Children's Book Uses Massage-Touch Play Activities to Enhance Bonding Experience and Creative Development

Printer-friendly versionPDF version

Review copies, high resolution book cover and author photos, and interviews available upon request.

Contact: Martine Groeneveld Tel 310-455-2690 Email info@martinegroeneveld.com.
http://www.mommydrawstarsonmytummy.com

Children’s book uses massage-touch play activities to enhance bonding experience and creative development

It should come as no surprise that children love to be touched and nurtured by their parents. Research shows that touch is crucial in interpersonal communications, promoting health and well being, cognitive development, and even in the treatment of disease.

Los Angeles-based massage therapist Martine Groeneveld has applied her years of expertise and created a delightful new children’s book that captivates children and enhances the nurturing touch in innovative and educational ways.

Mommy, Draw Stars on My Tummy combines touch, storytelling and beautiful illustrations in a wonderful book that allows parents and children to slow down, focus on each other and enjoy a close, enjoyable and deeply personal relationship.

This beautifully designed hardcover book contains a series of bedtime, naptime or playtime stories ranging from the familiar Itsy Bitsy Spider and This Little Piggy Went To Market to original stores and games like Magic Body Painting and Guess the Letter. Each story contains massage instructions for the parent, which guide hand and fingers to draw shapes on the child’s body. The child is asked to guess the shape as the story unfolds. The fun and enjoyment that derives from touch play stimulates the child and encourages creativity and cognitive abilities in a playful and nurturing way.

Parents really do have magic in their fingertips and children enjoy the love and comfort in numerous ways.

Mommy Draw Stars on My Tummy is a book that children will ask their parents to read to them again and again, night after night. Here is a remarkable gift that keeps on giving.

Mommy, Draw Stars on My Tummy
By Martine Groeneveld

List $19.95

Hardcover 48 pages
PT Book Publishing November 2009
ISBN: 978-0-9822959-0-8

Available in bookstores nationwide and online.

For more information visit http://www.mommydrawstarsonmytummy.com

About the Author

MARTINE GROENEVELD is a registered nurse, licensed massage therapists, certified infant massage instructor and mother of two young girls. She holds a bachelor's degree in nursing and psychology and a National Board Certification in massage therapy in The Netherlands. Martine has written articles as a freelance writer and has published in national nursing and massage media. A native of Holland, Martine has over 12 years of experience in traditional and alternative health care, with five years teaching baby and child massage. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two daughters, where she runs her company My Mini Massage.

What People Are Saying

"A wonderful book that should be read by every parent! A great way to enhance contact and affection in the parent-child relationship."
- Dr. Anatoly Belilovsky, M.D., Belilovsky Pediatrics New York, An Americhoice Center of Excellence in Pediatric Care

“What a great gift has been given in this book to parents and children. Mommy, Draw Stars on my Tummy should be given to all parents before they take their child home from the hospital. The gift of touch is often overlooked, but it is a critical part of expressing love and for child development. Martine has done a wonderful job of giving parents the tools and skills to contribute to a strong relationship that will last a lifetime. Touch should never be excluded from a parent-child relationship, no matter what age the parent and child.”
- Erik A. Fisher, Ph.D., aka Dr. E., Licensed Psychologist, author of The Art of Empowered Parenting: The Manual You Wish Your Kids Came With

"Martine shows us how important and powerful nurturing touch is. Some of my favorite activities with my toddler are in this book: Magic Face Painting, This Little Piggy and Letters on the Back."
- Kimberly Clayton Blaine, MA., MFT., Licensed Family & Child Therapist, Host & Producer TheGoToMom.TV, author of Mommy Confidence: 8 Easy Steps to Reclaiming Balance, Motivation and Your Inner Diva

“This book gives families nursery rhymes combined with simple touch routines to experience love for one another in a way that only touch can provide. A must-have for every parent!”
- Mariana Caplan, PhD., author of To Touch is to Live: the Need for Genuine Affection in an Impersonal World

“Nurturing touch and family bonding are key components for encouraging healthy mental, physical and emotional development in children. Martine Groeneveld’s book, Mommy, Draw Stars on My Tummy, provides unique rhymes, games, songs and stories that parents can utilize to help boost their children’s brain power! Martine’s activities also encourage parents and caregivers to come up with their own ways of connecting with children through creative play and interaction. Mommy, Draw Stars on My Tummy is required reading for every parent of young children."
- Susan M. Heim, coauthor, Boosting Your Baby’s Brain Power

“With a child’s increasing autonomy, parents must be mindful of the continued need to positively touch their children. The easy-to-follow, rhymes and games in “Mommy, Draw Stars on my Tummy” are loving, playful ways to keep "in touch” and maintain the parent-child bond while nurturing a child’s language, motor and cognitive development. In this informative book, Groeneveld offers affirming touch techniques for parents to communicate love and help any child relax. I recommend it to new and seasoned parents.”
- Brenda Nixon, M.A.
, author of The Birth to Five Book: Confident Childrearing Right from the Start and speaker to parent audiences

"Martine Groeneveld has written a unique, informed and creative book for caregivers and children to learn from and enjoy for many years. It stimulates bonding and enhances early literacy skills and development. It's a welcome addition to any home or library collection."
- Rebecca Shaffer Mannion, Librarian (MSLIS)

Review copies, high resolution book cover and author photos, and interviews available upon request.

Contact: Martine Groeneveld Tel 310-455-2690 Email info@martinegroeneveld.com.