Thursday, February 26, 2009

Kumon Books Product Review

I recently discoverd Kumon Workbooks for preschool and am a really big fan of them now. The workbooks are for ages 2-6 and they have products for older children, as well. The Kumon Method is a method used in Japan, successfully. I understand it to be all about progression. The workbooks use the same methods as the Kumon Math and Reading Centers.

Right now, we are using the First Book of Tracing. It's focus is prewriting and teaching children how to use a pencil. The drawings are colorful and very cute. I especially like it because the difficulty progresses. The workbook starts out with simple straight lines but eventually the lines zigzag and curve. They lines mimic lines used in writing letters. When Zhana does a page out of the workbook she is so pleased and proud of her success. We use the book when I am preparing a meal or other times when I need her entertained with little input. Not a lot of explanation is needed, other than a quick explaination of connecting the matching figures. This is one of our favorite tools right now and for future children this will definitely be a repeat purchase item. It sells for $6.95. This workbook is for ages 2-4.


We have the "My First Book of Uppercase Letters" also. We haven't started using it, because I want to finish the tracing book first. It is designed for ages 3-5. It follows the same progressive model as the tracing book and definitely seems like a book a 2.5 year old and up could benefit from. It does not go in the order of the alphabet but instead in order of difficulty. Did I mention that at the back of these books your little one will get a certificate of achievement? I love that!


We also have the "My Book of Numbers 1-30". This workbook is also designed for ages 3-5. This excellent book works on both number recognition and learning how to write the numbers. It starts off with connect the dot exercises, then learning how to write numbers, and finally filling in missing numbers. My daughter recognizes her numbers and I had a difficult time coming up with activities that would use and build on a this knowledge in a fun way. I think this is the answer. It isn't boring at all and she views it as special, fun time.


I do not have the other early skill books but from what I've seen on their website, they are on my wishlist. I really think the "My Book of Coloring" is different from any other coloring book I've seen as it helps children to learn to color within lines and choose appropriate colors. I'm especially drawn to "My First Book of Pasting", "Let's Fold", and "Let's Sticker and Paste".


You can purchase these products online through Amazon. They can be purchased in brick and morter stores such as Target, Barnes and Noble, Borders, and Hastings.

If you look on their website at you will see several other positive reviews. I've looked at other similiar workbooks, but none have been able to sway my appreciation and loyalty to the Kumon brand. I think their bright pictures, simple instruction, and proven progression method.

I would like to offer a contest to blog readers for one Kumon workbook of their choice, valued at $6.95. To enter go to . Browse around and then come back here and tell me what your favorite product offered is. If you are a follower of my blog, you'll automatically get a second entry. Please note that item will be shipped directly from Amazon.com.

Official Rules: IF YOU DO NOT LIST YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS ,IT ISN'T ON YOUR BLOG, AND THERE IS NO WAY TO LEAVE COMMENTS ON YOUR BLOG I HAVE NO WAY OF CONTACTING YOU. If I don't hear from you within a week, another name will be drawn and you forfeit your prize.This contest is open only to those with a United States Shipping Address .This giveaway begins 02/26/2009 and ends 03/18/2009 11:59 PM Central Standard Time.The name will be chosen by Randomizer.org.


I always love hearing about how my reviews lead these wonderful stores to more sales. I'd love to hear posts letting me know you decided to purchase some items!


**I'm not responsible for item not arriving; Make sure all shipping info is correct, please.

42 comments:

Shannon said...

I am hoping to win My Book Of Easy Crafts! We have a few different Kumon books and loved all of them!

Teaching Heart Mom said...

As a former teacher and now a mother of a six and two year old... These Kumon books are excellent. My son sharpened his cutting skills before grade K by doing the cutting book. He love their mazes books too!

judybrittle said...

My book of Alphabet Games would be great for my granddaughter. Thank you!

Clemencia said...

Kumon books are excellent, I love them, I love the tracing one, she loves tracing

Clemencia said...

I am subscribing right now also :)

Simply Montessori said...

I found your blog through your posting on the yahoo montessori group. It is funny because I was just considering purchasing some Kumon workbooks the other day after reading about them. Your blog has convinced me. However, getting one free to start me off would be great!!!! Thanks!!!

