Welcome to the Free Spirit Publishing Press Room. If you’re looking for quotable sources for your next story, or information about a topic important to the welfare of kids and teens, you’ve come to the right place. Our in-house publicity staff can connect you with just the facts or book you need. Or our seasoned expert-authors can bring solid advice and fresh insight to help you tackle the important issues of the day.
This is where you’ll find press kits, awards, reviews, and the latest news about Free Spirit Publishing. We’re always adding new content to our site, but if you don’t find what you’re looking for (or you’re interested in a review copy), email us at publicity@freespirit.com or call 1-800-735-7323, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST.
Free Spirit’s award-winning books offer solid information and jargon-free advice for teens, kids, parents, and educators on a variety of timely topics from bullying and parenting to stress and school success. Click here to see a list of topics on which our authors can provide advice and insight. Browse our online catalog for books on all of these subjects and many more.
“Kaye and Cousteau have given us a call to action. All forms of life as we know it depend upon our oceans and waterways. Saving them is not a matter of good will; it is imperative for our survival.”—Laurie David, Author of The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming
“An important book that can have a tremendous influence on students’ behaviors and attitudes, as well as the culture of a classroom—and school.” —Jane Bluestein, Ph.D., author of Creating Emotionally Safe Schools
Cyberbullying and Juvenile Justice Expert Judge Tom Jacobs on Dr. Phil
Judge Tom Jacobs was a panelist on Dr. Phil’s “Bullied to Death” show in early April, where he shared information and words of caution on the spread of bullying to the Internet and other related communication tools. As cyberbullying continues to pervade the lives of young people, Judge Jacobs offers legal perspective from years of experience as an Assistant Attorney General, a Superior Court Judge, and an author on teens and the law. Find information about interviewing Judge Jacobs.
View a clip from the show
Judge Tom Jacobs was a guest on Good Morning Arizona earlier this month, where he discussed his book Teen Cyberbullying Investigated and the steps parents can take to educate themselves about their kids’ activities online.
Free Spirit authors were panelists for an Educator Appreciation Event at the Barnes & Noble in Roseville, MN, in April. Pictured left to right: Beverly K. Bachel, illustrator Marieka Heinlen, Timothy Culbert, Rebecca Kajander, Barnes & Noble community relations manager Janet Waller, Free Spirit founder and president Judy Galbraith, and Elizabeth Verdick. Books featured included:
Be Fit, Be Strong, Be You by Rebecca Kajander, C.P.N.P., M.P.H., and Timothy Culbert, M.D., has been selected as an iParenting Media Outstanding Product Award winner.
Manners Time and Sharing Time by Elizabeth Verdick and illustrated by Marieka Heinlen have been selected as Preferred Choice Award winners in the Board Books for Kids category by Creative Child magazine.
Calm-Down Time by Elizabeth Verdick and illustrated by Marieka Heinlen has been selected as a Mom’s Choice Gold Award winner in the Children’s Picture Book–Developing Social Skills category.
Free Spirit Has a Winning Awards Season 07/14/2009
Free Spirit is proud to announce several recent awards.
Teaching Beyond the Test by Phil Schlemmer, M.Ed., and Dori Schlemmer was awarded the 2009 Distinguished Achievement Award for Differentiated Instruction/Professional Development/Adult from the Association of Educational Publishers (AEP).
And, in a sweep, the first four books in Free Spirit’s Toddler Tools™ series by Elizabeth Verdick and illustrated by Marieka Heinlen have won awards from the Creative Child Awards Program in the Board Book/Toddler category.
To learn more about Free Spirit’s award-winning titles or to request review copies, contact us at publicity@freespirit.com.
