By William H. Elson & Lura Runkel

Book One continues and expands the task of teaching reading started with Primer. In this volume the type and spacing remain expanded for ease of letter recognition, but the stories are longer and their structure a bit more complex.

The aim of upholding sound wholesome character development has not been forgotten, and this book contains moral-stories from Aesop, along with folk tales and charming stories from Edudora Bumstead, Christina Rosetti, Edna Riddleberger, and Robert Louis Stevenson among others.

The illustrations are again by L. Kate Deal and provide visual clues to the meanings of the stories for the young readers’ assistance and entertainment.  Softcover · 180 pages · Ages 6-7

By Cynthia Keel Landen & Lorrie Driggers Phillips

In this Teacher's Guide to Book One, exercises have been developed for each story, and worksheets are provided that the parent or teacher may copy and hand out to their students.

At the beginning of this guide will be found a list of “Objectives” which the lessons are designed to help the child accomplish. At the end of this book will be found the same “Word List” found in Book One. Softcover · 124 pages

By William H. Elson & Lura Runkel

The reading adventure started with Primer and Book One continues with Book Two, giving children the tools they need for a lifetime of reading full of pleasure, adventure, and knowledge. In this volume will be found treasured stories from our past—tales and lessons from Aesop; classics like “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” and “The Three Pigs;” folk tales from Italy, India, Norway, Greece, Russia, and Japan; stories from great childrens’ authors like Eudora Bumstead, Robert Louis Stevenson, Hans Christian Andersen, Christina Rossetti, and the Grimm brothers, among others.

Illustrated by L. Kate Deal, the charming pictures in this volume provide offer clues to the stories and hold the reader’s attention. Softcover · 244 pages · Ages 7-8

By William H. Elson

The Elson Readers, Book Three offers children longer, more complex, and complete stories and poems than Primer, Book One, and Book Two had offered. The text, while eminently readable, is now more normally proportioned and spaced. Still drawing on classics of children’s literature from sources as varied as Aesop, the Grimm brothers, Hans Christian Andersen, American Indian stories, Greek legends, Robert Louis Stevenson, Edward Lear, and adaptations of the Biblical stories of Joseph and David; this volume is filled with literary treasures with which a child should be made familiar on their road to cultural literacy.

While charmingly illustrated, there are fewer pictures, and the emphasis is on the literature now that the child has less need for visual clues to understand the text.

The “Word List” has really become a glossary and contains pronunciation guides to the words, which have been updated to current pronunciation notation. Softcover · 332 pages · ages 8-9

By William H. Elson

Book Four serves as a transitional book for children moving from “learning to read” to “reading to learn,” as Elson put it. While earlier books in this series have stressed the mechanics of reading, Book Four shifts to applying those critical skills to reading for content.

Book Four introduces children to stories of legendary heroes like Beowulf, Sigurd, and Roland and works from a diverse selection of great writers like Lewis Caroll; James Whitcomb Riley; Alfred, Lord Tennyson; and Henry David Thoreau; to name only a few. Book Four ends with a section devoted to “Great American Authors” including Benjamin Franklin, John Greenleaf Whittier, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Nathaniel Hawthorne. Softcover · 372 pages · Ages 9-10

By William H. Elson

Book Five is the first volume devoted to helping the student “read to learn” as opposed to “learn to read,” a subtle, but important, distinction. The “picture books” are left behind and the reader is introduced to a world made of words. Illustrations play a diminishing role, while the literature itself is emphasized. Understanding the meaning of the stories and poetry is the emphasis from this volume through the last, Book Eight.

Children reading Book Five will be charmed by prose and poetry about the natural world; inspired by stories of home, country, and service; delighted by tales from The Arabian Nights; and impressed with the richness of the work of some of America’s greatest authors.
Softcover · 444 pages · Ages 10-11

By William H. Elson

Book Six introduces the young reader to the progenitors of our Western literature—the stories of Greece and Rome. What education would be complete without a familiarity with the stories of the great heroes; Achilles, Ulysses, and Aeneas? Those stories can be found in Book Six along with stories of nature, home, and country by the likes of, John James Audubon, Robert Browning, Charles Dickens, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Felicia Hemans, Washington Irving, Joyce Kilmer, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Theodore Roosevelt, William Wordsworth, and many others. This volume ends with a section devoted entirely to “Great American Authors.” Softcover · 480 pages · Ages 11-12

By William H. Elson

Book Seven introduces a world of literature that advances students’ knowlege of the world around them and provides rich and fertile ground for the development of not only their vocabulary and grammar, but their imagination, literary appreciation, humor, and values. This volume contains a wide range of literature, from stories of the legendary King Arthur to epic works of American literature. Here will be found the works of giants of English literature such as Shakespeare, Masefield, Longfellow, Twain, Whitman, and Thoreau, to name only a few.

