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 Dr. Seuss!

Here is one of my favorite Dr. Seuss quotes, I think because I love to read so much.

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”

Do you have a favorite Dr. Seuss book or quote?

Congratulations to Enslow author Jeff Burlingame on his NAACP Image Award nomination!

Jeff's book, Malcolm X: "I Believe in the Brotherhood of Man, All Men" has been nominated in the category of Outstanding Literary Work - Youth/Teens. Voting ends soon, and the awards ceremony will be held on Friday, March 4, 2011 on the FOX network.


Written for the high school reader, this biography describes how the segregation and discrimination that existed during Malcolm's life affected and changed him, and how he fought to end such practices. His outspoken nature gained him many followers and supporters, and just as many enemies.

Robonaut 2 blasts off aboard the space shuttle Discovery

Robonaut 2, NASA's first human-like robotic astronaut is scheduled to be aboard the space shuttle Discovery when it blasts off into outer space today from Cape Canaveral, Florida. A joint project between NASA and General Motors, Robonaut 2 is designed to assist human astronauts aboard the International Space Station. The primary task of R2 (as it is called) is to demonstrate to engineers on the ground how humanoid robots behave in space. It is hoped that a humanoid robot may someday venture outside of the space station and assist it's human counterparts in performing maintenance and repair work, as well as assist in conducting scientific observations.

Robot Experiments, a new middle-school title from Enslow Publishers, shows how to build and program a robot. Written by Dr. Ed Sobey, it includes information on what's inside a robot, to sounds, controlling LEDs, and adding touch sensors.

Anniversary of the Siege of the Alamo

 The entire siege of the Alamo lasted 13 days, from February 23–March 6, 1836. Read more about the Alamo in Alamo: Victory or Death on the Texas Frontier 

and The Texas Fight for Independence–From the Alamo to San Jacinto. Both Enslow titles are for

grades 5–up.

On This Day in 1959, the First Daytona 500

Read here how the Daytona 500 changed Daytona Beach, Florida and the sport of NASCAR forever

Check out Enslow's Heroes of Racing series and our Wild Wheels! series both for reluctant readers who love the thrill of racing.

This series is also available in paperback

Anniversary of Elvis Presley's 1st hit on Billboard's top 10

On this day in 1956, Elvis Presley had his first Billboard top 10 hit with "Heartbreak Hotel."

The title song was written by Tommy Durden and Mae Boren Axton. It was released as a single on January 27, 1956. The song also became Presley's first million-seller, and the best-selling single of 1956. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1995 and in 2004 was named to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll."

Enslow's biography of Elvis Presley, written by John Micklos, Jr., is written for the high school market.

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week: Feb 20-26, 2011

Investigating Eating Disorders, a book written by Marylou Ambrose and Veronica Deisler discusses the difference between bulimia, anorexia, and binge eating, and gives students a place to turn if they think they may have an eating disorder. This award-winning title is perfect for high school students.

For education packets, activity ideas and guides, as well as other articles and materials, go to http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/ to find out more.

NY Mets David Wright Sure Bet for Opening Day

For many of us there's still snow covering the ground with no sign of spring but the New York Mets spring training got under way on Tuesday. There's still plenty of time and a lot can happen between now and Opening Day against the Marlins on April 1st but it's a pretty sure bet that David Wright will be in the lineup!

Science Books & Films awards

Six Enslow titles were recently awarded recognition by Science Books & Films. In the "Best Books for Children" category, Astonishing Ancient World Scientists was included.

Part of the Great Scientists and Famous Inventors series, this title includes information on eight scientists: Pythagoras, Hippocrates, Aristotle, Archimedes, Galen, Ptolemy, Zhang Heng, and al-Khwarizmi.


In the "Best Books for Junior High and High School Readers" category, five titeles were included.
 

Three of those titles are in the Investigating Diseases series. Investigating Depression and Bipolar Disorder discusses everything from the history of this disorder, to treatment options, and stories of real teens dealing with depression.
 
Investigating Diabetes answers teens' questions about the signs and symptoms, diagnostic tests, important prevention tips, and stories about real teens living with this disease.
 
Investigating Eating Disorders describes the difference between bulimia, anorexia, and binge eating.
 

