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Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Bob Books Review and Giveaway


Bob Books were created by teacher Bobby Lynn Maslen's with the special care that in my opinion only a school teacher could do. Special attention was placed on specific needs of children learning to read for the very first time. Bobby taught at the Catlin Gabel School in Portland Oregan where he worked with 3 to 5 year olds involved in constant invention in art, math, physical growth activities and reading. Bobby created the Bob Books after not being able to find books that were interesting enough for her young students.



Bobby was inspired by two small dolls she bought at a craft fair when she created the first books. One of the dolls was circular and one triagular. The book featured dolls named Mat and Sam and Bobby created stories around the characters and illustrated the book with line drawings. Children could copy and color the stories. At first the books were very personal created for each student later she standardized the set and her school printed 300 copies.



As the word about the books spread it eventually became a family project. Portland State University published the books for several years later they were self published. The Maslen’s worked on the books together as husband, John Maslen, a watercolor artist and former architect, drew new pictures and the couple's growing children helped collate and staple. The Bob Books grew in such popularity that they became the Children's Book-of-the-Month-Club selection, and the series was adopted by home-schoolers and Montessori teachers. News spread about the Bob Books on major T.V. shows The family turned to Scholastic Inc. a major publisher of children's books for help.




Our Opinion: we love the Bob Books and have talked to several elementary teachers who also love the Bob Books and believe that children are drawn to them and this makes learning easier. I volunteered several years as a reading assistant and have to say that I love it. I would do it all over again to watch these young children learn to read. We would read in the books, use flash cards for sight words and just have a wonderful time reading together. The Bob Books are a valuable resource in my opinion allowing Children to have fun while they learn to read. We received 2 sets of sight words one for Kindergarten and the other for First Grade. They instantly brought back memories of the years of being a reading assistant. The set of books that can be turned to and are kept nicely in a box where they can be turned to time and time again. I can remember making books out of printed paper that helped the children learn site words. The problem with the paper books was that the staple easily came out and the paper never stood up to much wear. The Bob Books on the other hand are put together nicely and I can only imagine what a great resource they would be to a classroom, a homeschool room or just anywhere a child is learning to read.


Scholastic sent me two sets of these valuable Bob Books. One of these sets I will keep and help my grandchildren learn to read and the other a lucky reader of Annies Home will receive. The winner will get their choice of set.


To enter this giveaway share with me a story or a tip to help someone to read.


Extra Entries:


  • follow my blog (2 entries)

  • take a look at all the Bob Books available and let me know what book you would love to share with someone (3 entries)

  • follow Bob Books on Twitter (2 entries)

  • like Bob Books on Facebook (2 entries)

  • follow my blog on twitter and tweet about this giveaway (2 entries for following me on twitter leave your twitter name and 1 entry for each tweet unlimited)

  • Share this giveaway on your blog, facebook, or giveaway place (5 entries each) share link in comment

  • enter any of my other giveaways (1 entry each)

  • comment on the reviews here or here or here (3 entries each)
Contest starts now and ends September 30, 2010. Good Luck Email must be in comment or on blog profile or entries will not count

We received a set of Bob Books for review purposes. The opinion I shared here are personal and are my own. Your opinion may not be the same as mine as all opinions are a bit different

109 comments:

  1. With my daughter we would always point and sound out with my 5 year old son we are taking it a little slower and doing picture cards.
    megankayden@yahoo.com

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  2. Following your blog #1
    megankayden@yahoo.com

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  3. Following your blog #2
    megankayden@yahoo.com

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  4. I would love to share the word families with my children #1
    megankayden@yahoo.com

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  5. I would love to share the word families with my children #2
    megankayden@yahoo.com

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  6. I would love to share the word families with my children #3
    megankayden@yahoo.com

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  7. Following Bobs Books on fb. #1
    megankayden@yahoo.com

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  8. Following Bobs Books on fb. #2
    megankayden@yahoo.com

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  9. I haven't taught my little ones to read yet, but I think teaching them the sounds of each letter really helps :-)

    khmorgan_00 [at] yahoo [dot] com

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  10. I'm a follower through Google Friend Connect-entry #1.

    khmorgan_00 [at] yahoo [dot] com

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  11. I'm a follower through Google Friend Connect-entry #2.

    khmorgan_00 [at] yahoo [dot] com

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  12. Start by reading to your lo everyday. This will set the foundation and the love of reading.
    heaven_1_@hotmail.com

