Kids' Book Series a Hit with Seniors Exercising the Brain
Rochester, NY (PRWEB) June 3, 2008 -- Move over crossword, word search, Jumble and even Sudoku puzzles! The Greatest Dot-to-Dot Super Challenge books, by David Kalvitis, are earning a place on the coffee table. Although the original goal was to entertain the "big kids," preteens and teens who are outgrowing the books and toys of childhood, these ultra-challenging connect-the-dot puzzle books are receiving a huge and unexpected response from the senior crowd. USA WEEKEND Frame Games author, Terry Stickels, states "Recent research now supports the use of puzzles and games to keep our minds sharp and flexible as we age, and seniors are responding to Kalvitis' dot-to-dots as a great new puzzle alternative."
The books are actually quite popular with the intended audience, and at school book fairs a crowd of children always gathers around to test sample puzzles. But for every fan letter dot-to-dot designer David Kalvitis (of Rochester, NY) receives from a child or teen, there are 10 more from senior citizens. Says Eleanor from Santa Rosa, California, "I purchased the book out of a catalog for my grandchildren and found it so fascinating that I've been doing the puzzles myself!" Kalvitis jokes, "I'm trying to start a dot-to-dot revolution (laughs)... or at least trying to change people's perception of dot-to-dots, they're not just for kids anymore!"
Kalvitis declares, "Adults are always telling me they loved dot-to-dots as a kid, but the Greatest Dot-to-Dot Books are the first available that an adult could actually find challenging." It may be that the numbers go into the hundreds (even 1,000s), or that the puzzles include multiple lines, coordinates, symbols, words, etc., that make them more challenging and interesting for the older crowd. "Who would've guessed that as an adult I would once again enjoy dot-to-dot activities in such a unique challenging way!" says Louise, a senior puzzle fan from DeRidder, Louisiana.
There are two key elements that Kalvitis says are "critical" in maintaining that older audience's enthusiasm:
First, you can't tell what the picture is before you start. "The most intriguing thing about the designer's work is the way the puzzle solver is directed to draw long lines in unexpected places that completely unbalance any preconceived ideas about what is being depicted," states reviewer Eleanor Heldrich of Children's Literature, about the Greatest Dot-to-Dot Books. Jane from Brandon, Florida sums it up simply, "I like how you don't know what the picture is till you're done."
Secondly, the final pictures are visually pleasing. "It takes an artist to take a simple children's puzzle, like connect-the-dots, and transform it into something worthy of mature, adult-worthy consideration. A real artist. And that's just what David Kalvitis is, an artist," writes Major Fun Award director Bernie DeKovan in his review. One adult fan in an email to Kalvitis wrote, "I'm inspired by the skill with which you make a bunch of dots turn into something beautiful!"
It's easy to see why seniors seek out and enjoy these remarkable dot-to-dot puzzles every bit as much as children. But it's even more than fun. Kalvitis says, "I'm absolutely amazed at the different ways people have discovered for using my books, from brain exercises to physical therapy." Research published in The New England Journal of Medicine in 2003 concluded that games and puzzles were among the leisure activities that help aging brains avoid dementia. Japanese neurologist Ryuta Kawashima believes the way to counter the negative mental effects of aging is to "work out the brain much like we work out the rest of our bodies." Keeping her mind sharp is important to Louise, "I like to keep my mind active. Kalvitis' puzzles have now been added to my selections of fun 'mind exercises.'"
And there's always the matter of filling our extra time as we age, especially if our bodies can't be as active as they once were. In a phone conversation with Kalvitis, one elderly lady from Ohio proclaimed "I am 83 years old and have Osteoporosis throughout my body. I love your books. I take the little ones with me to the doctor. If you were here I'd give you a hug and a kiss on the cheek."
For more information and free samples from the multi-award winning newly released Greatest Dot-to-Dot Super Challenge books, ($7.95, Monkeying Around) visit Monkeying Around home of the Greatest Dot-to-Dot Books (http://www.MonkeyingAround.com)or call 800-553-4300.