New Kids’ Climate Change Workbook Earns Praise 05/07/2009
Cathryn Berger Kaye’s new hands-on service learning workbook for kids and teens A Kids’ Guide to Climate Change & Global Warming, has earned kudos from fellow experts in preserving our planet. Some of what they’re saying:
“A tour de force that pushes students to take action in ways that promise real impact.” —Barbara Cervone, Ed.D., president, What Kids Can Do/Next Generation Press
“This book is fantastic! Through jaw-dropping facts about our rapidly changing environment and creative exercises and projects that make a difference, children are motivated to take immediate action. A Kids’ Guide to Climate Change & Global Warming provides many hours of creative activism that students, parents, teachers, and polar bears alike will love.” —Linda Sivertsen & Tosh Sivertsen, authors of the award-winning Generation Green: The Ultimate Teen Guide to Living an Eco-Friendly Life
This fourth book in our How to Take Action! series teaches about current issues related to climate change, like severe weather, carbon footprints, deforestation, alternative energies, and much more.
To learn more about Free Spirit's award-winning titles or to request review copies, contact us at publicity@freespirit.com.
King Abdullah Abdulaziz Invites Free Spirit Author Jim Delisle, Ph.D., to Saudi Arabia to Talk Giftedness 03/26/2009
King Abdullah Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia has invited author and gifted education expert Jim Delisle to the royal palace in April to discuss giftedness in children and teens. Delisle will spend several days sharing his expertise with His Majesty the King and His Companions in Giftedness and Creativity. The Palace has requested and received two of Delisle's books: The Survival Guide for Teachers of Gifted Kids with coauthor Barbara A. Lewis and When Gifted Kids Don't Have All the Answers with coauthor Judy Galbraith, M.A.
Jim's invitation to meet with the King is a testament to his expertise, his research, and his work. We are proud of his work and we will be happy to share Free Spirit resources with our new contacts in Saudi Arabia.
To learn more about Free Spirit's award-winning titles or to request review copies, contact us at publicity@freespirit.com.
"We're the Chorus" Selected as Finalist in International Songwriting Competition 03/12/2009
"We're the Chorus," written by Don MacMannis and a track on the Ready to Rock Kids Vol. 3 CD, is a finalist in the International Songwriting Competition (ISC). Ready to Rock Kids features songs that deal with honesty, kindness, self-esteem, feelings, communication, positive thinking, overcoming fears, and celebrating diversity. Winners of the competition will be announced in April, 2009.
To learn more about the ISC and to hear "We're the Chorus" and other songs chosen as finalists, visit the ISC's website.
To learn more about Free Spirit's award-winning titles or to request review copies, contact us at publicity@freespirit.com.
Richard E. Nelson, Ph.D., and his book, The Power to Prevent Suicide, with coauthor Judith C. Galas, are featured in the February issue of Teen Vogue 02/09/2009
Depression in kids and teens is an issue many people don't like to think about, let alone talk about. But, Richard E. Nelson, Ph.D., author of Free Spirit's The Power to Prevent Suicide, speaks out about the causes, symptoms, and treatments of teen depression in the February issue of Teen Vogue. The article also features several teens who have dealt with or are still dealing with depression in their daily lives. Youth depression is an issue that we can't afford to ignore. Click here to read the full article online.
To learn more about Free Spirit's award-winning titles or to request review copies, contact us at publicity@freespirit.com.
Author Annie Fox in Washington, D.C., for Inauguration 01/19/2009
Annie Fox, M.Ed., the award-winning author of Be Confident in Who You Are, helps kids (and the adults in their lives) learn from and model the thoughtful, careful ascent of president-elect, Barack Obama. Annie is in Washington, D.C., for the inauguration and is available for interviews. She's also blogging daily at www.blog.anniefox.com with news from the inauguration and tips for kids wishing to follow in the president-elect's historic footsteps. Click here for more information.
To learn more about Free Spirit's award-winning titles or to request review copies, contact us as publicity@freespirit.com.
Author Annie Fox Offers Tips on a Blog Cast About Reducing Holiday Stress 12/15/2008
Annie Fox, M.Ed. , the award-winning author of Be Confident in Who You Are, recently was invited to be a guest host on ThinkingForward, a video blogging and blog cast Web site for parents of middle school students. Host Joe Bruzzese, M.A., and Annie discussed how to reduce the stress most parents feel during the winter holidays. Annie offered wonderful ideas to help reduce the strss of the holidays. Topics included gift giving, cooking, cleaning, and other family activities. At the end of the interview, Annie talked about her new Middle School Confidential™series with much praise from Joe. Click here to listen to the recording of the show.