In the Scientists Saving the Earth series, Who on Earth Is Rachel Carson? is another title to win this award. Called the mother of the environmental movement, Rachel Carson wrote The Silent Spring, which exposed the environmental harm done by pesticides and helped lead to restrictions on their use.
 

A title from the Score! Sports Science Projects series, Wheels! Science Projects with Bicycles, Skateboards, and Skates describes how bicycle gears work as well as teaches about the physics involved in favorite wheeled sports, whether it is cycling, skateboarding, or skating.

Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1

A preview shot  of Isle Esme from the upcoming film Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 was released yesterday for Valentine's Day. The much anticipated film is due to open in theatres on November 18th.

Students will enjoy reading about author Stephenie Meyer in Enslow's book, Stephenie Meyer: Author of the Twilight Saga. You'll want to have this title ready on your library shelf in time for the release of the movie.

Free Valentine's Day craft

Fun Valentine's Day fact: Did you know that nearly one billion valentine cards are exchanged every year in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia?

Want to make a lacy heart card for your valentine?

What you will need:
white office paper
red office paper or construction paper
scissors
hole punch (optional)
white glue
markers or crayons

1. Put a sheet of white paper and a sheet of red paper together. Fold the papers in half. Cut a half-heart shape. Unfold. You now have two paper hearts.
2. Fold the white heart in half lengthwise. Cut designs along the edge. Cut small hearts, flowers, or other shapes in the paper. Use a hole punch to create designs if you wish.
3. Glue the white heart to the red heart. Let dry.
4. Use markers or crayons to write your special valentine message.

That's it! This craft can be found in Paper Crafts for Valentine's Day, part of Enslow's Paper Craft Fun for Holidays series, written by Randel McGee. This title is available in both a library binding and paperback.

Congratulations to the January 2011 raffle winner!

Congratulations to Marsha from Chatfield Public Schools in Minnesota for winning Enslow's drawing for free books!

Justin Bieber Biography

If you have a Justin Bieber fan in your house and even if you don't, you're probably aware that the Justin Bieber movie "Never Say Never" opens in theaters today. But did you know that Enslow has a new Justin Bieber book on our 2011 fall title list? Justin Bieber:Teen Music Superstar explores the singer's road to fame. This fun book offers juicy quotes, personal stories, and accessible features such as a timelime and glossary. This 48-page book for grades 5–9 will be part of our Hot Celebrity Biographies series perfect for your reluctant readers and will be availabe in both library binding and paperback.

It's Dental Health Month!

I know this is a stretch, but I had to blog about this upcoming Enslow title. I think the entire series is wonderful, but this book is the closest to the subject matter. It's called Don't Let the Barber Pull Your Teeth, and will be available in the fall of 2011.

It discusses how medicine was practiced in the Middle Ages, including how barbers were the ones who performed surgery, pulled teeth, set bones, stitched cuts, etc., because they were the ones who had sharp scissors and knives. Imagine that! Did barbers go to medical school? Of course not!

Another interesting tidbit about barbers: did you know that barber poles were used as advertisements for barbers? They would wrap bloody rags around the pole, or put a bowl of blood in the window. The barbers learned their craft from looking at books that contained diagrams of which veins to cut to heal each part of the body. It was thought that too much blood in one part of the body led to an imbalance. By draining blood from the sick part of the body, balance would be restored.

Great for reluctant readers, this series also includes Sweaty Suits of Armor, There's a Rat in My Soup, and Ye Castle Stinketh. Look for them this fall!

25th Annual Celebration of National Girls & Women in Sports Day

The National Association for Girls and Women in Sports celebrates the 25th annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day with this year's theme, "Play, Believe, Achieve."

To celebrate Enslow is featuring our Danica Patrick: Racing to History title from our Heroes of Racing series.

Millions of sports fans know the name Danica Patrick—even if they've never watched an indy car race before. As a female driver, Patrick has broken ground for her consistent performances behind the wheel. In 2008, she won the Indy Japan 300, becoming the first woman to win in an Indy Car race.

For grades 5–9, this 128-page book is perfect for reluctant readers.

