I Get Around Giving Project

The I Get Around Giving Project is providing books and learning tools to kids who need them. Every dollar you spend buys an item worth over $10--so you help 10 times more kids than if you bought an item yourself to donate. The link below gives more info. Rover and the kids would love your help! http://createsend.com/t/y-960E1B705C08DBD9

Break out of your routine!

Kids benefit from opportunities to explore and experience a variety of places, relationships, and activities. This article from Childcare Exchange makes it clear that the benefits continue throughout our lives. So go for it! (In the last few months, my "new things" have included taking an acting class, plans to teach a creative class to high school students, and going dog sledding.) What are some new things you've been up to?

People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.—Dale Carnegie

"Try something new.  One way to take your memory to a higher level is to expose it to as many new experiences as possible.  Recent studies conducted in Germany by University of Magdeburg researchers... demonstrated that novelty stimulates activity not only in the memory centers of the hippocampus/medial temporal lobe, but also in the dopamine rich midbrain areas responsible for motivation and reward processing.  Because dopamine can enhance learning, anything you consider unique gives you proactive neurocircuitry more ammunition.  By trying something new at least once a week... you provide yourself with more cross-reference material to draw on in the future."—quoted from "Secrets of Your Brain", Washington, DC:  US News & World Report, 2011.

i get around to Haiti

We recently provided books to Healing Haiti, an organization that currently supports 53 orphans, living in two small orphanages who have lost their families to extreme poverty, hurricanes and AIDS. For kids with such great needs, this small donation seems trivial, but I mention it because I Get Around concept has always included getting books around to kids and families who may not have them for various reasons. The bookmark shown here is now included in some books sold at retail, even though donating books has always been—and always will be—part of the plan.

A Rover Story, by Eli

7 year old Eli used his Rover stickers to tell a story (I love his creative sticker use). Note the last two frames—cat is in tree, so what to do? Use a karate kick to knock the tree down and free the cat, of course! (Click on image to view larger.)

Eli's dad typed the text up for us too:

Wake up rover.

Rover is ready to go.

Rover is hungry. He stretches.

He eats breakfast.

The cat is sleeping.

Til rover shows up. (mew!!)

The cat ran up the tree.

Rover knows karate. (crack!) 

Can a 4 year-old journal?

She sure can! It's all about developing a love for self-expression at this age. It's not about "knowing" how to spell (or even writing with letters), or knowing "what" is being created or drawn. It's about pretending, exploring, and experimenting, which helps develop communication skills, hand-eye coordination, confidence, and self-awareness. But most importantly, it's FUN!

Fall Festival

St David's, a Minnetonka center for preschool, therapy, child and family services, is celebrating 50 years on Saturday AND the opening of the first toddler playground in Minnesota combining inclusive and natural play elements. They also have a school forest. I love it. The festival events will include Minnesota Zoo animals, hayrides, nature crafts, and I'll be there helping kids journal about how and where they like to get around. Know any kids YOU can bring?

Dog Days of Stockholm!

Rover, River, and I invite you to get around to Stockholm WI this weekend! Dog Days of Stockholm is for people who love dogs, books, and art (any or all of the above). It's a cool little town to explore, plus there will be events all day long (including writing workshops, music, and dog-related fun). You'll find me at the children's tent helping kids journal about how and where they like to get around. Come see us!

Way to Grow picnic report

From Elizabeth Fields, Director (and inspirer) of Early Childhood Education at Way to Grow:

I want to share one of my new favorite WTG moments with you. Last night we had a picnic for Preschool Pals at Loring Park. 24 out 25 families that signed up showed up! Everyone brought  a dish to share and we all ate and played and had our faces painted together. After dinner the families met author, Deb Miner. Deb gave every family a copy of her book and we all sat in the grass together and read the book with her.  You should have heard those kids and families all reading together!! After the reading Deb met each family and signed their books with a personal message. It was a very powerful picnic! Many, many parents came to me to thank us for this opportunity for their children as well as our preschool program in general. Many of the parents chipped in to help with clean up too :-)

It was one of those powerful Way to Grow moments in life when you see many different cultures and people from all walks of life come together for a common cause.  And there really is no better cause than providing children with opportunity and education.

