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== Ideas and proposals == |
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Hello! I am new to Wikipedia, so please bare with me. I currently work for World Book, Inc. and am declaring my conflict of interest. My intentions are to provide information to improve the quality of the World Book article. I am relying on your help and assistance and will not edit this page directly. I've compiled a more comprehensive history of the company below as well more information on the online and digital products that now comprise a high percentage of the business and new additions to the company including Incentive Publications and Bright Connections Media. |
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Founded in 1915, World Book, Inc. is a publisher of reference and instructional materials for children and adults in both print and digital format. It is based in Chicago, Illinois. |
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Well-known for it’s encyclopedia, The World Book Encyclopedia, which was first published in 1917, World Book quickly became well-known in the school, library, and home markets. World Book also publishes series nonfiction for the K-12 market, covering history, science, geography, and other curricular basics. With the rise in popularity of online information and digital resources, World Book created what it currently calls the World Book Web, a collection of 23 specialized subscription websites designed for a wide range of ages which now includes World Book eBooks, a digital reading platform offering access to World Book titles in eBook format. World Book also publishes children’s non-fiction and picture books under the Bright Connections Media imprint, and educational development and supplemental instructional resources through Incentive Publications by World Book. |
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Print and digital products are distributed to schools and libraries exclusively by a sales team, which has field representatives throughout the world. World Book is represented to the trade by the Independent Publishers Group (IPG), based in Chicago. |
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World Book was purchased by the Scott Fetzer Company (Westlake OH) in 1978. In 1986, The Scott Fetzer Company was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. (Omaha NE). |
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HISTORY OF THE WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA |
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The first edition of The World Book Encyclopedia was issued in 1917. “As a rule,” writes Editor in Chief Michael Vincent O’Shea in the preface to that first edition, “encyclopedias are apt to be quite formal and technical. A faithful effort has been made in the World Book to avoid this common defect.” Since World Book first appeared, in addition to ensuring its accuracy and currency, its editors have worked to make information come alive with clear, interesting writing and informative, inviting illustrations. Since the encyclopedia first appeared in print, it has grown from 8 volumes to 22 volumes, from a set with limited color plates to one with color throughout. |
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The 1917 edition consisted of 8 volumes and 6,300 pages. Its title page carried the name of Hanson-Roach-Fowler Company as publisher. But within two years, World Book had become the property of W.F. Quarrie & Company, which guided its growth for the next quarter century. Quarrie began the practice of publishing a revised edition every year, a tradition that—except for 1920, 1924, and 1932—has continued to the present day. The first major revision of World Book appeared in 1929. The “new” edition consisted of 13 volumes. |
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The 1930’s saw the formation of an Editorial Advisory Board composed of distinguished educators. The Board launched an analysis of typical school curriculums, which provided the editors with data on the subjects being studied in all grades from kindergarten to high school. |
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In 1945, The World Book Encyclopedia became the property of Field Enterprises, Inc. Two years later, the second major revision of World Book was published. It expanded the set to 19 volumes. |
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In 1955, World Book launched the Classroom Research Program, in which students in many classrooms filled out cards telling what they looked up in World Book. The cards provided the editors with data on actual student usage of World Book. The third major revision of World Book was published in 1960. It increased the set’s size to 20 volumes. |
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During the 1970’s, two new features enhanced the set’s ease of use. The addition of the Research Guide/Index for the 1972 edition, which expanded the set to its present 22 volumes, provided readers with an in-depth index and guidance in conducting independent research. Metric equivalents were included for virtually all the measurements in World Book for the 1975 edition, giving readers measurements in both the inch-pound system and the metric system. |
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The editorial pace quickened by the 1980’s, culminating with the fourth major revision of World Book in 1988. Highlights included a new typeface and page design, and some 10,000 new editorial features. |
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In 1999, World Book launched a 13-volume general reference set, The World Book Student Discovery Encyclopedia and was written at a lower reading level than World Book. Later editions were titled Discovery Encyclopedia. This set was followed by a science reference set, The World Book Student Discovery Science Encyclopedia (2005). A topically organized edition of the set was published in 2013 as the Discovery Science Encyclopedia |
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Starting with the 2013 edition, World Book added QR codes to the pages of the print encyclopedia as a web-based resource to enhance the encyclopedia and offer a link between traditional and new learning formats. Selected articles include a QR code that links to a companion website featuring a chronology of events, quizzes, videos, and other material prepared by World Book editors. |
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DESIGN AND SPINESCAPE® |
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A defining characteristic of The World Book Encyclopedia is its Spinescape® design, World Book’s trademarked method of printing a unique image across the spine of the 22-volume encyclopedia. Debuting in 2000, this image is designed to draw readers in and encourage them to learn and explore more about their world. The classic edition continues to be offered with traditional black binding. |
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• 2000-Unnamed. |
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• 2001-Unnamed. |
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• 2002-Unnamed. |
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• 2003-Unnamed. |
