Editorial Reviews
Review
My kids loved these
The patterns start out simple then advance to use more alphabet letters in the later part of the book
I would buy this again
To get more use, I put some on a sheet protector and gave the kids a dry erase marker
However, they wanted to write directly on the sheet after getting the hang of it
--Amazon
My 4 year old knows her letters by name and sound but could never sing the ABC song correctly or recite the alphabet in order
After only 1 day of a few of these fun dot-to-dots, she has it down! Wish I would have found this years ago because I homeschool my children and it is the fastest way to teach them to recite the ABC's
--Amazon
About the Author
For nearly 40 years, School Zone has helped make learning fun! Our research-based content, developed by leading educators, delivers award-winning, state-of-the-art products digital and print for individual learning styles and goals
Every product placed in a child's hands is brimming with color, content, and creativity
In every detail, innovation meets imagination and timeless tradition
In that same spirit, School Zone both embodies success and embraces possibility, stepping boldly into new media and platforms to connect with kids where they are
Parents appreciate the quality and attention to detail
The company continually updates materials with new features and content, reflective of changing standards, evolving teaching methods, and overall best practices
The result? Great learning at home and in the classroom
Joan Hoffman, M.A., is the author and co-author of hundreds popular storybooks and workbooks for children
Among the titles are Peter’s Dream, I Don’t Like Peas, and The New Bike (the latter two published under the pen name Marie Vinje), the Get Ready for Preschool, Kindergarten, and First Grade workbook trio, along with the entire Get Ready, Little Thinker, I Know It!, Try-n-Spy, and Little Busy Book workbook series
She is also co-founder, along with her late husband James Hoffman, Ph.D., of School Zone Publishing
Visionary in business, she has long looked at the world through a child’s eyes, infusing her stories and lessons with joy and relatability
As a mother of 4 back in the ‘70s, like moms the world over throughout history, she wanted what was best for her children
And she knew that teachers didn’t have the time to give her kids everything they needed
As an elementary school teacher, Hoffman worked hard to give her students what they needed to learn
And parents would ask her what they could do to help
That’s why she started School Zone—to help give children every possible chance to reach their potential
She brought retail experience gleaned from previously founding and managing two regional educational book and supply stores for teachers and parents
Her husband lent his blended talents of educator and entrepreneur
A professor of education who also had first-hand experience as an elementary teacher, he was involved in teacher education programs at several colleges and had served at the helm of a company that published classroom materials
Combining rock-solid editorial judgment and creative instincts with a thorough understanding of early education, Joan Hoffman was an exemplary proponent of design thinking long before it became a conceptual label
An innovative problem-solver, she has always sought to reach out to end users and challenge convention
Separating fleeting trends from legitimate advances has been essential to her company’s longevity
The results speak for themselves
With the next generation—both son Jonathan and daughter Jennifer—taking on creative and strategic leadership roles in the company their parents started, School Zone seamlessly integrated digital learning platforms
The company received Apple’s exclusive Human Interface Design Excellence Award for software development, and its apps were part of the first-generation iPad launch in 2010
School Zone’s flagship product, the Little Scholar Learning Tablet, has earned industry-wide recognition and awards, as has its online learning destination Anywhere Teacher
Inspired by mom’s story-telling excellence, son Jonathan continued that legacy with Charlie & Company, an original series for ages 3-7, available on Oznnoz, Kidoodle.tv, ToonGoggles, BatteryPop, Ameba, and Highbrow
Joan Hoffman says, “It is incredibly rewarding to see the children and grandchildren of some of our original customers enjoying our ever-evolving books, apps, flash cards, games, music, and other products—both print and digital
”
In 2019 School Zone celebrates its 40thanniversary, spanning portions of five decades and having sold more than 370 million educational products
Hoffman continues to be hands-on in the company, still writing, still envisioning, and still putting kids, parents, and teachers first
4.8
