Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Flip Along Fun: Children's Book Review, Giveaway, & Coupon Code

Thank you to everyone who entered! This giveaway is now closed, congratulations to Jennifer T, comment #50 who said, "I'm a facebook fan of ABC and 123 under username Jennie".
We recently got a fantastic new book for our home library. I am always interested in children's literature, but this one really got me excited. It's a simple concept done very well. It also happens to be perfect for my daughter, right now. Children ages 2.5-6 will enjoy it a lot.

Flip Along Fun: Mix Up To Match Up...The Right Answer by Michael J. Dowling, illustrated by Sarah Dowling, is a mix and match storybook. Meaning that there are three different panels that are used to make up a simple addition "story". The whole thing is set to simple rhyming verse and colorful animal pictures.
The reader picks flips through the first and second set of panels finding an animal picture for each, that the story will feature. In the third section they find the picture that has both animals from panel one and two to complete the story. As the story is completed the animals add up.

It's hands on and interactive, the stories are delightfully funny, the concept of addition is illustrated for the kids, and the numeral on each page is enlarged and bolded. Children can see, hear, and make an addition story all at once. My daughter really likes this one:
Panel One: 3 pink pigs dancing jolly jigs.
Panel Two: Spied 2 yellow cats swinging baseball bats
Panel Three: and all 5 had a laugh as they sat in the bath.

That gets her giggling over and over, she thinks it's funny to imagine our two kitties in the bath tub. "That's so silly," she says while she rolls her eyes and usually falls over from laughing.
Another thing that I like about this Flip Along Fun is it's sturdy laminated board book cover and pages, not only will it stand up to years of little hands using it, but you can easily use it for desk top easel activities. Perfect for teachers to use during center times with small groups. It would be a great tool to use with parent volunteers leading small groups to review and reinforce math concepts. Students could use a book to make their own addition story, have the parent read it to them, and then copy the problem down into their math journal. To challenge the students, you could also have them reverse the problem into a subtraction problem.

It's an engaging read for preschoolers and an excellent resource for parents and teachers alike. I can think of many great ways to use this book because besides the math concepts, it could also be used in conjunction with word family and rhyming lessons. There is also a great video on the website, showing how the book works, see for yourself what a fun resource Flip Along Fun is!

Coupon Code:

Order the book at http://www.flipalongfun.com/, use the code K-01 and save $3 off of Flip Along Fun. Offer good now through February 14th.

Author Michael J. Dowling will autograph the book for you at no additional charge. He'll even personalize it if you provide the first names of the recipients at checkout, turning it into a really special gift! You can learn more about the author and the illustrator Sarah, who is also his wife, at their website. Giveaway:

One reader will win a copy of Flip Along Fun!

To Enter:

Visit http://www.flipalongfun.com/ and tell me something you learned about either the book or the author. {MUST be done for any other entries to be valid.}

Extra Entries:

  • Tell me who you'd give or use this book with and what you think the little learner in your life would like most about Flip Along Fun.
  • Publicly follow either one of my blogs, this one or my educational blog: ABC & 123, one extra entry for each.
  • Post either link button on your blog, one extra entry for each.
  • Fan either blog on Facebook, one extra entry for each.
  • Follow FlipAlongFun on Twitter
  • Follow me on Twitter, tweet this giveaway, using @KTnestingspot in it.
  • Post about this giveaway on your blog.

{Don't forget the mandatory first entry, leave me an extra comment for additional method of entry you choose}

Giveaway open now through Tuesday February 2, 2010 at midnight EST to US residents.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for reviewing purposes; this post relates my own unbiased opinions and experience with this title. Yours may differ.

76 Friends Said:

Katie said...

Create your own story is a great way to get kids involved in and excited about literacy. I personally love the potential for teaching computation through word problems.

Katie said...

I would love to have this book for all three of my little monkeys. I think they would really enjoy the colorful illustrations and the chance to interact with the pages.

Katie said...

I follow Katies Nesting Spot

Katie said...

I also have your button on ALML.

Vickie said...

Adela would love this book. She loves flip books!!

Vickie said...

I also follow ABC & 123.

Vickie said...

I also have ABC&123 button

Vickie said...

The author and the illustrator are married. How sweet:)

Annette W. said...

I read about how an autistic girl loves this book even though its mastered. I love that!

Annette W. said...

I would give it to my own children. I think my 3 yr would love to be silly like ER.

Annette W. said...

I follow ABC and 123.

Annette W. said...

I follow Katie's Nesting Spot.

Annette W. said...

I have your button. www.livelearnlove226.blogspot.com

Annette W. said...

I have ABC button too.

Michelle said...

I would love to have tis for the girls!! I learned that Flip Along Fun provides the kind of interactive, educational fun that child child psychologists, educators, and pediatricians recommend. That's good news for parents, because more and more research indicates that electronic media has adverse effects on children.

Michelle said...

I would love to use this with Emily and then Juliette when she was older. Right now Emily would love being able to flip the pages to make the number story.

Michelle said...

I follow Katie's Nesting Spot

Michelle said...

I follow ABC&123

Michelle said...

I have your blog button on my blog

Michelle said...

I have the ABC&123 button on my blog

Michelle said...

I follow Katie's Nesting Spot on Facebook

Michelle said...