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  13. The best way to help someone to read is to help them to find something they enjoy reading and read with them. shreve_mary(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  14. I follow via Google Friends Connect #1 shreve_mary(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  15. I follow via Google Friends Connect #2 shreve_mary(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  16. I like the pre-reading skills set of BOB books #1 shreve_mary(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  17. I like the pre-reading skills set of BOB books #2 shreve_mary(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  18. I like the pre-reading skills set of BOB books #3 shreve_mary(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  19. I like BOB books on facebook #1 shreve_mary(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  20. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  21. I like BOB books on facebook #2 shreve_mary(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  22. I posted a comment on your first review (the popsicle holders) #1 shreve_mary(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  23. I posted a comment on your first review (the popsicle holders) #2 shreve_mary(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  24. I posted a comment on your first review (the popsicle holders) #3 shreve_mary(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  25. I posted a comment on your second review (the lemon as a salt alternative) #1 shreve_mary(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  26. I posted a comment on your second review (the lemon as a salt alternative) #2 shreve_mary(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  27. I posted a comment on your second review (the lemon as a salt alternative) #3 shreve_mary(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  28. I posted a comment on your third review (the colorful cloth diapers) #1 shreve_mary(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  29. I posted a comment on your second review (the lemon as a salt alternative) #2 shreve_mary(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  30. I posted a comment on your second review (the lemon as a salt alternative) #3 shreve_mary(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  31. Follow with Google Connect. #1
    heaven_1_@hotmail.com

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  32. Follow with Google Connect. #2
    heaven_1_@hotmail.com

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  33. We could use Bob Books, Set 1: Beginning Readers. #1
    heaven_1_@hotmail.com

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  34. I'd like Bob Books, Set 1: Beginning Readers. #2
    heaven_1_@hotmail.com

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  35. We would like Bob Books, Set 1: Beginning Readers. #3
    heaven_1_@hotmail.com

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  36. I like to read the same book over and over again, my granddaughter will start telling me the story, I then start showing the words of the story.

    Donna
    dwarrington1@gmail.com

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  37. I follow your blog

    Donna
    dwarrington1@gmail.com

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  38. I follow your blog -2

    Donna
    dwarrington1@gmail.com

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  39. Alphabet (My First Bob Books) (My First Bob Books)is my favorite.

    Donna
    dwarrington1@gmail.com

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  40. Alphabet (My First Bob Books) (My First Bob Books)is the book that I would share with my granddaughter.

    Donna
    dwarrington1@gmail.com

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  41. Alphabet (My First Bob Books) (My First Bob Books)is the book that I would share with my granddaughter.
    (2)
    Donna
    dwarrington1@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Alphabet (My First Bob Books) (My First Bob Books)is the book that I would share with my granddaughter.
    (3)
    Donna
    dwarrington1@gmail.com

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  43. I follow Bob Books on Twitter as
    2Cats2See

    Donna
    dwarrington1@gmail.com

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  44. I follow Bob Books on Twitter as
    2Cats2See -2

    Donna
    dwarrington1@gmail.com

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  45. I'm a facebook fan.

    Donna Hufman Warrington
    dwarrington1@gmail.com

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  46. I'm a facebook fan. -2

    Donna Hufman Warrington
    dwarrington1@gmail.com

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  47. We post familiar words on the walls of the family/recreation room. They look at them in passing and sometimes stop to try to read. They are learning so quickly and I think this has helped. abrennan09@hotmail.com

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  48. It is imperative that you read to your children from the time they are infants. You should also provide them with colourful books that they can look at themselves when you are not reading to them. If you garner their interest in books from the time they are infants, they will see reading as a hobby and not a chore. Thank you for the giveaway. It would be put to good use!

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  49. I use some reading rules I learned when working with special education kids, such as the silent e makes the other vowel says its name.

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  50. I'd like:
    Bob Books, Set 1: Beginning Readers
    by Bobby Lynn Maslen

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  51. I'd like:
    Bob Books, Set 1: Beginning Readers
    by Bobby Lynn Maslen
    #2

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  52. I'd like:
    Bob Books, Set 1: Beginning Readers
    by Bobby Lynn Maslen
    #3

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  53. My best tip -- make time to read with kids everyday or when they are learning to read set aside time every evening to patiently work with them on learning to read. A nice quiet place to cuddle up and read is the best:) Thanks for the giveaway

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  54. I really like the Pre-Reading Skills book

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  55. I really like the Pre-Reading Skills book #2

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  56. I really like the Pre-Reading Skills book #3

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  57. I taught all of my kids to read using Dr Suess books Go Dog Go is an excellent one

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  58. http://twitter.com/suzquiz/status/24988787307

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  59. I think one important aspect of teaching someone to read is to let them see you reading. We sometimes forget how much adult actions can influence whether or not a child has any interest in learning to do something. Thanks for the giveaway.
    maryDOTavingerATgmailDOTcom

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  60. I haven't tried to help someone learn to read yet, but I know an older woman who regrets something she did when she was helping her son. The teachers were telling her that he was being lazy (he excelled at all his other school work) so she chastised him a few times when they were working on reading. Turns out he's dyslexic so he was struggling and frustrated, not lazy. So I guess my tip is to be extremely patient. You've been reading a long time yourself, but remember it's not something you picked up overnight.