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• The 2004 Spinescape represents the simultaneous diversity and unity of world cultures with faces of men, women, and children from various cultures around the world. |
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• The 2005 Spinescape—Space Exploration |
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• The 2006 Spinescape—Reading Through the Ages |
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• The 2007 Spinescape—Coral Reef |
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• The 2008 Spinescape—Global Cities |
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• The 2009 Spinescape—Diversity of Life |
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• The 2010 Spinescape—Portraits of Greatness |
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• The 2011 Spinescape—Emperors of the Ice |
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• The 2012 Spinescape—Swifter, Higher, Stronger |
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• The 2013 Spinescape—Giving Wings to Knowledge |
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• The 2014 Spinescape—Vibrant World of Facts |
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• The 2015 Spinescape—The Lure of Learning |
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SERIES NONFICTION AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS |
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Other World Book print products include: |
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• A Look At . . . |
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• America’s Presidents |
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• Animal Lives |
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• Animals and Their Habitats |
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• Anti-Bullying Basics |
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• Atlas of the World |
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• Building Blocks of Math |
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• Building Blocks of Science |
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• Childcraft |
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• Christmas Around the World |
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• Dinosaurs! |
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• Documenting History |
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• Early Peoples |
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• Enigmas of History |
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• Explore the Solar System |
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• Explore the Universe |
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• Illustrated Atlas |
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• Learning Ladders |
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• Learning Playground |
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• Living Green |
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• Natural Disasters |
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• People and Places |
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• World Book Dictionary |
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• World Book Student Dictionary |
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EARLY DIGITAL ADVANCEMENTS AND HISTORY OF WORLD BOOK ONLINE |
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World Book responded to technological advances and the proliferation of the personal computer with the publication in 1990 of a CD-ROM version of the encyclopedia, The World Book Information Finder. The CD-ROM version has been subsequently engineered for multiple computer operating systems and enhanced with video and audio clips, animations, simulations, and interactive 360-degree views. However, the added multimedia meets the same criterion applied to the selection of illustrations for the print set: the media must advance the educational effectiveness of the publication. |
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In 1998, World Book Online made its debut as a collection of databases and features suited to a wide range of information needs for users at home, in schools, and in libraries. World Book Online was first offered to schools and libraries on a subscription basis in 1998 and to individual and home subscribers in 1999. The online version was retitled the World Book Online Reference Center in 2003 to acknowledge the increased breadth of its utility and content. Such features as interactive atlas, integrated dictionary, and background information about current events made the World Book Online Reference Center flexible and responsive to the needs of information seekers at home, in classrooms, and in libraries. |
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World Book Kids, an online product based on the Student Discovery Encyclopedia, was published in 2006. World Book Advanced, for secondary and postsecondary students, was launched in 2007. In 2008, World Book Discover was added as an online product, designed to complement differentiated instruction methods. In 2012, World Book Advanced was added to the World Book Web. The site was designed to respond to the research, independent study, and writing activities of college students. Versions of these publications adapted for use on mobile devices, such as tablet computers, began to appear in 2013. In 2014, World Book introduced the interactive Timelines prouduct. |
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In 2013, World Book launched World Book eBooks, a collection of interactive, illustrated eBooks viewable from World Book’s own customizable platform and accessible from smartphones and tablets. Subscribers have the ability to customize their personal bookshelves to add notes, highlights, and bookmarks as well as access such multimedia features as videos, audio, and games. Subscribers receive 24/7 unlimited simultaneous access to the entire collection. |
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In 2014, World Book redesigned its article pages to enhance the readability and educational value of its content in many of its products, including Student, Info Finder, Advanced, Online Reference Center, and Academic. Large, colorful splash images are displayed for the most popular articles. Type is larger and text is organized into call-out boxes making pages appear streamlined. |
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Today, World Book Online is comprised of 23 individual online databases that are offered in both individual and subscription packages to home users, schools, and libraries throughout the world. The target audience for World Book Online ranges from preschoolers to students with advanced research needs. Many products are customized for use on tablets and smartphones as well as on laptops and personal computers. |
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WORLD BOOK ONLINE PRODUCTS |
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eBooks |
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Timelines |
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Early World of Learning (EWOL) |