I am a fan of ABC&123 on facebook too!

Michelle said...

I follow on twitter and tweeted the giveaway :0)

Natalie PlanetSmarty said...

I seriously want to win this book! I liked the fact that it's created by husband-wife team and the entire concept.

Natalie PlanetSmarty said...

My 3 year old would definitely enjoy both reading it and flipping through the pages.

Natalie PlanetSmarty said...

I subscribe to your blog

Natalie PlanetSmarty said...

And I subscribe to ABC123 blog too.

Shona Cole said...

i am following

Shona Cole said...

my Annie would love this book, she is almost 4 :)

thanks for the chance to win this giveaway.

Shona

Jane Jeffress Thomas said...

I learned that Michael Dowling has an MBA which intrigues me since he writes children's books. Very interesting. Thanks for the opportunity to add to my great-granddaughter's library.

Ticia said...

Sarah Dowling also design's women's clothing.

Ticia said...

I'd use this with my three little monsters, and they would love the funny animal rhymes.

Ticia said...

I follow ABC & 123.

RoS said...

Gee, that looks like a fun book!! Wish they had something like that when you were little! But you turned out great anyway! :)

The girl who painted trees said...

I learned that a husband and wife team created it. I love that a story is teaching math and how interactive it is.
juliecerdas at gmail dot com

The girl who painted trees said...

My 2.5 yr old already does simple story problems with manipulatives. She would love this. Especially since the stories are silly.

juliecerdas at gmail dot com

The girl who painted trees said...

I follow Katie's Nesting Spot.

juliecerdas at gmail dot com

The girl who painted trees said...

I follow ABC and 123

juliecerdas at gmail dot com

The girl who painted trees said...

I have the ABC and 123 button at http://theadventuresofbear.blogspot.com

juliecerdas at gmail dot com

Ladybug said...

Looks like a great product! Love that it is a husband/wife team that made it.

Ladybug said...

I would use it with my 3 year old daughter. She would love that it is a flip book... and how cute are those animals!

Jennifer T. said...

Michael Dowling, the author, also offers professional writing services to organizations and individuals .

Jennifer T. said...

I'd give this to my daughter. She would love it because of it's great illustrations and she loves books of any kind.

Jennifer T. said...

I follow Katie's Nesting Spot via Google Friend Connect.

Jennifer T. said...

I follow ABC & 123 via Google Friend Connect.

Jennifer T. said...

I'm a facebook fan of Katie's Nesting Spot under username Jennie Tilson.

Jennifer T. said...

I'm a facebook fan of ABC and 123 under username Jennie Tilson.

auntrene said...

I learned it is great fun for the kiddos because it is so interactive... Thanks for the chance
itsjustmerene2003 at yahoo dot com

auntrene said...

I would keep this book and share it with all of my Daycare Kiddos.. They would love it.
Reading time is one of their favorite times of the day.. I love that they can interact with this book.
Thanks for the chance
itsjustmerene2003 at yahoo dot com

Julie said...

I learned that the author and illustrator live in Georgia.

Julie said...

I follow this blog.

RR said...

I like how kids get to create their own storyline -- it gets them involved.

RR said...

I'd give it to my book-loving little one.

Anonymous said...

I learned that the author graduated from Columbia Graduate School of Business in New York City. That is fascinating because he also is writing children's books. I guess it proves that all of us have very varied interests--that's what makes us all interesting! I love that he's using his talents in creative ways, to benefit children and parents. Thanks for the chance to win!
Marci
june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I would give this to my friend's daughter... she would love this because she is the right age to enjoy interaction and fun. And she loves pretty, vivid pictures (ha ha what kid doesn't?)! Thank you for the chance to win.
Marci
june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com

annies home said...

author and illustrator both have same last name my guess all though it did not say is that they are married

annies home said...

this would be for my granddaughter
shopannies@yahoo.com

annies home said...

following blog
shopannies@Yahoo.com

annies home said...

fan of facebook
shopannies@yahoo.com

annies home said...

follow flip along fun on twitter
shopannies@yahoo.com

annies home said...

tweeted
http://twitter.com/shopannies/status/8121196318

shopannies@Yahoo.com

Michelle @Flying Giggles said...

The author has three published books. This looks great, my girls would love it!

Michelle @Flying Giggles said...

I would definitely use this book with Aiyana to practice her math concepts. I think she would love the flip pages.

Michelle @Flying Giggles said...

I am following and loving both of your fab blogs!

phxbne said...

Mike offers professional writing services to organizations and individuals that are described on www.MichaelJDowling.com.

phxbne said...

my 4 year old would love this as she loves making up stories

phxbne said...

follow ABC and 123

phxbne said...

Follow FlipAlongFun on Twitter @phxbne

phxbne said...

tweet http://twitter.com/phxbne/status/8199281907

zeitersouth said...

Michael is the author of three published books:)

colesammom at gmail dot com

Kim said...

learned this about the authors: Mike and Sarah live on scenic St. Simons Island, GA.

Kim said...

twitter follow them - kgail11

Lynn said...

I learned that the author also wrote Boosting Your Pet's Self Esteem. :D

Lynn said...

The book would be for my son (of course), and I think he would love it. He has a similar sort of flip style book and he likes it.

Lynn said...

I follow this blog.

Lynn said...

I follow ABC.

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