Tom Kenny

Transcription

Tom Kenny

March 2016
TM
Great Reads for Growing Minds
Tom
Kenny
The Voice Behind
Our Favorite Yellow
Sea Sponge
Olivia Sanabia
Charms Viewers in
Just Add Magic
Paul Czajak
Creates a Monstrous
Children’s Book Series
Maggie van Galen
Encourages Young Readers
to Follow their Dreams
Devon Kondaki
Welcomes Kids to
Winzlow Nation
Shirin
Zarqa-Lederman
Sparks a Kindness
Revolution
www.StoryMonsters.com
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Story Monsters Ink
March 2016
The many voices of Tom Kenny are instantly recognizable. Meet
the man who has brought hundreds of animated characters to life,
from villains to superheroes to zombies, and most famously, a
certain yellow sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea. Also
in this issue, 12-year-old actress Olivia Sanabia casts a spell on us
in her new series Just Add Magic. Story Monster makes some new
friends in Paul Czajak’s adorable Monster & Me book series. Maggie
van Galen has turned beloved memories of her father’s stories into
an award-winning book series, Devon Kondaki helps children learn
how government works through the adventures of a cuddly gnome,
and Shirin Zarqa-Lederman has sparked a revolution ... of kindness.
Tell us what you think of this issue! Email your comments
to [email protected].
Features
04 Tom Kenny
The Voice Behind Our Favorite
Yellow Sea Sponge
08 Olivia Sanabia
Charms Viewers in
Just Add Magic
12 Paul Czajak
Creates a Monstrous
Children’s Book Series
16 Maggie van Galen
Encourages Young Readers
to Follow their Dreams
20 Devon Kondaki
Welcomes Kids
to Winzlow Nation
24 Shirin Zarqa-Lederman
Sparks a Kindness Revolution
26 Kids Can Publish
28 Conrad’s Classroom
30 Winter Reading Guide
33 Activity Page
34 Book Reviews
39 Monster Munchies
40 Monster News
42 Juicy Jack’s Spanish Corner
3
Feature Cover Story
Tom Kenny
The Voice Behind Our Favorite Yellow Sea Sponge
dm
or
e
by Melissa Fales
p
Y
ou might not recognize his face, but you’ve
certainly heard his voices. Tom Kenny has
voiced hundreds of animated characters,
including villains, robots, monsters,
superheroes, zombies, and most famously, a certain
yellow sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea.
After nearly 17 years on the air, Kenny’s portrayal
of the wide-eyed, eternally cheerful SpongeBob
SquarePants is still as popular as ever.
4
g
Ga
by
o
t
ho
e
i
Sk
“Honestly, my work is a lot like play,” says Kenny.
“It’s got to be one of the best jobs in the world. I feel
really, really, really lucky, Powerball lucky, to get to do
what I do.”
Kenny grew up in Syracuse, New York in what he
describes as a “Leave it to Beaver” neighborhood.
Most days, he didn’t spend an inordinate amount
of time in front of the TV. “There were only three
channels,” he says. “Back then, you might have been
Feature Cover Story
At an early age, Kenny tuned into the nuances of
animation. “I wanted to figure out how cartoons
were made,” he says. “I was interested in different
animators and directors the way some kids are into
sports and athletes.”
In particular, Kenny admired Mel Blanc, who
voiced many iconic Warner Brothers characters like
Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck. Kenny loved doing
different voices, too, but couldn’t see
how it could translate into a career.
“Today there are museums
and college courses devoted
to animation,” he says.
“Back then, before the
Internet, I had to
turn over rocks to
find answers to
my questions. Is
that a real job a
grown-up can
have? I didn’t
know anyone
who did anything
like that. My
dad was an
accountant.”
While still in
high school, Kenny
started a sketch group
with his childhood best
friend, Bobcat Goldthwait.
Together, they took advantage
of Syracuse’s lax nightclub scene.
“If we had been in New York City or L.A.
or Chicago, it wouldn’t have worked,” Kenny says. “In
a real city, they would’ve looked at two 16-year-olds
and kicked us out. We had no fear. We’d go to a biker
bar and ask if they wanted us to do a comedy show on
Tuesday night. And a lot of times they said yes.”
A few years after graduating from high school,
Kenny moved to Boston at Goldthwait’s urging and
joined him in the stand-up comedy scene. Later,
he relocated to the larger stand-up arena of San
Francisco. “It was certainly warmer than Boston, but
foggy and cloudy enough so that a guy from Syracuse
could enjoy it,” he says. “I’m a pale, Irish guy. Fog
makes me happier than a beautiful, sunny day.”
