Aboard the Choo Choo Train!

Transcription

August 2015
VOL. 1 / ISSUE 12
TM
All Aboard the
Choo Choo Train!
Story Monster Meets
Genevieve and DC!
Mercer Mayer:
The Big Kid Behind
the Little Critter
Christian Boer
Changes the Face of the
Alphabet for Dyslexics
Donna LeBlanc
Captures Imagination
in Words and Music
Set Sail with
Carole P. Roman
on Her Newest
Adventures
TM
MEET THE STAFF
PUBLISHER
Linda F. Radke
[email protected]
Editor-in-Chief
Cristy Bertini
[email protected]
WRITER
Melissa Fales
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Conrad J. Storad
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August 2015
Story Monsters Ink
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1st
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Tell us what you think! Email your comments to [email protected].
Features
06 All Aboard the Choo Choo Train!
Story Monster Meets Genevieve and DC
10 Mercer Mayer:
The Big Kid Behind the Little Critter
14 Christian Boer
Changes the Face of the Alphabet for Dyslexics
16 Donna LeBlanc
Captures Imagination in Words and Music
13 Activity Page
18 Kids Can Publish
22 Conrad’s Classroom
24 Story Monster Approved! Books
26 Book Reviews
28 Summer Reading Guide
30 Juicy Jack’s Spanish Corner
31 Monster Munchies
20 Set Sail with Carole P. Roman
on Her Newest Adventures
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5
Cover Feature Story
All Aboard the
Choo Choo Train!
Story Monster Meets Genevieve and DC!
by Melissa Fales
Since the debut of Disney Junior’s Choo Choo Soul in 2006, musical duo
Genevieve Goings and Constantine “DC” Abramson have been on the fast track
to success. Their unique, funky style of blending Goings’ vocals with Abramson’s
moves and beat-box sounds helps the pair’s music videos stand out in a
crowded field of TV characters competing for children’s attention. “Today’s kids
want to hear the same kind of music that their parents are listening to,” says
Goings. “They’re very aware of the music scene. They don’t want music that
sounds like it was made for little kids.”
“All Rights Reserved”
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Both Abramson and Goings grew up
in the California Bay Area. Abramson
initially considered a career in art and briefly
worked in computer graphic animation. “I just
couldn’t see myself doing that job long-term,” he
says. “I’m way too active of a person to have to be
sitting down that much.” Instead, he found jobs
that kept him moving, such as breakdancing and
performing as a mascot for the Golden State Warriors and San Francisco 49ers. Goings came from a
musical family and has been singing for as long as
she can remember. “I’ve always loved music,” she
says. “Singing it, writing it and listening to it. It’s
my life.”
The first collaboration between Goings and
Abramson came in 2004 in the form of a Choo
Choo Soul studio album with 16 tracks.“We
thought it was something teachers would be able
to use in the classroom,” says Abramson. “We
thought that would be it. We never envisioned it
getting bigger than that.” The album and its energetic, catchy tunes was such a hit that Disney got
wind of it. Goings recalled how Disney flew her to
Los Angeles to talk about the possibility of a bigger project. When she walked into the room, she
found roughly 30 children there, waiting for her to
entertain them. “I didn’t realize it at the time, but
it was an audition,” says Goings. “I just went with
it and I had a blast.”
The duo began performing live shows,
including two weeks of performances at
Disney World. “We were selling out the place,”
says Abramson. “Kids seemed to love us. Their
parents seemed to love us. That’s when we realized that this was turning into something big.”
Disney hired Abramson and Goings to make four
initial Choo Choo Soul music videos. The response
was incredible. “People loved it so much, Disney
kept ordering more,” says Goings. Today, Choo
Choo Soul videos are a daily part of Disney Junior
programming, to the delight of its fans, young and
old alike. “I think people respond to the diversity
of our duo. I like how we show a boy and a girl
being best buds,” Goings says. “It doesn’t hurt that
we have a pretty awesome train to ride,” added
Abramson. Both agree that the music is the real
star of the show. “We have a lot of parents who say
this is kids’ music that they actually like,” says Goings. “It’s been described as kids’ music that won’t
drive their parents crazy.”
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Story Monster busts a move with Genevieve at the Children’s
Museum of Phoenix. (photo by Linda F. Radke)
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Cover Feature Story
The two regularly take Choo Choo Soul on the
road, touring all across the country. While both had
previous experience performing in front of adults,
they seem to relish the opportunity to perform for
children. “It’s very special that we get to be these
magical story characters,” says Goings. “We use lighting and video to set the scene and it all comes to life
in a very exciting way.” Abramson says he’s inspired
by the children in the audience. “Kids at that age
are so curious,” he says. “They’re positive. They’re
responsive. I’m walking on my hands, they get
motivated to dance, and everyone has a great time.”
Often, the moms and dads at the shows seem to be
enjoying the performances as much as the kids. “It’s
fun to see the parents getting down,” says Goings.
“The parents get into it,” Abramson says. “It’s great
to see them let loose.”
“We respect the kids that
we’re singing for. We don’t
talk down to them. We treat
them with respect and they
get that.”
While there’s no end of the line in sight for Choo
Choo Soul, Abramson says someday he hopes to
get back into art. “Maybe I’ll open some kind of art
school where I give private lessons teaching people
how to paint and draw,” he says. Goings is the new
host of the Internet station, Radio Disney Junior.
“It’s the radio of the future,” she says. “I’m thrilled
to be a part of it.” She also continues to write music
and has a new album for kids, called Do You Know?
“The music we have on Choo Choo Soul has an educational aspect which lends itself to learning how to
read,” she says. “I would love to write more songs for
children about reading. The rhythms and patterns
of the sounds of putting words together is a lot like
music. It all works together.” In November, Goings
will be temporarily trading in her train conductor
uniform for a wedding dress. “I’m getting married!”
she announced.
While fans are clamoring for more Choo Choo
Soul videos, and even petitioning for it to become
its own full-length show, Goings and Abramson says
they’re happy to stay on track with their touring
schedule. “The way things are now is definitely working for us,” Goings says. “While we’re touring, we get
to be up close and personal with our fans. It’s like
a party every time we get on stage. There’s nothing
else like it.”
Follow Genevieve and DC on Facebook!
It’s impossible to pin down what it is about
Choo Choo Soul that’s so captivating. “It’s a
magical combination,” says Goings. “It starts with
really good music. We also respect the kids that we’re
singing for. We don’t talk down to them. We treat
them with respect and they get that.” Abramson
says he thinks it’s the duo’s upbeat style that helps
to brings out the positive side of people. “We want
to have fun and we want our audiences to have fun,
too,” he says. “We go from top to bottom in the theaters, making sure we get to everyone, making sure
that everyone’s moving and enjoying themselves.”
