You’re Invited! Mouse’s
Surprise Party is today, but Owl’s glasses are broken. It’s a good thing you
came along! Can you use the clues to help Owl figure out which guest is at the
door? Hoo hoo who could it be?
In this catchy and interactive book, children
are encouraged to take part in the story and use expressive language to respond
to Owl’s WHO questions. With engaging opportunities on every page, children
will be excited to read this story again and again. Who doesn’t love to yell,
“Surprise!” and sing, “Happy Birthday”? The bold and distinctive illustrations
are refreshing for parents, and particularly enthralling for children who will
be naturally drawn to the curvy and circular shapes.
Roughly 1 in 12 children have a speech or
language delay, including author Mary Maier’s 3-year-old son Max, who is also
on the autistic spectrum. Here’s an excerpt from her blog explaining the
importance (and shortage) of books focusing on WH- questions:
“Kids with language delays work on WH-
questions A LOT. Many children know their colors, shapes, numbers, letters, but
not the difference between who, what and where.
These questions are the building blocks of conversations and are HUGELY
important to language development. I started thinking, why didn’t I know about
this? Why doesn’t every parent know about the importance of WH- questions? Why
aren’t WH-question books as prevalent as shape and number books? So I started
doing some research. I wanted to find something to help with my son’s language
development. All I could find were books with the word AUTISM in bold print on
the front cover. No parent wants to read their child an AUTISM bedtime story—so
I decided to write and illustrate my own WH- series of books for all kids,
beginning with WHO. And WHO better to go on this journey with than a speech
pathologist?
My hope is to spread the word to ALL parents
(not just to those whose children have language delays), the importance of WH-
questions in language development and that they can be focused on in a fun and
natural way—just like all those color books.” To download colorful flashcards that can be used with the book or alone go to WHERE Flash Cards. .
The 411:
I loved the illustrations and adorable story about owl who is waiting for his friend mouse to come over for a surprise birthday party. Owl's glasses are broken so he needs our help finding out who is showing up at the door. We are given clues like What is that singing I hear? a ba baa baa or a la la laa? Owl asks who can it be? Who is fluffy like a cloud? Who has snowy white fleece? Who says baa baa la la la? To which the listen answer before we turn the page to reveal "Sheep". My preschool class loved the book and were able to guess from the clues who was at the door.
They loved the illustrations as much as the story and especially when owl was finally able to see.
Very cute!
Hoo Hoo Who? will be followed by titles focusing on "WHERE" and "WHAT", and is the first title from Mary Maier's new publishing company Building Block Press, a publisher of books focusing on early childhood development and thoughtful design.
The 411:
I loved the illustrations and adorable story about owl who is waiting for his friend mouse to come over for a surprise birthday party. Owl's glasses are broken so he needs our help finding out who is showing up at the door. We are given clues like What is that singing I hear? a ba baa baa or a la la laa? Owl asks who can it be? Who is fluffy like a cloud? Who has snowy white fleece? Who says baa baa la la la? To which the listen answer before we turn the page to reveal "Sheep". My preschool class loved the book and were able to guess from the clues who was at the door.
They loved the illustrations as much as the story and especially when owl was finally able to see.
Very cute!
Hoo Hoo Who? will be followed by titles focusing on "WHERE" and "WHAT", and is the first title from Mary Maier's new publishing company Building Block Press, a publisher of books focusing on early childhood development and thoughtful design.
About the Authors: Mary
Maier graduated from Miami University, where
she met her husband, with a degree in Art Education. She is an avid painter
with a huge imagination; an important quality when raising two wild boys. She
resides in Louisville, KY.
Mary has previous experience owning a publishing
company for 25+ years solely based on books about the card game bridge.
Lauren Horton received
her Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Ball State University in
December 2016. Lauren was born in Muncie, Indiana, but now resides in Atlanta,
Georgia with her husband.
To Enter the giveaway for Hoo Hoo Who? And a custom puzzle that features the artwork from the book fill out the form below. This giveaway is available to the US and Canada. 18+ and ends 2/28/19.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary book for my honest opinion. No monetary compensation was offered.
To Enter the giveaway for Hoo Hoo Who? And a custom puzzle that features the artwork from the book fill out the form below. This giveaway is available to the US and Canada. 18+ and ends 2/28/19.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary book for my honest opinion. No monetary compensation was offered.