Today is National D.E.A.R. Day! What will you be reading today?

Celebrated on author Beverly Cleary's birthday, April 12, National Drop Everything and Read Day is a special day to remind people to take time out of their daily routine to read. Here are some great resources to use with your young readers and a even a suggested reading list for families.

We're celebrating by sharing a small list of what we'll be reading today. What will you be reading?

Interesting Facts About F. Scott Fitzgerald On the 87th Anniversary of "The Great Gatsby's" Publication

Eighty-seven years ago today, Charles Scribner's Sons published F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. The book, and Fitzgerald himself, achieved something akin to legendary status. Distinguishing fact from legend with Fitzgerald and his work isn't always easy. Here are some facts that caught our attention:

• The author finished the book's first draft while living on the French Riviera
• The first draft was returned to Fitzgerald for substantial revision
• One of Fitzgerald's suggested titles for the book that eventually became Gatsby was Trimalchio in West Egg (don't ask)
• Fitzgerald lent Ernest Hemingway a copy of Gatsby.

More facts about F. Scott Fitzgerald were noted in a previous Enslow Publishers blog post. Do you know some notable facts about Fitzgerald? You're welcome to post it here. Meanwhile, you're invited to visit Enslow's website today to order our biographies of American authors!

Free book giveaway

Library ISBN 978-0-7660-3785-4
Paper ISBN 978-1-59845-375-1

One of our history series, Ye Yucky Middle Ages, was written because librarians told us that they were looking for books that would teach students about life in the middle ages, but yet had some fun illustrations. This series is great for reluctant readers and is available in both library binding and paperback.

What is the most requested topic you get from students? For our free book giveaway, like us on Facebook and leave a comment on Facebook, letting us know what topic is most requested. One winner will be chosen by random at the end of the week, and that person will receive a free copy of an Enslow book of their choice. The winner will be announced on Facebook on Monday!

Hunger Games Celebrities

We're currently busy working on biographies for our new series, Sizzling Celebrities, due out in the fall of 2013. We're excited to include biographies for film star, Jennifer Lawrence who plays Katniss in the Hunger Games movie and leading man, Josh Hutcherson who plays Peeta. Other biographies will include singing sensation, Adele, Demi Lovato, Drake, Logan Lerman, and actress, Emma Stone. Which celebrities would like to see new biographies about? We'd love to hear from you.

New Graphic Novel Series Coming This Fall

Looking for new graphic novels that will spark an interest in original classics? We are very excited to announce that we'll be debuting our first graphic novel series, Dark Graphic Novels, as part of our Fall 2012 list. Each title in this series adapts a different classic horror story using simplified language and vivid illustrations appropriate for your readers in grades 5–9.

Titles will include:
Chilling Tailes of Horror (ISBN: 978-0-7660-4085-4)
Dark Graphic Tales by Edgar Allan Poe (ISBN: 978-0-7660-4086-1)
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (ISBN: 978-0-7660-4084-7)

The Cutest Math Books the World Has Ever Seen

For Mathematics Awareness month, Enslow Publishers is proud to bring you what must be the cutest possible books for learning basic math. For children in 1st and 2nd grade, the "Puppy & Kitten Math" series, by Patrica J. Murphy, teaches children the basic math skills of Adding, Subtracting, Counting, Measuring, and Telling Time. Each 32 page book features adorable pictures of puppies and kittens inside of math tutorials and math problems. Click on a cover for more information about the book, or click here: "Puppy & Kitten Math" for information about the series.

Pre-K Readers Find Pot of Reading Gold With Enslow's "All About a Rainbow of Colors" Series

Purple Animals (ISBN: 978-0-7660-4000-7),
from Enslow's "All About a Rainbow of Colors" series.

Spring is the season when color returns to yards, parks, and landscapes. A child's joy in discovering spring's fresh look encourages them to read books in which vivid color is the hero. Enslow Publishers satisfies this need with its excellent Pre-K series "All About a Rainbow of Colors."

Designed for emerging readers, author Melissa Stewart's six-book "All About a Rainbow of Animals" ensemble presents beautiful full-color photographs of marine, terrestrial, or flying creatures with associated sight words and simple sentences. The books' large, readable text, 24-page length, and child-friendly size provide a warm "way in" for very young children to read about animals associated with a specific color. Each book also provides a "words to know" section useful for pre-reading activities.

Each book in "All About a Rainbow of Animals" is available in a library-bound edition for $15.95. The price represents a 25% school/library discount from Enslow's list price.

Super Silly Science Jokes

What better way is there to end the week than with some super silly science jokes? Here are some of our favorites from Mountains of Jokes About Rocks, Minerals, and Soil written by Melissa Stewart and illustrated by the super talented Gerald Kelley.

ISBN: 978-0-7660-3969-8

This title covers everything from rocks and minerals to the layers of the earth and erosion. There are so many fun facts packed into this 48-page book for grades 3–4 but we also left room for a few good jokes like these...

Q: What do rocks eat for dessert?
A: Marble cake!

Q: What does Earth have in common with an apple?
A: They both have a core.

Q: Why did the coprolite take a nap?
A: Because it was pooped!

It's no joke...these books are educational and FUN!

Open Your Spring Book Season With Enslow Sports Fiction Books

Library ISBN: 978-0-7660-3876-9
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-4644-0002-5

The first pitch of the major league baseball season will be thrown eight days from today. With Opening Day comes interest in books about baseball. In addition to the traditional nonfiction titles about America's pastime, young readers have shown an increasing desire to read fiction in which major sports, such as baseball, become part of a work's essential texture.