After each show is over, Abramson and Goings interact with their fans. They take time to meet with their
audience, take photos and sign autographs. “We give
out lots of hugs,” says Goings. The pair is also very
involved in social media. “We love to keep in touch
with our fans,” says Goings. “We look at the photos
people post on our Facebook page. We love to hear
which songs people like the best. We really do care.”
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9
Feature Story
Mercer Mayer:
The Big Kid Behind the Little Critter
by Melissa Fales
The self-proclaimed “big kid” behind
the beloved Little Critter series,
children’s author and illustrator
Mercer Mayer has an exceptional
ability to capture the essence of
childhood. “I have a great memory
of being a child,” Mayer says. “I
remember how it feels to be small in
a world of grown-ups.” Mayer writes
his books from the mindset of a child,
tempered with the gentle perspective
that comes from seven decades of life
experience. “When I’m writing, I ask
myself, ‘Where would a child’s mind
go?’” he says. “What are they afraid
of? What are they hoping for?”
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For Mayer, the key to being a “big kid” is to
maintain a sense of wonder at the world around
him. “When you’re a kid, everything is open and
everything is new,” he says. “At first, you’re protected by your parents. But then you get to a point
where you have to be responsible. You have to
make money. That’s when you begin to close up.”
Mayer says he’s done his best to remain open at
what life has to offer. “As an adult, it’s something
that you have to relearn,” he says. “It’s a lot harder
to re-open yourself.”
Arkansas was Mayer’s boyhood home. “I spent as
much time as I possibly could in mud puddles and
streams, looking for lizards and snakes,” he says.
Mayer’s childhood ambition wasn’t to become an
artist, but a physicist. “What I really wanted to do
was ride on a flying saucer,” he says. Mayer was
13 years old in 1957 when his family moved to
the then-American territory of Hawaii to accommodate his father’s position within the U.S. Navy.
“That’s when all of my childhood things got put
aside,” Mayer says. “Nothing was ever the same
after that.”
Mayer found himself in a very different environment, not only geographically but culturally and
socially, too. “That was the year they desegregated
Little Rock, Arkansas,” he says. “I had been in a
segregated world and I was popped into a completely integrated one. I was the only white kid in
the class. That certainly opened my eyes.”
“Little Critter isn’t stuck in any
culture or any race. He’s just
stuck being a kid. We all know
how that feels.”
It was during high school that Mayer began
honing his art skills. He still dreamt of becoming
a physicist, playing with time and space and flying
saucers, but all that changed when he took his
first Algebra and Physics classes. “I just could not
conceptualize the material,” said Mayer. “I failed
both classes.”
Art, however, came naturally to Mayer. After
graduating high school, he attended the Honolulu Academy of Arts where he studied under the
acclaimed Bill Stamper. “He literally taught me
how to draw,” says Mayer. “First, he taught me to
see. From then on, I knew art was going to be my
bailiwick.”
In 1964, Mayer took off for New York City to
pursue art at the Art Students League. “I was
doing great big Dali-like paintings then,” he says.
“They were horribly surreal and very weird but a lot
of galleries were interested in them.” Mayer rode
the wave for a few months, but deep inside he felt
sharply at odds with the artwork he was creating.
“I took a long, hard look at what I was doing and
realized that I didn’t care about these paintings,”
he says. “The only reason I was doing them was
because it made everyone go, ‘Wow.’ It was purely
for the shock value. Once I recognized that, I just
couldn’t do it anymore.”
Mayer traded his paintbrushes for vacuum cleaners, which he sold door-to-door to pay the bills.
Then he took a job in the art department of M.
Lowenstein and Sons, a massive textile operation.
“I was part of a design group that did hang tags
in the sub, sub, sub basement,” he says. “It was as
dismal as it sounds.”
Unfulfilled, Mayer decided to take a big leap. A
friend of his family had been writing children’s
books for a while. “I thought, ‘I can do that,’” Mayer says. “She introduced me to some publishers,
told me what to say, and I’ve been writing books
from that point on.”
His first book, A Boy, a Dog, and a Frog, was published in 1966. It was unique in that the story was
told entirely through illustrations and without
words. Over 300 books were to follow, including
There’s a Nightmare in My Closet, Liza Lou and the
Yeller Belly Swamp, and What Do You Do With a
Kangaroo?
“Little Critter” was born in 1974. He lives in
Critterville with his mom, dad, little sister and
brother. He attends Critterville Elementary School
and loves to ride his bike and play critter sports.
“I was just doodling one day and I came up with
this fuzzy, little, woodchuck-y thing,” says Mayer.
He might have crumpled up the paper and thrown
it away, but there was something
undeniably appealing about
this oddly adorable animal,
this little critter, so
instead, Mayer wrote
a book about him. “It
could’ve just as easily
been a little boy,” Mayer
says. “Little Critter isn’t
stuck in any culture or
any race. He’s just stuck
being a kid. We all know
© 2015 by Orchard House
how that feels.”
Licensing Company.
11
Feature Story
It’s not surprising that the wildly popular Little
Critter series is now available as an app, considering
that Mayer has embraced technology as a boon for
his industry from the start. “In 1986, I managed
to procure a big educational software contract,” he
says. “We designed educational programs for computer dinosaurs, like the Commodore.” For Mayer,
a willingness to change with the times goes hand
in hand with that childish way of thinking he tries
to cultivate, of being open to the possibilities. “You
have to go with it,” he says. “You can’t fight it. And
why would you want to?”
available, with more on the way! The Little Critter
Fall Storybook Collection: 7 Classic Stories releases on
July 21 and Little Critter: Just a Special Thanksgiving
releases on September 1.
Visit Little Critter’s official website for games and
activities for children, including apps, coloring
pages, sing-a-longs, interactive read-and-plays and
even story time movies! www.LittleCritter.com
Mayer says he’s not one to sit and ponder what’s
next. “I have no next,” he says. “I couldn’t care less
about next. All I have right now is this day. Like
I said, I’m a big kid. I’m focusing on being happy
right now. I don’t know what I want to do next. I
still don’t know what I want to do when I grow up.”
Mayer’s newest book, Little Critter: Just a Teacher’s
Pet (My First I Can Read) (HarperCollins) is now
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© 2015 by Mercer Mayer.
