Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts

August 27, 2014

Book Festivals taking place over the Labor Day weekend

The Decatur Book Festival will take place August 29 through August 31 at Decatur square. Per information on the website, all of the booths for the 2014 festival have been sold out! The Festival even has a blog. There are more than 600 participating authors, including award-winners, best-sellers, and others who are just getting started.

The 2014 Library of Congress National Book Festival will take place on Saturday, August 30, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Honorary chairs for this event are President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama.

If you will be in the area of either of these events, please attend!

June 26, 2014

Book Festival June 28

The Frederick Book Festival will take place this Saturday, June 28, from 10 AM to 6 PM at the Hampton Inn in Frederick, Maryland.

There will be children/middle grade authors, young adult authors, and adult authors of different genres. Last year's event was attended by over 100 authors.

The festival is free, however the organizers ask that you register.

November 06, 2013

An innovative way one public library tries to get kids to love reading

The Arlington Public Library in Virginia has a 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program. Parents and caregivers can sign up and receive a reading log, in which they fill in a circle after they finish reading a book to a young child. There are prizes (and stickers) upon reaching certain milestones.

There is also a Reading Superheroes program for older children who read to younger children who are enrolled in the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program.

What a great idea to encourage older kids to read, as well as encourage younger children to learn to love books!

Does your school or public library offer programs similar to this?

February 14, 2013

Happy Ferris Wheel Day!

Library Binding ISBN: 978-0-7660-2845-6
Grades 5–6

Library Binding ISBN: 978-0-7660-3964-3
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-4644-0132-9
Grades 1–2

Chicago was chosen to have the 1893 World's Fair. The fair's planners wanted to impress the crowds that were sure to attend. Just four years earlier, the 984-foot Eiffel Tower had been built for the Paris World's Fair. The tower was like an iron bridge to the sky. American civil engineers competed in a nationwide contest for an idea to outdo the French Eiffel Tower.


The boldest ideas were for taller towers. Then one engineer had a different idea. George Ferris drew plans for a 250-foot wheel that could carry over two thousand people high into the sky.Some people think George Ferris got his idea for the Ferris Wheel by watching a water wheel, like this one, near his home.



Mr. Ferris gave the World's Fair directors his drawings for his giant wheel. But the directors decided against a wheel for the fair. They were sure it could not survive Lake Michigan's strong winds.

In November 1892, the World's Fair directors still had nothing to beat the Eiffel Tower. They finally agreed to let George build his wheel but with his own money. George found some wealthy investors who said the 250-foot wheel should be called the Ferris Wheel.

When the fair finally opened on May 1, 1893, George's wheel was not finished. But on June 10, the crew began hanging the thirty-six carriages. Finally, at three o'clock on June 21, 1893, George's Ferris wheel opened for business. A ride on the Ferris Wheel cost fifty cents, which was also how much it cost to get into the fair.

Because George dared to dream big and follow his dream, today millions of people all over the world have a great time riding Ferris wheels.

Today, the London Eye in London, England is one of the world's most famous Ferris wheels. About ten thousand people ride it each day. Currently, the world's largest observation wheel is the Singapore Flyer.

But world's largest Ferris wheel may be coming to New York City's Staten Island waterfront with construction to possibly begin in early 2014.  The proposed wheel would stand at approximately 625 feet.


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February 01, 2013

Want to Know Why We Love Our Libraries?


February is the month of LOVE!
That's why February is also "Love Your Library Month"
 which is an opportunity to celebrate libraries and what they mean to our communities. So, we decided to compose a top ten list of reasons why our employees love their libraries. Starting with #10...


10. You can surf the internet for free.

9. You can get kind, friendly assistance        when researching a topic.

8. Story hours that are magic hours for both parents and children.

7. It's a place where you can go when you've lost your electricity and heat due to a hurricane.

6. They offer free concerts and wonderful art exhibits.

5. You can take great classes and lectures on interesting topics.

4. Their large selection of movies and music.
3. It's quiet.

2. It's a great place to introduce children to reading and learning to share.

And the #1 reason why everyone said they love their libraries...for the FREE BOOKS!



December 20, 2012

Enslow Provides Hurricane Relief for Libraries


How do you spell relief? B-O-O-K-S. 

When Hurricane Sandy hit the east coast it caused devastation to many homes and businesses. There were school and public libraries that suffered losses as well.  This week we're packing up book donations to send to some of the libraries that need help rebuilding their book collections. We hope to hear that these libraries will be re-opening in the near future with shelves stocked with books. 
In the meantime, many librarians are temporarily sharing space with other districts or public libraries or they have been moved into trailers while repairs are taking place. Some librarians have been provided space to receive donations, while others must wait until repairs to their space are completed. 

If your school or public library needs assistance due to damage caused by the hurricane, please contact us at customerservice@enslow.com with "Hurricane Relief" in the subject line. 

