Who invented windshield wipers?

With all of the rain and snow affecting the United States, does anyone think about something as simple as

who invented the windshield wipers that allow drivers to see in those bad conditions?

Before the invention of the windshield, drivers had to wear goggles to keep rain, snow, and bugs out of their eyes while driving. The first windshield, invented in 1904, could be folded down in case it became so dirty that drivers could not see through it. The other option was to pull over and try to clean the glass with your hand. Some drivers even tried rubbing an onion or carrot on the windshield, thinking that the oil from these vegetables would leave a film on the windshield, and repel the rain. That did not work either.

This 48 page book, written for the upper elementary reader, describes how Mary Anderson came up with her idea, what steps she took to try to patent the idea, and what happened after she allowed the patent to expire. Available in library, paperback, and eBook formats, this title is part of the Inventors at Work! series. This series is correlated to the Common Core College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards. Other inventors in this series include Ruth Wakefield, Willis Haviland Carrier, Percy Spencer, and Jacques Cousteau. These titles are available from your preferred vendor, local bookstore, enslow.com, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

Happy First Day of Summer!

Here are some fun summer titles for young readers!

Summer Colors from our All About Colors of the Seasons series

ISBN: 978-0-7660-3907-0
PreK–1

Why Is It Summer? from our Why Do We Have Seasons? series

ISBN: 978-0-7660-3987-2
Grades K–3

Enslow Biographies Celebrate Ferris Wheel Inventor

While many of us are caught up in Valentine's Day activities, today also happens to be Ferris Wheel Day. The inventor of the eponymous machine, John Ferris, is the subject of a pair of engaging Enslow biographies.

ISBN: 978-0-7660-2834-0

Ferris Wheel: George Ferris and His Amazing Invention provides an age-appropriate, well-written narrative about the American engineer and inventor. Author Dani Sneed's 48-page book delves into the genesis of the invention and its debut at the Chicago world's fair of 1893. The work includes period illustrations, color photographs, and other useful background information. This useful title, part of Enslow's "Genius At Work! Great Inventor Biogrpahies" series, is a suitable choice for grade 3-4 interest levels. Sneed's AR 4.5-book is available in a library-bound edition for $16.95; the price represents a 25% institutional discount from Enslow's list price.

ISBN: 978-0-7660-3964-3

Meanwhile, for K-3 readers, Enslow's Who Invented the Ferris Wheel? George Ferris will fill the bill. Author Sara L. Latta's skillfully prepared text is enhanced with thoughtfully chosen illustrations that enable young readers to grasp the essentials of Ferris' life story and professional accomplishments. The book, part of Enslow's "I Like Inventors" series, also includes directions on how to create a miniature ferris wheel! Library-bound copies of this new, 24-page item are available now from Enslow Publishers for $15.95 -- that's a 25% discount from Enslow's school/library price.

Why Is It Winter?

Why Is It Winter
Library Bound ISBN:  978-0-7660-3988-9
Paperback ISBN:  978-1-59845-391-1

     Why Do We Have Seasons? is Enslow’s new series for elementary school readers coming in 2012. This series features full-color photographs and introduces readers to the seasons explaining weather conditions and how the weather actually changes. This series includes: Why Is It Fall?, Why Is It Spring?, Why Is It Summer?, and Why Is It Winter?. Each title in the series is written by Sara L. Latta for grades three through four, and comes in both paperback and library bound editions.

     Why Is It Winter? explains when winter begins, creating a fun science learning experience for new readers. The book describes winter activities for people as well as what animals do during this season. It even features a fun experiment relating to winter. The library bound edition sells for $21.26 and the paperback edition sells for $6.95.  This title is a wonderful way to have elementary-aged children learn the science behind this upcoming season!

New K-3 Enslow Series Explores The Seasons

At this time of year, young readers wonder about the seasons and how they relate to their world. A wonderful tool to share with children during this process of discovery is Enslow's new "Why Do We Have Seasons?" series. This enriching set looks at each of North America's four seasons, using easy-to-read text and full-color photos to engage Grades K-3 readers in their exploration of these natural phenomena. Each 24-page book, such as Why Is It Spring? includes a scientific experiment to connect children with the science relevant to a specific season.

The four books in "Why Do We Have Seasons?" are included in Enslow's Spring 2012 releases. Each title will be available in January, 2012 directly from Enslow Publishers. Each library-bound book will cost for $15.95 (price represents a 25% school/library discount from Enslow's list price).

Interview with Sara Latta

Laura Crawford from the blog Wild About Nature interviewed Sara Latta on Saturday about her writing habits, how she comes up with her ideas, and what she has learned in doing her research. Sara's lastest series for Enslow, True Forensic Crime Stories, is a 6-book series covering titles on bones, cybercrime, DNA and blood, fingerprints, gun crimes, and trace evidence. Sara wrote Bones, Cybercrime, and DNA and Blood.

Written for the middle school market, these titles would appeal to students who have an interest in learning about the science behind solving crimes. This series is available in both library and paperback editions.

Launch Career, College Planning with Enslow's "Wild Science Careers" Series

What's "wild" about science careers? Quite a lot, as readers discover in Enslow Publishers' intriguing "Wild Science Careers" series. Students fascinated by rain, wind, and the sea gravitate toward the meteorological careers discussed in Storm Scientist: Careers Chasing Severe Weather. Those who wonder what's inside the planet could consider becoming volcanists, as Lava Scientist: Careers on the Edge of Volcanoes details. For those who enjoy exploring the edgy boundaries of the life sciences, Disease-Hunting Scientist: Careers Hunting Deadly Diseases examines what it takes to be a scientific player in this field.

Each title in the full-color, library-bound "Wild Science Careers" series includes a glossary, useful chapter notes, a further reading list, and an index. Each book in this six-book ensemble is available to schools and libraries directly from Enslow Publishers for $23.95. This price includes the 25% school/library discount off Enslow's list price for each title.