It's Deaf Awareness Week

978-0-7660-3771-7 Library Binding
978-1-4644-0156-5 Paperback Binding

Many years ago, I took a sign language class at an adult school after work. Have I used it? Unfortunately not. My main reason for taking it was because I was a volunteer EMT (at that time,) and thought that having a basic knowledge of sign language might help on calls.

When I look at Enslow's new title, What Is Sign Language?, I appreciate the fact that the alphabet is in the book, reminding me of how to create the letters. This 48 page title is geared toward upper elementary readers, giving them some personal stories into the lives of children who are dealing with deafness every day.

978-0-7660-3769-4 Library Binding
978-1-4644-0154-1 Paperback Binding

Another new title, What Is It Like to Be Deaf?, also gives an overview about sign language, but also discusses hearing aids, videophones, and the latest technology that help those who are deaf interact with people. This book includes personal life stories of young children who are deaf.

Both of these titles are available directly from Enslow or your preferred vendor.

It's National Inventors Month

Library ISBN 978-0-7660-3963-6
Paperback ISBN 978-1-4644-0130-5

Enslow has three series on inventors. The first one, I Like Inventors, is a new 2012 series for the elementary reader, and contains 6 books: Madam C. J. Walker created her own line of hair-care products; George Ferris invented the ferris wheel; Philo Farnsworth invented the television; Ralph Baer invented the home video game; James Naismith invented basketball; and Vivien Thomas was a doctor's assistant who invented a new surgery technique used on babies with heart problems.

Library ISBN 978-0-7660-2847-0

For the middle grade student, Genius at Work! Great Inventor Biographies has 13 titles perfect for those readers. This series features the inventors above, as well as Les Paul who created the electric guitar; Igor Sikorsky who created helicopters; W. K. Kellogg, the founder of the cereal company; Theodore Maiman who invented the laser; Samuel Colt, who invented a handgun that did not need to be reloaded; Thomas Gallaudet,  who created sign language; and Stephanie Kwolek, the inventor of the bullet-resistant vest.

Library ISBN 978-1-59845-050-7

Also for the middle grade student, Inventors Who Changed the World has 7 titles. These titles are longer in length than the other two series. Alexander Graham Bell, J. Robert Oppenheimer, Johannes Gutenberg, Louis Pasteur, Marconi and Tesla, Philo T. Farnsworth, and Thomas Edison are covered in this series.

All of these titles are available directly from Enslow or your preferred vendor.

It's Get Ready for Kindergarten Month

Library Binding 978-0-7660-4044-1

Looking for titles to add to your Kindergarten collection? Enslow has added two new series to its collection of preschool to grade one titles. Both of these series have been mentioned in blog entries recently.

There are eight titles in the All About Community Helpers series and All About Counting in the Biomes series contains six titles. Both of these series are new for fall 2012. With the addition of these two series, Enslow now has a total of fifteen preschool series.

All About American Symbols, All About Nature, and All About a Rainbow of Animals are the three series that were introduced in spring 2012.

All of these titles can be ordered directly from Enslow or your preferred vendor.

Also, don't forget to stock up on those crayons, pencils, paper, and other supplies!



 

New preschool series on counting and biomes

All About Counting in the Biomes, a new fall 2012 series from Enslow Elementary, focuses on showing preschoolers and early readers the different types of animals and plants found in different biomes, while helping them learn to count to ten at the same time.


Library ISBN 978-0-7660-4052-6

This six-book series is available as library bound titles. Each book is 24 pages long and every title in this series was written by Aaron R. Murray. Topics covered include the desert, the forest, the grasslands, the oceans, the rain forest, and the tundra.




These titles are available directly from Enslow or from your preferred vendor.

A new series on Community Helpers

Enslow has just published an eight book series on community helpers, geared toward the preschool and beginning reader. The role of the community helper gives the reader the opportunity to ask "who, what, when, where, and why" questions.

Library ISBN 978-0-7660-4045-8

Teachers and Nurses are two titles helpful for those first-time students, explaining what the people in those positions do, and how they interact with the student.