Activity Page
Coloring Fun!
http://
www.
quitnowindiana.
com/IBE.
html
© 2015
13
Feature Story
Christian Boer
Changes the Face of the Alphabet for Dyslexics
by Melissa Fales
Learning the ABCs, that crucial milestone in every child’s education, is no easy task
for approximately 10 percent of the population with the learning disorder dyslexia.
Recognizing letters when they’re grouped together in words is even more of a
challenge for dyslexics, setting them up for a lifetime of academic struggles.
Inspired by his own experiences grappling with
the learning disorder, Dutch graphic designer
Christian Boer has created a new font called Dyslexie,
designed to make it easier for dyslexics to identify
individual letters and read words.
As a dyslexic elementary school student at a time
before dyslexia was widely understood or accepted as
a legitimate condition, Boer struggled in school. “My
teacher punished me as a way to motivate me to work
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harder,” he says. “Even today, many people say ‘You
just have a bit of trouble reading. Just try harder.’”
It’s difficult for Boer to describe what it’s like to have
dyslexia to someone who doesn’t have it. “With
dyslexia, the information you read goes to your brain
differently,” he says. He explained that dyslexics don’t
always recognize that they are making reading errors.
“Or, they might notice that they made a mistake, but
they don’t know exactly what the error is,” he says.
“This is because your brain tricks you, like an optical
illusion.” Boer says dyslexics might have to read the
same sentence over and over again before they’re
able to “break the code” and understand what they’re
reading. “That’s why it takes five times more energy
for people with dyslexia to read,” he explains.
While there’s no correlation between dyslexia
and intellect, Boer says his low grades in language
classes held him back from a higher course of study
in secondary school. “Here in the Netherlands, you
take Dutch, English, French and German classes,” he
says. “I was already bad in Dutch, so you can imagine
how much worse the other languages were for me.”
Boer went on to study at an art academy where he
found that his dyslexia was actually “an advantage.”
He says he’s found that dyslexia gives him the
benefit of an extremely creative mind and a vivid
imagination. “You can compare it to someone who is
blind and develops an exceptional sense of hearing,”
Boer says. “Some of us are really good at music or
sports, or have creative talent because our brains are
all wired differently. We have different strengths.”
For Boer, this creative “benefit” of having
dyslexia led him to pursue a career as a graphic
artist. “I was always drawing in class,” he says,
adding that it’s, understandably, very common for
dyslexics to pursue careers that rely less on words
and more on abstract concepts, such as the arts.
Boer developed the Dyslexie font in 2008 as his
final thesis project at Utrecht Art Academy. “I was
thinking about doing a project on dyslexia and
graphic layout,” he says, admitting that it was an
ironic choice. “I had always avoided language classes
in the past due to my difficulties with reading. For
this, I was ready to do the exact opposite.”
Addressing his own specific reading difficulties, Boer
systematically worked through the alphabet to see
how he could make the letters more dyslexia-friendly.
“When I read regular letters, they do 3D movements
in my mind,” he says. “I tried to make a little movie in
my head that altered the shape of the letter in order
to resist those 3D movements.” For example, since
dyslexia can cause letters to appear to be upsidedown, Boer adjusted the bottom half of the letters
to be thicker and bolder in Dyslexie, making it more
difficult for the brain to “flip” them.
Dyslexie gives each letter of the alphabet a unique,
distinguishable form. Since “b” and “d” are easy
for dyslexics to confuse, Boer used a slight slant to
differentiate between them. Dyslexie also assigns
different heights to similar letters to further
distinguish which is which. In addition, Dyslexie
allows for more space between each letter and each
word. “Sometimes when I look at a page of words,
I see it as a solid shape, like a block,” Boer says. “By
adding that extra space, I was able to prevent that
crowding effect.”
Boer worked on Dyslexie 18 hours a day for
four months. “I lost 15 kilos (33 pounds),” he says.
Boer was extremely pleased when he realized that the
font made it easier for him to read, but he wondered
if it would have the same effect for other dyslexics
since the condition affects everyone differently.
Eager to test Dyslexie out, Boer enlisted the help
of a school that provided him with a test group
comprised of people of different ages, backgrounds
and degrees of dyslexia. “I sent them a .pdf file in the
lowercase Dyslexie text and asked for their opinions,”
he says. “They all emailed me back saying that they
wanted the typeface, that it helped them. So I knew
it worked for others, not only me.”
In 2010, Boer won the Smart Future Minds
Award in Amsterdam for Dyslexie. In 2011,
he took first prize at the Smart Urban Stage in
Amsterdam. Dyslexie was a finalist for the Fast
Company Innovate Through Design Award in 2012
and received the Rabobank New Generation Pitch
first prize in 2013. However, for Boer, the greatest
reward for his hard work is hearing from parents that
the finished product not only helps their dyslexic
children learn to read, it helps them learn to love
to read. “They even say their children have started
reading books in their free time,” he says.
The response to Dyslexie has been phenomenal.
Interest in the font has grown by word-of-mouth
and it is now being used worldwide. “It’s grown
larger every year,” Boer says. “I never expected this.
I still think it’s unbelievable.” Boer says he plans to
continue working to improve the lives of those with
dyslexia. “My biggest goal is to get more dyslexia
awareness around the globe,” he says.
Dyslexie is compatible with Apple and Microsoft
products and can be downloaded free for home use.
Businesses and schools can use Dyslexie for a fee.
For more information about Boer and Dyslexie, visit
www.dyslexiefont.com.
15
Feature Story
Donna LeBlanc
Captures Imagination in Words and Music
by Melissa Fales
Young Donna LeBlanc didn’t count sheep
while she lay in bed trying to fall asleep.
Instead, she imagined she was a glamorous
movie star on set or an inspirational
teacher leading a challenging classroom.
As a child, LeBlanc used her imagination
to escape other unpleasant tasks, too,
such as changing her younger siblings’
diapers. “I’d always make sure my mind was
somewhere else for that,” she joked. Today,
LeBlanc is using her vivid imagination
to write for children, beginning with her
award-winning first book, Explorations of
Commander Josh, Book One: In Space.
LeBlanc grew up in Bristol, Connecticut,
where her favorite childhood toy was an old, beatenup piano. “My mother always had music playing on
the radio and I used my thumb to sound out the
songs I heard,” says LeBlanc. “I’d get all these blisters
on my thumb. It never dawned on me that I had
nine other digits I could use.” Demonstrating strong
musical talent at a young age, LeBlanc started taking piano lessons at age six. After high school, she
planned to pursue a career in musical theatre and
briefly attended the Hartford Conservatory before
she had to drop out. “Things changed, and I had to go
to work to support my family,” she explained.
