How did you get the name Garlic Press?

When we began, one of our artists was intrigued by the garlic plant. As Garlic Press had a double-entendre (an actual garlic press or a printing press), the intrigue with the plant and the play-on-words were naturals. Unfortunately, we are often confused with cooking or with the plant itself. We get calls asking about the Garlic Festival. Gilroy, California, hosts a renowned yearly Garlic Festival—Gilroy is 700 miles away, though. So much for some folks' geographic knowledge. We can't complain, the name is distinctive and gets-as we have yours-peoples' attention.

Where can I get your books?

Our materials can be used across a very wide spectrum—children, adults, community education, remediation, homeschooling. To limit our books to a label of age or grade slights many outside any designated age or grade who can also use the books. Pursuing the wide spectrum of our publications, GP refrains from insulting learners with needless graphic frills or cutesy illustrations.

Sign Language

Are your sign language materials ASL or Signed English?

Yes! A question that too often cloaks, "Whose camp are you in?" Our offerings tend to run closer to the linguistic models of Standard English. While our Word in the Hand books are clearly modeled for Signed English, our Sign Language Literature Series models Conceptually Accurate Signed English (CASE), and other books which primarily present vocabulary (e.g., Pets, Animals & Creatures) select common usage signs based upon the ASL and Gallaudet communities. Other books (e.g., Signing at School or Can I Help?) model sentence structures closer to English syntax than ASL.

What sources do you use for your vocabulary?

We have tried to choose vocabulary signs that reflect a larger, common usage. Common usage primarily reflects ASL, with attention to Gallaudet, Signed English systems, and other competent academic programs.

We commonly are taken to task because a particular sign is "too English," or "strictly ASL." It is hard to please everyone. Our usage of vocabulary per se—syntax is another matter—should meet common understanding.

We are trying to reach two cultures, both hearing and deaf. To do so, we use variations in English syntax. Stricter Signed English is presented in our Word In the Hand texts. Looser English structure is presented in most of our other publications. Again, vocabulary (e.g., Sign Language Vocabulary Cards or Fruits & Vegetables) is based upon common usage, no syntax involved.

Math

What is unique about your math offerings?

They tend to be no-nonsense, straightforward presentations. No frills, no cute pictures, no minimal text or minimal practice on a page. These are the serious books which teach to mastery. Perfect for on-level students, homeschoolers, older learners needing to refresh skills, or progressive self-learners.

From pre-algebra up, concepts are presented and explained, modeled by example, and practiced in focused exercises. Periodic review and testing help to measure attained and retained skills.

English

How is the Straight Forward English Series organized?

The six basic English books focus on capitalization, punctuation, and the eight parts of speech. Again, concepts are explained, modeled, practiced, and tested. Each stage is presented simply to maximize skill attainment.

The Larger Edition English books (Mechanics, Clauses & Phrases, Grammar & Sentence Diagramming, and Troublesome Grammar) focus on higher level English skills. Yet they continue to stress explanation, modeling, practice, and testing.

Why are there two levels in the Discovering Literature Series?

Each literature guide is designed to develop an appreciation for literature as highlighted in a specific novel. Each guide explores a wide range of critical reading skills and literature elements.

Our initial offering of guides (e.g., My Side of the Mountain or Where the Red Fern Grows) attended to young readers. The introduction of the Challenging Level guides (The Odyssey, The Hobbit, Lord of the Flies) attends to older, more mature readers.

Seriously and professionally. We're not interested in just "surviving" as a Substitute Teacher but prevailing as a competent teaching professional. Our materials stress the active nature Substitute Teachers must assume to legitimize their teaching to the maximum. Mastering the Art of Substitute Teaching models a teaching format to gain student cooperation and teach effectively. And Classroom Management for Substitute Teachers addresses the management skills.

A NOTE ASIDE: The three substitute teaching books were the first books we published. And we want to thank our local district superintendent who, when offered our first book as an aid to his substitute teachers, shunned the idea to help his teaching staff. He forced us to publish the book ourselves. Thank you! for turning us away, we would never have succeeded without you.