Other titles in the series include: Dentists, EMTs, Firefighers, Nurses, Police Officers, Sanitation Workers, and Veterinarians.

Years ago, my sister worked as a nanny for a family with three children. The youngest child loved going to the firehouse. It literally became an almost-daily visit. The firemen quickly learned both of their names and would greet them as they approached the building. Is this child a fireman today? No, but his fascination with the trucks, the building, and the firemen themselves kept him wanting to go back. Do you know of a child like him?

Posted by Pam

I Love Our Water

Library ISBN 978-0-7660-4042-7

With the ongoing drought in the nation, explaining to elementary students exactly why water is needed, and what happens when there is not enough of it, can be a challenge.

Written for elementary students by Carol Greene, this 24-page title introduces students to water, explains why it is important, explains what can happen to water, and gives tips on how to protect and use less of it.

Other titles in this series include: I Love Our Air; I Love Our Animals; I Love Our Forests; I Love Our Land; and I Love Our People.

It's International (and National) Assistance Dog Week

ISBN 978-0-7660-3199-9

Created to recognize all of those hardworking assistance dogs around the world, the goal of International Assistance Dog Week, as well as National Assistance Dog Week, is to educate the public about the roles in society these amazing dogs perform, as well as recognize and honor the dogs themselves. Could you raise a puppy in your home and then give that puppy back to the organization so that a disabled person would have the ability to be helped by that dog? Lots of credit is to be given to those that raise and train these animals.

Do you have students interested in learning more? Service Dog Heroes, written for the elementary level reader, provides the basics about these incredible dogs. Starting with a story about the assistance a golden retriever gives her handler, the book describes the history of the service dog, which breeds are the most popular service dogs, the training involved, what happens to these dogs when they retire, and more.

On this day in 1893, the first open heart surgery was performed

Or so I thought. Then I started looking into it. Doctor Daniel Hale Williams, an African-American physician,  repaired a wound to the pericardium (the sac surrounding the heart), but did not operate on the heart itself. It also appears that this was not the first time this type of operation was done. Approximately two years earlier, another physician by the name of Henry Dalton performed a nearly identical procedure.

Vivien Thomas, subject of an Enslow Elementary title, was not a physician, but worked with Alfred Blalock, including assisting Blalock in an operation on the first blue baby syndrome case in November 1944. The two worked together for many years. Even though Vivien Thomas never received his medical degree, he trained many aspiring surgeons using his efficient surgery techniques.

Posted by Pam.

It's Adopt a Shelter Cat Month!

Hopefully lots of cats will be adopted this month!

978-0-7660-3191-3

Learning to Care for a Cat, written by Felicia Lowenstein Niven, would be a great addition to a library collection, allowing families to read the book (before they adopt a new family member) in order to make sure that adopting a cat is the right move for them. Written for the elementary student, this title will allow elementary readers (and their families) understand what goes into caring for their new pet.

This 48 page title contains color photographs and has been approved by the American Humane Association. This library bound title is available to schools and public libraries for $17.95.

It's National EMS Week

Library ISBN 978-0-7660-4050-2

This year's theme is "EMS: More Than A Job. A Calling." Being an EMT is not an easy job. EMTs work hours somewhat similar to police officers and fire personnel: they work nights, on holidays, and are never quite sure what to expect upon arriving on a scene.

Enslow's latest preschool series, All About Community Helpers, includes a title on EMTs. This 24 page book will help young students and beginning readers learn about this important job in our community. Other titles in the series include titles about dentists, firefighters, nurses, police officers, sanitation workers, teachers, and veterinarians.

LeBron James wins 2012 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award

978-0-7660-3776-2 (library)
978-1-59845-231-0 (paperback)

LeBron has won this award for the third time in four seasons, becoming the first player since Michael Jordan to win at least three MVPs. The award was announced on Friday.