Leblanc worked in the corporate world for many
years, doing what she needed to do for financial
stability. “Finally, I’d had enough,” she says. “I had
no idea what I was going to do, but I knew that I
couldn’t continue to work in that environment.”
Having dabbled in stenciling and painting as a hobby,
LeBlanc enrolled in a few faux-finishing courses and
learned that she had the knack for the craft. “Before I
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knew it, someone from Valspar asked if I would
be interested in doing in-store demonstrations,”
LeBlanc says. “These were three-hour presentations.
You had to practically be a stand-up comedian to
keep the audience’s attention.”
Eventually, she turned her interest in faux finishes
into a business. “People would see what I did in my
own home and ask how much I’d charge them for the
same thing at their house,” she says. “That’s when
I realized that I could do this for a living.” LeBlanc
never advertised and grew her business purely by
word of mouth. “I’m not making a gazillion dollars
and I’m okay with that,” she says. “I’m happy to work
with people to beautify their homes within the budget they have. I love getting to know people. Everyone has a story. It’s fascinating to me.”
For the past two decades, LeBlanc has also been
teaching people of all ages how to play the piano at
the beginner and intermediate level. “I never had kids
of my own, but I’ve had hundreds as a teacher,” 1
who is now 15. LeBlanc says when Josh was a little
boy, his imagination surpassed even her own. “I bet 2
you could’ve stuck him in a closet with a sock and
he would’ve entertained himself for days,” she says.
Commander Josh’s vessel for his adventures is a standard laundry basket he’s borrowed from his mother.
LeBlanc says she loves to promote the idea that
children don’t need expensive toys or gadgets to have
fun. “I want kids to know that imagination can take
them anywhere they want to go, just like Commander
Josh,” she says. LeBlanc’s ideas for future books feature the continuing adventures of Commander Josh
as he visits places like Tahiti and Italy.
she says. “They’re my piano family.” It was important
to LeBlanc that her students felt more comfortable
with her than she was with her first piano teacher.
She can still recall the panic she felt before each lesson. There was no parking, so her mother would drop
her off and she had to make her way up to her teacher’s third-story apartment all alone. “I had to walk up
flights of stairs, all in this dark mahogany paneling,”
she recounts. “There were sounds emanating from
every apartment along the way. It was hard for me to
even focus during my lesson because I kept on thinking that I’d have to walk back down those dark stairs
alone. I’m still traumatized.”
“I want kids to know that
imagination can take them
anywhere they want to go.”
In contrast, LeBlanc welcomes her students
into the warm, cozy home she shares with her
husband and two dogs. “I bake for my students
every day,” she says. “I have coffee and tea for the
parents. Sometimes while I’m teaching, I’ll hear my
fridge door open as someone searches for milk or
cream. I’ve tried hard to make it a nurturing environment where my students will feel comfortable.”
Sometimes they might feel a little too comfortable,
says LeBlanc, like when they complain that she hasn’t
made them her famous lemon cupcakes with lemon
filling in a while. “‘What is this, a bakery?’ I ask them,”
she says with a laugh.
Writing is LeBlanc’s newest occupation. The character Commander Josh is based on her nephew, Josh,
According to LeBlanc, one of her favorite aspects of
being a children’s author is being invited into schools.
“I consider it a privilege to be in a classroom full of
students,” she says. LeBlanc was tickled when a local
charity asked schools to raise money for its cause,
with a visit from her as a reward to the school that
raised the most. “I’m the prize in the Cracker Jack
box,” she jokes.
LeBlanc says self-publishing books is expensive,
grueling and totally worth it. “I have a great crew
with SDP publishing,” she says. “I feel so fortunate. I
know I’m not the best author, and I certainly hope I’m
not the worst. I just like to have fun.” She also says
she’s not trying to make big bucks writing children’s
books. Her time in the corporate world helped her put
the importance of finances into perspective. “It’s not
about the money,” she says. “For me, it’s about getting
a message out there that I think is important. Put
down the tablet once in while. Look around. Use your
imagination.” She stands by this advice for adults as
well as children. She admits she still has the active
imagination she had as a child, and it sometimes gets
the best of her. “Sometimes when I’m painting, my
mind starts wandering and then I have to come back
to earth,” says LeBlanc. “Suddenly I realize I’ve gotten
paint on the ceiling.”
LeBlanc says she’s well-suited to the life she’s cultivated for herself, carving out time for the things she
truly enjoys: writing, painting and teaching music.
“I’m happy doing what I’m doing,” she says. “I like
doing a bunch of things I’m good at because I don’t
think I’m really great at any one thing, other than liking people. I’m a master of that.”
Explorations of Commander Josh, Book One: In Space
is available through www.sdppublishingsolutions.
com, Amazon.com, and BarnesandNoble.com.
17
Kids Can Publish!
The Beach
by Ava Mulkerrin, grade 4
I can feel the sand
In my toes
Do you know that feeling?
Everyone knows
Kites are in the sky
Colors are alive
You can watch them fly
At any time
Have you seen a castle
Three feet tall?
Go to a beach and
See it all
Splish! Splash! Splish!
Can you see a fish?
Get a tan
In the lovely sand
Kids Can Publish has joined Story Monsters Ink !
Teachers can now submit their students’ written works, such as
poems, articles, stories, book reviews, etc. to Kids Can Publish for
online print consideration. This means that if your teacher thinks
your work is exceptional for your grade level, we might publish it in
Story Monsters Ink! Visit www.StoryMonstersInk.com and click on
“Kids Can Publish” for instructions on how to submit your work!
18
19
Feature Story
Set Sail with
Carole P. Roman
On Her Newest Adventures
by Melissa Fales
When author Carole P. Roman is with her four grandchildren, there’s
no telling what kind of adventures— real or make-believe—are in
store. She might lead them in a song and dance routine around her
kitchen while teaching them how to bake, they could be on their hands
and knees crawling through her backyard searching for insects, or they
could be sending each other into fits of laughter describing the goofylooking aliens they discover as they zip through space in an imaginary spaceship. Roman encourages her grandchildren to be bold and
boisterous, and her Captain No Beard children’s book series conveys
that same vivacious spirit to her readers. “I want them to learn, but it
absolutely has to be fun, too,” she explains.