To learn more about Free Spirit's award-winning titles or to request review copies, contact us at publicity@freespirit.com.
Two Free Spirit titles honored with parenting awards for 2008 11/24/2008
Be Confident in Who You Are by Annie Fox, M.Ed., has won Parental Wisdom’s Good Parenting Seal for 2008. The Good Parenting Seal is awarded to books and media that address parenting issues that are clear, helpful, and actionable. Annie Fox recently talked about her new book on KZSU Radio Stanford. Click here to watch and listen.
I Can Play It Safe by Alison Feigh and illustrated by Laura Logan has won the iParenting Greatest Products Award for 2008. iParenting.com, a Disney Internet Group media property, is a premier media site focused on parents. Their network includes more than 40 Web sites devoted to the entire family life cycle.
To learn more about Free Spirit’s award-winning titles or to request review copies, contact us at publicity@freespirit.com
Free Spirit Publishing Announces Acquisition of Attitude Matters® 11/07/2008
Free Spirit Publishing and Attitude Matters announce that Free Spirit has acquired Attitude Matters, creators of the In a Jar product line.
Attitude Matters, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a strategic addition to Free Spirit Publishing’s product line, bringing inspirational messages, life skills, learning, and fun activities to the gift and school markets. The In a Jar products provide messages consistent with Free Spirit’s books and learning materials, while offering unique packaging and content.
“Because Free Spirit has been a major distributor of the In a Jar products for our direct to consumer catalog, our customers are already familiar with the meaningful messages and unique format developed by Attitude Matters,” said Free Spirit president and founder Judy Galbraith. “Twenty-six years ago, Free Spirit Publishing broke new ground by creating innovative life skills materials for young people never before seen in the publishing world. In a Jar is a natural addition to our line of unique non-book materials, extending our ‘self-help for kids and teens’ niche—a niche we have focused on since day one. As the leading publisher of learning tools that support young people’s social and emotional health, our mission is to help kids think for themselves, succeed in school and in life, and make a difference in the world. Social and emotional learning is at the heart of this mission—a concept which is echoed in the Attitude Matters philosophy. This is an exciting milestone for our company, and we look forward to enhancing the In a Jar products as we move forward.”
The products include positive messages, talk topics, quotes, writing prompts, and a variety of activities for all ages in the categories of Character and Life Skills, School Subjects, and Fun and Games. The games and cards within each jar can be enjoyed alone or with others at home, at school, at childcare, in the office, while traveling, at parties, in youth groups, and at camp.
Naomi Drew Talks Peacemaking on The Doug Noll Show 10/05/2008
Conflict resolution expert Naomi Drew chatted with radio host Doug Noll about peacemaking, getting a handle on anger, and strategies for de-stressing when she was a guest on The Doug Noll Show in September. Naomi is the award-winning author of The Kids’ Guide to Working Out Conflicts and the accompanying Leader’s Guide. Check out Naomi’s interview by clicking here.
To contact Judy Galbraith or Naomi Drew, or for more information about our books, contact us at publicity@freespirit.com.
High IQ Kids Honored with National Award for Gifted Literature 09/29/2008
The Legacy Book Award is the only American book award that annually honors outstanding literature for its positive impact on the lives of gifted and talented children. To learn more about Free Spirit’s award-winning titles or to request review copies, contact us at publicity@freespirit.com
School Board Adopts I Can Play It Safe to Teach Young Children Body Safety 09/03/2008
Maryland’s Frederick County school board has adopted I Can Play It Safe by Alison Feigh for its preK through grade 2 body safety curriculum. The curriculum teaches students what to do if they are treated inappropriately and how to seek help. It will be field-tested in three Frederick County schools this spring and offered county-wide next year.
To learn more about Free Spirit’s award-winning titles or to request review copies, contact us at publicity@freespirit.com.
Free Spirit Announces Three Award Wins in August 08/01/2008
Reach Out and Give by Cheri J. Meiners, M.Ed., won the Carol D. Reiser Children’s Book Award, presented annually to the children’s book that most effectively inspires community service and volunteerism in children.
