This post may contain affiliate links. The Review Wire may collect a share of sales if you decide to shop from them. Please see my full disclosure policy for details.
In HOO HOO WHO? By Mary Maier, you’re invited to a party! Mouse’s Surprise Party is today, but Owl’s glasses are broken. It’s a good thing you came along! Can you use the clues to help Owl figure out which guest is at the door? Hoo, who could it be?
This book is too cute for words! The illustrations big and bold, and the muted soft colors give it a vintage and warm feeling. Not only is this book educational, but it gets kids thinking in a fun way.
In this catchy and interactive book, Hoo Hoo Who? by Mary Maier, children are encouraged to take part in the story and use expressive language to respond to Owl’s WHO questions. With engaging opportunities on every page, children will be excited to read this story again and again. Who doesn’t love to yell, “Surprise!” and sing, “Happy Birthday”? The bold and distinctive illustrations are refreshing for parents and particularly enthralling for children who will be naturally drawn to the curvy and circular shapes.
Roughly 1 in 12 children have a speech or language delay, including author Mary Maier’s 3-year-old son Max, who is also on the autistic spectrum. Here’s an excerpt from her blog explaining the importance (and shortage) of books focusing on WH- questions:
“Kids with language delays work on WH- questions A LOT. Many children know their colors, shapes, numbers, letters, but not the difference between who what and where. These questions are the building blocks of conversations and are HUGELY important to language development. I started thinking, why didn’t I know about this? Why doesn’t every parent know about the importance of WH- questions? Why aren’t WH-question books as prevalent as shape and number books? So I started doing some research. I wanted to find something to help with my son’s language development. All I could find were books with the word AUTISM in bold print on the front cover. No parent wants to read their child an AUTISM bedtime story—so I decided to write and illustrate my own WH- series of books for all kids, beginning with WHO. And WHO better to go on this journey with than a speech pathologist?
My hope is to spread the word to ALL parents (not just to those whose children have language delays), the importance of WH- questions in language development and that they can be focused on in a fun and natural way—just like all those color books.”
Hoo Hoo Who? will be followed by titles focusing on “WHERE” and “WHAT. ” It is the first title from Mary Maier’s new publishing company, Building Block Press, which publishes books on early childhood development and thoughtful design.
Click on the image to download these printable flashcards, which will help kids practice the WHO and WHERE questions key to language development.
Stay Connected:
Looks like a great book for ALL CHILDREN. It’s nice that there is speech pathology skills behind it and that it teaches in a fun engaging way. Hoping to win for Liam, Logan, Cooper, Brendon, Brody and little Olivia.