After decades of running a successful business,
Roman describes her writing career as “a great second act.” As newlyweds, she and her husband David
began building a limousine transportation company
from the ground up. Today, their business has grown
into one of the largest in the industry, employing
roughly 500 people. Roman continues to work, but
now has the luxury of spare time, which she fills with
her favorite activities: playing with her grandchildren
and writing books.
Roman’s first book, Captain No Beard: An Imaginary
Tale of a Pirate’s Life, was inspired by a game Roman
and her grandson, Alexander, made up together. The
book was named to the “Best of 2012” list by Kirkus
Reviews. “I was shocked,” says Roman. “I was shocked
and proud and inspired, all rolled into one.”
20
That success led Roman to write Pepper Parrot’s
Problem with Patience, followed by seven additional
Captain No Beard adventures. The series follows the
high-seas escapades of a magical pirate ship called
the Flying Dragon and its crew—named Alexander,
Hallie, Cayla and Zachary, after Roman’s grandchildren. “Each story has a lesson,” says Roman. “I
focused on the concepts we try to reinforce every
day with children, like sharing, not judging others and being careful around strangers.” More than
anything else, however, the Captain No Beard series
is a celebration of imagination. Roman says she and
her grandchildren dream up adventures that are far
beyond what any iPad or Xbox console can offer.
“My grandchildren are growing up in a technological world,” Roman says. “It’s amazing how quickly
they pick all of that up. As for me, I’m not the most
technology-savvy person out there. I have no hand/
eye coordination. For me, technology is actually very
limiting. That’s what I love about imagination. There
are no limits!”
Roman says she hopes her Captain No Beard books
are palatable enough with adults to pass the “read it
again” test. “I wrote them while keeping parents in
mind,” says Roman. “I know what it’s like to be asked
to read the same book over and over and over again.
I made them funny for children and I like to think
that I provided some entertainment for the parents
as well.”
“For me, technology is
actually very limiting.
That’s what I love about
imagination. There are
no limits!”
Roman’s grandchildren also inspired her
award-winning If You Were Me and Lived In…
series. During a family vacation in Las Vegas, they
were fascinated by the fantastic themes of the different hotels, such as the half-sized Eiffel Tower at the
Paris Hotel. “It got me thinking about the natural
curiosity all children have,” she explains. She also
says she believes today’s children are more aware
of the world around them than previous generations were. “They live in a global society,” she says.
“They watch the Travel Channel. When they go to
the market, there’s food from all different countries
available. They eat at ethnic restaurants and they’re
even aware of subtle differences, like the difference
between Szechuan and Cantonese cuisine.” When
Roman couldn’t find many books for young children
about other cultures, she decided to write some. An
enthusiastic international traveler herself, Roman
drew on her own fascination with other cultures and
created the If You Were Me and Lived In… series
to give children a glimpse into the lives of children
from other parts of the world.
about her daily life. “When I got my nails done, I
thought about South Korea where my manicurist is
from,” she says. “I ate lunch at a Turkish restaurant
and thought to myself, ‘Turkey would make a great
book.’” Roman decided to feature Kenya because
that’s where President Barack Obama’s ancestors
hail from. She chose Norway for one reason. “I knew
absolutely nothing about it, and I wanted to,” she
explained. Roman’s illustrator for the series requested that they do a book about Scotland. “I wanted to
make sure I covered the four corners of the world.”
The popularity of the series continues to grow
and Roman is now accustomed to having people
approach her with suggestions about which country
she should cover next. “People are so proud of their
heritage and where they come from,” she says. “I’m
honored that they want to share so much about
their customs with me and my readers. I’m hoping
that the more children learn about other cultures,
the more tolerant they will be as adults.” The books
in the If You Were Me and Lived In… series are designed to be easily tailored to an individual child. “I
designed them as a reference to introduce children
to these countries,” says Roman. “Then, parents
and teachers can expand on them depending on the
child’s age and interest level.”
The series has garnered fans of all ages. “I love
that grown-ups are enjoying learning about these
countries, too,” says Roman. “Myself included. I’ve
come to love the whole research process.” As long as
there’s an interest in the series, Roman says she will
continue to add to it. The latest country in the
If You Were Me and Lived In… series is China,
with Italy coming soon.
Should she run out of countries to spotlight, Roman
has other avenues to explore. Her grandson, Alexander has weighed in that he’d like to see an If You Were
Me and Lived In… book for each of the 50 states.
Roman says she’s considering branching out into
historical eras, such as If You Were Me and Lived In
Medieval Times… “I guess this could go on for some
time,” she says. “I certainly hope it does. I’m learning
so much, and most importantly, I’m having fun.”
For more information on Carole P. Roman and her
books, visit www.caroleproman.com.
The first country Roman chose to feature was
Mexico. “It was a natural choice,” says Roman.
“They’re such a close neighbor.” Inspiration for some
of the books about other countries came as she went
21
nd
aF
. Ra
dke
Science & Nature
:
by
Photo
Li
Exploring Our Solar System
by Conrad J. Storad
Imagine that you are on a
spaceship cruising through outer
space. You and your crew blasted
off weeks ago. The ship has
already traveled millions of miles
as you begin a years-long mission
to explore the solar system. Take
a quick look back to see where
you started. Look closely. Planet
Earth looks like a tiny, blue dot.
Humans have special feelings about this tiny, blue
planet. It is home. Think about it. Only a handful of
people have ever really been away from our planet.
They were the American astronauts who flew to the
moon as part of the nine Apollo missions between
1968 and 1972. Only 12 of those brave men actually walked on the moon. No human has ever been
back or even close to the moon since. And less than
600 people have ever been in orbit away from the
safety of Earth’s surface. But humans have big plans.
Humans are born to explore the unknown. It is part
of who we are.
I have some travel plans for you, my science-loving
readers. In months to come, I will take you on trips to
interesting parts of our solar system. You can enjoy
the trip from the safety of your home and travel via
the pages of this magazine. There is plenty to see and
much to learn!
22
Solar system image by Harman Smith and Laura Generosa, graphic
artists and contractors to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Where to start? I think it is always best to start
at the beginning.
Earth is just one of eight planets that orbit Sol,
the star we call the sun. The four inner planets are
Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars. Each is a relatively
small, dense and rocky planet. The outer planets are
much larger. They include Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus
and Neptune. Each is primarily a massive ball of
dense gas.
Pluto is a small, rocky ball of ice and frozen
methane gas. It used to be known as the outermost
planet. But scientists changed their minds several
years ago. Pluto is now considered a dwarf planet. It
is one of hundreds or even thousands of such dwarfs
that orbit on the far edge of our solar system.
Earth is very special because it is our home.