“The World of Nature” reminds us of the beauty of the world of which we are a part and with which we must sometimes contend. “The World of Adventure” is filled with romance and legend. In “Our Inheritance of Freedom” are stirring works which all American children should know—“Liberty or Death” by Patrick Henry, “Times That Try Men’s Souls” by Thomas Paine, for example—which remind us all how dearly American liberty was purchased. “Literature and Life in the Homeland” is filled with essential selections from our uniquely American literature. Softcover · 552 pages · Ages 12-13

By William H. Elson

Book Eight, the culmination of the Elson Reader series, is brimming with great literature with which every child and adult should be familiar. Here will be found masterworks extolling the beauty and magnificence of nature; stirring tales of adventure and mystery; inspiring poetry, speeches, and discourses on our great American experiment in liberty; and literature of life in our homeland describing the triumphs and tragedies of American history and life, classics of American humor, and tributes to American workers and their work. In this volume we hear from giants of literature such as Shakespeare, Bryant, Wordsworth, Shelley, Emerson, Garland, Poe, Masefield, Dickens, Kilmer, Kipling, Tennyson, O. Henry, and Twain; and leaders of our country like Washington, Franklin, Webster, Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Wilson. These works give readers powerful images and messages to spark their intellect and prompt them to further study and contemplation.

To absorb the literature in these volumes is to take part in our literary heritage and to leave with a sense of wonder at the world around us; to appreciate the honor of service to others and our country; to find laughter in the events, great and small, of our lives and times; and to understand the thrill of real adventure. Completion of this series is the end of a long road from the rudiments of reading and grammar to the use of this new found ability to understand and describe our world. But this road does not simply end; it joins a myriad of other roads down which the reader can now confidently go. Softcover · 580 pages · Ages 13-14

By Cynthia Keel Landen & Lorrie Driggers Phillips

In this guide, exercises have been developed for each story, and worksheets are provided that the parent or teacher may copy and hand out to their students.

At the beginning of this guide will be found a list of “Objectives” which the lessons are designed to help the child accomplish. At the end of this book will be found the same “Word List” found in the reader. Softcover · 168 pages · Ages 7-8

By Cynthia Keel Landen & Lorrie Driggers Phillips

In this Teacher's Guide, answers are provided to the “Helps to Study” section, found at the back of the reader, and additional exercises have been developed, with accompanying worksheets that the parent or teacher may copy and hand out to their students.

At the beginning of this guide will be found a list of “Objectives” which the lessons are designed to help the child accomplish. At the end of this book will be found the same “Word List” found in the reader. Softcover · 184 pages · Ages 8-9

By Catherine Andrews & Mary Jane Newcomer

This book contains all the questions, along with their answers, from the “Helps to Study” section found at the back of the reader. Additionally, this volume contains new “Helps to Study” for selections not covered in the reader. Worksheets are provided for these selections which the parent or teacher may copy and hand out to their students. Occasionally, “Extended Activities,” which have been created specially for this edition, are provided to augment the lessons from the reader.

At the beginning of each section will be found a list of “Objectives” which the lessons are designed to help the child accomplish, and at the end, a “Vocabulary Worksheet” for the students to complete. Also included is a handy “Appendix” with suggestions for student evaluation.

At the end of this book will be found the same glossary words, including word pronunciation guides, as found in Book Four. These guides have been updated to reflect current pronunciation notation. Softcover · 196 pages · Ages 9-10

By Catherine Andrews & Mary Jane Newcomer

This Teacher's Guide contains all the questions, along with their answers, from the “Notes and Questions” sections found at the end of each story or poem in the reader. Additionally, “Extended Activities,” which have been created specially for this edition, are provided to augment many of the lessons from the reader. Worksheets are provided for these activities which the parent or teacher may copy and hand out to their students.

At the beginning of each section will be found a list of “Objectives” which the lessons are designed to help the child accomplish, and at the end, a “Vocabulary Worksheet” for the students to complete. Also included is a handy “Appendix” with student evaluation suggestions and a brief summary of World War One, which is intended to provide a context in which to view the reader’s selections and questions, which were influenced by the then recent conflict.

