RENOWNED "SUMMER BRIDGE ACTIVITIES" BOOK SERIES HONORED BY LEADING TOY AUTHORITY, DR. TOY Acclaimed Workbook Combating Summer Learning Loss Named One of Summer's Best Products for Children; "Summer Bridge Activities" Book Series Gives Parents Curriculum and Motivational Tools to Keep Young Minds and Bodies Active and Growing Throughout the Sum
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
SALT LAKE CITY, UT -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 06/19/2006 -- Cookie Jar and Carson Dellosa Publishing's "Summer Bridge Activities" workbooks for children has earned a coveted spot on Dr. Toy's Best Vacation Products List - 2006. The educational series was created to give parents and children the tools -- and the motivation -- needed to make the most of the summer vacation months and prevent the loss of critical classroom skills during the summer break.
DrToy.com is an award-winning website created by the non-profit organization, The Institute for Childhood Resources, to provide information on the best toys, educational products and resources for children. Dr. Toy, also known as Stevanne Auerbach, PhD, is a child development specialist who has become well-known in parenting circles for the publication of her timely lists of positive and fun products. Culled from hundreds of commercially available goods, Dr. Toy's lists are compiled through a strict and painstaking process with exacting standards. Criteria include offering superior quality over similar products, providing a lasting learning experience, and presenting enduring value -- as well as being fun for the child.
The "Summer Bridge Activities" workbook series was created by Michele Van Leeuwen, at the time a working mother with a seven year old son. After reading a number of studies, she became aware that with a lack of stimulation, there is a notable erosion of children's mental acuity and a tendency to forget much of what they learned during the school year. Unfortunately, despite her extensive research, she also found that there were no commercially available materials that addressed this problem.
Michele decided to create her own workbooks for her child, and soon after, found that other parents were asking her if they could use them for their own kids. Michele's creation soon became a highly sought after resource in her area, and she went on to create eight additional volumes of what was to become known as the "Summer Bridge Activities" series.
Michele Van Leeuwen is available to speak about the problem of summer learning loss. She can also offer suggestions on the many stimulating and fun activities that parents can share with their children to keep their minds active throughout the summer. Kids who are exposed to these opportunities and take advantage of this balanced approach, return to school in the fall much more receptive to the new curriculum, while bringing with them a greater level of enthusiasm and self-confidence.
Now with over five million copies of the award-winning "Summer Bridge Activities™" series in print, this celebrated parenting expert shows parents how they can help improve their children's classroom performance by reinforcing classroom skills while at the same time encouraging outdoor activities during summer vacation. This results in increased children's self-confidence, an easier transition to the next grade, and improves academic performance.
ABOUT THE COOKIE JAR GROUP
The Cookie Jar Group develops, produces, distributes and markets quality products to children, their caregivers, parents and teachers. Cookie Jar Entertainment, Inc., The Cookie Jar Group's entertainment operation, is the producer of such renowned children's productions as "Arthur" and "Caillou." The educational business of The Cookie Jar Group, Carson-Dellosa ranks as one of the largest providers of supplemental education materials in the US, reaching nearly 2 million teachers with a wide array of books, classroom decoratives, puzzles and games, toys, science kits, flash cards, manipulatives and more. Carson Dellosa company High Reach Learning reaches daycare providers and Head Start centers with curriculum as a direct supplier of early childhood materials for children 3 months to seven years of age. Specialty publisher Rainbow Bridge Publishing operates as a standalone division of Carson-Dellosa. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, Rainbow Bridge Publishing targets the preschool-8 educational segment, and markets its catalog under a number of specialty product lines, which include the best-selling summer workshop series "Summer Bridge Activities™." The original summer learning workbook that has sold nearly 6 million copies, "Summer Bridge Activities" series is designed to keep children academically active during the summer months by reviewing and previewing basic skills in order to "bridge" the new school year.
MEDIA CONTACT:
SSA Public Relations
John Russel, Elliott Chang
(818) 501-0700
