What do you get when you combine a book of mazes, a “search-and-find” type of feature, and an accompanying text that provides appealing and interesting information? I’m holding the answer in my hands right now, and it’s the new cute, fun and informative over-sized picture book by Roxie Munro, EcoMazes: 12 Earth Adventures.
The maze concept of this book is played out on a template of twelve different ecosystems- from a steamy tropical rainforest to a frigid arctic polar landscape and several more in between. At one level, young readers can trace their fingers along the visual paths in the ecosystems to go from point A to point B. Along the way, they can also choose to search through the ink-drawn illustrations to find the listed wildlife appearing in the spread. Think less cartoonish and hidden as the Where’s Waldo books, but more simple drawings of realistic settings. And when they’ve completed the maze and they flip to the back for the answer key diagrams, (no peeking!), they are met with a wealth of information about each individual ecosystem– fun facts, yes, but also a view into parts of the world that may be completely foreign to them. Knowledge, especially when presented in this lighthearted and active way, can instill a respect and awe for all that our planet has to offer! And what could be better than that around Earth Day?
I’m excited to share this book with you, as Sterling Publishing is offering one copy of EcoMazes: 12 Earth Adventures to three lucky readers! Please leave one comment here to be entered. U.S. residents only, please.
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In honor of Earth Day, we have another fun add-on to our Earth Day books giveaways. In addition to the book, one winner will also receive a Marcal Small Steps starter pack worth $25.
Marcal Small Steps products use 100% post-consumer waste. I (Jennifer) was able to try these products out. I would not recommend the tissues (they are just too scratchy), but the toilet paper and paper towels are great.
I don’t know if you know that although many people recycle, there isn’t always a market for the end-result, so I love that they are trying to find a way to use it.
Check out the Save a Tree Calculator to see how many trees you and your family could save a year. You can also find out more at their Facebook page.
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The Season of Second Chances–#29, Rita
Picture Books for 2010 — #30 Angelica
The Agency — #16 Bluestocking
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Dawn often feels like her real life is spent running through mazes, although they only span one U.S. East Coast ecosystem. The antics of the “wildlife” are recorded on her blog, my thoughts exactly.
Sounds like a fun book that my daughter would enjoy.
A grandmother’s dream–an activity that will accommodate the different age groups!
This book sounds like just the kind of fun, but educational book that would be a delight for my daughter. I love that it re-enforces the message that we all need to be much more aware of our environment and how our actions effect our world.
This book sounds great! I am impressed with how my young kids have taken to protecting the earth. It really is fun to watch them talk about recycling and planting trees and whatnot.
sounds great…think my nieces and nephews would like.
It doesn’t say what ages, but I think my kids would still have fun with this! If not, we could pass it on.
Sounds like a book that the kids actually learn while having fun.
debp
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
Sounds like a great book for getting kids a look at different ecosystems in a way that’s fun.
Happy Earth Day to all! Thanks.
That sounds like a wonderful summer resource for children! I would love to be entered in the drawing! Thank you for offering it!
my kids would love this book! Thanks.
Sounds like a great book to read to my niece
Sounds like a fun book for the kids (and me too!) Thanks!
Sounds great!
My daughter loves mazes, so she would be thrilled with this book!