Pioneering Reading Program Paves the Way to Innovative e-book Early Reading Series

In 1987, School Zone Publishing Co. founder and long-time educator, Dr. James Hoffman developed a pioneering reading program called The Right Stuff to Teach Your Child to Read, a catalog of developmental activities, fun games, lessons and expert advice to begin children on the road to reading.

Dr. Hoffman believed that learning to read well and with enjoyment is the single most important achievement in a child’s early intellectual life. The child begins to work on this achievement soon after birth, by improving visual, listening and speaking skills. As the parent, you are the guide during this early development. You are the key to opening the door to the confidence, satisfaction and knowledge that reading provides.

As a reading specialist, Dr. Hoffman’s lifelong research and experience led to the creation of The Right Stuff to Teach Your Child to Read. He also wrote eight books on educational issues and co-authored an influential study of urban education. Hoffman’s experience as a professor of education, teaching and directing teacher training programs at several universities in the Midwest, shaped his innovative response to identified needs

The Right Stuff to Teach Your Child to Read was a pioneering program in its time, as researchers and educators discovered new information about pediatric development and the intrinsic value of early childhood education. The manual contains a wealth of information about pediatric development, language and pre-reading skills, visual discrimination, communication and much more. It includes a parent-friendly introduction and discussion of each new skill, reproducible worksheets, and hundreds of games and activities.

The innovative methods and child development information in The Right Stuff to Teach Your Child to Read has not only withstood the test of time, but has paved the way for the popular School Zone reading series, Start to Read!.

Adapted from The Right Stuff, Start to Read! is a series of creative, colorful readers thoughtfully designed to help children learn to read with captivating stories told through rhyme, rhythm, and repetition. Each book builds children's reading vocabulary and features an exciting or amusing plot with colorful illustrations. The three reading levels in the series make it easy for your child to learn to read at a relaxed and enjoyable pace.

And now School Zone is making this popular series available in digital format. As an e-book, the stories can be read by parent and child together, or can be explored independently by busy kids on the go. The Start to Read! series includes over 40 readers, which will be made available for iBooks, Kindle and Nook throughout 2011.

School Zone Publishing Company is a leading provider of educational software and products for preschoolers through sixth graders. Since 1979, this family-run, Midwestern-based company has sold over 315 million educational software programs, workbooks, flash cards and games for children. Trusted by teachers and parents, School Zone leads the industry in quality content at affordable prices. For more information on all School Zone products, please visit www.schoolzone.com