The news release for God Loves You So Much… went out today.

You can read the release at ChristianNewsWire, but it is also available on Google News, Yahoo News, and other sites.

The release is also listed on the news page of our site.

I noticed tonight that several news and blog sites also ran the story today.

Exciting times at Learn As You Grow!

Green Eggs and Ham celebrates its 50th birthday this month!

I ran across a great article on journalstar.com about the milestone. The article lists some very interesting facts about this classic book including:

• It is the 4th best-selling book in children’s literature
• The book helped revolutionize beginner reading with its economy of language
• It started as a joke & bet. As stated it the article 

” The 1960-published book was the result of a $50 bet between Theodor Seuss Geisel and his Random House editor, Bennett Cerf. Could Seuss write a children’s book using only 50 different words, a book that would make 6-year-olds want to learn to read all by themselves? Seuss wrote the book and won the bet, of course. Though, reportedly, Cerf never paid him the $50.”

•  It is even more amazing that 49 of the 50 words used were monosyllabic (“anywhere” the one exception).

My favorite quote in the article comes from Kansas State University English professor Philip Nel. He is quoted as saying,

“The value of hooking kids as readers at an early age can’t be underestimated. It’s vital to “bring kids to books and present them as a pleasurable pastime and not just a chore.”

Can I agree here or there? Can I agree anywhere?

Todd for Yorkshire Publishing shared his thoughts on reading to children the week on his Ask the Publishing Guru.

He describes why he felt it was important and how it helps establish a love of reading.

The post also discusses potential sources and types of books to consider when you are budget constrained.

It is a quick read, but a nice reminder of the importance of reading to kids.

I apologize for the inconsistent posts and information lately. I could list numerous excuses, but won’t.

Many of you have been asking where you can get a copy of “God Loves You So Much…”. As previously posted, they are currently available at The Prairie Bookshop in Mount Horeb, WI.

In addition, you will soon be able to purchase “God Loves You So Much…” directly from this website.

Ok, one excuse (or explanation)…we have been spending a great deal of time setting up the online store, but it should be available soon.

Thanks for your patience and continued interest!

I think most would agree the right teacher(s) could have a significant impact on a child’s development – especially early in the child’s education.

A recent article from The New York Times titled “The Case for $320,000 Kindergarten Teachers” discusses this very topic.

Conventional research indicated that any benefit was diminished by the time students reach higher grade levels. However, this was based purely on test scores.

A new study by a group of Harvard economists evaluated the results in terms of “adult outcomes” rather than test scores. I think the preliminary results are interesting.

I have been traveling around the country recently and took the opportunity  to test market “God Loves You So Much…”. This included families reading the book during flight delays and I even gave a few copies away.

In one instance, my flight was delayed and everyone with connecting flights was likely going to miss them. A father with three young girls was scrambling with his iPad and iPhone attempting to arrange a different connection, but the girls kept asking to play with his iPad. I could see he was getting frustrated, so I offered the girls a copy of “God Loves You So Much…” to help distract them.

First, the oldest girl read to the younger two and then they took turns “reading” the book individually. I was glad the book kept their attention as long as it did.

After the father completed his calls, he asked me a few questions about the book and, ironically, they used to live in the same area. We spoke for a few minutes and then he called his wife to inform him of their situation.

While on the phone, he mentioned the book to her and that it was published in Mount Horeb. She must have asked who published the book, because he asked if it was self-published. I responded that it was and he told his wife “Yeah, it’s self-published…anyone can do that.”

Anyone… indeed.

It has been a truly blessed week for us at Learn As You Grow. Our first book reading was a huge success on Thursday and we made arrangements with our first bookstore today!

“God Loves You So Much…” is now available at The Prairie Bookshop in Mount Horeb, WI.

We will be working to add additional outlets in the future and the book will also be available at this website.

But, for now, The Prairie Bookshop is your exclusive dealer for “God Loves You So Much…”

Thanks John!

We are so excited! The first public reading of “God Loves You So Much…” was a big success!

Our book was included as part of the curriculum at summer bible camp yesterday.

The book was shared with over 20 children ranging in age from 2.5 to 4 and apparently they loved it. I guess it is a good sign when a book captures and keeps that attention of that many children. A few children even came back during breaks to have another look.

Special thanks to New Heights Lutheran for including us and to Korey for reading to the children!

If you have a few minutes and are interested in science, you should check out this YouTube video.  Theodore Gray discusses his “periodic table” table…

and how he recently created an app for the iPad to showcase the elements…

It looks like this app not only showcases the elements, but also the capabilities of the iPad.

Pretty cool.

 God called a friend home today

A friend to you and me

A beacon to the world around

No equal could there be

Courageous in his battle

He fought back the disease

Extra time for him and us

Precious memories

It’s hard to fight against the tears

Controlling fears and thoughts

When losing someone so unique

No way to measure loss

A husband and a father gone

But never out of mind

His light still shines through their eyes

And will for all their time

A trail of smiles and laughter

A path of joy and fun

Brightened days and touched lives

His legacy is won

We always seek for answers

But struggle on the way

Impossible to know God’s plan

Still asking “Why?” today

A loss too tough to think beyond

But there the truth may be

To know him was a gift from God

Simple and complete