At the end of this book will be found the same glossary words, including word pronunciation guides, as found in the reader. These guides have been updated to reflect current pronunciation notation. Softcover · 272 pages · Ages 10-11

By Catherine Andrews & Mary Jane Newcomer

This book contains all the questions, along with their answers, from the “Notes and Questions” sections found at the end of each story in the reader. Additionally, “Extended Activities,” which have been created specially for this edition, are provided to augment many of the lessons from the reader. Worksheets are provided for these activities which the parent or teacher may copy and hand out to their students.

At the beginning of each section will be found a list of “Objectives” which the lessons are designed to help the child accomplish, and at the end, a “Vocabulary Worksheet” for the students to complete. Also included is a handy “Appendix” with student evaluation suggestions and a brief summary of World War One, which is intended to provide a context in which to view the reader’s selections and questions, which were influenced by the then recent conflict.

At the end of this book will be found the same glossary words, including word pronunciation guides, as found in the reader. These guides have been updated to reflect current pronunciation notation. Softcover · 336 pages · Ages 11-12

By Catherine Andrews & Mary Jane Newcomer

This Teacher's Guide to Book Seven, contains all the questions, along with their answers, from the “Notes and Questions” sections found at the end of each story in the reader. Additionally, “Extended Activities,” which have been created specially for this edition, are provided to augment many of the lessons from the reader. Worksheets are provided for these activities which the parent or teacher may copy and hand out to their students.

At the beginning of each section will be found a list of “Objectives” which the lessons are designed to help the child accomplish, and at the end, a “Vocabulary Worksheet” for the students to complete. Also included is a handy “Appendix” with student evaluation suggestions and a brief summary of World War One, which is intended to provide a context in which to view the reader’s selections and questions, which were influenced by the then recent conflict.

At the end of this book will be found the same glossary words, including word pronunciation guides, as found in Book Seven. These guides have been updated to reflect current pronunciation notation. Softcover · 344 pages · Ages 12-13

By Catherine Andrews & Mary Jane Newcomer

This book accompanies Book Eight. It contains all the questions, along with their answers, from the “Notes and Questions” sections found at the end of each story in the reader. Additionally, “Extended Activities,” which have been created specially for this edition, are provided to augment many of the lessons from the reader. Worksheets are provided for these activities which the parent or teacher may copy and hand out to their students.

At the beginning of each section will be found a list of “Objectives” which the lessons are designed to help the child accomplish, and at the end, a “Vocabulary Worksheet” for the students to complete. Also included is a handy “Appendix” with student evaluation suggestions and a brief summary of World War One, which is intended to provide a context in which to view the reader’s selections and questions, which were influenced by the then recent conflict.

At the end of this book will be found the same glossary words, including word pronunciation guides, as found in The Elson Readers, Book Seven. These guides have been updated to reflect current pronunciation notation. Softcover · 276 pages · Ages 13-14

By William H. Elson & Lura Runkel

These books come from an experienced educator of the early 20th century, William H. Elson, the man responsible for the well-known and loved characters “Dick and Jane,” with which so many of us grew up. This series predates the “Dick and Jane” books, with original publishing dates from 1920 to 1921.

The real beauty of The Elson Readers series is the kind of literature within its covers—wholesome literature that views the world of nature with awe, upholds the ideals of service to others and our country, and encourages sound moral development in the reader.

Contained in this series is a treasure of literature with which American children should be familiar and which will provide them a fundamental literacy of their country and culture.

Primer begins this series with the fundamental task of teaching little students to read. The stories are short and to the point, and the text is oversized and spaced widely to make letter recognition a less daunting task. Charming pictures by L. Kate Deal enhance the text by describing the stories visually and help hold the child’s interest.

Although teaching reading is the foremost purpose of Primer, the stories have been chosen to encourage the development of wholesome attitudes in the young reader. Stories are from renowned children’s authors such as L. Alma-Tadema, Carolyn Bailey, Anne Shütze, and others and include classic folk tales and selections from Mother Goose.

The illustrations are again by L. Kate Deal and provide visual clues to the meanings of the stories for the young readers’ assistance and entertainment.  Softcover · 152 pages · Ages 5-6

by William H. Elson & Lura E. Runkel

These books come from an experienced educator of the early 20th century, William H. Elson, the man responsible for the well-known and loved characters “Dick and Jane,” with which so many of us grew up. This series predates the “Dick and Jane” books, with original publishing dates from 1920 to 1921.

The real beauty of The Elson Readers series is the kind of literature within its covers—wholesome literature that views the world of nature with awe, upholds the ideals of service to others and our country, and encourages sound moral development in the reader.

