Customer Reviews
Fun learning for pre-school age children 
2007-04-13
All the Kumon books feature adorable illustrations (rather in the style of "Hello Kitty") and very good paper stock. Of the four books I have purchased from the Kumon series, this is my favorite. My 4 year old son loves using sizzors. (He's begun cutting the fur off of his sister's plush animals, making her very unhappy, so I decided it was time for something more productive.) The book features a number of cutting excercises, starting with very simple strait lines and moving slowly to curves and angles. My only complaint is I wish the pages were preforated for easy removal. (The book clearly states that the parent should cut the pages out so that the child can do the cutting excercises effectively.)
Also, if you're looking for something to entertain your child while you start dinner or fold laundry, this is not it. The point of all the books in this series is for the parent to interact with their child, giving them lots of praise and encouragement. The Kumon books do make it fun to sit and work with your child, but if you need something really cost effective a craft book from the library might make more sense.
All in all this is a very good quality workbook. My son really enjoys the excercises and it will definitely increase his fine motor skills in general and cutting skills specifically.
Highly recommend 
2007-03-31
I have a preschooler with fine motor delays and he HATES to do anything which requires use of his hands. I was told by his teachers that this will lead to issues in school when he is expected to write and participate in art projects. If he can't write, it will affect his academic future.
Therapy provided only so much help, as he was frustrated with the tasks. But then I learned about Kumon's excellent reputation for learning through their local tutoring center - I purchased all of the workbooks.
My child was interested in this book right away because of the cute illustrations. He was eagerly cutting, (albiet haphazard!) to get to the 'finish line' as he called it. The cutting lines were easy to see, and wide enough so as not to frustrate. He wanted to know why the lines were going to the other end, was there a story involved? It opened up lines of communication about the project and made it fun.
With each time we work on this book, I see improvement! If you want to help your child develop fine motor skills while keeping them happy - this is the book for THEM!
Great book! 2007-02-01
It was a great book! My 3 year old daughter fell in love with it. Activities are structured - from easy to more difficult tasks. Practicing cutting skills is built on a game-like foundation. I do recommend all parents to buy this book.
Made a real difference 2007-01-22
This book has helped my daughter, who is 4, with her cutting skills very quickly and gave her confidence. She was having trouble using her scissors at preschool and experiencing real frustration. We started on the first page and she ASKED to do the next 5 pages in the same sitting. I know it sounds like an infomercial, but her teachers noticed a difference after doing just those first 6 pages!
This book works its way from straight lines to the trickier curved lines. The pictures are bright and colorful, but simple enough so they don't overwhelm. The cutting lines are thick so they are easier to follow.
More advice with helping a child learn to use scissors: have them TURN THE PAPER as they cut instead of trying to turn their scissors- this was a HUGE help; buy the name brand kid's scissors- they work better.
Great help for developing skills! 2006-10-30
My son loves to cut and this helps him learn how to stay on the lines. The cutting lines are thick and easy to follow for a 4 year old. I think it is helping him develop his small motor skills too which is great for learning to write his letters. A+ in my book. I like all the kumon books we have used so far.
great for older kids... 2008-06-07
I love the graphics and the paper that this book is printed on. Be aware that most of the cutting is pretty challenging, even for my first graders. If your child doesn't have great fine motor skills, be prepared to help them with the cutting. That being said, it is great for developing those skills that teachers don't have a lot of time to teach these days- like cutting and gluing.
Best activity for young kids! Even better if they would perforate the pages... 2008-05-03
My mom always said, give your kids a pair of scissors and they'll be happy for hours. She was right, but even more so with this book. When my oldest was in pre-K, the teachers encouraged us to have her cut, color, and draw at home to develop fine motor control and hand strength, as pre-writing skills. This book gives your kids something fun to cut, and by the end, they're cutting much more complex configurations, without pain. Highly recommended!
The only thing not to like about this book is why, at almost $7, could they not have perforated the pages?! I've bought coloring books at the dollar store with perforated pages. I'd take off a star for this, but the book itself rates 6 stars in my book...
My 3 yr old daughter is almost done with this book now, and we'll be getting more Kumon books - and that great Chicken Socks cutting book, too.
Kumon My First Book of Cutting 2007-09-22
I teach three year olds. I bought this book to help them with their cutting skills and I really like it. I only have to say "Who wants to do a page out of the cutting book ?" and I have a full table and some waiting in line. They really like it.
Kumon workbooks are awesome for your preschool child 2007-09-02
I really am quiet pleased with this book, I know how hard cutting can be and to help my daughter. My daughter loves this book and the others we have and actually wants to do the work book or to go and do "homework" as she calls it.
The book starts out with very basic cuts and then as the pages progress the cut work gets more challenging. The artwork is cute and I can say that this book has helped my daughter cut with confidence and her cutting has gotten much better. She's only been in pre-kindergarten for 2 weeks and my daughter's teacher says it shows that we've been practicing cutting.
The other Kumon books we have and like are: Lower Case Letters and folding which is also another really neat task for your child to get good at and also has some really cool photos and pictures.
My only complaint is that I wish the pages where perforated for easily removal.
Wow 2007-05-22
I know this already has great reviews, but I just had to write what an amazing job this book has done for my 5 year old son. I just gave him one page a day to cut, and I can't believe the improvement in his cutting. Even better, I never corrected him, just said what a great job he was doing (this is what the book says to do). I was skeptical that this approach would work, but it has!! Best money I ever spent on a workbook.