Our planet has all the right conditions to support life
of many kinds. It is not too hot and not too cold. As
Goldilocks would say, the temperature here is “just
right.” So is the atmospheric pressure. And Earth is
made of just the right chemicals and materials to keep
living things happy and growing.
However, the conditions at other planetary locations
in our solar system are very different. Those conditions can be difficult to imagine. But scientists have
learned a lot about our solar neighborhood during the
past few decades.
Mercury
Venus
(Courtesy NASA/JPL)
(Courtesy NASA/JPL)
Mercury is the planet closest to the sun. It
receives tremendous amounts of solar radiation.
There is almost no atmosphere to help distribute this
energy evenly.
hurricane winds of up to 220 miles per hour. The air
pressure there is about 90 times of that found at sea
level on Earth.
You’ll need some super special gear to visit Venus.
Without it, you would be cooked, crushed and dissolved in minutes!
Solar system travel kit:
Would you like to know what you would weigh on
Mercury or Venus or on other planets in our solar
system? For example, if you weigh 150 pounds on
Earth, you will weigh: 56.7 pounds on Mercury or 136
pounds on Venus. Pack this nifty calculator from the
website below in your travel kit. It will be a handy tool
to help you prepare gear for your visits to all of these
new worlds:
www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/weight
Resources to learn more
about the solar system:
WEBSITES:
On the sunlit side of Mercury, the temperature rises
to 800 degrees Fahrenheit. That is hot enough to
melt lead into a gooey soup. A totally different world
exists on Mercury’s dark side. Temperatures there can
plunge to a frigid 280 degrees below zero. No other
planet is so different from one side to the other.
• Chain Reaction—solar system
—Arizona State University
chainreaction.asu.edu/solarsystem
Mercury does not have an atmosphere. There is nothing to protect the little planet’s surface from impacts
by meteorites or other space debris. Mercury is
pockmarked with craters as a result. It looks a lot like
Earth’s moon.
• NASA for Kids—kid-friendly solar system
solarsystem.nasa.gov/kids
Venus is the planet closest to Earth. This second
planet does not receive as much solar radiation as
Mercury. But Venus has a very thick atmosphere.
The layers include lots of carbon dioxide, a powerful
greenhouse gas.
The thick atmosphere on Venus traps heat from the sun.
As a result, the temperature on Venus can soar above
900 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s hotter than the sunny
side of Mercury, which is much closer to the Sun!
Thick clouds of sulfuric acid also wrap around Venus
like nasty blankets. Those clouds get blown around by
• Moon stuff for kids
lroc.sese.asu.edu/learn
• Fun views of the solar system
solarviews.com/eng/homepage.htm
Conrad J. Storad
The award-winning author and editor of more than
50 science and nature books for children and young
adults, Conrad J. Storad expertly draws young readers into his imaginative and entertaining “classroom”
to help them better understand and appreciate the
natural world.
23
Story Monster
Approved! Books
Going to the Park (Liv on Life)
by Elizabeth Gorcey, illustrated by Kajiah Jacobs
Going to the Park is the first title in the Liv On Life Children’s Book Series, which features Olivia
(Liv) and her best friend, Bowie, a Boxer dog. Going to the Park tells the story of Liv and Bowie,
who recognize that mom and dad need a break from the stresses of work. Liv and Bowie convince their mom and dad to put down the technology and head out for a fun day at the park!
Zar and the Broken Spaceship
by Dinosaur O’Dell, illustrated by Santiago Germano
This interactive, read-aloud children’s story is about three friends who hear a strange
and unusual sound as they walk through a park.
Parents for Sale
by Dr. Nicole Audet
The Clark parents threaten to sell their dog, since twins Luke and Lucy don’t take care of her as
promised. When their parents’ car is out of sight, Luke paints white letters on a sign: “Parents
for Sale.” When the twins sell their parents to a fairy orphan, she transforms into a witch who
wishes to eat them in a stew. How will the twins save their parents?
Bumpa and The Piggies: The Neighbors Next Door (Volume 1)
by Mike DeWald, illustrated by Rosemarie Gillen
When Emma and Hanna discover piggies with umbrellas and suitcases sneaking into their
house, they inform their lovable grandfather, “Bumpa.” He plays along, believing that the
piggies are imaginary, but they’re not! The fun begins as the suitcases reveal wonderful and
unexpected things. Everyone discovers that the most important things in life are family,
friends and love.
The Hellandback Kids: Be Careful What You Wish For
by L.L. Helland
When the four Hellandback kids visit their great-grandmother in a strange Scottish hospital,
they unknowingly fall into a series of bizarre adventures in an alternate reality. With only their
own ingenuity, the Hellandback kids must rely on help from a mystic guide, unearthly creatures
and talking animals as they encounter the black plague, deformed beings, a life sucking immortal, and a long trek from exile. Throughout their adventures, the Hellandback kids learn valuable
life lessons, and of course, to be careful what they wish for.
24
Story Monster
Approved! Books
My Dog Holly
by Kristin Maggio and S.B. Maggio
My Dog Holly is written from the heart of an autistic 8-year-old girl as a tribute to her dog. After
the loss of her Australian Shepherd, Kristin began drawing several pictures of Holly. Many are
featured in this book. Kristin has always used art as an avenue for communication and therapy
as well as an outlet. This heartwarming tribute is filled with memories and drawings of a very
special friendship.
The Dream Walker, Land of Mystica Series Volume 1
by Michelle Murray
Miranda is having vivid dreams of a world she’s never been to. A world full of castles, Forests,
Ice Caves, and Dragons. She goes to a bookstore to see about these dreams and discovers she
is a Dream Walker. She has been called to save this mystical, magical world. On Mystica, the
evil wizard Midnight has been released. Midnight is gathering an army, and preparing for war.
Miranda needs to find and release the white wizard Lightning from his stone prison to save
Mystica. Can she find and release Lightning and save Mystica in time?
25
Monster Review
Monster Review
Tilly & the Tooth Fairy
by Darleen Wohlfeil
Tilly & the Tooth Fairy, written by Brian G. Chambers and illustrated by Sondra Nell
Rymer, brings us a magical encounter with an age old conflict of childhood,
safety vs. disappointment.
