge of the arena. At night, arc lights powered by a steam generator lit up the rings and the sideshows.

When Jumbo the Elephant arrived in the United States on April 8, 1882, crowds lined up to see this seven-ton animal perform at the circus. Only one man could deliver such a giant attraction to audiences—P. T. Barnum. A master of entertainment and showmanship, Barnum introduced Americans to wild acts and curiosities at the American Museum and the Barnum & Bailey Circus. His keen understanding of advertisement and promotion helped invent the modern world of "show business." Author Tom Streissguth explores the life of this innovative entertainer from his early days in the lottery business to his creation of the first three-ring circus.

P.T. Barnum: "Every Crowd Has a Silver Lining" is available from Enslow, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or  through your preferred vendor.