Contained in this series is a treasure of literature with which American children should be familiar and which will provide them a fundamental literacy of their country and culture.

Primer begins this series with the fundamental task of teaching little students to read. The stories are short and to the point, and the text is oversized and spaced widely to make letter recognition a less daunting task. Charming pictures by L. Kate Deal enhance the text by describing the stories visually and help hold the child’s interest.

Although teaching reading is the foremost purpose of Primer, the stories have been chosen to encourage the development of wholesome attitudes in the young reader. Stories are from renowned children’s authors such as L. Alma-Tadema, Carolyn Bailey, Anne Shütze, and others and include classic folk tales and selections from Mother Goose.  Softcover · 152 Pages · Ages 5-6

by Cynthia Keel Landen & Lorrie Driggers Phillips

This book accompanies The Elson Readers, Primer. It contains longer versions of the stories found in the reader. These are designed to be read orally to prepare the students for the shortened versions in their readers. Exercises follow each story, and worksheets are provided that the parent or teacher may copy and hand out to their students.

At the beginning of this guide will be found a list of “Objectives” which the lessons are designed to help the child accomplish. At the end of this book will be found the same “Word List” found in the Primer.  Softcover · 124 Pages · Ages 5-6

by Edward Eggleston

America's heroes come to life for children, thanks to this 1895 classic by Edward Eggleston. 

Edward Eggleston captures America's heritage in the best way possible for children: with imaginative stories about great Americans.  Stories written at a time when Americans wanted their children to be proud of their country.  Stories that bring the people and the times to life.  Stories designed to give hours of reading pleasure.

52 charming sketches from the original book, first published back in 1895, perfectly complement the text.  The 52 chapters here include stories about war heroes, statesmen, explorers, inventors, writers, artists, scientists and just plain ordinary people who made a difference.  The lives of these men and women wonderfully illustrate the virtues children need to learn.  Virtues like courage, unselfishness, honesty, patience, ingenuity, kindness, independence and perseverance.

You get stories about great American men and women like . . .Daniel Boone, Francis Scott Key, George Washington, Eliza Lucas, Marquette, Benjamin West, George Rogers Clark, Daniel Webster, William Penn, Louisa May Alcott, Charles Goodyear, Kit Carson, Thomas Jefferson, Benezet, Robert Fulton, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Thomas Smith, Horace Greeley, Lewis and Clark, General Marion, Benjamin Franklin plus over a dozen more!  Hardcover · 163 pgs. · Ages 6-8.

by Edward Eggleston

An American history textbook that captures the imagination, makes children proud of their heritage - and teaches virtue by example.

Edward Eggleston had a simple goal when writing history texts for children: make history interesting.  Make it interesting because a child remembers what captivates him.  A child is fascinated above all by people, Eggleston reasoned. So in his history texts Eggleston draws a picture of the development of the United States using the stories of the living and breathing Americans who made it all happen.  Men and women like Christopher Columbus, John Cabot, Pocahontas (minus today's politically correct spin), Henry Hudson, Myles Standish, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Morse and Abraham Lincoln.

Children learn even more valuable lessons as they absorb history through biography.  They learn virtue and good conduct by osmosis.  How better to illustrate perseverance than with the stories of Columbus and the other explorers? What finer way to teach patience, honor and selfless public spirit than with the life of George Washington?  How better to portray the value of diligent study, hard work and simplicity of character than with the life of Abraham Lincoln?  Especially Valuable for Homeschoolers . . .All the features you expect in a teacher-friendly textbook: study questions after each chapter, definitions of pertinent words, maps and illustrations and an index for easy cross reference.  Hardcover · 240 pgs. · Ages 9-12.

by Edward Eggleston

A History of the United States and Its People is the third book in Edward Eggleston's history textbook series.  You won't find political correctness or revisionism here--just solid American history.  And more than that, you get a book aimed at making the teacher's job easy, while at the same time stimulating the student's interest.  Eggleston does this with a wealth of features like:

• arrangement by topic so the student sees cause and effect clearly
• Study questions to aid students in mastering the facts in each chapter
• Study by topics: essay questions that can be used for written or oral discussion
• Fill-in exercises after many chapters
• Liberal use of maps as a teaching tool which helps the student master geography as well as history
• Suggestions for diagrams, reviews and other blackboard exercises
• Scores of illustrations by some of the best artists and engravers of the time
• Big 17 page index

No question.  Eggleston's easy-does-it technique allows teachers and parents to teach history with proficiency and allows students to savor and comprehend the facts and lessons of America's history.   Hardcover · 433 pgs. · Ages 12 and up.