Rymer’s creativity and eye-popping graphics create a visual experience so large it pulls
you into every scene. A family struggling to make ends meet are torn when faced
with the childhood joys of losing that first tooth. Wanting his precious little girl to reach beyond the metered
out portions assigned to them by life’s meager hand, her father dares her to believe in a world of fairytales and
magic. A world that meters by a more gracious hand. Mother, however, is saddened by the very real possibility
of disappointment that Tilly will face. But, our story ends true to the hopeful, for good things come to those
who dare to believe! Each heart comes to its crossroads. Each must choose their course. Which will it be, the
safe route of practicality, or the daring of imagination, that believes all things are possible? Fairytales inspire us
to look beyond the ordinary, and imagine what could be. To dare to try what others can’t see. Brian Chambers
has let his heart believe, and his love flows, much like the father of our story, as he encourages us to reach for
our dreams. Rymer’s flow of color and scenery are a true sensory delight that carries us to that higher place of
wonder and imagination.
The Unlikely Adventures of Mabel Jones
by Cassie Potter, grade 3
I like the book, The Unlikely Adventures of Mabel Jones by Will Mabitt. This book is for
people who love adventure. The story is about a girl who is kidnapped by pirates and the
adventures she goes through to get back home. I liked the narrator of the story, he made
the story funnier. I also liked how the text print changed to reflect what was going on in
the story. Another thing I liked was how detailed the story was. I really enjoyed the illustrations in the book because they assisted in telling the story. I think the captain could
think a little less about himself. My favorite part of the story is when Mabel Jones picked
her nose and then the pirates kidnapped her. The pirates are so nice but the captain is mean. This book is not
the typical book that I would pick up to read, but I totally enjoyed it and would recommend it to my friends.
Animal Gas: A Farty Farce
by Ava Walters, grade 1
It’s a really good book because everyone thinks their farts smell good and everyone
thinks that the goat’s farts smell good also. This is because they smell like waffles! My
favorite part of the book is when everyone says the monkey’s farts don’t smell good.
I think the rainbow looks pretty in the book. I think this book is for boys and girls.
The only thing that I don’t like is when the animals don’t get along.
26
Sky Castle
by Darleen Wohlfeil
In this magical book, three little fairies help our imaginations soar as we build a dream
castle in the sky. Sandra Hanken’s poetic vision and Jody Bergsma’s vivid illustrations
create a majestic kingdom where all creatures are welcome. Intriguing Celtic borders
twist through each page, adding special touches of mystery and creation. Once it’s
complete, the entire castle slides down to the Earth “on moonbeams and music and
prayers.” This was the most favored book of my granddaughter’s childhood. It was her
cherished bedtime experience with Gram. We would read the book, and then she would
build her own castle in the sky. Each night she drifted into sleep building a new room. I was amazed at the creativity that flowed as she built, decorated and enjoyed her very own sky castle. I would write her new additions
in the back of the book. Once, when we were out rummaging through antique stores, I heard a delighted squeal
in the background. Turning to see, there she stood clutching an old, small key. Her pleading eyes beg, “Can I
have it, Gram? It’s perfect for my castle!” We took it home and strung it on a silky pink ribbon and she laid it
in her book with great pride. We eventually needed to get a new copy of the book, but it still sits on my shelf,
draped with its key. She is a woman now, but we still share tender moments and magical memories, like laurels
draped about the book.
The Day is Waiting
by Darleen Wohlfeil
Almost every bookshelf, in every home of a reader, carries a book bearing the name
of Don Freeman. I too boast of such a book. In the early ‘70s, I discovered a true find
in Freeman’s story of a department store bear that entertained my children for years.
It sits there still, proudly meeting and thrilling every new generation. Some say, “All
good things come to an end.” But, I have not found that to be so. Though Don Freeman passed away in 1978, this most beloved and popular author/illustrator’s work
still goes on. A special 40th anniversary edition of Corduroy was released in 2008. I
find the truly great works of life remain. They become a very part of us and grow with us through time. Having left behind hundreds of unpublished paintings and drawings, his wife Lydia thought they could delight
our children once again. Linda Zuckerman, a close friend and colleague of Freeman, and a successful author in
her own right, has brought us a fresh sound to his works. The Day Is Waiting is a joyful collaboration true to its
name. Every day is new. Yesterday, with its success and its failure, is gone. Tomorrow is untouchable, a mystery
yet uncovered. But, today is ours. The sun rises, and the day awaits us, bringing new opportunities to learn and
explore. To experience our surroundings. The reader of the story is the central character of this book, and the
author extends her hand to lead them on their journey, and returns them safely home again.
Become a Monster Reviewer!
Story Monsters Ink publishes book reviews written by adults and children. Authors of printed reviews
receive a free Story Monsters T-Shirt for their first published review. Reviewers with five printed
reviews get to choose a free book from the Little Five Star bookstore, www.LittleFiveStar.com.
Youth reviewers will need a parent or guardian’s permission slip submitted along with their reviews.
To obtain a permission slip or for more information, email [email protected].
27
Summer Reading Guide
LETTUCE!
by Diana Kizlauskas
HELP! There is only so much luck a Rabbit can handle. LETTUCE! is a deliciously tall tale
about sharing. Good fortune runs amuck as Rabbit watches his crop of lettuce grow and
GROW! What will he do with all this leafy goodness? Wacky neighbors help him solve his
dilemma. Humorous, rhymed text is fun for adults to read aloud and is easy enough for
children to follow along. The story works as a lesson in generosity as well as all-around
entertainment. A highly-rated, richly illustrated picture book for children 3-6 years old.
Available at Amazon.com.
Cowboy Tad the Triangle Man
by Sherry Galloway Willis
Saddle up as author Sherry Galloway Willis takes us on an adventure with Cowboy Tad the
Triangle Man. Even though he’s different, he shows courage in overcoming his fears and
finding the importance of true friendship. Will Cowboy Tad realize that overcoming his
fears brings more rewards than he could ever have imagined? Cowboy Tad the Triangle Man,
an e/LIVE book, demonstrates traits of friendship, acceptance of differences, standing up
to fears of bullying and courageous action in the face of fear. Ms. Willis is also the author of
another anti-bullying themed book, Rex the Mighty Rectangle.
Tickety Boo at the Zoo: The Animal Game
by Lucy Bermingham
Come along and join Tickety Boo, the rare blue cockatoo, on a trip to the zoo! Using
fun, engaging rhyming schemes, she presents clues to help children identify each of the
animals they will encounter on their adventure. Vivid full-color illustrations will reveal
the correct answers to each “Who am I?” This smart and entertaining book will teach your
child fun facts about the diversity of the animal kingdom, and some new vocabulary along
the way. Published by Authorhouse. Available at: Authorhouse.com, Amazon.com and
Barnesandnoble.com. ISBN 978-14969-7044-2
Just Because
by Chiquita Camille Payne, illustrated by Jerry Craft
Just Because is a short picture book written in poetic form by Chiquita Camille Payne,
Illustrated by award-winning illustrator, Jerry Craft and published by Mama’s Boyz, Inc.
