A Trip to the Land of Funny Animals
A speech therapy picture book that turns oral motor and myofunctional exercises into a playful zoo adventure — designed for toddlers and children with speech delays, apraxia, dyspraxia, and autism.
Written by Hilit Braun
Make Exercise Fun!
'A Trip to the Land of Funny Animals' transforms essential tongue and speech organ exercises into a delightful zoo adventure. This book uses a familiar and engaging scenario to help toddlers practice myofunctional therapy in a way that feels like play, integrating learning and fun seamlessly.
Improves Speech
Encourages clear articulation and sound production through fun animal sounds and movements.
Strengthens Muscles
Targets oral motor muscles critical for proper swallowing, chewing, and speaking.
Engaging Story
Captivates children's imaginations, making them eager to participate and learn.
Who Is This Book For?
A trusted resource for parents, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), occupational therapists, and myofunctional therapists working with children who have oral motor, speech, or developmental challenges.
Apraxia of Speech (CAS)
The repetitive, structured oral motor movements in the story give children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech the consistent, motivating practice they need for progress.
Dyspraxia
Children with verbal or oral dyspraxia benefit from playful motor-planning exercises that build coordination of the tongue, lips, and jaw in a low-pressure, fun setting.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
The predictable story structure, vibrant illustrations, and animal characters make this book highly engaging for children on the autism spectrum working on speech and oral motor skills.
Speech Delays & Late Talkers
An ideal early intervention tool for toddlers with speech delays. Parents can use it at home to support oral motor development between speech therapy sessions.
Myofunctional Therapy
Used by orofacial myofunctional therapists to address tongue thrust, open-mouth posture, and improper swallowing patterns — making home practice enjoyable for young patients.
Speech Therapists & SLPs
A clinical tool for speech-language pathologists. Use in individual or group sessions to target articulation, oral motor strength, and myofunctional goals — backed by peer-reviewed research.
Backed by Science
Reviewed by a Certified Orofacial Myologist® (COM®) and published in the International Journal of Orofacial Myology and Myofunctional Therapy — the official journal of the International Association of Orofacial Myology.
"From the perspective of a Certified Orofacial Myologist®, this book can be easily used in therapy and the exercises modified for each patient using tactile cues, tools, and therapeutic strategies… this book can be a part of a therapist's 'toolbox.'"Robyn Merkel-Walsh, MA, CCC-SLP, COM®
International Journal of Orofacial Myology and Myofunctional Therapy, 2022
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A Peek Inside the Adventure
Join the fun with lovable characters and vibrant illustrations that bring the exercises to life!
What Readers Are Saying
"An absolute game-changer for my son's therapy sessions! He's so excited to 'play' with the funny animals, he doesn't even realize he's doing his exercises. The illustrations are adorable and the story is so engaging."Jessica M., Parent
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything parents and therapists want to know about this oral motor therapy book.
What age is this book designed for?
The book is designed for toddlers and young children ages 2–6 — the critical early intervention window for speech and oral motor development.
Can this book help children with apraxia of speech?
Yes. The book's oral motor exercises support the repetitive, structured practice children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) need. The engaging story format helps maintain motivation during exercises.
Is this book useful for children with autism?
Yes. The predictable story structure and repetitive animal-themed exercises make this book particularly engaging for children on the autism spectrum (ASD) who are working on oral motor and speech skills.
How do speech therapists use this book in therapy?
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) use this book as a motivating therapy tool to guide children through tongue, lip, and jaw exercises embedded in the story. It can complement formal orofacial myofunctional therapy programs and serve as a homework resource for parents.
What oral motor exercises does the book include?
The book features tongue exercises, lip exercises, jaw movements, and breath control activities — all modeled by lovable zoo animals. Each character demonstrates a different oral motor movement to help strengthen the muscles needed for clear speech and correct swallowing.
About the Author
Hilit Braun is a speech therapist with a B.A. in Communication Disorders, a B.A. in Behavioral Sciences, and an M.A. in Labor Studies. She works with children, teenagers, and adults in the areas of communication, language, speech, and the functions of the mouth.
Start Your Adventure Today!
Help your child develop crucial oral motor skills while having a blast. Get your copy of 'A Trip to the Land of Funny Animals' now.
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