There are ten Artsy Animals.  They are all animals with a little something about them that make them less than perfect.  They were born on July 4, 2006 and have grown to be what they are today, helping and encouraging kids of all ages!  Maybe they are too chubby, too small, have to wear glasses, too slow, not very pretty, etc.  They might be considered unsnuggable, but they are very lovable.  Each of the reading books have reading and drawing exercises.  The first three books now also have Spanish translations of some sentences.  Vocabulary building and science/habitat facts are also included.  Fine motor skills are developed along with the reading skills.  The first book to buy would be Artsy Animals Being Kind to Each Other.   The Artsy Animals Parties Book gives wonderful parties children can have when they are finished with each book, or just to have for educational fun!!!  Each of the parties focuses around one of the arts; including dance, singing, playing an instrument, painting, acting (making a puppet theatre and puppets), etc.  Raymond gives a party for his best friend; Leo the lizard gives a classical music party; Polly and Paddy Possum give a Tea Party; etc.  You might try Raymond's and Polly and Paddy's alphabet reading book first! 

Each Artsy Animal has his/her own book. All the stories are written in a rhyming format.  Raymond the Rhino is the first character.  His story starts out, "Raymond the Rhino was such a nice fellow, he was gentle and mild you could even say mellow."   He is chubby and has very thick glasses (rhinos don't really see well), so he feels discouraged sometimes.  He plays the saxophone and really dances well.  He is befriended by a wonderful giraffe who appreciates Raymond's kindess and acceptance of everyone no matter how they are dressed or what they look like.  The second character is an adorable octopus Oscar, who is very clumsy and turns from pink to red at the drop of a hat, but quite a good artist.  The third character is a hyperactive little dragonfly, John Paul, who thinks he is way too small.  He plays the drums because he thinks if he is very loud, being small won't matter. He is befriended by a lovely hummingbird who explains why small can be good.  We have a horned lizard named Leo, a buzzard named Bard (storyteller), a Walrus named Wanda, and a little three toed sloth named Syl who is slow and stutters and is a country western singer. He is befriended by a turtle who teaches him tenacity.   There also are the two possum twin sisters Polly and Paddy. All of these little animals are very talented and form a theatre troup and put on wonderful productions.  They have their own books that teach reading too!

Why Buy Artsy Animals?

1. Artsy Animals teaching reading using phonics and rhyming in an ABC's format using animals of different habitats.  Each reading book has a workbook on CD  for enhanced learning. It can be copied for number of children taught. 

2. Artsy Animals develops fine motor skills through drawing using basic shapes. 

3. It teaches science/habitat facts and enhances vocabulary.  It has wonderful websites and songs to sing that go along with some of the lessons.

4. It works well with children who do not know English. 

5. Children with learning disabilities benefit from the kinesthetic and visual approach.

6. It make learning to read a memorable and positive experience for visual and kinesthetic learners.   

 7. It encourages and enhances children to get involved in the arts and teaching through the arts. 

   " Hanna has a heart to help other children younger than herself. There  is a little boy in our church. He, like Hanna, is Chinese. However, he has had trouble in first grade with English. His mother was in tears telling us about her concerns. Hanna often draws and colors with him at church functions because he just loves to draw. She took ARTSY ANIMALS to him and they drew pictures while working on saying the
English words. His mother was thrilled that he was learning words while doing what he loved so much...drawing. It was a perfect solution. We are going to take the one you gave to "my little teacher" (Hanna) to him tomorrow. We've told him we have a surprise for him and his mom says he is so excited. Thank you for your generous heart to give it to her to help a child and for the great idea God has given you to help children with language as well as art."
Daye Sims

"Artsy Animals Learn To Read is a creative masterpiece sure to delight Montessori teachers and parents looking for ways to stimulate integrated learning.  Sharon Jeffus makes learning phonics fun by focusing on the wonderful world of animals.  Children receive needed practice in the areas of both letter recognition and phonics patterns. Well written and imaginative drawing lessons appear on each page, often  supplemented by interesting factoids about the animal as well as an invitation for the child and parent to do some enjoyable extension exercises."
Heidi Spietz  American Montessori

Joyce Herzog says: "I love the Artsy Animals! What a win/win combination - developing art skills and learning letter sounds. Most children will love this! It is perfect for one boy I am working with right now! I can't wait to see "Artsy Animals Being Kind to Each Other."

"My children went wild with joy when they saw the latest in the Visual Manna line up of products. Michael, my six year old doesn't like to write, but after a few moments of Artsy Animals, he was writing rhyming sentences and illustrating them as well. I was so excited to see him giggling as he wrote silly rhyming sentences to go with his drawings.  My eight year old got out a drawing pad and began illustrating her own rhyming words."  
Felice Gerwitz
author/publisher
Media Angels.

Artsy Animals Party Kit

The Artsy Animals Party Art Kit includes:

• The Artsy Animals Party Book
• 12 sets of pre-sharpened coloured pencils, oil pastels, scissors, glue, markers
• 12 sets of all the projects, except snacks and recipes
• assorted ribbons, textured paper, feathers, eyes, buttons, etc
• glue gun
• everything you need for your parties for kids   Cost is $179.00
  

 The Artsy Animals Art Kit is now available on the website catalog! To view the catalog entry, please click on the link below.

www.visualmanna.citymax.com/catalog/item/4506039/5572297.htm

Artsy Animals is trademarked and copyrighted.  All rights are reserved.