September 12, 2011

Today is National Video Game Day!


Library ISBN 978-0-7660-3450-1
Grades 3-4
 One day, a television engineer named Ralph Baer began to wonder whether our TVs would be able to play games with us. His experiments led to the development of the first video game console, marketed by Magnavox as Odyssey. Honored by President George W. Bush as the father of video games, Baer is still at work developing new ideas.

Part of the "Genius at Work! Great Inventor Biographies", other titles in this elementary series include biographies on W. K. Kellogg, Les Paul, George Ferris, Igor Sikorsky, Vivien Thomas, James Naismith, Stephanie Kwolek, and more!

September 09, 2011

Friendship Plays an Important Role in Young People's Lives

Library Edition: ISBN 978-0-7660-3442-6
School/Library Price: $23.95


Having friends can help you handle tough times. You can talk
about what you are going through and ask for advice. By the
time you are a teen, there are some things you don’t want to
discuss with your parents. That is normal. That’s where your
friends come in. They may be experiencing some of the same
things you are, so they understand what you are going through.
Just talking to a friend often will make you feel better. You will
feel less alone and less vulnerable.

Enslow's new title Friendship: A How-to Guide has arrived just in time for students heading back to school. Many students may be facing a new community, a new school, or even just new people in their classes. This how-to guide will help young adults learn about different types of friendships, cliques, making new friends, and it even gives advice about bullying.

September 08, 2011

Celebrate International Literacy Day!


Chinese Mythology Rocks!
ISBN (Library Bound):  978-0-7660-3898-1
ISBN (Paperback):  978-1-59845-330-0

     The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognizes International Literacy Day today, September the 8th, and this year the focus is on literacy and peace.  The purpose of the day is to raise people’s awareness of literacy issues in the world. One great way to recognize literacy throughout different cultures is by reading Enslow’s new titles in our Mythology Rocks series. Since myths are stories of a people, they appear all over the world-telling narratives of their unique cultures. They were first told orally and then eventually written down so different cultures could read about their history-thus promoting literacy worldwide!
     African Mythology Rocks!, Celtic Mythology Rocks!, Chinese Mythology Rocks!, Gods and Goddesses in Greek Mythology Rock!, Heroes in Greek Mythology Rock!, and Maya and Aztec Mythology Rocks! are all new titles in this series for the fall.  Each library bound title is $31.93, at an interest level of grades six and up.  Check out these titles and see how literacy advanced internationally!

September 06, 2011

Florida Reading Association Conference/Exclusive Offer -- Free Books With Purchase!

To celebrate the Florida Reading Association's 2011 Conference, Enslow Publishers is offering Florida educators an exclusive deal on our leveled, correlated PK-12 classroom paperbacks!

Here's the offer: Enslow will include a free classroom paperback "six-pack" of Seeds Sprout (a $41.40 value), from our popular K-3 "I Like Plants" STEM series, with every $150 paperback purchase!

Teachers/administrators from the same school may combine paperback orders to reach the $150 threshold. Offer available only to Florida PK-12 teachers and administrators.

Orders (including POs) must be received by Enslow no later than October 14, 2011 to qualify for the offer. Shipping and processing, if needed, do not count toward the minimum net value for your purchase. Offer may not be combined with other Enslow promotions.

For more information about Enslow's classroom paperbacks, visit our website: www.enslowclassroom.com/. To order, call our customer service team at 800.398.2504, and mention Offer T21.

Have a great conference!

September 05, 2011

Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer and the beginning of the school year

Labor day is a time to get ready to return to school. Some schools have already started. Here's a book about the history of schools and what they might look like in the future. This title is part of the "Imagining the Future" series.

One hundred years ago, some kids traveled to school on horseback. One hundred years from today, they may get there in buses that fly! Author Linda Bozzo shows young readers how the schools of the past looked and encourages them to think about change over time and what schools may be like in the future. Uses vintage historical photos and colorful, humorous drawings to encourage young imaginations!

September 02, 2011

Stressful Times

The recent earthquake...stressful. Hurricane Irene...stressful. No power...stressful. But adults are not the only ones dealing with stress right now. Ahhhhh!