###
Related Articles:
Habbo Brings Its Global Virtual Community For Teens to MTVN Kids and Family Group's AddictingGames
Teen Virtual World Distribution Partnership Expands AddictingGames' Comprehensive Entertainment Experience for Online Audience
About Kids & Children Birthday Party Invitations Announcements Cards
Your baby?s first birthday party will be, without a doubt, more special to you than to your baby. Except for the cake and extra attention, your 12-month-old will likely view the entire birthday celebration as an unwelcome interruption of his playtime. Although the 1st birthday party for a child is usually the most memorable one, the 2nd birthday, 3rd birthday, 4th birthday, 5th birthday, 6th birthday and older are also important milestones and merit a birthday celebration for your child, http://www.cardsshoppe.com/productlist.asp?catid=2¤tpage=3
Cruises For Kids ? Enjoyment For The Whole Family
Adults and couples have been enjoying vacation cruises for quite some time but the trend has changed nowadays as the cruise lines are now providing these enjoyment facilities to kids as well. Cruises are now equipped with fun and enjoyment facilities for all members of the family.
Kids And Coat Racks: Organizing Your Young Ones
If you're a parent of children past the age of two, you've already discovered one very important thing: kids are slobs Almost every child will drop clothing wherever they shed them, kick off shoes (notwithstanding dirt and mud), and otherwise do their best to undo all the cleaning you've done over the past several days
Snickety Snacks ? Recipes That Resonate With Kids!
The early years are important for teaching good eating habits to your children Exposing children to a variety of foods at an early age helps them to accept more food choices
Dieting of Mothers Can Harm Their Kids!
Overweight and obesity are undesirable as they can cause many health issues including diabetes, high blood cholesterol levels, heart disease, etc. People who are overweight or obese should not hesitate to put themselves on diet in order to lower or avoid the risk of getting heart related problems.
Dads, Handle your Kids Mistakes
One of the most difficult parts of being a father
is learning to accept your children's mistakes. It
certainly can be easy to be loving, supportive,
and helpful when your children are mistake-free,
but most fathers who are paying attention don't
find too many mistake-free periods of theirchildren's lives.
Organizing Your Kids' Toys
If your house is anything like mine, toys tend to take over almost every room in your home. At some point during the day, there are usually toys in the kitchen, family room, and TV room all at the same time. Such is life with kids. So when it?s time to clean up, I make sure that every one of those toys has a home to go to. All it takes is a little organization. Here are a few ideas to help you keep those toys organized in your home.
My Spy Cam | Be 100% Sure When it Comes to Protecting Your Kids
Life is unpredictable, it always has been but when it comes to my kids my husband and I did not want to take any chances while they stayed at the home The latest revolutionizing tool the spy cam may be an alien topic to many at home, but it surely is catching up
Buy Dc Kids Shoes And Dc Kids Junior Clothing At Hardedgeuk.Com
Hardedge is an exclusive fashion and lifestyle store, where brands are chosen on their design appeal and popularity with customers. We specialize in Dc Clothing, we carry all 12 colors of the star Basic all year as well as the Dc Straight jeans, the Basic star hoods in all colors all available at hardedgeuk.com.
Kids Labeled "Learning Disabled" Can Learn Fast and with Great Retention if they are Taught How to Learn
Like Annie Sullivan did with Helen Keller, learning expert, Kimberly Kassner teaches kids how to learn by meeting them where they are and capitalizing on their strengths. Everyone has a different learning style made up of a variety of factors: which senses do they learn from, what time of day do they learn best, are they a right or left brain learner ... When a student learns all the facets of how they learn best, learning becomes infinitely easier regardless of their perceived "learning disability." The key to a child's learning success is building on their strengths, while working with the emotional component of the child.
Using Pocket-money To Promote Independence In Kids
In seminars I am often asked about pocket-money and whether it should be earned or only given when children behave well.My belief is that children should receive pocket-money as their small share of the family-wealth just as they should share the workload at home.
When We Was Kids In Chicago
Radio was the big communicator, back when I was a kid. Whole families huddled around the speaker of that hulk.
Spanish Theme Games Puzzles For Kids
Learning Spanish: Portable Spanish Language Apps
Hip Kid Art, Offering Canvas Wall Art for Kids and Babies, Debuts Two New Canvas Series
Hip Kid Art, the company known for bringing modern personalized wall art to a nursery near you, debuts 2 new series on their website (www.hipkidart.com) today. Hip Kid Art is exactly that: personalized art for any child's room or nursery. Cool color combinations and good graphic design meet retro icons and images for great looking and affordable wall art for every baby.