December 07, 2012

The Cost of Making eBooks (Part 1)

Navigating the eBook Highway 

The Cost of Making eBooks (Part 1)

 
Hi. I’m the Digital Production Developer at Enslow Publishers. My name is Kurt Weber and I’ve been asked to write up a series of blog entries about the more technical side of eBooks. I'll do my best to not bore you, but I have that affect when I try to talk technical. Or talk anything, really. My position didn't exist before the company’s decision to make eBooks some time ago and it's been an evolutionary process. Prior to this, I spent 10 years as a graphic designer on the Production Department staff.  Using desktop software, I was responsible for creating the page and cover layouts of our printed books. Now I am responsible for taking those same layouts and getting them converted into a friendly, eBook format that can be read anywhere in the world.
Since I began this journey well over a year ago, eBooks have broken into the mainstream. As eReader devices become more common, more people are discovering the merits of reading an electronic book. Those same people are just venturing out into the eBook marketplace and many are suffering sticker shock. In that time, I’ve been hearing the same question over and over again, “Why do eBooks cost so much?” Or, more to the point, “Why isn’t every single eBook dirt cheap? There’s no paper, no printing, no warehouse, no trucking, no physical costs at all, so why would an eBook ever be more expensive than a printed book? It’s just an electronic file, like an e-mail, right?”
It is true that there is no physical inventory to deal with, but there are physical expenses. After all, an eBook is still a physical object, albeit a digital one. I’ll go into those physical expenses more a bit later, but just because an eBook can’t be put in a store window or gift wrapped, doesn’t mean that it didn’t take time, effort, and money to create and deliver it to you, the reader.  Just because an eBook is an electronic file that CAN be e-mailed around the world in a flash, doesn’t mean that is how we get it to you. Not to get off topic too much, but your email has costs, too. Maybe not to you, but Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft, or more accurately, their advertisers, are paying for your ‘free-mail.’ 
One idea that my decade of print experience has reinforced, is that it takes a lot of people to make a book. Any book. (Before you jump up and say, “Self-Publish!” please replace the word ‘people’ with the word ‘time’ in the previous statement and any further reference to ‘people’ and ‘staff’ mentioned below.) That reality check will answer the first question:

Since an eBook is always hidden in your reading device,
it's easy to forget about the hidden costs to make it!

Q: Why do eBooks cost so much? (I won’t go into actual dollar figures, but for some relative perspective, see this detailed two-part article.)
A: It takes a lot of people to make an eBook! Many of the same people who spend time making a printed book and getting it to market are now spending time making the eBook and getting it to market.
Before I dissect the issue, let’s assume that the book has already been written and even printed, but is now just being converted into a digital version. That will exclude the normal costs of author advances, editing, fact-checking, proof reading, photo research, securing photos and/or artwork, etc. So my example is really just addressing the argument, “If the printed book is already done and paid for, the only thing left to do is click SEND!” If only.
Let’s take the producers of the actual eBook file:
  1. There is processing staff that track down and prepare the existing layout files for conversion.
  2. There is production staff who take the existing layout file and translate it into HTML, XHTML, or XML code, and generate an EPUB file. There are automated programs that do this, but they have often been described as ‘meat-grinders.’ Get the idea?
  3. There is proofing staff that check for errors, line by line. Yes, we do proofread our eBooks because things do get lost or mixed up in the conversion! They also proof the code.
  4. Revise, revise, revise.
Already, you can see that a good number of people are involved in making the ‘physical’ eBook. All of this staffing and processing cost time. And as the old adage claims, Time=Money. (Yes, you self-publishers know what I'm talking about now!) I haven’t even gone into the hardware needs for processing and storing all of this digital information. I’ll save that for my next entry.


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November 08, 2012

First Snowfall Comes with Relief

While pictures of the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy fill our televisions and newspapers daily, we thought we would post this beautiful picture of the snow-filled trees outside our office windows. This is just one way we're offering relief today. 

We are also offering relief to schools and libraries in our area with book donations. If you know a school or public library whose book collection was lost or damaged by Hurricane Sandy, please email us at customerservice@enslow.com with "Hurricane Relief" in the subject line and we will see how we can help them.

Each day, on our Facebook page, we're posting ways everyone can help the victims of Hurricane Sandy. Please share any additional efforts with us in the comments below and we will be glad to add them to our Facebook page

Here are some we've already listed:

Urban Librarians Unite

First Book

Amazon Wish Lists

New Jersey Library Association

American Library Association



October 25, 2012

Check Out Our Author Interview


Today, we're posting an interview with Brian Aberback, author of Black Sabbath: Pioneers of Heavy Metal from our Rebels of Rock series.


Q: Brian, when did you know you wanted to be a writer?
           