Many Not Ready for College

This article, Most New York Students Not College-Ready in yesterday's paper caught my eye. Last year Enslow put together a list of remedial books intended for use by college freshman that several community colleges have found very helpful. If you think this list may be helpful to your college or students, please email us and we will be happy to provide you with a list of Enslow books that are being used by those students struggling with their transition from high school to college.

Happy Birthday, Mr. President

February is the month our nation celebrates the birthdays of two presidents: Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. Both iconic leaders loom large in schools' American history curricula. For teachers, one challenge has been to place these figures in context without trivializing their significance or overwhelming students with unmanageable detail.

Books from Enslow's intriguing American history series "What Would You Do?" provides solution for that pedagogical dilemma. Author Elaine Landau's six-title series is structured to foster a variety of teaching needs, including small group exploration, whole group activity, or individual work. Each book's 48-page length, excellent illustrations, and Guided Reading Level "O" content helps create the conditions for a successful reading experience. Landau also combines speculative opportunities for students within her narrative to encourage critical thinking development. Free, downloadable teacher's guides, which includes activities in all curricular areas, are available for all books in this series.

The Emancipation Proclamation: Would You Do What Lincoln Did? drives readers to consider the Union's situation and Lincoln's options as he considered this freedom-giving declaration. George Washington Crosses the Delaware: Would You Risk the Revolution? presents the historical moment and decisions Washington faced to maintain the struggle for American independence. Both books are available in paperback from Enslow Classroom for $7.95 per title. Library-bound editions for these titles are also available.

Joke Day Friday!

Today's jokes are going to center around football. Taken from Sports Jokes to Tickle Your Funny Bone, this title is now available!

Which football game do cats like to watch? The Goldfish Bowl.

Fun Fact: In the National Football League, teams play for the championship in the Super Bowl. In Canada, the championship game is called the Grey Cup. There are some differences between the games in the United States and Canada. The playing field in Canada is larger. It is 110 yards long. In the United States, the difference between the end zones is 100 yards. In order to get a first down, teams in the United States have four tries, while teams in Canada have three tries.

Fun Fact: The Heisman Trophy goes to the top college football player every year. The only player to win the award twice was Archie Griffin of Ohio State University. He won it in both 1974 and 1975. Eight Heisman Trophy winners were good enough to be voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. They are Marcus Allen, Earl Campbell, Tony Dorsett, Paul Hornung, Barry Sanders, O. J. Simpson, Roger Staubach, and Doak Walker.

Free Chinese New Year Craft

According to the Chinese calendar, today marks the start of the Year of the Rabbit. Do you know why people wear red, why children receive money in red envelopes, or why some people paint the doors to their houses red? Red is a color that is supposed to scare away bad luck and bring good luck. This and many other interesting facts about Chinese New Year along with fun counting exercises are included in our title Chinese New Year: Count and Celebrate for grades 1–3.

If you're looking for a fun craft to celebrate the New Year, here's instructions on how to make a Dragon Streamer Puppet from our Chinese New Year Crafts book.

What you will need:

• construction paper
• bright fluffy feathers or bright tissue paper
• crepe paper in bright colors
• scissors
• glue
• wiggle eyes

1. Pick a piece of construction paper in a bright color. Fold the paper in half. Cut the corners opposite the
    fold to make them round. This is the dragon's head.

2. To make the dragon's mane, glue fluffy feathers along the folded edge or use fringed tissue paper. Cut   
    construction paper about 2 inches wide and about the same width of the dragon's head. Cut long, curving
    points to look like eyebrows. Glue in place to cover the ends of the feathers.

3. Cut two half-circles of paper for the eyes. Glue wiggle eyes to the half-circles. Glue some feather fluff to
    the backs of the eyes to make eyelashes. Glue the eyes below the eyebrows. Cut two shapes for nostrils.
    Glue in place.

4. For the dragon's whiskers, glue narrow feathers behind the nostrils. Cut six strips of crepe paper about 3
    feet long. Glue to the underside near the folded edge, overlapping the strips. Cut a strip of paper about 1
    inch wide and about the width of the head. Fold 1 inch under on either end. Glue the folded tabs to the
    underside of the head and let dry. This is the handle for your puppet. Glue long strips of tissue paper under
    the bottom "lip" of the dragon to form the dragon's beard.

5. Let everything dry completely. When the puppet is ready, hold it by the handle and make it dance around!