Just Because tells the story of a young mother who takes her inquisitive son on a poetic
journey of the importance of family, traditions and how families get together for special
occasions for no reason at all and that the greatest love is family ... Just Because!
First-place winner, 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards.
28
Summer Reading Guide
Parents for Sale
by Dr. Nicole Audet
Luke and Lucy’s parents threaten to sell their dog since they don’t take care of her as
promised. When their parents’ car is out of sight, Luke paints white letters on a sign:
“Parents for Sale.” When the twins sell their parents to a fairy orphan, she transforms into
a witch who wishes to eat them in a stew. How will the twins save their parents? Through
this book, Dr. Audet hopes to teach kids about the value of family, as well as the work
of owning a pet. www.nicoleaudet.com. Purchase at www.authorhouse.com. 2015
Dragonfly Book Awards: Honorable Mention (Chapter Books) and 2015 New York Book
Festival: Honorable Mention (Children’s Books) and 5 Stars Readers’ Favorite
Sara to the Rescue
by Susana Sánchez
The adventure begins when Sara is waiting for the school bus and a whale shark arrives
and takes her to the bottom of the sea instead! She finds out that the marine animals are
threatened by an unexpected creature … a Garbage Monster! Discover what Sara has to
do to rescue her friend and save the ocean. Fiction-Adventure/Chapter Book, Ages 5-9.
Available at Amazon.com.
Peewee the Ladybug and the Jamaica Freedom Jamboree
by Dr. Annmarie Monica Edwards
What does freedom mean to you? Peewee the Ladybug and eight animals take on the
dangerous and extraordinary task of celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Jamaica
Morant Bay Rebellion—one that will threaten their lives and change how they think about
trust, history and community. This tale of courage and celebration will take your whole
family on an exciting journey. http://tinyurl.com/mx2xlfz Join Peewee in celebrating
this special anniversary by writing two paragraphs about what freedom means to you. The
first prize winner will receive an $25 Amazon gift card. The next 10 winners will each receive
a bookmark. For more information, visit www.peeweetheladybug.blogspot.com.
My Dog Holly
by Kristin Maggio and S.B. Maggio
My Dog Holly is from the heart of an autistic 8-year-old girl as a tribute to her dog. After
the loss of her Australian Shepherd, Kristin began drawing several pictures of Holly. Many
are featured in the book. Kristin has always used art as an avenue for communication
and therapy, as well as an outlet. This heartwarming tribute is filled with memories and
drawings of a very special friendship. Earned 2015 Story Monster Approved! designation.
To advertise your book in the Summer Reading Guide, contact Cristy Bertini
at [email protected] for submission rate information.
29
Juicy Jack’s Spanish Corner
¡Hola,
Amigo!
Practice with Juicy Jack:
Use this short conversation as a guide and the
vocabulary below to practice with your friends:
Jack: Hola ¿Quiere sir a la playa?
You: No, no quiero ir a la playa.
¿Quiere sir a la piscina?
Jack: Si, vamos a la piscina.
You: ¡Vamos!
¡Vamos! Let’s go!
¡Bienvenidos! Welcome to
Juicy Jack’s Spanish Corner!
Juicy Jack wants to invite you to go to the park with
him. Use the phrases below to answer him:
Jack says: “¿Quieres ir al parque?”
You answer: “Sí, quiero ir al parque.”
OR You answer: “No, no quiero ir al
parque.”
Pronunciation hints:
Quieres is pronounced like key-heir-ace.
Ir is like ear.
Quiero is pronounced like key-heir-oh.
30
1. a la piscina = to the pool
2. al colegio = to the school
3. a la playa = to the beach
4. a casa = to home
5. al gimnasio = to the gym
6. a la tienda = to the store
7. a mi cuarto = to my room
8. al zoológico = to the zoo
9. a las montañas = to the mountains
10. al bosque = to the forest
Leigh Carrasco is an educator
and author of the wildly popular
Juicy Jack Adventures series about
a spunky guinea pig who travels to
Peru with his human.
www.juicyjackadventures.com.
Monster Munchies
Dreamy Orange
Cupcakes
Happy one-year anniversary to Story
Monsters Ink! Cupcakes for everyone!
Reminiscent of a childhood orange and vanilla
ice cream treat, these cupcakes will make you
feel like a kid again!
Ingredients
Directions
1 (18.25 ounce) package orange cake mix
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 24 muffin
cups with paper liners.
3/4 cup creamy salad dressing (such as
Miracle Whip®)
1 (1.3 ounce) envelope dry whipped
topping mix (such as Dream Whip®)
3/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
3 large eggs
2 tablespoons grated orange zest
1 (13 ounce) jar marshmallow creme
1/2 cup unsalted butter at room
temperature
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1/2 cup unsalted butter at room
temperature
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1 tablespoon orange zest
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 drops orange paste food coloring,
or as desired
4 cups confectioners’ sugar
2. Beat together the orange cake mix, creamy salad dressing,
whipped topping mix, 3/4 cup orange juice, eggs, and 2 tablespoons
orange zest in a large bowl with an electric mixer on low speed
until mixture is moist, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides of the
bowl with a spatula, then increase speed to medium and continue
beating until well blended, about 2 minutes more. Fill the prepared
cupcake cups about 2/3 full of batter.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the
center of a cupcake comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Cool in the
pans for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire
rack before frosting.
4. To make cream topping: Beat the marshmallow creme, 1/2 cup
unsalted butter, and 1/2 cup shortening in a bowl with an electric
mixer until smooth and creamy. Top each cooled cupcake with a
1/2-inch thick layer of the cream topping, using a knife to spread
the topping flat. Allow about 1/2 inch of the orange cupcake to
show below the white layer.
5. To make orange butter cream: Beat 1/2 cup unsalted butter and
1/2 cup shortening together in a bowl until light and fluffy. Mix
in 1/4 cup orange juice, zest of 1 orange, vanilla extract, and food
coloring until well combined. Gradually beat in the confectioners’
sugar until smooth.
6. Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip
and pipe a decorative layer of orange butter cream, ending in a
peak, over the cream topping on the cupcakes.
Recipe by: MrsFisher0729, Photo by: mis7up
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2015 Allrecipes.com
31

Aboard the Choo Choo Train!

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