AniMIXals Zoo Store
Welcome to the aniMIXals Zoo Store. Below is the front cover of the book. There are 50 pages of fun with rhymes about all the mixed up animals. Please check back often as we will be adding several items soon. Currently, the book is on sale for $19.99 on AMAZON.COM. Search under "IF I HAD A GIRAF-AROO". Don't forget that a portion will be donated to helping kids read all over the world.
Rich Aaron
Like many parents that write stories for children, Rich Aaron’s book ideas come from bedtime stories with his own children. The collection of mixed up animals came from nightly rhymes with the kids as they made up funny names to fit the rhymes. When his children giggled every night, until mommy came down to say “Lights Out!”, it was too late; a Giraf-aroo and its friends had been let out of their imagination and into yours! “I have always had a vivid imagination. As I get older, seeing the world through the eyes of a child always makes me smile. When I accidently made these rhymes up with my children, I could see the excitement in their eyes. It started out as a way to help my son with a rhyming skill and now I have become an advocate for all childrens’ learning development. I do readings for groups of kids, teachers and parents and always mention how important it is to watch for clues from children of where their learning experience needs to be enhanced.” Rich Aaron
Rich has 2 sons that bring him a lot of pride and joy each day. Watching them grow up has been a source of inspiration in most every aspect his life. Rich's hope is that this book series will help many who struggle with reading disabilities. It is also meant to be a fun reading experience for all.
Mary Wall Parker
Mary Wall Parker is an Atlanta native who from a very young age had a love of the arts. From the time Mary enrolled in her first art class, she knew the arts were for her. Mary followed her dream into college, attending The Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta. Under the direction of her SCAD professors, Mary not only learned the art of illustration, but passion for it as well. She graduated in 2010 with high honors and a major in Illustration. Mary wanted others to have opportunities to engage in the arts, so she and her husband William operate Wonder Colors Art Studio in Suwanee, Georgia, where they offer art classes for children of all ages, and Mary continues to share her love of art with her students every day. In addition to teaching her own art students at the Studio, Mary has participated in various art shows, and has been commissioned for personal portraits and commercial art work. This is Mary’s first illustrated book. An artist skilled in the use of various painting and drawing materials, she has incorporated her love of mixed media throughout these pages. For this book, Mary decided to use a collage technique, where she hand-painted individual sheets of color, cut them into vibrant characters, and thoughtfully placed them to best interact with their environment -- bright watercolor backgrounds.