Way to Grow

I'm excited to do a book reading and signing in Loring Park this Thursday at Way to Grow's summer picnic for kids and families. Way to Grow empowers parents to be their children’s first and foremost teachers. Working with the Twin Cities’ most isolated families, their goal is to ensure every child has an equal opportunity to succeed in school and life. This sweet video tells a bit of their story.

Kenwood Elementary kindergartners get around!

Check out these kindergartners' favorite way to get around AND how they show and tell all about it!

reading with Mason

I love seeing 10 month-old Mason reading with his mom, Dawn in this video! The comment I most often hear from parents is that i get around is the book their child chooses most from the books they have :-) Rover and I are honored!

How do you get around? Axel takes the light rail!

Amy, Eric, and Axel took the light rail to Minnehaha Falls park recently. Yay! An adventure that includes both alternative transportation and getting outdoors :-) Amy says "Axel such a train boy it was hard to talk him into getting off the train!"
How and where do YOU get around with kiddos? Email your photos any time to info [at] i-get-around.com!

meet River

Adopted from RAGOM, the golden retriever rescue organization, meet my new sweetie (and Rover's brother), River!

kiddywampus visit

Check out photos from our visit to Kiddywampus on Facebook!

Interview on Examiner.com

Check out this article that was posted today at Examiner.com

Q: Describe i-get-around and where the idea came from.

A: i-get-around is collection of books and fun "activity encouragement" products for kids who get around in everyday life, on special trips, and in their imaginations. Curiosity, discovery, and learning are encouraged by Rover, a loveable, adventurous (and kinda silly) hound who likes to get around and learn along the way. Rover inspires little ones (age 0-8) to be creative and connected with the world around them—including being active in the outdoors and nature (i-get-around is a natural fit for helping to get kids outside and to be more physically active). Rover bikes, skis, skates, dances, walks, talks, runs, jumps, swims...read more

i get around SPRING TOUR!

We had so much fun visiting Laura Risdall's kindergarten class at Burroughs Elementary, that we're going on tour! On Fridays, March 12th through June 4th, we'll be visiting preschools and kindergarten classes for a book reading, physical activity, and an art project. Spread the word and get signed up--spots will fill quickly! Check out this 2 and a half minute preview:

Meet Lisa!

i get around has an intern! I am so happy to have Lisa's help and involvement. We're busy making plans to get around and have fun--how about you? Stay tuned for updates!

Where am I going?

This adorable little guy, Kincaid, is patiently waiting. Where do you think he's going?

Reviewers that matter: Kindergarteners!

I am always thrilled when I hear what kids think of i get around. So I have to share the reviews I received from Laura Risdall's kindergarten class at Burroughs School in Minneapolis! I cherish the letter I received. Here's what Ms Risdall wrote:

"After we read the book, I asked for their opinion. I told them they could tell me they liked it or didn't like it that much, but they had to tell why. Here are some of their responses, in their own words! It was all positive feedback!

I like it because...

It has a funny cover!

It has cool pages.

It is an interesting book.

I like that it rhymes!

I like the things that are in the dog's imagination.

It has a dog in it, and I have a dog at home!

I like the part that said, "Hey watch out for the tree!"

I like the part at the end where he goes to sleep!

I like the little critters in the drawings.

He goes a lot of places!

I like that you had to turn the book upside down!"

Thank you, Laura Risdall and students! I am honored to receive your feedback, and I look forward to meeting you in January. (I've been invited to visit the class!)

stock up SALE!

Looking for unique kid's gifts that are engaging? Want kids to share your love of travel, outdoor adventures, physical activity, and connection with nature? Have you met Rover?
This fun-loving (and kinda silly) hound encourages kids age 0-8 to be curious, creative, and connected as they get around in everyday life, on special trips, and in their imagination.
Save 25% PLUS get free shipping.
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