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Kids |
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Student |
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Advanced |
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Discover |
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Academic |
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Science Power |
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Social Studies Power |
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Dramatic Learning |
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Activity Corner |
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Online for Kids |
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Info Finder |
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Online Reference Center |
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Craft Corner |
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Estudiantil Hallazgos |
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L’Encyclopedie Decouverte |
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Gran Hispánica |
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Early Peoples |
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Inventions and Discoveries |
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Living Green |
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RECENT AWARDS AND ACCOLADES RECEIVED BY WORLD BOOK |
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• 2008 CODiE Award Finalist presented by Software and Information Industry Association, Best Online General Reference Service - World Book Advanced |
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• 2009 CODiE Award Finalist presented by Software and Information Industry Association, Best Online General Reference Service - World Book Web |
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• 2009 CODiE Award Finalist presented by Software and Information Industry Association, Best Instructional Solution for Special Needs Students - World Book Discover |
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• Library Journal’s Best General Reference Source for 2009 - World Book Public Library Edition |
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• Library Media Connection Editor's Choice Awards 2009 - World Book Discover |
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• Library Media Connection Editor’s Choice Awards 2010 – Science Power |
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• Science Series for Every Library 2010 presented by Science Books & Film – Animal Lives |
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• Science Series for Every Library 2010 presented by Science Books & Film – Human Body Works |
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• Science Series for Every Library 2010 presented by Science Books & Film – Solar System and Space Exploration |
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• 2011 Teacher's Choice Award presented by Learning Magazine – Science Power Classroom |
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• Best New Software 2011 presented by Teacher Librarian – Science Power |
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• Top companies transforming 21st century education 2011 presented by Internet@Schools - World Book, Inc. |
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• Top Educational iPad App 2012 presented by Fun Educational Apps – World of Animals |
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• 2013 Best of Reference Award, Best Resource for Children, presented by ARBA/Library Media Connection – World Book Online for Kids |
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INTERNATIONAL REACH |
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World Book also owns a separate business based in New Delhi, India, supports its European sales through a regional manager in Sweden, and maintains relationships with major distributors in countries around the world. |
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ASSOCIATED PUBLISHING PROJECTS |
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Bright Connections Media |
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World Book introduced a new retail venture in the form of a children’s book publisher, Bright Connections Media, in 2012. World Book named the endeavor Bright Connections Media because they claim that children crave quality material that responds to their aptitude, interest, and curiosity and these books connect children’s curiosity to a solid foundation of sound information. Bright Connections Media's mission is to meet young readers at their interests, using sound content and striking design to capture children’s attention. |
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Titles Include: |
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• The Secret Files of Professor L Otto Funn (2012) |
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• A Taste of the Moon (2013) |
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• Dragons and Other Legendary Monsters (2013) |
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• My First 10 Paintings (2013) |
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• Dr. Mollie Cule Reboots the Robot (2014) |
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Incentive Publications (IP) |
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Incentive Publications was founded by Imogene Forte in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1968. She heard continual pleas from her graduate students for up-to-date, ready-to-use classroom resources that could complement standard textbooks. Imogene and a few colleagues formed Incentive Publications and began to create such supplemental resources and continued to do so until World Book acquired Incentive Publications (IP) in 2013. Incentive Publications by World Book continues to produce supplemental resources for student use and instruction and classroom management improvement materials for teachers. Incentive specializes in supplemental resources for middle grades students and teaching strategies for grades K–12. Many IP products are designed specifically to enhance teachers’ ability to implement the Common Core State Standards in today’s classrooms. Many Incentive Publications books are written by educator-authors. Titles are distributed nationally and internationally and are available in e-book format online. |
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Series include: |
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• Basic Not Boring |
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• Common Core |
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• Dr. Birdley |
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• Interactive Digital |
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• I've Got It! |
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• Latest & Greatest Teaching Tips |
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[[User:AEMSWB|AEMSWB]] ([[User talk:AEMSWB|talk]]) 17:53, 13 August 2014 (UTC) |
Revision as of 17:54, 13 August 2014
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Untitled
- Most schools have a copy of the World Book encyclopedia.
