But Not Quite!" -- A Multi-Purpose Reading Tool for Parents and Teachers

This just-released, clever childrens book is like a Swiss Army® reading tool for parents and teachers. In addition to the main concept of similarities and differences, the book is filled with ways to help children build skills.

(PRWEB) October 30, 2004 -- This just-released, clever childrens book written by Judy Mullen Schneider and illustrated by Mary Konrad Weeks, is like a Swiss Army® reading tool for parents and teachers. In addition to the main concept of similarities and differences, the book is filled with ways to help children build skills.I wanted this book to have infinite creative possibilities for learning," says author, Judy Mullen Schneider, and working with Mary to expand the initial main concepts in the folded page by adding the border objects and toucan activities produced a book that far exceeded my initial goals. Marys beautiful and whimsical illustrations make this picture book one to save for future generations."

Children love turning flaps on picture book pages. The folded-flap pages in this book encourage them to examine objects that are almost the same as other objects -- but not quite. A P" becomes an R," a flower becomes a bouquet, and a shoe becomes a boot with the turn of a flap. Once the book is read, children begin imagining their own but not quites." Children relate that lodges are almost like hotels, cheetahs are almost like leopards and Es" are almost like Fs." The possibilities are endless.

The objects in the borders on each page illustrate that pages concept. Parents can discuss singles and doubles by reading the single/double bed page and looking at the strollers, Popsicles®, and bicycles in the border. Looking at the square/rectangle page and border objects like stamps, windows and toasters can inspire a discussion on shapes. On every page, a toucan is doing activities like reading a newspaper, juggling eggs, and painting. Turn the page and children see a magnified version of the toucans activity from the previous page. Both of these features are tools that parents and teachers can use to stimulate childrens interests.

Experts agree that reading with children helps them develop a love of books and build reading skills. Reading is arguably the most important skill for success in life. According to American Association of Pediatrics statistics, only 50% of parents read to their children each day. Judy and Mary want this percentage increased and wrote this book so parents could read creatively with their children and use the book as a catalyst for other activities, whether in five-minute snatches of time or for planned, organized projects. Boyce Heidenreich, former teacher and principal, says about the book, This book is a treasure! What a wonderful way to stimulate childrens thinking, inspire their creativity and motivate them to read and write."

Both authors are experienced educators, parents and grandparents. Judy has been involved in education for over 30 years, having taught at elementary, secondary and adult levels. She pioneered a team-teaching program for the Seattle School District, taught middle school in Watts in Los Angeles, and created a summer school program for the Issaquah, Washington School District. She created Line Puppetry, an art and drama method for motivating students, and is the co-author of many original classroom plays.

Mary is a summa cum laude graduate in Illustration from Cornish College of the Arts. She is a freelance illustrator specializing in watercolors and the illustrator of "Making Connections," a book for dancers. Mary has taught reading and math to elementary students with learning disabilities, introduced master painters and their works to students as an art docent, and currently teaches watercolors to adults.

Judy and Mary are available for book signings, school visits and short talks and workshops for parents, grandparents or teachers. Contact them to see how your organization can arrange for a workshop fund-raising event. The book is available from Toucan Creations, Inc. on its website: http://www.toucancreations.com.

For more information, contact:
Judy Schneider
Toucan Creations
info@toucancreations.com
877-281-2524

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