Baby Berlitz on Board
by Shannon Maughan -- Publishers Weekly, 3/14/2005
By now, many parents and caregivers are familiar with the many research studies claiming that babies' brains are like sponges—the perfect canvas for absorbing a whole palette of educational stimuli. Berlitz Publishing, long known for its popular language and travel titles, is getting in step with the stroller set by launching a Baby Berlitz line of products, featuring Talk & Tunes language-learning CDs and Talking Board Books interactive sounds board books for children up to three years old.
The new line was inspired by Sheryl Olinsky Borg, editorial director of Berlitz Publishing, who while on maternity leave was eager to find ways to meaningfully communicate with her infant son. "Babies learn by imitating sounds, and the sounds they make stay in their brains," she said. "As far as language-learning, there are inflections and accents you'll never achieve unless you start young. Our books and CDs help make that happen."
Released in January, the first two 30-minute Talk & Tunes CDs are priced at $9.95 each and available in English or Spanish. Each all-audio program, designed by language and early childhood education specialists, focuses on "a day in the life of baby" narration, which helps promote language skills and other cognitive skills. The initial three board book titles, Peek-a-Boo Family, Baby's Animal Friendsand Count on Me, Baby!,are available in both English or Spanish. Each book, carrying a retail price of $8.95, features 10 sturdy cardboard pages and a panel of six sound buttons that repeat key words or phrases.
Information on where the Baby Berlitz series is sold and how booksellers can order the products can be found at www.bertlitzbooks.com or by calling Berlitz at (800) 432-6277.