A: When I started working for the Record daily newspaper in Hackensack, New Jersey, after graduating college in 1996. I was an English major in college and took a journalism 101 course but always thought I would end up in the publishing industry, perhaps as a copy editor. After becoming an editorial assistant in the Features department at the Record and given the opportunity to write stories on hard rock and heavy metal bands I knew that was what I wanted to do.
 
Q: How did you begin your writing career?
 
A: I began working at the Record as a part-time editorial clerk. The job entailed answering phones, taking messages for reporters and writing obituaries. I then became the editorial assistant in the Features department, where I took on writing assignments in addition to my main responsibility of compiling calendar listings. From there I became a full-time features reporter and then a news reporter. I left the paper in 2007 for a new career in government communications and have continued to write for the paper and other publications as a freelancer ever since.
 
Q: Do you have a background in music?
 
A: I have been a music fanatic since middle school, when I would listen to any hard rock and heavy metal album I could find. My musical tastes have broadened but heavy metal will always be my first love. I played guitar and was in a band in high school. But my brother is the musician of the family. He is a fantastic percussionist.  
 
Q: How did you go about researching and planning for writing the Black Sabbath book?
 
A: My knowledge base of Black Sabbath was pretty extensive prior to writing the book, so I knew what I wanted to include and how to weave the tale. I then read dozens of books and articles on the band and learned some new, surprising information. For example, I had no idea that Ozzy Osbourne had performed in school productions of “The Mikado” and “H.M.S. Pinafore.”
 
A highlight was being able to quote from and use my own prior interviews with the band as references. Prior to writing the book I had separately interviewed Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and singer Ronnie James Dio, who replaced Ozzy. These interviews were for various features in the Record.
 
Q: Where there any particular obstacles you encountered while writing this book?
 
A: The biggest challenge was how to write an age-appropriate book on a band with a notorious past that included significant substance and alcohol abuse.
 
Q: How did you overcome this obstacle?
 
A: By being straightforward without going into too much detail or glamorizing the band’s, and especially Osbourne’s, drug and alcohol problems. I also pointed out the negative effects that this had on the band, how it led to their breakup and also made it easier for corrupt managers and agents to cheat Black Sabbath out of significant earnings.
 
Q: What is your typical day of writing like?
 
A: I typically wake up early to work on freelance writing for an hour or two before heading to work. In my job in government communications I’m writing all day, whether it be press releases, answering reporter inquiries, or working on internal reports. I will sometimes try to do freelance when I get home, but have found it more effective to write early in the morning.
 
Q: If you weren’t a writer, what might you be doing instead?
 
A: I think I would be involved in the music industry, perhaps doing publicity for a record label or a band. Or I might be an editor at a newspaper, magazine or publishing house.



Paperback ISBN: 978-1-59845-212-9
Library Binding ISBN: 978-0-7660-3379-5

Black Sabbath: Pioneers of Heavy Metal can be purchased from Enslow or online retailers, Amazon and Barnes and Noble

To learn more about Brian and his books, you can visit Brian's website. You can follow him on Twitter @bsa172. 

October 23, 2012

It's Dark, It's Graphic, It's Classic Fiction, and It's from Enslow

We recently visited a public library which featured a Halloween book collection for young readers. We were delighted to see one of our new graphic novels -- Dark Graphic Tales by Edgar Allan Poe -- included in their display, right next to a Robert Louis Stevenson collection that included the wonderful, YA-appropriate short story The Body Snatcher. The Enslow book stood out, thanks to its cover that's just scary enough for Halloween, but not too scary to keep off a library shelf.

The Poe title, part of Enslow's new "Dark Graphic Novels" series, includes some of the 19th Century writer's finest work, including The Gold Bug and The Fall of the House of Usher. The carefully composed text delivers the sense and style of Poe's original work. The Enslow book's illustrator, trained in a rigorous European art school, has created strong, vivid images that will attract young readers.  These elements will encourage repeat circulation, a circumstance Enslow's sturdy library-bound edition is designed to handle.

The library-bound edition of Dark Graphic Tales by Edgar Allan Poe is available from Enslow for $22.95; that price represents a 25% school/library discount from Enslow's list price for this book. The book is also available at your preferred vendor, Barnes and Noble and Amazon.

Don't forget to join our Pick-A-Page Giveaway, go to our e-catalog and pick a page of titles you would like to receive for free. Like us on Facebook and leave a comment on Facebook, letting us know which page you would like to receive, and how those books would benefit your school/library. For everyone who enters, they will receive one book from the page they requested. One winner will be chosen at random at the end of the week, and that person will receive a copy of every book on that page. The winner will be announced on Facebook sometime next week!