Going back to school for students can be very stressful. Juggling homework, sports, jobs, and whatever else life throws at them can make them feel overwhelmed. Most young adults do not yet have the tools to deal with stress. That's where our new title, Dealing with Stress: A How-to-Guide, can be helpful. Students will learn the effects stress has on the body, the different types of stress (not all stress is bad), coping skills, and how to manage stress along with links to additional resources such as Teen Help. This title not only contains great information for students but I would recommend parents reading it as well. There's some great tips for everyone but as a parent of a teenage daughter, it was helpful in explaining stress from a teen's perspective so I can be more sensitive to what she's going through at this time in her life. Afterall, it's been a while and the world has changed drastically since I was a teen. Counselors will benefit as well from having this book on their shelves to share with their students and parents.
ISBN: 978-0-7660-3439-6
Grades 6–up
Enslow Publishers wishes everyone a safe and stress-free holiday weekend. Enjoy!

September 01, 2011

On this date in 1939, World War II began as Nazi Germany invaded Poland

Adolf Hitler, leader of Nazi Germany, ordered his army to invade Poland on September 1, 1939, igniting World War II in Europe. This bloody conflict ravaged Europe and millions of people died. Generals Dwight Eisenhower and George Patton led the United States armed forces across the Atlantic, helping the Allies claim victory. From the beaches of Normandy to the streets of Berlin, author R. Conrad Stein examines the important battles, the men and women who fought the war, and how this conflict changed the world.

August 31, 2011

Molly the Great Helps Kids Go Back to School


       
Molly the Great Misses the Bus
ISBN (Library Bound):  978-0-7660-3518-8
ISBN (Paperback):  978-0-7660-3743-4
It’s September! And it’s back to school time! Enslow’s series, Character Education with Super Ben and Molly the Great written by Shelley Marshall, has eight terrific titles for children in kindergarten through the third grade to help with the transition. Molly the Great Misses the Bus is one title that will surely help with back to school jitters as it addresses being on time as well as being considerate of others.
     Super Ben wants to show off his new outfit and for him, making it to school on time is important. Molly, on the other hand, seems to find last minute things to do causing them to be late for the bus. This is a great story to share with early elementary age children to help them prepare for their new school schedules and activities.
     Other titles in the series available in library bound and paperback editions include:  Molly the Great Respects the Flag, Molly the Great Tells the Truth, Molly the Great's Messy Bed, Super Ben Writes a Letter, Super Ben's Brave Bike Ride, Super Ben's Broken Cookie, and Super Ben's Dirty Hands.  Each title has 24 pages and features color illustrations.  Library Bound titles are priced at $21.26 and Paperback editions are $6.95.

August 30, 2011

Writing Series Sharpens Essential Skills

Students who write well are much more likely to be academically successful than those with average writing ability. The question is how can students reach higher writing achievement levels. Generally, they expand their writing repertoire through continuous experience, useful exercises such as those found in the Owl Purdue Online Writing Lab, and targeted feedback.

Enslow Publishers' new "Sharpen Your Writing Skills" series offers a tool box for students looking to improve their written work. Each 64-page title focuses on an academically significant area, such as reports, essays, and debates. The books provide guidance and examples in clear, age-appropriate language. Their positive, upbeat tone and playful illustrations help encourage and engage students in the various writing activities the books present. The books also offer strong value, as their content and purpose are consistent with 21st Century classroom needs.

Each title is available in paperback for $7.95; library-bound editions are also available to schools and libraries for $20.95 per copy (a 25% discount from Enslow's list price).

August 29, 2011

Aftermath of Hurricane Irene

The Enslow home office is quiet today. Most people had a hard time getting to the office or couldn't even get here because of the roads. Others have flooded basements and damage from trees. Some of the rivers are still rising and overflowing their banks.

We made sure to lift computers off the ground on Friday as a precaution. The office itself is in good shape. Luckily our building does not have a second floor, but we do have a flat roof, which can be a problem.

It's after events like this, that I look for some interesting facts and tidbits to pull from Enslow books. I just read in Hurricanes that if a named storm causes a tremendous amount of damage, that name is then retired and will not be used again. Created by meteoroligists, the names list are common first names in the languages of the regions where the storms strike.