As a comedian, Kenny made a name for himself,
appearing on Late Night with David Letterman and
other late-night shows. “I liked stand-up, but I didn’t
have the requisite amount of obsession to endure
the long stretches on the road,” he says. Once he got
married, his stand-up days were numbered.
Kenny moved to Los Angeles in hopes of branching
out. “I didn’t have some big showbiz strategy,” he
says. “I just wanted to work.” Kenny auditioned
for voiceover roles but didn’t land the
ones he wanted. “I had just enough
forward movement to keep
the hook in my mouth,”
he says. Instead, he had
minor roles in TV
shows and appeared
in commercials,
including a
western-themed
one for Arby’s.
“I was a dorky
cowboy,” he says.
“There were all
these Marlboroman types and
then me, all
tangled up in a
lariat.”
While Kenny was
grateful to be working,
he hadn’t found his
niche. “Voiceovers match
my skillset,” he says. “It doesn’t
matter what you look like. When
you’re auditioning for a nerdy, white dude
role in a commercial or a sitcom, you walk in and there
are a bunch of guys who look vaguely like you. It’s
disconcerting. Plus, I still had that Mel Blanc dream in
the back of my head.”
Finally, Kenny got a voice job on a series called Rocko’s
Modern Life where one of his co-workers was Stephen
Hillenburg, a former marine biology teacher. After
Rocko’s Modern Life ended, Hillenburg came up with
his own idea for a cartoon set in a town on the ocean
floor populated with anthropomorphic sea animals.
Hillenburg approached Kenny with his concept, and
artwork courtesy of Nickelodeon
able to catch The Flintstones for half an hour when
you came home from school, but that would be it until
Saturday morning. Saturday mornings were huge.”
5
Feature Cover Story
“Whether watching
SpongeBob was a way
for a kid to escape a
sad childhood or just
one piece of a happy
childhood, I’m lucky
to be associated with
something that’s
been such a positive
experience for so
many people.”
offered him the lead role, having remembered a certain
voice Kenny did once for a Rocko’s Modern Life crowd
scene. “He knew exactly what he wanted and the voice
he heard in his head was mine,” says Kenny. “I don’t
think anyone else even read for the part. SpongeBob
SquarePants was the easiest job I ever got.”
Looking back, Kenny reflects fondly on working with
the likes of SpongeBob regulars Ernest Borgnine and
Tim Conway, as well as guest stars like the late David
Bowie who called his stint on SpongeBob “the Holy
Grail of animation jobs.”
The variety keeps the work interesting for Kenny.
“There’s a weird thing that can happen when actors
play a ubiquitous, break-out character,” says Kenny.
“They can start to resent that character. I’ve never
been resentful of SpongeBob. He’s a component of
my working life but he’s far from being my entire
working life.”
Kenny related to Sylvester Stallone’s touching tribute
to his “imaginary friend” Rocky Balboa at the recent
Golden Globe Awards, calling SpongeBob the best
friend he ever had. “I totally get that,” says Kenny.
“SpongeBob is my Rocky. He’s a fictional character
who’s done right by me.”
Kenny doesn’t pretend to know exactly why
SpongeBob SquarePants has been so popular, he’s just
glad to be part of it. “From the beginning, it’s been
intentionally silly and warm and crazy and slapstick
and weird and strange and stupid and smart,” he says.
“For some reason, that combination has resonated
with kids and adults.”
A whole generation of kids has grown up watching
SpongeBob SquarePants since it first aired in 1999.
Kenny says he often gets choked up when fans
thank him for the role he played in their childhood.
“It’s a really high compliment,” he says. “Whether
watching SpongeBob was a way for a kid to escape a sad
childhood or just one piece of a happy childhood, I’m
lucky to be associated with something that’s been such
a positive experience for so many people.”
•
For Kenny, much of the satisfaction he gets from his
job is collaborating with others. “It’s a collective effort
to pull off this illusion of moving drawings,” he says. “I
work with the most talented, weirdly-creative folks in
the industry. Animation is our own little tidepool of
showbiz.”
In addition to SpongeBob, Kenny lends his voice to
all kinds of animated shows. If it’s Wednesday, he’s
working on SpongeBob. “On Tuesdays, it’s Adventure
Time,” says Kenny, who voices Ice King. He’s starting a
new series on the Disney Channel called Billy Dilley’s
Super Duper Subterranean Summer. He also plays the
father of a family living in space in Disney Junior’s
Miles From Tomorrowland. “It’s the only show where I
get to use my real voice,” he says.
