Smart Poodle Publishing Launches New Video Geography Program for Children

Can Your Child Locate New York City on a Map?
Smart Poodle Publishing Launches New Geography Program for Children to Improve American students' Geography Knowledge - One Question at a Time
"Ask Lilly Badilly All About the World"

January 22, 2009 (Miami, FL) Smart Poodle Publishing, publisher of The Travel Adventures of Lilly P Badilly: Costa Rica (978-0-9800307-9-2) is on a quest to increase the geography knowledge of our teachers and students and improve the overall geography education in America's schools. The company's latest venture is called "Ask Lilly Badilly All About the World." From the book's website (http://www.lillybadilly.com/asklilly.htm), children can ask the main character from the book a US or world geography question. On video, character Lilly will pose the question. Then Debbie Glade, a former travel writer and author of Lilly Badilly, will answer it. A database of questions and answers is available from the website as well.

"We created Ask Lilly to get kids more interested in Geography," explained Debbie Glade. "Last fall we started visiting elementary schools and libraries around South Florida with our Reading, Writing and Geography Program. We bring large maps to engage in a fun, interactive Geography Q & A. Though they are eager to play the game, students are often unable to locate states and large cities on the USA map and answer basic questions about their own state. I believe this lack of knowledge is due to the fact that we do not offer enough geography education in our schools. Here in Florida, public school teachers are pressured to teach mostly reading and writing, the core of the FCAT, the state's standardized test. There's simply not much time or resources for others subjects, and unfortunately geography is likely one of the most to be overlooked."

To explain why Smart Poodle chose to feature this program on video, Glade said, "Learning should be fun. And since Lilly is silly, has a funny voice and is dressed in a colorful costume, kids are entertained by her posing the geography questions. Then I answer them, so that the listeners can focus on the facts."

Smart Poodle Publishing hopes that this simple program entertains and inspires kids to be more curious and seek more knowledge about the USA and the rest of the world.

Encourage a child in your life to "Ask Lilly Badilly All About the World!"

Smart Poodle Publishing is a proud member of The National Council for Geographic Education. http://www.ncge.org/.