Media Release
Hot Topics!
Author Biography
Ready to Print Article-Five Fun Ways to Improve Your Child's Intellect With Books
Sample Interview Questions

Media Release For Immediate Release
Supercharge Storytime
4 Activities Guaranteed to Make Young Kids Race for a Book

(Coralville, IA) Would your young child rather spend time vegging in front of the television or playing with friends, instead of reading? If so, it's crucial that you find ways to make reading interesting and fun - your child's future literally depends on it! Studies show that children who have parents or teachers read to them perform 10 percent and higher on Word Frequency Evaluation Tests and Standardized Tests.

"Books help children think," says Sandy Parker, mother of two and author of the children's book What Month Is It? "Incorporating activities like those included in the 'What Month Is It?' Curriculum Guide help children see beyond what is there."

A passionate literacy advocate in her home state of Iowa, Sandy reads her books to groups in schools, bookstores and libraries and incorporates the use of phonics, games, activities and crafts to make the reading come alive. Here she offers four of her favorite ways to keep kids on their toes:

1. Play charades and act out the adjectives and nouns from the book.
2. Go on a scavenger hunt and have your children find items that start with the same letter as a word chosen from the story.
3. Have your children write a story about an illustration from the book. Why are the people there? What are they doing? Why? Where are they from? Where are they going?
4. Encourage them to close their eyes and imagine going to a special place. Then ask them to draw a picture of the place they imagined.

"Keep storytime lively and set your children up for success!" says Sandy.
Discover even more ways to help your kids make the most of storytime.
Visit www.SandyParkerBooks.com for FREE Coloring Pages and
Top 10 Ways to Foster Your Child's Imagination!

Hot Topics

• 4 Ways You Can MOTIVATE Your Child to PICK UP A BOOK
• 5 Ways to Beat Bedtime Story Boredom
• Top 10 Ways to FOSTER your child's IMAGINATION
• 3 Ways You Can Improve Literacy in Your Area
• Why Reading Helps Your Child COMMUNICATE more CLEARLY
• 4 Ways to Make the Most of Your Child's "Window of Opportunity to Learn"
• 5 Fun Ways to IMPROVE Your Child's INTELLECT with BOOKS

Author Biography

Print Quality Version

Sandy Parker, author of the children's books What Month Is It? and What Day is Today?, developed a love for books at a very early age. A passionate literacy advocate in her home state of Iowa, Sandy reads her books and incorporates the use of games, activities and crafts to make the reading come alive.

What Month Is It? is a natural follow on to Sandy's first book. Throughout the book you travel to twelve different states, all of which have special meaning to the author. She enjoys including points of significance in her life within her books. In fact, it is because she was moved to pursue her dream of writing children's books from the tragic events of 9-11-01 she incorporates "thanks" in What Month Is It? to those who work to keep the country safe and allow everyone the opportunity to pursue their dreams.

Fueled by a passion to improve literacy, Sandy studied emergent literacy and language assimilation techniques at The University of Toledo. In 1991, she began her volunteer effort to enhance literacy, which she continues to enjoy today.
Sandy Parker and her husband Phil, a University of Iowa football coach, and their two children, Tyler and Paige, currently live in Coralville, Iowa. She is a native of Michigan and has lived in Ohio.

Illustrator Biography: Cathy Hofher, illustrator of the children's books What Month Is It? and What Day is Today?, has been drawing since she was old enough to hold a pencil. Cathy studied illustration at the Ringling School of Art and has been a professional graphic designer and illustrator for 20 years.

Her other works include Reach for the Sky, Put Your Best Foot Forward and Take a Deep Breath. Her distinguished artwork is also showcased on Riverside children's furniture.

A native of North Carolina, Cathy lives with her husband Jim, a football coach, their three daughters, a cat, and a dog.

Ready-to-Print Article
Five FUN Ways
To IMPROVE Your Child's INTELLECT
With Books

Are you missing a vital opportunity to supercharge your child's creativity and sharpen their intellectual skills? You are if you aren't reading with them on a regular basis.

"Books encourage children to think," says Sandy Parker, mother of two and author of the children's book What Month Is It? (Sandy Parker Books, $15.95, www.SandyParkerBooks.com). "They can take you somewhere else and stimulate imagination."

A passionate literacy advocate in her home state of Iowa, Sandy reads her books in schools, bookstores and libraries and incorporates the use of phonics, games, activities, and crafts to make the reading come alive. Visit the website to download a FREE page full of activities to enliven your storytime.

Always eager to help children learn, Sandy shares five ways you can use books to ignite your child's imagination and enhance learning skills.

1. Improve Literacy by using picture books like What Month Is It? Select one particular letter of the alphabet and encourage your children to find objects on the page that start with that letter.
2. Foster Creative Thinking by pausing after each page and asking, "What do you think will happen next?"
3. Teach Your Child About Geography by selecting a book set in a different state or country. Using a map, show your child where the place is located and talk about different or unique cultural aspects of the place.
4. Practice Mathematical Skills by having children count a selected item from a page in the book.
5. Develop Discussion Skills by asking your child to describe the main character of a book. Talk about what the character is like and ask them to explain why.

"Books are a great tool for helping children see beyond what is there," says Sandy. "Use them not only to educate your children but to send their imaginations soaring into new places!"

Discover even more ways to make the most of storytime.

Visit www.SandyParkerBooks.com to download a FREE sample page from Sandy's Curriculum Guide, and FREE coloring pages or purchase your copy of What Month Is It?

Reprint granted in part or entirety with attribution given to What Month Is It? by Sandy Parker.

Sample Interview Questions
Author Sandy Parker

Quotable Quote: "He who does not read is no better off than he who cannot read." -Stephen Covey

1. What are ways to improve literacy in your area?
2. What are 5 ways to beat bedtime boredom?
3. What are 4 ways to make the most out of your child's window of opportunity to learn?
4. Why does reading help children communicate more clearly?
5. What are 5 fabulous ways to foster your child's imagination?
6. What inspired you to write your books?
7. Why are you passionate about helping kids learn to read?
8. Your website, www.SandyParkerBooks.com has a Curriculum Guide to use with your book, what is it?
9. Why did you choose the specific cities/states in What Month Is It?
10. What plans do you have for future books?

You may contact the author directly at 319-688-9264 or via Email.