Creative Child Magazine awarded Pacifiers Are Not Forever by Elizabeth Verdick and illustrated by Marieka Heinlen the Preferred Choice Award for 2008 in the Board Books category.
Ready for the Day! A Tale of Teamwork and Toast, and Hardly Any Foot Dragging by Stacey R. Kaye, MMR, won the iParenting Media Awards Outstanding Product for 2008.
To learn more about Free Spirit’s award-winning titles or to request review copies, contact us at publicity@freespirit.com.
Free Spirit Wins the Association of Educational Publishers’ Distinguished Achievement Award 06/18/2008
Teambuilding with Teens: Activities for Leadership, Decision Making, & Group Success by Mariam G. MacGregor, M.S., has won AEP’s Distinguished Achievement Award in the Curriculum/Teaching Resources/Activity Books category. According to Charlene Gaynor, CEO of AEP, the 2008 winners exemplify the high quality of the educational publishing industry and foreshadow the advancements to come in teaching and learning.
To learn more about Free Spirit’s award-winning titles or to request review copies, contact us at publicity@freespirit.com.
Free Spirit Wins Skipping Stones Honor Award 04/30/2008
The Teen Guide to Global Action by Barbara A. Lewis is a recipient of The 2008 Skipping Stones Honor Award in the Multicultural & International Awareness category. The Honor Awards recognize 26 exceptional books and teaching resources.
To learn more about Free Spirit’s award-winning titles or to request review copies, contact us at publicity@freespirit.com.
Free Spirit Wins the Gold from Mom’s Choice™ Awards 03/27/2008
The annual Mom’s Choice™ Awards were announced March 21. Free Spirit won a Gold Award in the Children’s Picture Books/Growing Up category for Pacifiers Are Not Forever by Elizabeth Verdick and illustrated by Marieka Heinlen. Free Spirit also won a Gold Award in the Body, Mind, & Spirit category for the Be the Boss of Your Body™ series by Timothy Culbert, M.D., and Rebecca Kajander, C.P.N.P., M.P.H.
To learn more about Free Spirit’s award-winning titles or to request review copies, contact us at publicity@freespirit.com.
Free Spirit Author Launches Kids’ Show on PBS in Austin, TX 02/15/2008
Trevor Romain’s award-winning books and learning materials, part of the Free Spirit Laugh & LearnTM series, help guide kids and tweens through some of life’s biggest middle school challenges: homework hassles, clique tricks, and battling bullying. Now, young people in Austin, Texas, can see Trevor’s books come to life on the Trevor Romain Show, airing through mid-March on KLRU and KLRU2. If you are in the Austin area be sure to tune in! For those of you outside of the viewing area, contact your local PBS affiliate to request the show. Check out Trevor’s Web site by clicking here.
To interview Trevor Romain or to request review copies of his books, contact us at publicity@freespirit.com.
Judge Tom Jacobs’s New Web Site Answers Teens’ Questions About the Law 01/29/2008
As young people grow into adolescents, they naturally have questions about their legal rights. Judge Tom Jacobs literally wrote the books on teens and the law, and he recently launched a Web site devoted to this same topic. Askthejudge.info features regular updates from the news, important decisions from the nation′s courts, and online discussions with Judge Jacobs, author of They Broke the Law—You Be the Judge, What Are My Rights? and Teens Take It to Court.
Perfectionism Expert Thomas Greenspon Featured on Education.com 01/14/2008
Free Spirit author and expert Thomas Greenspon, Ph.D., is currently featured on Education.com. A licensed psychologist and licensed family and marriage therapist, Dr. Greenspon drew from his book What to Do When Good Enough Isn’t Good Enough: The Real Deal on Perfectionism to contribute to the article, “Is Your Child Her Own Harshest Critic?” Tom’s positive message for parents reassures them that there are ways they can help their kids deal with negative thoughts and perfectionism.
To interview Tom about recognizing and dealing with perfectionism, contact us at publicity@freespirit.com.
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