6
artwork courtesy
of Nickelodeon
7
Feature Story
Olivia Sanabia
Charms Viewers in Just Add Magic
by Melissa Fales
Feature Story
The new Amazon original series, Just Add Magic, is charming viewers
with its tale of three girls who discover a mysterious cookbook and
decide to try some of the curious recipes featured within. Olivia Sanabia
stars as Kelly Quinn, who, along with her two best friends, bakes up
goodies with names such as “Shut’em Up Shortbread” and “Healing
Hazelnut Tart” only to yield some very unexpected results. “Let’s just
say, they see a lot of strange things start to happen,” says Sanabia.
S
anabia, 12, has been performing for her family
since the tender age of two. “I would sing my
heart out for anyone who would listen,” she
recalls. At age seven, Sanabia had a life-changing
experience at the movie theater while watching the
movie Ramona and Beezus. “That’s when it hit me,” she
says. “That’s when I realized that I wanted to act. I’ve
been pursuing that dream ever since.”
considers it a privilege to get to work with the Just Add
Magic team. “We’re always laughing on set,” she says.
“I hope that dynamic comes across in the episodes.”
Look for Sanabia in two movies that will be released
later this year. She’ll be in Day 6, a thriller, and a drama
called The Secret Life of Me. “I’m beyond excited,” she
says. “This is my dream come true.”
Appearing in numerous musical theater productions,
Sanabia notably starred as Annie in Annie. She’s been
in many commercials, including one for Coca-Cola that
plays in Regal Cinemas. “Every time my family and
I go to the movies, there I am,” she says. “It’s pretty
surreal.” Sanabia has also been on popular TV shows
such as Incredible Crew, Sam & Cat, and Nicky, Ricky,
Dicky & Dawn.
According to Sanabia, Just Add Magic, which is based
on the book by Cindy Callaghan, is a fun, familyfriendly show that holds enough suspense to keep
viewers on the edge of their seats. “The storyline really
pulls you in, but I think the best thing about it is the
way the show portrays the relationships between
the characters,” she says. “I love the way Kelly’s
relationship with her grandmother grows throughout
the season and how the storyline celebrates the idea of
teamwork among Kelly and her friends.”
Sanabia says she’s having a blast portraying Kelly and
even sees some similarities between herself and her
character. “We both have a mischievous, yet adorable
little brother,” she says. “We’re also similar because she
wants to do what’s right, and so do I.” Sanabia says she
9
Feature Story
“People take the time
to sit down and watch
you. They talk about
what you’re doing. I like
to think that families
may even bond over the
course of an episode.”
“I’m always critiquing myself,” she says. “There are
times when I watch myself and wish I had done
something differently, but overall, it’s a rewarding and
proud feeling to see my own work. It’s taken me a long
time and a lot of effort to get where I am.” Sanabia
welcomes any opportunity to become a better actor.
“I believe there’s always room for improvement,” she
says. “I’ll never be perfect. There’s always something to
be learned. I try to get better, a little better every day
than the day before.”
When asked about her future, Sanabia says she’ll
likely continue to act but she’s happy to wait and see
where things take her. “I like to take it day by day,” she
says. “I’m not sure what path I’ll eventually take, and
that’s okay. I feel good about where I am today.”
•
Sanabia says it’s difficult to choose a favorite between
stage, television, and film, because she enjoys
unique aspects of each medium. “What I like about
being onstage is that you get just one shot at each
moment,” she says. “You have that one opportunity
to give it your all, for every single line. There are a lot
of butterflies.” She says she also likes to play off the
audience’s unique reaction to what’s happening on
stage during performances. “I like trying different
things at each show,” she says. “You get a chance to
see what works and what doesn’t.”
Sanabia attributes her success to hard work.
She takes regular acting lessons and is constantly
practicing her craft. “If you want to play soccer, you’ve
got to go to practice,” she says. “If you want to make
the swim team, you’ve got to go to practice. It’s the
same thing with acting. I take it very seriously. I like to
hang out with my friends, I like to ice skate and roller
skate, but my favorite thing to do is act.”
When Sanabia watches herself on the big screen or the
small screen, she admits to feeling mixed emotions.
10
photos by Emily Soto
Sanabia says when it comes to her television roles,
she appreciates the fact that the audience invites her
into their homes. “People take the time to sit down
and watch you,” she says. “They talk about what you’re
doing. I like to think that families may even bond over
the course of an episode.” With film, Sanabia says one
of the benefits is the opportunity to fully develop a
character. “You have more time with film to see which
direction you want to go in,” she says. “You’re able to
put more into your role. All an actor wants is to be able
to build the character as much as possible.”