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October 19, 2012

Check Out Drawings From Our Friends

Our friends, Ethan and Nolan, made these great drawings from our Drawing in 4 Easy Steps series. The books in this series are now also available in paperback as well as in their original library editions. They make great gifts for those aspiring artists or for kids who just like to draw. The books also provide prompts for kids to write stories based on the pictures they draw. They can be purchased from Enslow.com or from online retailers like Amazon and Barnes and Noble




Draw Aliens and Space Objects
Draw Animals
Draw Cartoon People
Draw Pirates
Draw Princesses
Draw Superheroes

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October 18, 2012

Are the Yankees Missing Derek?

Even though Derek Jeter from the New York Yankees is sidelined due to a fractured ankle he suffered in the playoffs, we still think he's a champion baseball star!

Scheduled to undergo surgery on Saturday, the Yankee's captain is expected to need several months for a full recovery.

Do you think not having this champion player in the lineup for the remainder of the playoffs has made a difference in the outcome of the games?



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October 17, 2012

3 Interesting Facts About Mars


  • Methane, a gas produced on Earth almost entirely by living organisms, can be found on Mars.  Since no living organisms have been found on Mars, the cause behind the Martian methane is still unknown.
  • NASA's Phoenix lander found that the soil on Mars would be suitable for sustaining plant life.
  • The gigantic, dead volcano on Mars, Olympus Mons, is the largest mountain on any planet in the solar system.  Olympus Mons is about 2 1/2 times as high as Mount Everest, and the area it covers is about the size of New Mexico.
All of the above facts are from Enslow Publishers' Far-Out Guide to Mars from the award winning series, "Far-Out Guide to the Solar System".  If you can't get enough facts about Mars or the Solar System, be sure to look for these books at your favorite online store or ask for them at your local library! Follow Me on Pinterest

October 12, 2012

The History of Fire Prevention Week

Each year schools around the country celebrate National Fire Prevention Week. But do you know why it's celebrated during the month of October?

On October 9, 1911, Fire Prevention Day was proclaimed. This day was chosen because it was the fortieth anniversary of the 1871 Great Chicago Fire, which killed hundreds of people and destroyed thousands of buildings. In 1992, Fire Prevention Day was extended to an entire week. Fire Prevention Week is celebrated each year during the week that includes the date of October 9.

From our "Fire Dog Heroes" book

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September 21, 2012

First Day of Autumn

Yup, it has crept up on us again. But doesn't it every year? Saturday is the first day of autumn. Hopefully you've got your rake. You've got your leaf bags. You've got your kids ready to help. But do you have your books about fall? We have two great series about the seasons that give you a choice of the library bound books or the paperback versions, depending upon your needs and budgets. 

These books introduce readers to the seasons, including basic weather conditions and how weather changes. Simple, hands-on investigations using common household items helps readers learn about the weather and seasons. Observing, measuring, comparing, and recording data are all popular techniques used in these activities.
For Grades 3–4
Paperback ISBN:  978-1-59845-388-1 $6.95 
Library Binding ISBN:  978-0-7660-3985-8
$21.26 List $21.26 School/Library: $15.95


When fall arrives, the harvest colors of the season are on display! Color can be found everywhere, in pumpkins, acorns, and of course leaves that are soon to drop from the trees. These books contain sight words and simple sentences to talk about the colors of the seasons.

For PreK–Grade 1
Paperback ISBN: ISBN-13: 978-1-59845-388-1  $6.95
Library Binding ISBN:  978-0-7660-3985-8  List: $21.26 School /Library $15.95



















September 20, 2012

Coming Soon...

The highly anticipated The Fortune-Teller: Book II of the Brightstone Saga by Paul B. Thompson, will satisfy the readers' curiosity after reading the first book in this fantasy-fiction trilogy, The Brightworking: Book I of the Brightstone Saga, released earlier this year.
ISBN: 978-0-7660-3950-6
Available Now
In this second book, the mysterious magic increases throughout Mikal's journey and he must fight dangerous creatures in order to keep the secret of the future from the wizard, Harlano. Mikal and his female friend, Lyra, realize that with the power of predictions comes the risk of changing the world forever.
ISBN: 978-0-7660-3983-4
Available January 1, 2013
Here's what people are saying:

"Comfortably predictable fare for younger fans and those who prefer their fantasy charged with standard themes and tropes." –Kirkus Reviews, June 15, 2012

"Mikal, the common-sensible country boy, and Lyra, his 'not entirely trustworthy' new friend, are an irresistible duo. Paul B. Thompson's The Brightworking is as exciting and quirky as any reader could hope."
–Tonya Carter Cook, coauthor of the Dragonlance Elven Exiles Trilogy

The Brightworking: Book I of the Brightstone Saga is available now and can be purchased directly from Enslow, major book distributors, retail bookstores, and online retailers. The Fortune-Teller: Book II of the Brightstone Saga will be available January 1, 2013. You can reserve your copy now at Enslow.com.


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