Enslow Elementary's Sports Stars Who Care series includes a title on LeBron. Written for third and fourth grade readers, these 48 page books will be enjoyed by your sports-loving readers. Other titles in this series include Dale Earnhardt, Jr., David Wright, Kevin Garnett, Peyton Manning, and Tom Brady.

May is Better Hearing and Speech Month

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) has declared May to be Better Hearing and Speech Month. This site explains the specifics of how we hear, as well as screening and testing, implants and hearing aids, and more. Speech and language development, as well as disorders affecting them are also discussed. This website also has a section dedicated to students considering a career in these fields.

978-0-7660-3771-7 library binding
978-1-4644-0156-5 paperback

Overcoming Barriers is Enslow's series geared toward different methods of communication for the elementary student. Two of the titles in this series are helpful for the hard of hearing student. Written for grades 3-4, these 48 page books discuss being deaf and sign language. In What Is Sign Language?, learn how a fourth-grade student uses sign language to communicate.

Titles in the Overcoming Barriers series are available in library editions. The paperback editions will be available this fall.

Explore Seasons with New Enslow Elementary Series

Library Edition: ISBN: 978-0-7660-3986-5   $15.95
Paperback Edition: ISBN: 978-1-59845-389-8     $6.95

With the onset of spring, young readers will be curious about the seasons and their changes. They need information written in concise, age-appropriate style. They want images that bring the subject into vivid focus. They enjoy hands-on activities that bring personal context to their experience and understanding of the seasons.

Enslow Publishers' new series "Why Do We Have Seasons?" delivers on all three counts. Author Sara L. Latta's four-book series addresses each season using easy-to-read text and full-color photographs. Basic weather conditions and how weather changes are discussed in ways approachable for young readers. Activities animals pursue seasonally, as well as what people typically do each season, is considered. As a value-added feature, each book contains a simple, hands-on investigation using common household items.

Each book in "Why Do We Have Seasons" is available in a library-bound edition to school and library institutional buyers for $15.95, a 25% discount from Enslow's list price. Paperback editions are available for $6.95 per title.

Happy Presidents' Day!

Ever been to Mount Rushmore? One of Enslow's newest preschool series is called All About American Symbols, and one of the titles is called Mount Rushmore. Available in a library version, this title contains a photograph of some scaffolding around the face of Abraham Lincoln.

Other titles in this series include The American Flag, The Bald Eagle, The Liberty Bell, The Statue of Liberty, and The White House.

Looking forward to spring

Library ISBN 978-0-7660-3978-0
Grades PreK–1

Granted, it's been a mild winter (so far) here in the Northeast, and we have to be grateful for that. Read through some of our lastest Enslow Elementary books and you will probably learn new things. Did you know that coquinas are those seashells that look like butterflies when they are open? I've seen coquinas over the years, but never knew what they were called. Also, I really like the lightening whelk. They are beautiful. Having gone to the Jersey shore, as well as parts of Cape Cod as a child, I can remember walking the beaches looking for seashells and sand dollars with my family. We would have contests to see who could find the prettiest and most intact shells.

Enslow Elementary's All About Nature series contains seven titles that are great for early readers. Each title starts with Can You Find and discusses a different subject. Birds, bugs, butterflies, flowers, rocks, seashells, and trees are all available as separate library-bound titles, and were written by Carmen Bredeson and Lindsey Cousins.

Discover Dogs series

Library ISBN 978-0-7660-3845-5
Grades K-3

Having grown up with lots of dogs over the years, most of which were of a mixed breed, I thought it would be fun to talk about I Like Mixed-Breed Dogs. All of our mixed-breed dogs have come from the local animal shelter.

This new elementary title and the others in the series, written for grades K-3, are great for teaching children what goes into the caring, feeding, training, and other aspects of puppy/dog ownership. Each title contains lots of great photos, along with Web sites and a list of other books to read.

Other titles in this series include books on Labrador Retrievers, Collies, Beagles, Poodles, and German Shepherds.

