Newsletter April 2009

Print Newsletter April 2009 (340 KB)

Dear Subscriber,

What's New

>> The following are among those articles and features revised over the past month.

New pictures:
A worker drying coffee beans in Brazil
Ant fossil in amber
Chinese giant salamander
How a fluorescent lamp works
Metabolism
Papyrus
Snow leopard
Tapeworm segments
New articles:
Christina Aguilera
Chinese giant salamander
Gemini (constellation)
Pegasus (constellation)
New dictionary entries:
biopiracy
postnup
stoked
wushu
Revised articles:
Adelaide Festival
Albany (Australia)
All Blacks
Alphabet
Constitution of Australia
Dust
Fermentation
Geochemistry
Henry V (play)
Heath Ledger
Orbit
Sunspot
Velociraptor

>> What's New to World Book Discover -
"World Book Explains" video series:

Health and Medical

How does an inhaler prevent an asthmatic attack?
How do we know that the food we eat is safe?
How does food stay safe from the field to the grocery store?
Is genetically engineered food bad for you?

World History

How did Japan rise to power before World War II?
Who was the first emperor of China?
What tools did Arctic people use to survive?
Why did Egyptians mummify their dead?
How far had Greek culture spread?
How did the people of Pompeii die?
What type of clothing did the Polynesians wear?
What is a Maori meeting house?
When did the first aborigines arrive in Australia?
Did the Aztecs really practice human sacrifice?
Why did Mayan look so weird?
Was there a real Lion King?

Animals

Why do dolphins follow boats?
Why do whales beach themselves?
What types of whales are there?
How do scientists rescue whales?
Why do we get our milk from cows?
How much milk do cows produce?
Why do pigs get so fat?
Do sheep get cold when you save off their wool?
What's the smartest animal in the barnyard?
How are farmers raising animals in a humane way?
Do farm animals get along with each other?
Do animals have personalities?
Do animals have emotions?
Do veterinarians specialize in treating certain animals?
How do veterinarians diagnose animals?
Is it easier for veterinarians to treat large animals or small animals?

Science and Nature

What’s the difference between a fruit and a vegetable?
How does a plant know to grow up instead of down?
What’s the hardest part of farming?
What’s the most difficult crop to grow?
Do all plants need soil to grow?
How do farmers protect crops against insects?
What is a genetically engineered food?
What is ethanol?
How can plants be used as fuel?
How is farming different now than it was 100 years ago?
Is food irradiation safe?
Why do oceans have salt water?
What causes tides?
How is global warming affecting marine life?
Will we ever run out of fish to catch?

If you are not already a subscriber to World Book Discover, this innovative online product is available for a free trial.

Early Peoples Digital Library

Explore the history of such ancient cultures as the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Australian Aborigines, Maori, and Chinese, among others, in this expansive online reference collection. For a free trial and further information click here.

Living Green Digital Library

In this comprehensive site, students explore environmental issues and current efforts to reduce human impact on the environment. For a free trial and further information click here.

Hints & Tips

>> Super Home Page
The Super Home Page has now been upgraded to include the new World Book Digital Libraries.

>> NEW! Scavenger Hunt for World Book Student
This is a wonderful way for students to become familiar with all the options offered and to explore World Book Student. Print your PDF version below.

Australia:

New Zealand:

Important Dates & Events

April 1 - April Fools' Day in many countries.
April 2, 1805 - Hans Christian Andersen, Danish fairy-tale writer, born.
April 4, 1968 - Martin Luther King, Jr., American civil rights leader, shot dead.
April 7, 1770 - William Wordsworth, English poet, born.
April 9, 1806 - Isambard Kingdom Brunel, British engineer, born.
April 12, 1961 - Yuri Gagarin, Soviet astronaut, became the first person to orbit the earth.
April 15, 1452 - Leonardo da Vinci, Italian painter, sculptor, and scientist, born.
April 15, 1883 - Stanley Bruce, Australian statesman, born.
April 15, 1912 - British ocean liner Titanic struck iceberg and sank.
April 19, 1984 - Advance Australia Fair proclaimed Australia's National Anthem.
April 21, 1816 - Charlotte Bronte, English novelist, born.
April 22 - Earth Day celebrated in many countries.
April 22, 1870 - V.I. Lenin, first dictator of the Soviet Union, born. (April 10 on the Russian calendar then in use.)
April 22, 1917 - Sidney Nolan, Australian artist, born.
April 23 - St George's Day
April 23, 1896 - First public showing of a motion picture.
April 24, 1846 - Marcus Clarke, Australian writer, born.
April 25 - ANZAC Day, commemorating the Gallipoli landings by Australian and New Zealand troops during World War I, 1915.
April 27, 1791 - Samuel Morse, inventor of the telegraph, born.
April 28, 1789 - Mutiny against British naval captain William Bligh on his ship, the Bounty.
April 28, 1795 - Charles Sturt, British explorer of Australia, born.
April 30, 1975 - Vietnam War ended.
May 1 - May Day (International Labor Day).
May 2, 1729 - Catherine the Great of Russia, born.
May 3, 1841 - New Zealand was proclaimed a separate colony.
May 6, 1840 - First postage stamp issued in England.
May 6, 1937 - Airship Hindenburg blew up and burned.

ERA CONSORTIA MEMBERS
Please note that ERA World Book Web subscription renewals occur on June 30, 2009. We will be sending invoices for your 2009/2010 subscription in May 2009 unless you have taken up the option to extend your subscription to December 31, 2009 or June 30, 2010.

Could you please email Jennifer Rodrigues at jrodrigues@worldbook.com.au with your current student population for your school.

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