One of the chapters in the book has sub-headings of whipping winds, storm surges, heavy rains, and tornadoes. Each of those things occurred in every state that was hit by Irene, except Vermont.

August 26, 2011

National Dog Day

Enslow is celebrating National Dog Day by posting photos of our some of our staff's favorite dogs. Enjoy and remember to give a dog a hug today!

"Romeo" Stacey, Editorial

"Remi" Chris, Marketing
"Jazz" Tim, Classroom Sales
"Lacey" Adrienne, Accounting


"Dexter" Nicole, Editorial
"Brody" Linda, Customer Service

"Boomer" Carmen, Accounting

August 25, 2011

Angelina Jolie Directs with Heart


Angelina Jolie:  Celebrity with Heart
ISBN:  978-0-7660-3403-7
Library Bound:  $23.95
 One of the titles in our Celebrities with Heart series, Angelina Jolie: Celebrity with Heart, talks about how Jolie’s brother would point a video camera in her direction then call out, "Come on, Angie, give us a show!" This time she will be the one behind the camera with her upcoming movie, In the Land of Blood and Honey, which will be released in December of this year. Not only will this be the screen actress’ directorial debut, but she also wrote this love story that takes place in the middle of the Bosnian Civil War during the 1990’s. Enslow’s biography on this talented star discusses her work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in depth and gives insight into her personal concern for those affected by war all over the world. This 128-page, perceptive account of Jolie’s personal, humanitarian, and professional ambitions, written by Michael A. Schuman, is an enjoyable read for grades 6 and up!

August 24, 2011

3 Things You Didn't Know About Earthquakes


Many of us at Enslow Publishers end up with massive piles of books in our workspaces. When the earthquake hit, I was pleased to see that my own tower of books swayed from side to side, but did not collapse. In honor of this (relatively) unusual event, I would like to present you with:


3 Things You Didn't Know About Earthquakes!





Alvin Silverstein, Virginia Silverstein and Laura Silverstein Nunn

ISBN 978-0-7660-2975-0


1. There are two very different ways that Earthquakes are commonly measured: The Richter Scale and the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale. The more familiar Righter Scale measures the energy released by an earthquake, while the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale measures the earthquake's effects, not its actual power. Any earthquake can have only one Richter scale rating, but it can have many Modified Mercalli Scale ratings: this is because a Mercalli Scale measurement can be given for any place where the effects of the earthquake was felt, while the Richter Scale measurement is only given for the earthquake itself.

2. The first seismograph, an instrument for detecting earthquakes, was invented in 132 A.D. by Chang Heng, a Chinese scholar. While modern seismographs can display the intensity of an earthquake's seismic waves, Chang Heng's seismograph would show an observer the direction that an earthquake came from. Chang Heng's seismograph consisted of a pendulum surrounded by eight dragon heads, each with a ball in its mouth. Each dragon head had a corresponding toad statue with an open mouth under it. When an earthquake hit, the pendulum would swing in the direction that the earthquake came from and knock a ball into the toad's mouth under it. An observer could see which toad statue had a ball in it and know that the earthquake came from the direction it pointed in.

3. Scientists are still unable to accurately predict earthquakes. While methods for measuring earthquakes have improved, and though the forces that cause earthquakes are well understood, there are still no methods for accurately predicting an earthquake.

If you'd like to know more about earthquakes, or many other natural disasters, check out our series: "The Science Behind Natural Disasters".




August 23, 2011

Seasonal Color Books for Emerging and First Readers

We're about to enter the cusp of the summer and autumn seasons. In the coming weeks, Nature's color patterns will gradually shift, providing excellent opportunities for very young readers to identify everyday elements of the world around them. As color is an essential door to developing children's perception, on-target books that engage kids are valuable educational tools.

Enslow Publishers' new "All About Colors of the Seasons" series offers a useful "way in" for emerging readers to expand their awareness of colors and the seasons. Each title in author Brian Enslow's four-book series focuses on a specific season and its traditional color associations. Full-color photos from real-life contexts, carefully chosen vocabulary, and attractive font sizes make the reading experience fun and enriching. The books' Guided Reading Level "B" content is appropriate for new readers. The books also come in a 6" x 7" trim size suitable for young children.

