Have you ever wanted to be thought of as completely adorable, snuggable, huggable?  Do you know some little animals that seem perfect?  Sure, you want to hug a kitty, or a bunny or a teddy; but do you want to hug a rhinocerous?  Would you like to cuddle with a horned lizard or a buzzard?  Maybe not.  But if you could see how these little animals perform, you would love them!  Raymond the Rhino is an amazing dancer, and plays the saxophone.  He is also a remarkable chef!!! He shares recipes kids can make and love.  Leo the horned lizard plays the classical violin.  Bard Buzzard is an amazing storyteller.  Syl Sloth does sound effects and writes pure country music....and Polly and Paddy Possum dance ballet and tap, and sing.  They also are models and teach good manners. The idea was born on July 4, 2006.  These little animals teach how to accept everyone, no matter how different they may be.  Our little Barnold the Bat comes form a dark place.  Some children do come from a dark place you know!   He is a poet and teaches kids how to write poems and make cards that encourage others.  They all wanted to be snuggable and huggable and be in the animal theatre group that was practically perfect in every way (Tad Teddy, Kit Kitty, etc).  When they tried out, they didn't make it...just like we all try to go for what we think is the best, and sometimes we don't make it.....so they become the Artsy Animals...and they become happy with who they are....Our amazing artist and sculptor is  Octavious the Octopus (he is just a little bit on the clumsy side and very shy), but he teaches kids how to use technology with free programs like SCRATCH on the internet that shows kids how to animate.  Our ballet dancing and singing team, Polly and Paddy Possum teach us how to be polite and have good manners.   They are so stylish they even walk the catwalk. Our little remarkable storyteller, Little Bard Buzzard tells stories of heroes and plants and animals that are endangered.  Our sound effects man and country western singer is Syl Sloth.  Our dramatic actress, Wanda  (she only answers to Wilhimena..her stage name), and Barney the Bat who is from a dark place writes poetry to encourage people.  These little animals teach all the core subjects and especially the arts in delightful and funny ways. Beginning Spanish is included in the lessons.  Vocabulary building and science/habitat facts are also included.  Each little animal champions their favorite endangered animal or plant in their habitat.  "Where are all the Chinkapen trees that we used to hang from?" ask Polly and Paddy Possum sadly.  Fine motor skills are developed along with the reading skills.  When they get done with a book, they go to the party book and get to have a really fun party!!! 

Each Artsy Animal has his/her own book with their own habitat. First they teach the alphabet and reading skills.  We are currently working on a math book about how they teach math...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." 

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. Each book also has character building lessons.

4. It works well with children who do not know English, and even includes Spanish.  

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

6. It make learning  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. 

8. It teaches everyone to love each other even if they are different.  It teaches us that we can work together.

   " 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.