I took the above line out because I would like to see something backing up the statement. Is it referring to most schools in the world? Or most schools in North America or Europe? The extensive list of sales reps around the world [1] suggests it is widespread as well as high-selling, but I think the statement needs either factual backup or qualifying. Hope someone can help. -- Sam
I don't think most British schools have one. We're more likely to have Britannica. Secretlondon 21:18, Oct 26, 2003 (UTC)
1924 edition of world book
I have a set of the world book and on the front page it clearly says 1924. wikipedia says none were made during that year and I'm wondering if its from '23 or '25 then. Any input would be great
- My 1965 edititon was printed in 1964. Perhaps that is the reason. Bubba73 (talk), 00:20, 21 April 2007 (UTC)
- Mine's from 1924 too so this is really confusing me 213 MxzK →→→ 22:46, 12 September 2010 (UTC)
CD included with Apple computers
If I'm not mistaken, Apple includes World Book with all consumer computers, not just iBooks. --Bryan Nguyen | Talk 05:18, 20 October 2005 (UTC)
- Sadly, Apple seems to have discontinued, or at the very least, muted this practice — World Book 2006 is not currently shipping with the Dual Core iMac. This may be due to Rosetta incompatibilities, but such a reason seems unlikely since Software MacKiev has already released the appropriate Universal Binary Updates. Regardless, we should probably qualify the remarks in the article with a "virtually all" or "until recently". ~ Ross (ElCharismo) 15:34, 14 April 2006 (UTC)
up-to-date nature
I wrote in the article that World Book Encyclopedia is the most up-to-date encyclopedia one can buy. This can be verified by clicking on the link accompanying the statement and scrolling down to the section of the page titled "Features".
Reverting change,
Primetime 07:45, 11 January 2006 (UTC)
- Patently, wikipedia is the most up-to-date encyclopedia, smashing World Book's piddly 20% article revisions a year with hundreds of changes every hour. Though, I guess they have fewer vandalism issues... at least not until the volumes make it into schools. --zippedmartin 02:22, 23 January 2006 (UTC)
Yes, Wikpedia gets edited every minute and is automatically fact checked by experts to ensure accuracy and lack of POV, right?? Right??? WRONG!!!! It's full of armchair 'experts' and vandals. No wonder no respectable institution of learning will accept it as a legitimate source. Gawd, you're a twit... —Preceding unsigned comment added by 65.69.81.2 (talk) 14:54, 23 April 2008 (UTC)
- It could be true that it's more up to date. I rarely read anything in Wikipedia except to edit it, though, because the factual accuracy is much worse and the style very choppy. If I ever do read anything in Wikipedia, I always double-check it somewhere else. Wikipedia's strength, in my opinion, is that it's the largest encyclopedia available--although I doubt it will ever be used in an academic setting.
--Primetime 03:48, 23 January 2006 (UTC)
- It could be true that it's more up to date. I rarely read anything in Wikipedia except to edit it, though, because the factual accuracy is much worse and the style very choppy. If I ever do read anything in Wikipedia, I always double-check it somewhere else. Wikipedia's strength, in my opinion, is that it's the largest encyclopedia available--although I doubt it will ever be used in an academic setting.