Paperback editions of "All About Colors of the Seasons" are available for $6.95 per title. Library-bound versions are available for $15.95 (price reflects a 25% school/library discount). Both versions are available now from Enslow Publishers!

August 22, 2011

Interview with Sara Latta

Laura Crawford from the blog Wild About Nature interviewed Sara Latta on Saturday about her writing habits, how she comes up with her ideas, and what she has learned in doing her research. Sara's lastest series for Enslow, True Forensic Crime Stories, is a 6-book series covering titles on bones, cybercrime, DNA and blood, fingerprints, gun crimes, and trace evidence. Sara wrote Bones, Cybercrime, and DNA and Blood.

Written for the middle school market, these titles would appeal to students who have an interest in learning about the science behind solving crimes. This series is available in both library and paperback editions.

August 19, 2011

Weird But True Science

Did you know a sneeze travels up to 100 miles per hour or that cave salamanders live deep in caves where there is no light so they don't have eyes? It may be weird, but it's true! Enslow's new series Weird But True Science for grades K–3 is sure to grab your student's interest with its weird, unusual, and true topics.


Titles in this six-book series include, Weird But True Animal Homes, Weird But True Food, Weird But True Human Body Facts, Weird But True Rocks, Weird But True Space Facts, Weird But True Weather.





August 18, 2011

There's a Rat in My Soup!

Library: 978-0-7660-3785-4
Paperback: 978-1-59845-375-1
Can you imagine going to a restaurant, ordering a whole turkey for your family (as an example) and then when the waitress/waiter brings your turkey to you, the cook has stuck the skin, feathers, head, feet, and other parts back onto the turkey to make it look like it's alive! To shock guests, cooks would sew the head of one animal onto the body of another before serving. The head of a rooster would be sewn onto the body of a baby pig!

Animal parts were not wasted. Internal organs, feet, necks, even pig ears and cow udders were eaten! Gelatin was made from boiled calves' feet and then cooked fish were placed in the gelatin to make it look like they were swimming!

Written for reluctant readers, this title, and the three others in the series, Don't Let the Barber Pull Your Teeth, Sweaty Suits of Armor, and Ye Castle Stinketh are available in both library and paperback editions.

August 17, 2011

Congratulations to the winner of Enslow's July raffle!

Alicia from Pendleton Community Library in Indiana has won $100 in free books from Enslow!

August 16, 2011

Brees, Brady, Mannings Highlight Enslow Fall NFL Player Biographies

Enslow Publishers is welcoming the 2011-12 pro football season with new biographies of leading NFL stars. Among them are 48-page books on New England Patriot star Tom Brady and the Indianapolis Colts' new $90 million dollar man, Peyton Manning. Both titles are included in Enslow's high-interest "Sports Stars Who Care" series, in which each athlete's philanthropic activities are included in a discussion of their lives and careers. Paperback editions of each book in this six-book series are available for $7.95; library-bound editions are $17.95 per title (including 25% school/library discount).


"I Like Sports Stars," a new Enslow series for younger readers, includes a biography of New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, Peyton's talented younger brother. Both Mannings were born and raised in New Orleans, yet neither one has played for the city's NFL Saints. That position belongs to Drew Brees, the subject of author David Torsiello's 24-page biography. The Brees biography, along with other books in the six-title "I Like Sports Stars" series, is available for $6.95 per book (paperback) and $15.95 per book (library edition, including 25% school/library discount).


August 15, 2011

Today is V-J Day

Library: 978-0-7660-3640-6
Grades 5–up
On this day in 1945 the Allies proclaimed today V-J Day, one day after Japan agreed to surrender unconditionally.

World War II in the Pacific: From Pearl Harbor to Nagasaki starts with the attack at Pearl Harbor and ends with the news that was announced on August 15 in reference to Japan's surrender.

Author R. Conrad Stein explores the historic carrier-based naval battles, the "island hopping" campaigns, the home front, and the beginning of the atomic age.