Anonymous said...

i would love the my first lower case letters!

I think i am a subscriber already if not i will be in a sec!

loving your montessori post!

Anonymous said...

ok now i'm a follwer! i always thought i was cuz your link is on my blog page but now i'm offical! :)

Anonymous said...

I'd like the Alphabet Games book for my God-daughter.

lilnamekangelivy[at]aol[dot]com

shannon said...

Funny I've made it this long as an educating parent (though not homeschooling) - for 12 years - and I've never heard of Kumon. I did check them out, though, and ordered 3 in triplicate (one for each boy). We got cutting, folding and tracing. I read about the Kumon philosophy in general a bit and to be honest I don't get it. I guess it is primarily a style done at a particular learning center? I was really turned off to read that Kumon believes children can far excel what the parents think the child can do. What?? Does he think so low of parents? I guess it made more sense given his time and place. Anyway I look forward to the workbooks (our first!) and thanks for the intro to them.

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

love the activity books and the craft one looks amazing

agordon10 said...

The alphabet games look good.

Sue said...

I'd love First Book of Tracing. So cute. Perfect for my little guy.

Anonymous said...

just a thought with the tracing and maze books. If you have multiple children, you can buy one book, cut it apart and laminate the pages. Then the child can use write on wipe off CRAYONS to do the tracing and mazes over and over. I emphasize the crayons because they give appropriate sensory feedback to the child rather than the slippery feeling of dry erase markers. Just a thought.

mverno said...

i want the book of easy crafts

Jacquie Toft Hughes said...

Thanks for recommending this series- I've looked at the briefly a few times, but had not seriously considered them. I think I might have to try them. My 5 year old DS loves mazes- I think Amazing Mazes would be a wonderful one for us to start with. Thanks!

Charity S said...

Grade 3 Word Problems.

charisscharity[at]yahoo[dot]com

coliebear said...

The my book of alphabet games would be great for my kindergarten class.

debiwelbon said...

It would be so hard to choose which one I like best - they are all so great looking! Maybe the alphabet or the easy crafts book

littlelatina said...

this looks great

Peterson Party said...

One of the little girls I babysit goes to a Kumon tutoring center. I never realized that they offered workbooks for the preschooler to do at home. I am interested in so many of them, but especially the easy telling time as that is something we are working on right now.

Karen said...

I would love My Book of Easy Crafts.

ktgonyea at gmail.com

vboackle said...

i would like the alphabet games for my grandson.

mgster said...

I would love to have the tracing one for my preschool class because we are currently learning to print letters by tracing them.

LINDALSHOT said...

I love the alphabet book. What a great learning tool.

Miranda Ward said...

The Alphabet games

Sonya said...

The Grade 2 Addition looks great for my son!

Anonymous said...

My kids would love any of the maze books.

a_estell@hotmail.com

Tammy said...

I would like the Grade 4 Geometry & Measurement workbook for my son. Thanks for the contest.

Anonymous said...

Grade 4 Geometry and Measurement!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

The Alphabet Games book looks
great. We have never tried Kumon before. This would be great.


clarkmurdock@yahoo.com

Terri said...

I am a mom of 4 kids but only one is really little. I have been impressed wih the Kumon books. I think the alphabet games book and the craft book look good.
teraustin@mindspring.com

Terri said...

I just subscribed to your blog.
teraustin@mindspring.com
flinflanbeach@gmail.com

lezanac said...

I would love to win the first book of tracing for my cousin

Anonymous said...

my book of easy crafts would be great for my little one

sherri
beachcombermom2004 at yahoo dot com

haomom said...

either the alphabet or easy crafts books

Marianna said...

Like the book of mazes!

Anonymous said...

I like the My Book of Coloring!
Cassie
cjm92995@yahoo.com

blogggggg said...

The My Book of Alphabet games would be fun for my nephew. He is starting to learn his letters and this would be perfect!

cman said...

Alphabet Games :)

lilyk said...

My Book of Easy Crafts sounds very interesting!

ms.lilyk@gmail.com

Super Fun Mama said...

Teachingtinytots is the winner! Congrats