- Sure, but the dispute is over World Book's claim that it "...continues to revise almost 20% [of its pages], making it the most up-to-date encyclopedia you can buy". Even if we trust they've carefully researched the up-to-date-ness of not only US and non-US English language competitors, but also non-English competitors, there's obviously a huge gap between yearly-printing and anyone-can-edit. You could however, let this through currently on the technicality that you can't actually *purchase* en.wikipedia yet, in a formal manner - you *could* pay someone to give you a copy on dvd or whatever, within the terms of the GDFL. As for accuracy, anyone who doesn't double check what *any* source says before citing it somewhere important deserves every bit of pain they get. --zippedmartin 07:04, 23 January 2006 (UTC)
- Also, (at least at my school), World Book is considered as a professional high-quality source, while Wikipedia is considered at best a site for interesting personal surfing. --- Dralwik|Have a Chat My "Great Project"
- You aren't supposed to take anything you read at face value in /any/ encyclopedia. Encyclopedias are secondary sources, intended as a brief overview, and if it matters so much whether the facts are completely accurate and NPOV, you need to do your own verification. This is why encyclopedias are unacceptable in most bibliographies (after high school). You can argue that WB is "professionally reviewed" (which it is) or WP is "peer reviewed" (which it is) until you're blue in the face, but the fact is they're all intended only to give you an overview so you know what to look for next. -- Bilbo1507 (talk) 16:49, 20 January 2009 (UTC)
1959 World Book
I actually have the G volume from the 1959 set. From the front page:
THE WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA
In Eighteen Volumes
and Reading and Study Guide
AppleMacReporter 01:15, 9 December 2006 (UTC)
- By the early 1970s the Reading and Study Guide was Volume 22. Naaman Brown (talk) 13:54, 15 July 2011 (UTC)
Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary
Through the fifties, sixties and at least the early seventies World Book was published by Field Educational Corporation. This was owned by the family of Marshall Field. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 216.239.167.214 (talk) 18:54, 9 December 2006 (UTC).
Some references are World Book publicity material
Some of the references for statements such as "it is also the most up-to-date encyclopedia sold, with 20% of its pages revised each year" are sections of the World Book website. These references are patently not independent and as a result they are not suitable for supporting such claims. I've edited the text to make the sources of these claims more clear add added some citation needed flags. Surely there are some recent reviews of World Book which can be cited? --Nick Dowling 10:59, 6 January 2007 (UTC)
- Comments by hard-banned user removed.
Being the most up-to-date encyclopædia isn't a policy, it's a claim that needs to be substantiated, and the publisher's claims aren't sufficient for that.
And before you ask yet again, no, I don't know the work; it's pretty well unknown here, so far as I'm aware. Moreover, I don't find much use for general reference works. None of that is relevant; we're talking about the principles of article writing, for which one needs to know nothing about the subject.
At the moment the article is deeply deficient. For example, it starts with a marketing claim, which no article should do, and the whole piece is full of unsubstantiated (and parochial) statements about its significance. I've added an NPoV tag, in the hope that we'll get some more attention from a wider range of editors. --Mel Etitis (Μελ Ετητης) 11:11, 7 January 2007 (UTC)
- Predictably, User:67.165.216.16 simply reverted my edits, including the removal of the NPoV template. If he or she continues in this way, it will lead to an editing block. --Mel Etitis (Μελ Ετητης) 15:36, 7 January 2007 (UTC)
Photograph
There has ought to be a photograph of the most recent World Book (print edition) in this article.
- I don't know that there ought to be one, but if you want one, you only have to take a photograph and up-load it. --Mel Etitis (Talk) 16:39, 21 April 2007 (UTC)
Detailed information
Much more detailed information about World Book and its history and origins can be found here: http://www.answers.com/topic/world-book-inc. Some of that info really should be factored into the Wikipedia article (as that link puts Wikipedia article to shame). Softlavender (talk) 05:47, 20 November 2008 (UTC)
Populist?
