Teagan’s Likeable Literature: Review & Giveaway – Round The Garden book and cards

Being a parent and a music educator, I am always amazed at what children can imagine and create.  Whether it is drawing an amazing picture or composing variations on a musical theme ala Mozart, most children seem to naturally create and compose based on their surroundings.  There’s always music and dancing in my house so it is exciting to see Teagan create little songs and dances about our family (including the dogs!) that I am lucky enough to accompany. The same goes for 8-year-old author Omri Glaser, whose parents are graphic designers and whose design firm created the Zolo and Bonz toys. Omri was asked to create a poem in his first grade class.  He chose to write about the water cycle and traces it from a child’s tear, to clouds, to rain, back to ground where onions grow and the farmer sheds his own tear of pride and joy and starts the whole cycle again.  The Glasers use their graphic design genius to create page popping images, hand drawn and then digitally enhanced, to complement their child’s wonderful words.  That’s how the book Round The Garden was created. I can only imagine how exciting it must be for Omri to see his poem come to life on the page. This must be a huge inspiration for him.

I love Round The Garden and the fact that we are introducing life science to Teagan in such a simple and colorful way.  Soon she will wonder more about how the world works and this book will be a fun beginner’s reference. The book also features companion flash cards based on the storyline that are sold separately. We were lucky to get a set along with the book for review. Round The Garden cards can be used for memory type games, reading or as review of the characters and pictures from the story. The cards are as colorful as the book and each matching cards has a slightly different visual perspective. Lately we’ve been using the cards more than the book.  But that’s because Teagan is a flashcard maniac!  I look forward to more books like Round The Garden. It is so special that it was originally a child’s idea, nurtured by parents and then published and brought to this level through teamwork!

– That’s IT Daddy, Sean

Round The Garden book $16.00 and Round The Garden cards are $8.00

Visit zolo.com for more information.

GIVEAWAY: One (1) winner will win the Round The Garden book and Round The Garden cards

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This giveaway will run through midnight on June 7, 2010 (PST) with winner being announced sometime on or before June 9, 2010 (PST). Winner will be chosen using Random.org from all valid entries and notified via email. Winner will have 48 hours to contact us before another winner is chosen. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only (18+).

* We did not receive monetary compensation for this review.
* That’s IT mommy did receive a book and cards for review purposes.
This will in no way sway our opinion of the service.
The review is in our own words and is our opinion. Your results and opinion may differ.