Since its inception, World Book has been an acknowledged leader in the development of exceptional reference materials for homes and schools. Our story began in 1917 with the publication of the very first World Book Encyclopedia. This eight -volume edition set new standards for accuracy…standards that continue to guide us today. Current editions that are published in 22 volumes and feature clearly written text, more than 28,000 illustrations, and unsurpassed accuracy.

Since its early days, World Book has been relentless in the pursuit of educational excellence. During the 1930's, a group of distinguished educators formed the World Book Editorial Advisory Board to analyze typical school curriculums. World Book editors used the Board's findings to develop content perfectly suited to students' needs. To this day, ongoing curriculum analysis is a World Book cornerstone.

In 1955, World Book launched its Classroom Research Program. In this program students fill out cards indicating which subjects they looked up in the World Book. Hundreds of cards are submitted each year, providing the editors with guidance on students' needs, interests, and reading levels.

Over time, World Book has expanded its product line well beyond its renowned encyclopedia. We now offer a broad range of products tailored to the educational requirements of all age groups, including hundreds of age-appropriate tiles on nature, geography, the enviroment, different cultures, language, early learning, health, maths, and science.

Recent years have seen dramatic changes in the way we obtain information, educate our families, and learn about world events. And World Book remains at the forefront of the latest information delivery technology. Although books are still the core of our business, we also offer a host of interactive learning products featuring video, audio, CD-ROM, and manipulatives.

To keep World Book on the leading edge, we have forged strategic alliances with technology leaders whose capabilities complement our educational objectives. The result is a rapidly expanding line of outstanding electronic learning products designed to fully exploit the powerful information technology now available to our customers.

But World Book has also advanced in the way we go to market. For many years we depend solely on direct, one-on-one selling. While this approach is still fundamental to our business, we now employ a variety of sales and distribution methods.

World Book's products are marketed worldwide by an ever-expanding network of distributors, dealers, licensees. World Book's products are sold in more than 60 countries and are translated into many languages including Arabic, Chinese, Finnish, French, Greek, Hebrew, Indonesian, Italian, Korean, Malay, Portuguese, Russian, Slovene, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, and Turkish. We believe that our products represent superior values and offer children and their families comprehensive educational resources in all major disciplines and at every age level.