There has been an apparent edit war over the design description as "populist." This term has a political meaning. Please consult the article, populist, before you use the term. Thank you, Dogru144 (talk) 15:26, 22 November 2008 (UTC)
- Yes, that's a big mistake. "Popular" might make sense, but it's hardly necessary. ·:· Will Beback ·:· 00:09, 23 November 2008 (UTC)
Reference 4
The link's broken. Interchangeable|talk to me 16:46, 30 October 2011 (UTC)
Ideas and proposals
Hello! I am new to Wikipedia, so please bare with me. I currently work for World Book, Inc. and am declaring my conflict of interest. My intentions are to provide information to improve the quality of the World Book article. I am relying on your help and assistance and will not edit this page directly. I've compiled a more comprehensive history of the company below as well more information on the online and digital products that now comprise a high percentage of the business and new additions to the company including Incentive Publications and Bright Connections Media.
Founded in 1915, World Book, Inc. is a publisher of reference and instructional materials for children and adults in both print and digital format. It is based in Chicago, Illinois.
Well-known for it’s encyclopedia, The World Book Encyclopedia, which was first published in 1917, World Book quickly became well-known in the school, library, and home markets. World Book also publishes series nonfiction for the K-12 market, covering history, science, geography, and other curricular basics. With the rise in popularity of online information and digital resources, World Book created what it currently calls the World Book Web, a collection of 23 specialized subscription websites designed for a wide range of ages which now includes World Book eBooks, a digital reading platform offering access to World Book titles in eBook format. World Book also publishes children’s non-fiction and picture books under the Bright Connections Media imprint, and educational development and supplemental instructional resources through Incentive Publications by World Book.
Print and digital products are distributed to schools and libraries exclusively by a sales team, which has field representatives throughout the world. World Book is represented to the trade by the Independent Publishers Group (IPG), based in Chicago.
World Book was purchased by the Scott Fetzer Company (Westlake OH) in 1978. In 1986, The Scott Fetzer Company was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. (Omaha NE).
HISTORY OF THE WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA
The first edition of The World Book Encyclopedia was issued in 1917. “As a rule,” writes Editor in Chief Michael Vincent O’Shea in the preface to that first edition, “encyclopedias are apt to be quite formal and technical. A faithful effort has been made in the World Book to avoid this common defect.” Since World Book first appeared, in addition to ensuring its accuracy and currency, its editors have worked to make information come alive with clear, interesting writing and informative, inviting illustrations. Since the encyclopedia first appeared in print, it has grown from 8 volumes to 22 volumes, from a set with limited color plates to one with color throughout.
The 1917 edition consisted of 8 volumes and 6,300 pages. Its title page carried the name of Hanson-Roach-Fowler Company as publisher. But within two years, World Book had become the property of W.F. Quarrie & Company, which guided its growth for the next quarter century. Quarrie began the practice of publishing a revised edition every year, a tradition that—except for 1920, 1924, and 1932—has continued to the present day. The first major revision of World Book appeared in 1929. The “new” edition consisted of 13 volumes.
The 1930’s saw the formation of an Editorial Advisory Board composed of distinguished educators. The Board launched an analysis of typical school curriculums, which provided the editors with data on the subjects being studied in all grades from kindergarten to high school.
In 1945, The World Book Encyclopedia became the property of Field Enterprises, Inc. Two years later, the second major revision of World Book was published. It expanded the set to 19 volumes.
In 1955, World Book launched the Classroom Research Program, in which students in many classrooms filled out cards telling what they looked up in World Book. The cards provided the editors with data on actual student usage of World Book. The third major revision of World Book was published in 1960. It increased the set’s size to 20 volumes.
During the 1970’s, two new features enhanced the set’s ease of use. The addition of the Research Guide/Index for the 1972 edition, which expanded the set to its present 22 volumes, provided readers with an in-depth index and guidance in conducting independent research. Metric equivalents were included for virtually all the measurements in World Book for the 1975 edition, giving readers measurements in both the inch-pound system and the metric system.
The editorial pace quickened by the 1980’s, culminating with the fourth major revision of World Book in 1988. Highlights included a new typeface and page design, and some 10,000 new editorial features.