    [email me at gmail.com, user pennywatcher]

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  61. follow with google friend connect #1

    [email me at gmail.com, user pennywatcher]

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  62. follow with google friend connect #2

    [email me at gmail.com, user pennywatcher]

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  63. I'd like to share the pre-reading books given that my daughter isn't yet at reading age #1

    [email me at gmail.com, user pennywatcher]

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  64. I'd like to share the pre-reading books given that my daughter isn't yet at reading age #2

    [email me at gmail.com, user pennywatcher]

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  65. I'd like to share the pre-reading books given that my daughter isn't yet at reading age #3

    [email me at gmail.com, user pennywatcher]

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  66. twitter follower of bob books (hcwpw) #1

    [email me at gmail.com, user pennywatcher]

    ReplyDelete
  67. twitter follower of bob books (hcwpw) #2

    [email me at gmail.com, user pennywatcher]

    ReplyDelete
  68. facebook fan of bob books (penny watcher) #1

    [email me at gmail.com, user pennywatcher]

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  69. facebook fan of bob books (penny watcher) #2

    [email me at gmail.com, user pennywatcher]

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  70. twitter follower (hcwpw) #1

    [email me at gmail.com, user pennywatcher]

    ReplyDelete
  71. twitter follower (hcwpw) #2

    [email me at gmail.com, user pennywatcher]

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  72. tweeted http://twitter.com/hcwpw/status/25109404012

    [email me at gmail.com, user pennywatcher]

    ReplyDelete
  73. entered another giveaway: little looster

    [email me at gmail.com, user pennywatcher]

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  74. entered another giveaway: munchie mug

    [email me at gmail.com, user pennywatcher]

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  75. entered another giveaway: snikiddy

    [email me at gmail.com, user pennywatcher]

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  76. entered another giveaway: sunprotection zone

    [email me at gmail.com, user pennywatcher]

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  77. Take your time take it one step at a time and give lots of encouragement!

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  78. Following BOB Books on Facebook #1

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  79. Following BOB Books on Facebook #1

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  80. Just be patient and encourage them even though sometimes its frustrating

    timmiedeluca@comcast.net

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  81. timmiedeluca@comcast.net

    follow blog #1

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  82. timmiedeluca@comcast.net

    follow blog #2

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  83. timmiedeluca@comcast.net

    entered sun protection giveaway

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  84. coreybrennan26@hotmail.com
    We read to our children every night since they were about 6 months. They have always been interested in books since.

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  85. I love to post words on the walls of the family room. Familiar words, french words, spelling words. They read them along the way and have learned so much just by stopping to take alook on their way by. abrennan09@hotmail.com

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  86. I give my two and four year olds chances to "read" to me each night, they love being in the spotlight and telling the story! -Liz I.
    chlives at hotmail dot com

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  87. i have taught 6 of my children to read simply by using an alphabet chart and learning the sounds then moving onto bob books!!! now i am ready to teach my 7th child and the books are a bit worse for wear so new ones would be great!!!

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  88. 1 the Bob Books, Set 1: Beginning Readers are the ones i want for andrew.

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  89. 2 the Bob Books, Set 1: Beginning Readers are the ones i want for andrew

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  90. 3 the Bob Books, Set 1: Beginning Readers are the ones i want for andrew

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  91. When my daughter watches cartoons, I turn the close captioning on so she can read as well.

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  92. 1 Bob Books Set 3- Word Families would be great to share with my daughter

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  93. 2 Bob Books Set 3- Word Families would be great to share with my daughter

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  94. 3 Bob Books Set 3- Word Families would be great to share with my daughter

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  95. I find that reading to my kids helps them to want to read more. Even tho they are old enough to read on their own, they enjoy when I read chapter books to them. thanks.

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  96. I"d like to have the Bob Books Set 4 - Complex Words to share. #1

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  97. I'd like to share the Bob Books Set 4 - Complex Words. #2

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  98. I'd like to share the Bob Books Set 4 - Complex Words/ #3

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  99. i think getting books that the child helps pick out encourages them to learn to read

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  100. entered Creativity for kids Pottery Studio Giveaway

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  101. entered Snikiddy Snack Giveaway

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  102. entered Sun Protection Zone Giveaway

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  103. entered Back To School Cookie Cutters Giveaway

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