Rock on - What's New? - Schoolhouse Rocker - Brief Article

* There's something soothing about a rocking chair. Whether it's an infant being lullabied to sleep by a parent, or Grandpa spinning tales about younger and more energetic days, the rocker always seems to be the center of serenity.

Grade-school kids, too, know of this furniture's magic powers, especially if they are lucky enough to own a Schoolhouse Rocker from Levels of Discovery, Deerfield, Ill. This sturdy modern marvel features a chalkboard seatback motif, apple finials, moveable abacus beads, flip-up desk for reading and writing, and pencil box hidden in the armrest. Moreover, when the piece of "chalk" on the seat is pulled, the music box plays the "ABC Song" There's even a motivational phrase spelled out on the chalkboard seatback: "Teach me reading, Teach me writing, Math and how to spell. But first, let's learn Important things like Treating others well."

Painted an eye-popping red and black, this handcrafted wooden rocker, winner of this year's Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association Innovation Award, is part of Levels of Discovery's Rock a Buddies line, which includes Hockey Rocker, My Best Friend Rocker, and Fire Engine Rocker. Each chair includes a photo greeting card and bears an understamp that can be personalized with the names of the child and gift-giver, as well as the date or occasion the chair was received. The Schoolhouse Rocker ($149.95) and the rest of the line are available where fine furniture is sold. For the nearest retailer, go online at www.levelsofdiscovery.com or call 866-980-2536.

This symbol * indicates USA Today has tested a product for operating in full compliance with the manufacturer's specifications and to determine its performance as applicable to our readers' needs. Disadvantages, if any, also are reported. Although we cannot guarantee a product, we offer the starred designation as a guide to readers.

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