In 1999, World Book launched a 13-volume general reference set, The World Book Student Discovery Encyclopedia and was written at a lower reading level than World Book. Later editions were titled Discovery Encyclopedia. This set was followed by a science reference set, The World Book Student Discovery Science Encyclopedia (2005). A topically organized edition of the set was published in 2013 as the Discovery Science Encyclopedia
Starting with the 2013 edition, World Book added QR codes to the pages of the print encyclopedia as a web-based resource to enhance the encyclopedia and offer a link between traditional and new learning formats. Selected articles include a QR code that links to a companion website featuring a chronology of events, quizzes, videos, and other material prepared by World Book editors.
DESIGN AND SPINESCAPE®
A defining characteristic of The World Book Encyclopedia is its Spinescape® design, World Book’s trademarked method of printing a unique image across the spine of the 22-volume encyclopedia. Debuting in 2000, this image is designed to draw readers in and encourage them to learn and explore more about their world. The classic edition continues to be offered with traditional black binding.
• 2000-Unnamed. • 2001-Unnamed. • 2002-Unnamed. • 2003-Unnamed. • The 2004 Spinescape represents the simultaneous diversity and unity of world cultures with faces of men, women, and children from various cultures around the world. • The 2005 Spinescape—Space Exploration • The 2006 Spinescape—Reading Through the Ages • The 2007 Spinescape—Coral Reef • The 2008 Spinescape—Global Cities • The 2009 Spinescape—Diversity of Life • The 2010 Spinescape—Portraits of Greatness • The 2011 Spinescape—Emperors of the Ice • The 2012 Spinescape—Swifter, Higher, Stronger • The 2013 Spinescape—Giving Wings to Knowledge • The 2014 Spinescape—Vibrant World of Facts • The 2015 Spinescape—The Lure of Learning
SERIES NONFICTION AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Other World Book print products include: • A Look At . . . • America’s Presidents • Animal Lives • Animals and Their Habitats • Anti-Bullying Basics • Atlas of the World • Building Blocks of Math • Building Blocks of Science • Childcraft • Christmas Around the World • Dinosaurs! • Documenting History • Early Peoples • Enigmas of History • Explore the Solar System • Explore the Universe • Illustrated Atlas • Learning Ladders • Learning Playground • Living Green • Natural Disasters • People and Places • World Book Dictionary • World Book Student Dictionary
EARLY DIGITAL ADVANCEMENTS AND HISTORY OF WORLD BOOK ONLINE
World Book responded to technological advances and the proliferation of the personal computer with the publication in 1990 of a CD-ROM version of the encyclopedia, The World Book Information Finder. The CD-ROM version has been subsequently engineered for multiple computer operating systems and enhanced with video and audio clips, animations, simulations, and interactive 360-degree views. However, the added multimedia meets the same criterion applied to the selection of illustrations for the print set: the media must advance the educational effectiveness of the publication.
In 1998, World Book Online made its debut as a collection of databases and features suited to a wide range of information needs for users at home, in schools, and in libraries. World Book Online was first offered to schools and libraries on a subscription basis in 1998 and to individual and home subscribers in 1999. The online version was retitled the World Book Online Reference Center in 2003 to acknowledge the increased breadth of its utility and content. Such features as interactive atlas, integrated dictionary, and background information about current events made the World Book Online Reference Center flexible and responsive to the needs of information seekers at home, in classrooms, and in libraries. World Book Kids, an online product based on the Student Discovery Encyclopedia, was published in 2006. World Book Advanced, for secondary and postsecondary students, was launched in 2007. In 2008, World Book Discover was added as an online product, designed to complement differentiated instruction methods. In 2012, World Book Advanced was added to the World Book Web. The site was designed to respond to the research, independent study, and writing activities of college students. Versions of these publications adapted for use on mobile devices, such as tablet computers, began to appear in 2013. In 2014, World Book introduced the interactive Timelines prouduct. In 2013, World Book launched World Book eBooks, a collection of interactive, illustrated eBooks viewable from World Book’s own customizable platform and accessible from smartphones and tablets. Subscribers have the ability to customize their personal bookshelves to add notes, highlights, and bookmarks as well as access such multimedia features as videos, audio, and games. Subscribers receive 24/7 unlimited simultaneous access to the entire collection. In 2014, World Book redesigned its article pages to enhance the readability and educational value of its content in many of its products, including Student, Info Finder, Advanced, Online Reference Center, and Academic. Large, colorful splash images are displayed for the most popular articles. Type is larger and text is organized into call-out boxes making pages appear streamlined. Today, World Book Online is comprised of 23 individual online databases that are offered in both individual and subscription packages to home users, schools, and libraries throughout the world. The target audience for World Book Online ranges from preschoolers to students with advanced research needs. Many products are customized for use on tablets and smartphones as well as on laptops and personal computers.
