International Jazz Day

Tomorrow is International Jazz Day. Tomorrow's International Jazz Day Global Concert will be in Osaka, Japan.

Since most of us aren't able to be in Osaka, how about a collective biography on jazz musicians? This middle grade biography discusses the lives of eight jazz musicians.

Available in library, paperback, and eBook formats, this book is available from your preferred vendor, local bookstores, and enslow.com.

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.

  

It's Columbus Day

This anniversary of Christopher Columbus arriving in the Americas is celebrated in the United States as well as in Latin America, the Bahamas, Spain, and other countries.

Library ISBN 978-1-59845-101-6

Columbus: Opening Up the New World, by Stephen Feinstein, is a middle school title, tells the story of Columbus' discovery of what is now the modern-day Bahamas. In search of a faster trade route to Asia, Columbus thought he had landed in the Indies. Columbus sailed the Atlantic Ocean four times and claimed several Caribbean islands for Spain. He established colonies and opened up the trade of products and ideas that would forever change the world.

Jazz Musicians Included in New African-American Collective Biography Series

Many jazz books for young readers understandably focus on the music's biggest names. However, that approach tends to narrowcast biographies to jazz's A-list. Unfortunately, important, fascinating figures are often lost in the shadows of presenting the life stories and musical contributions of globally-known figures.

To meet this challenge, Enslow Publishers presents its new "African-American Collective Biographies" series. This six-book group provides biographical sketches of prominent leaders as well as those of lesser-known contributors to culturally important endeavors. Incredible African-American Jazz Musicians, one of the books in the series, successfully incorporates that paradigm. Author Stephen Feinstein's well-written work features biographies of seminal figures such as Miles Davis. Readers and librarians will enjoy how the books' lively design leverages color photographs and illustrations to great advantage. As with all titles in the series, Feinstein's work also includes a brief timeline of each artist's life and achievements.

An excellent choice for reluctant readers, this 112-page book is well suited for grades 5 and up. This book, part of Enslow's Fall 2012 new releases, will be available in library-bound editions for $23.95. That cost represents a 25% school/library discount from Enslow's list price.

  

On this day in 1874

Radio pioneer Guglielmo Marconi was born in Bologna, Italy.

Interested in reading more? Enslow's Inventor's Who Changed the World series includes Marconi and Tesla. Written for the middle school student, this biography of these two radio pioneers, written by Stephen Feinstein, will be of interest to readers.

Today would have been Alexander Graham Bell's birthday

Best remembered for inventing the telephone in 1876, did you know Alexander Graham Bell also invented the first metal detector? His metal detector was used to find bullets still lodged in the bodies of Civil War veterans. He also invented what he called a vacuum jacket (a very early respirator-type device,) which became the predecessor to the iron lung.

Did you know he introduced Helen Keller and her father to the woman who would become Helen's teacher, Anne Sullivan? Written for the middle school student, this book is great for reports.

Enslow also has an elementary title on Alexander Graham Bell. This title gives the reader an understanding of what Bell did to help deaf children, and how he helped them learn to speak.

Happy Birthday Denzel Washington

When Denzel Washington first went to college, he hoped to become a doctor. But he soon found he liked drama better than his science classes. This easy biography shows how Washington became one of the best-known movie actors in America, eventually winning two Academy Awards. Colorful illustrations, lively layout, and accessible vocabulary make the book ideal for early independent readers and useful for beginning reports.

Yesterday Yosemite National Park celebrated its 120th birthday

On October 1, 1890, the United States Congress designated Yosemite National Park. Each year around 4 million people from around the world visit this park.

My family visited this park several years ago. While my two brothers and brother-in-law climbed Half Dome, my sister, mother, niece, nephew and I drove around to the different meadows and lakes, and hiked to Sentinel Dome to get an amazing view of the entire valley with all of the different peaks and waterfalls. We hiked through Hetch Hetchy and drove to Glacier Point on our way out of the park. Talk about an amazing experience!

Posted by Pam

Muhammad Ali visits elementary school in his hometown of Louisville, KY

Muhammad Ali posed for pictures with students during an appearance to promote an initiative to grow vegetable gardens at schools around the world.

This garden is a protoype for a series of "Muhammad Ali Center Peace Gardens" which will aim to teach children about nutrition and respect for different cultures.

Interested in learning more about Muhammad Ali? Enslow has books for all grade levels: elementary, middle, and high school, as well as a title discussing the Supreme Court decision over Muhammad Ali's refusal to be drafted.

Solving the Air Pollution Problem: What You Can Do

Solving the Air Pollution Problem: What You Can Do, written by Stephen Feinstein, has been published.

Air is our most important resource, yet it is in danger from pollution and global warming. Author Stephen Feinstein explains threats to air quality worldwide and explains what you can do to help preserve and protect this precious resource.

128 pages, full-color photographs, Enslow Publishers, Inc.
ISBN 13: 978-0-7660-3347-4

http://www.enslow.com/displayitem.asp?type=1&item=3146

Conserving and Protecting Water: What You Can Do

Conserving and Protecting Water: What You Can Do, written by Stephen Feinstein, has been published.

Some think Earth should be called the "water planet," because even from space we can see that it's covered with water. But our water is endangered by pollution and global warming, and people may run short of water for drinking, irrigation, and other needs. Find out what kids can do to help save and protect this precious resource.

128 pages, full-color photographs, Enslow Publishers, Inc.
ISBN 13: 978-0-7660-3346-7

http://www.enslow.com/displayitem.asp?type=1&item=3143

Happy Birthday Mr. President!

Ever want to read a biography about the President? Enslow has two: one geared toward the elementary student and the other is for the middle school reader.

Enslow also has a pictorial series about the First Family entitled The Obama Family Photo Album, which includes photos of the First Family (and Bo!)

Today is Colin Powell's birthday

Older readers will enjoy this biography about Colin Powell.

Younger readers will enjoy this one.

Birthday of Cesar Chavez

Read About Cesar Chavez
Author: Stephen Feinstein
State Affiliation of Author: WA
ISBN-13: 978-0-7660-2296-6

ISBN-10: 0-7660-2296-X
Publication Year: 2004
Interest Level: Grades 1-3
Page Count: 24

This biography has simple text aimed at early independent readers; as well as full-color illustrations. It tells the story of the labor leader Cesar Chavez from his impoverished boyhood to his leadership in the farm worker’s union, which made life better for migrant farm workers.

Today is Queen Latifah's birthday

Queen Latifah celebrates her birthday today!

On this day in history ...

The first successful voice transmission over Alexander Graham Bell's telephone took place in Boston as his assistant heard Bell say, "Mr. Watson, come here."