Today would have been Rachel Carson's birthday

For grades 1–3, author Mary Dodson Wade explores Rachel Carson's life in this biography for beginning readers. Learn how Carson wrote about the environment after her experiences working as a marine biologist. Her books still influence environmentalists today.

Bold. Pioneering. These adjectives describe Rachel Carson who is one of the most important figures of the twentieth-century environmental movement. The author of the book Silent Spring, Carson exposed the environmental harm done by pesticides and helped lead to restrictions on their use. This biography, for grades 6 and up, covers the life and work of Rachel Carson who has been called the mother of the environmental movement.

Three Enslow Books for Women's History Month

Women's History Month offers 31 days of opportunity for young readers to explore this important topic. Enslow Publishers offers excellent, age-appropriate informational texts in which strong, interesting women and historical episodes central to women's history figure prominently. Among the many suitable Enslow titles are these three books:

• Amazing Champion of the Earth Rachel Carson -- A 24-page biography of Carson, whose work forms a keystone for environmental awareness. Her life story, as told by author Mary Dodson Wade, is an inspiring one, embracing American history, ecological scholarship, and women's history. The biography, part of Enslow's "Amazing Americans" series, is available from Enslow in a library-bound edition for $15.95; that price represents a 25% school/library discount from Enslow's list price.

• Women of the Civil War Through Primary Sources -- A new, 48-page title that provides essential, yet accessible material on women's key role during the conflict. Well-chosen illustrations and black-and-white photos dovetail with the essential, accessible text. The book, included in Enslow's "The Civil War Through Primary Sources" series, is available for $17.95; that price is a 25% school/library discount from Enslow's list price.

• Toni Morrison: A Biography of a Nobel Prize-Winning Writer -- Author Barbara Kramer's 104-page work provides an insightful, interesting look at Morrison's life and career. The AR 7.4 reading level and useful backmatter make this new title a possible companion for young readers exploring Morrison's fascinating fiction. Kramer's book, part of the "African-American Icons" series, is available from Enslow Publishers for $19.95; that price represents a 25% school/library discount from Enslow's list price.

These books are also available from your preferred vendor, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon.

Spring Invites Students to Enjoy Hands-On Learning About Plants

With spring officially here, the season offers many opportunities for elementary students to learn about the plant kingdom. Teachers can dovetail hands-on activities and field trips with strong, age-appropriate books from Enslow Publishers. Author Mary Dodson Wade's "I Like Plants!" series introduces young readers to life cycles, trees, flowers, seeds, and other aspects of the world of plants. The six-title collection offers Guided Reading Levels "L" or "M" content reinforced by attractive design and attractive, full-color photographs. Each 24-page book includes an experiment to promote inquiry skills, a further reading list, and a focused list of useful "words to know."

"I Like Plants" is available in paperback from Enslow Classroom. Individual paperback titles in this series are $6.95; a complete six-title series is $41.70. The series is also available in a library-bound version.

Are your students asking questions about the earthquake and tsunami that occurred in Japan?

For those students who are asking questions about earthquakes and tsunamis, two titles will help them understand.

Earthquakes, written for the reluctant reader, examines what causes an earthquake, how scientists measure them, and provides tips to stay safe during this natural disaster. The well-respected authors also explore the dangerous aftermaths of earthquakes including landslides, fires, and tsunamis.

Tsunami, also written for the reluctant reader, discusses one particular tsunami that occurred in Hawaii on April 1, 1946, and took the lives of 150 people. That particular tsunami was one of the worst in the state's history. Author Mary Dodson Wade also explains the geophysics of tsunamis and how scientists predict future tsunami events.

Today would have been the birthday of C. S. Lewis

The author of "The Chronicles of Narnia" would have celebrated his birthday today.

Interested in learning more about C. S. Lewis? Click here.

Amazing Americans Series Review in SLJ

"Is it possible to condense the life of any person into approximately 40 sentences? This is what Wade attempts to do in these early-reader biographies...." as reviewed in School Library Journal (February 2010). All books written by Mary Dodson Wade and included in the review are:

Amazing Arctic Explorer Matthew Henson,
Amazing Champion of the Earth Rachel Carson,
Amazing Cherokee Writer Sequoyah,
Amazing Civil War Nurse Clara Barton,
Amazing Olympic Athlete Wilma Rudolph,
Amazing President Theodore Roosevelt.

Today would have been Matthew Henson's birthday

Amazing Arctic Explorer Matthew Henson
Author: Mary Dodson Wade
ISBN-13: 978-0-7660-3286-6
Publication Year: 2009
Interest Level: Grades 1-3
Page Count: 24

Amazing Arctic Explorer Matthew Henson explores the life of the man who went with Robert Peary to the North Pole. Because he was African American, his contributions to the North Pole expeditions were largely ignored for a number of years. Young readers will be interested in this amazing American.

On this day in history

Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross.

Known as "the Angel of the Battlefield" during the American Civil War, author Mary Dodson Wade explores the life of Clara Barton in this biography for beginning readers. Read about Barton's early jobs as a teacher and in a government office, and how she created the American Red Cross.

For middle school readers, Don Nardo explores the life of Clara Barton, from her days as a ground-breaking teacher to her creation of the American Red Cross.

On this day in history

Explorers Robert E. Peary and Matthew A. Henson became the first men to reach the North Pole on April 6, 1909.