Today is National Pie Day

Library ISBN 978-0-7660-3766-3
Paper ISBN 978-1-59845-273-0
Grades 3-4

In celebration of this day, the recipe for Shepherd's Pie is going to be included in this post. This particular recipe is in our Easy Main Dishes From Around the World title. These books are available in both library and paperback bindings.

Shepherd's Pie is a crustless pie, containing meat and some vegetables, topped with mashed potatoes. This recipe makes 4 servings.

Ingredients:
3 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 teaspoons salt
6 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup sour cream
1 large onion, minced
1 large carrot, chopped
1 pound ground beef or ground lamb
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup beef broth
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Salt

1. Boil potatoes in a large pot of salted water on the stove for 15-20 minutes, until tender.
2. While potatoes cook, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large frying pan. Sauté onion for about 10 minutes and then add carrot. Add ground beef and cook until meat is no longer pink.
3. Add garlic, thyme, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and beef broth.
4. Ask an adult to help you remove the potatoes from the stove. Drain in a colander and then place in a large mixing bowl. Add 4 tablespoons of butter, sour cream, and a dash of salt and pepper. Mash potatoes until creamy.
5. Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Spread beef mixture in a buttered baking dish. Evenly spread mashed potatoes on top of the beef. Use a fork to make small peaks in the potatoes. Bake in oven for 25 minutes and place under broiler for 5 minutes, or until top is lightly browned.
6. Remove from oven. Cool for 5 minutes and serve.

Enjoy!

Yesterday was Make Cut Out Snowflakes Day!

ISBN: 978-0-7660-2952-1
Grades 3–4

This activity is great for this time of year, especially with kids being out of school. Granted, here on the East Coast we haven't had snow since Halloween, but the thought of creating paper snowflakes is appealing!

Paper Crafts for Christmas contains instructions for making eight different paper crafts, including snowflakes. If making snowflakes doesn't appeal to you, you can also make a wreath, a Christmas tree, a pop-up chimney card, an ornament, and more!

Randel McGee wrote and created all of the crafts.

Enslow's Drew Brees Biography Celebrates New Orleans Saints Player's Career

Library ISBN: 978-0-7660-3831-8
Paperback ISBN: 978-159845-299-0

Last night, New Orleans Saint superstar Drew Brees shattered the National Football League record for most passing yards in a single season. He surpassed the mark former Miami Dolphin quarterback Dan Marino set a generation ago. Brees' remarkable accomplishment generated an unusual amount of respectful recognition, including the very rare sight of assembled media applauding him before a post-game press conference.

Read About Drew Brees, Enslow Publishers's new biography of the NFL star, offers young readers a timely, uplifting look at his inspiring life and career. Author David J. Torsiello's engaging work delivers the basics about the Texas-born, Purdue University-educated Brees. Enslow also offers a teacher's guide for this 24-page title, including useful activities and a brief assessment tool. The book is included among the six titles in Enslow's Guided Reading "I" series "I Like Sports Stars."

Read About Drew Brees is available in paperback from Enslow Publishers for $6.95. A library-bound version is also available to schools and libraries for $15.95 (a 25% discount from Enslow's list price for its library-bound titles).

New NBA Player Bios Ready for Start of Pro Basketball Season

Read About Carmelo Anthony
Paperback: 978-1-59845-297-6
Library-Bound: 978-0-7660-3833-2

The pro basketball season starts on Christmas Day. That means young readers will ask for and avidly read biographies of their favorite NBA stars. To satisfy this demand, Enslow Publishers is offering a number of slam dunk bios of marquee basketball players. Two of these books -- Read About Carmelo Anthony and Read About Kobe Bryant -- focus on the lives and professional accomplishments of these high-profile stars. Author David P. Torsiello's well-written, Guided Reading Level "I" text brings each athlete's story into vivid relief. Color photos interspersed through each 24-page book provide extra excitement for readers.

The two books are part of Enslow's six-book "I Like Sports Stars!" series. Each title is available in paperback via Enslow Classroom for $6.95. Library-bound editions are available for $15.95; the price represents a 25% school/library discount from Enslow's list price.