WORLD BOOK ONLINE PRODUCTS
eBooks Timelines Early World of Learning (EWOL) Kids Student Advanced Discover Academic Science Power Social Studies Power Dramatic Learning Activity Corner Online for Kids Info Finder Online Reference Center Craft Corner Estudiantil Hallazgos L’Encyclopedie Decouverte Gran Hispánica Early Peoples Inventions and Discoveries Living Green
RECENT AWARDS AND ACCOLADES RECEIVED BY WORLD BOOK
• 2008 CODiE Award Finalist presented by Software and Information Industry Association, Best Online General Reference Service - World Book Advanced • 2009 CODiE Award Finalist presented by Software and Information Industry Association, Best Online General Reference Service - World Book Web • 2009 CODiE Award Finalist presented by Software and Information Industry Association, Best Instructional Solution for Special Needs Students - World Book Discover • Library Journal’s Best General Reference Source for 2009 - World Book Public Library Edition • Library Media Connection Editor's Choice Awards 2009 - World Book Discover • Library Media Connection Editor’s Choice Awards 2010 – Science Power • Science Series for Every Library 2010 presented by Science Books & Film – Animal Lives • Science Series for Every Library 2010 presented by Science Books & Film – Human Body Works • Science Series for Every Library 2010 presented by Science Books & Film – Solar System and Space Exploration • 2011 Teacher's Choice Award presented by Learning Magazine – Science Power Classroom • Best New Software 2011 presented by Teacher Librarian – Science Power • Top companies transforming 21st century education 2011 presented by Internet@Schools - World Book, Inc. • Top Educational iPad App 2012 presented by Fun Educational Apps – World of Animals • 2013 Best of Reference Award, Best Resource for Children, presented by ARBA/Library Media Connection – World Book Online for Kids
INTERNATIONAL REACH
World Book also owns a separate business based in New Delhi, India, supports its European sales through a regional manager in Sweden, and maintains relationships with major distributors in countries around the world.
ASSOCIATED PUBLISHING PROJECTS
Bright Connections Media
World Book introduced a new retail venture in the form of a children’s book publisher, Bright Connections Media, in 2012. World Book named the endeavor Bright Connections Media because they claim that children crave quality material that responds to their aptitude, interest, and curiosity and these books connect children’s curiosity to a solid foundation of sound information. Bright Connections Media's mission is to meet young readers at their interests, using sound content and striking design to capture children’s attention.
Titles Include: • The Secret Files of Professor L Otto Funn (2012) • A Taste of the Moon (2013) • Dragons and Other Legendary Monsters (2013) • My First 10 Paintings (2013) • Dr. Mollie Cule Reboots the Robot (2014)
Incentive Publications (IP)
Incentive Publications was founded by Imogene Forte in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1968. She heard continual pleas from her graduate students for up-to-date, ready-to-use classroom resources that could complement standard textbooks. Imogene and a few colleagues formed Incentive Publications and began to create such supplemental resources and continued to do so until World Book acquired Incentive Publications (IP) in 2013. Incentive Publications by World Book continues to produce supplemental resources for student use and instruction and classroom management improvement materials for teachers. Incentive specializes in supplemental resources for middle grades students and teaching strategies for grades K–12. Many IP products are designed specifically to enhance teachers’ ability to implement the Common Core State Standards in today’s classrooms. Many Incentive Publications books are written by educator-authors. Titles are distributed nationally and internationally and are available in e-book format online.
Series include: • Basic Not Boring • Common Core • Dr. Birdley • Interactive Digital • I've Got It! • Latest & Greatest Teaching Tips