Enslow Publishers' new fiction series -- "A Champion Sports Story" -- meets that demand with wonderful, age-appropriate novels featuring popular sports. The 104-page titles include two books involving baseball and are suitable for readers in grades 3 to 6. Author Kris Rutherford's Batting Ninth features a young boy whose sense of determination leads him to overcome considerable odds in his desire to reach new athletic achievements and personality growth. In Rounding Third, Heading Home!, author David Aretha shows how a team's embrace of a positive attitude lifts their performance and their spirits.

Each title in "A Champion Sports Story" is available in paperback for $9.95 directly from Enslow Publishers. Each book is also available in library-bound editions for the school/library price of $19.95; that price represents a 25% discount from Enslow Publishers' list price for each title.

Happy Belated Birthday to Danica Patrick

We thought her 30th birthday was today, when it was yesterday. She was participating in the Nationwide race on Saturday, however it appears that she ran over some debris in the beginning of the race which punctured her radiator.

Celebrate World Poetry Day with a free preview of Poetry Rocks!

March 21st is World Poetry Day, and we'd like to offer you a sneak peek at one of our most popular series: "Poetry Rocks!". To see the first chapter of any book in the series, just follow this link: "Poetry Rocks!" and click on the incon that says "Look Inside Free Chapter" next to the picture of any book.

"Poetry Rocks!" is written for studens in Grades 9-12. Books in the series contain some of the most famous and memorable poems from great American, British, and World poets. Along with each poem, expert commentary, questions, and poet biographies give readers a full understanding of the poem's context and deeper meaning.

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.

Enslow at ASCD/Booth 549

Enslow Publishers is looking forward to meeting school supervisors and curricular specialists at the upcoming ASCD convention. The annual event will be held in Philadelphia this year, and begins on Saturday, March 24th. We invite participants to visit us at Booth 549 this weekend or on Monday, and discover the many Enslow books that address Common Core needs!

True Tales of the Wild West

Written for the reluctant reader, this six-title series includes true accounts of the pioneers of the Wild West. In Pioneering Women, author Jeff Savage examines Agnes Morley, Sacagawea, Narcissa Whitman, Calamity Jane, and more. In American Cowboys, the lives of these men are documented, from rounding up cattle to the end of a long drive. Quick-Draw Gunfighters discusses Jesse James, Billy the Kid, Butch Cassidy, and others. Rugged Gold Miners talks about the miners, prospectors, and families who went great distances to find gold. Fearless Scouts were those that opened up the West for others to follow. Daring Pony Express Riders traveled through all kinds of weather to bring mail from Missouri to California. All of these titles are available in both library and paperback editions.

Attending PLA and interested in reviewing Enslow books?

Then stop by booth # 640 and see what selections we have for you. Friday's choices (as long as supplies last) are Taylor Swift or Paper Crafts for the 4th of July.

Don't forget to enter our raffle to win a free 30-inch high stuffed bear.

Looking for book reviewers at PLA

Interested in reviewing a free book from Enslow Publishers? Thursday's selections (while supplies last) are The Devil's Door or There's a Rat in My Soup. Stop by booth # 640 to find out more and receive your review copy. Don't forget about our teddy bear raffle as well!

PLA Attendees interested in reviewing Enslow books

If you are interested in reviewing an Enslow book, stop by booth #640 to see how to do so. The two books available for review tomorrow are middle school titles Johnny Depp and Mummy Secrets Uncovered.

While supplies last, these are the two titles for Wednesday's giveaway. We will be giving away two more titles on Thursday and two more on Friday. Keep checking back!

"K9 Veterans Day" Celebrated Today

Today marks the day "K9 veterans" are acknowledged for their vital services in our communities. Young children are often quite aware of the working dogs they see or discover anecdotally. For librarians and teachers, the challenge is providing interesting, age-appropriate, factually solid books on the topic.

Enslow Publishers "Amazing Working Dogs with American Humane" addresses that need with on-target titles about these heroic canines. Author Linda Bozzo's six-title series introduces young readers to various service dogs through high-interest topics. Each 48-page book includes attractive full-color photos that provide visual reinforcement of the well-written text. Useful back matter, such as a glossary, a further reading list, and Internet addresses, are available for each title. Librarians, teachers, and parents can also feel assured about the books, as they were done with the approval of the American Humane Association.

Each title in the "Amazing Working Dogs with American Humane" is available in a library-bound edition for $17.95 when ordered directly from Enslow Publishers. That price, available to school and public library purchasers, represents a 25% discount from Enslow's list price.

Planning on attending PLA in Philadelphia?

If so, stop by booth #640 and find out how you can become an Enslow book reviewer and receive a free book. We are also having a raffle to win a free 30-inch-high stuffed bear, so stop by! We will also have copies of our new books for you to look at. Come back to our blog to see which review copies we will be giving away on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Wacky Weather?

Early spring? Wacky weather? Call it what you want but it was 70 degrees outside our offices yesterday.
But do you know why the Sun is glad to be almost 93 million miles away from Earth? Because Earth's atmosphere is so gassy! This is just one of the many funny jokes in our new title, Wacky Weather and Silly Season Jokes: Laugh and Learn About Science from our Super Silly Science Jokes series written by Melissa Stewart. Each chapter includes a page of interesting facts and explanations about different facets of the weather and the seasons, while each opposing page is sprinkled with a couple of jokes that pertain to the information provided in the chapter. There's even instructions for writing your own jokes included. Students can submit their original science jokes to Melissa Stewart at: mas@melissa-stewart.com including their first name and age and Melissa posts the best jokes on Fridays on her Celebrate Science blog.

ISBN: 978-0-7660-3971-1
School and Library Price: $17.95
Grades 3–4