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Feature Story
Paul Czajak
Creates a Monstrous Children’s Book Series
by Melissa Fales
12
Feature Story
T
he first children’s story Paul Czajak wrote
was inspired by his daughter playing in the
backyard. Her carefree play came to an abrupt
end when she was startled by a bug and began to cry.
Czajak reassured her she had nothing to fear, adding
that she must seem as big as a dinosaur to those tiny
insects. The next thing Czajak knew, the little girl was
running around roaring ferociously at every bug she
saw. “I turned to my wife, Tracey, and said, ‘I feel like
I’m watching a picture book,’” Czajak recalls. It was
a comment Tracey had heard from Czajak countless
times before in response to the antics of the couple’s
two young children. This time, Tracey urged Czajak
to stop talking about picture books and start writing
them. He did, and hasn’t stopped since.
Czajak grew up in Massachusetts. He studied
Environmental Science at Marist College in
Poughkeepsie, New York, where he tried dabbling
in writing science fiction. “I wasn’t very good at it,”
he says, recalling a certain “F” scrawled across the
top of his first effort. “It was the wrong genre.” After
graduation, Czajak worked as an analytic chemist at
a drug manufacturing site for 20 years. “It was like
CSI,” he says. “It was forensic science but without
dead bodies.” His job was to determine what had gone
wrong with certain drugs. “If it was supposed to be
clear but turned out yellow, we’d have to find out why,”
he says. “We’d need to determine if it was dangerous
and if it needed to be recalled.”
When the company was bought out for the
umpteenth time, Czajak’s position changed and his
passion for his work waned. When Tracey suggested
a move to New Jersey for a job she wanted, Czajak
eagerly agreed. “The timing was good,” he says. “I
wasn’t excited about my job anymore.” Once settled
in New Jersey, Czajak was able to focus on writing. He
took a chance and sent an unsolicited copy of a story
about a monster needing a haircut to a publisher. The
publisher loved the idea and asked Czajak for more
stories about Monster. Today, his popular Monster &
Me series has five titles and a sixth on the way.
The Monster & Me books are illustrated by Wendy
Grieb, who portrays Monster as a colorful, friendly
beast. In addition to the Monster & Me series, Grieb
has worked for Disney and Nickelodeon as an artist,
illustrator, and character designer. She’s also an
assistant professor of entertainment art/animation
with the visual arts department at California State
University, Fullerton. Czajak’s stories and Grieb’s
pictures have proven to be a winning combination.
Young readers have embraced the books about
Monster, including Monster Needs a Costume, Monster
Needs a Christmas Tree, Monster Needs a Party, and
Monster Needs His Sleep. The latest book is the very
timely Monster Needs Your Vote.
Czajak admits he struggled when he was asked to
write an issue-centric Monster & Me book about
voting. “I couldn’t decide on an issue kids would be
13
Feature Story
“I realized the problem
wasn’t that I didn’t like
to read. I realized I just
hadn’t found the right
book that made me
want to read. I hope my
books are the kind of
books that make kids
want to read.”
able to relate to,” he says. “Gun control? Health care?
I knew those weren’t it.” It was Czajak’s eight-year-old
son who came to the rescue. “I explained to him about
voting, and he said he wanted to vote,” says Czajak.
“He got angry when I told him he was too young, but I
realized that was my in. That was something children
would be able to relate to.”
That’s the premise behind Monster Needs Your Vote.
When Monster finds out he’s too young to vote, he
decides to run for president instead. “Of course, he
later finds out he’s too young for that, too,” Czajak
says. Monster struggles to find a platform that
resonates with his constituency until he learns of a
local library that’s closing. “He discovers he needs
to stand for something that other people will care
about,” says Czajak. Writing the book was somewhat
of a learning experience for him. “I realize that
kids are more intuitive about the idea of voting
than I previously gave them credit for,” he says.
“Kids understand that they do have a voice and it’s
important that they express themselves. They want to
be involved.”
So far, Czajak has published one non-Monster
book, Seaver the Weaver, about a spider who thinks
outside the box. He’s currently working on a novel for
the young adult genre. “I had an idea in my head that
14
would just not go away,” Czajak says. “When I started
flushing it out, it was clearly not a picture book story.
It was very obviously nothing less than a young adult
novel. So, I decided to try something a little different.”
Becoming a successful children’s book author has
been a pleasant surprise for Czajak. “My mom can’t
believe it,” he says. “Growing up, I was not a reader by
any stretch.” In fact, although he was never formally
diagnosed, Czajak believed he was dyslexic. “It was
always difficult for me to read,” he says. “Kids don’t
want to do something that’s hard, so I shied away
from reading.”
It wasn’t until Czajak was 12 or 13 that he started
reading books for fun and not just for school
assignments. A friend gave him a copy of Pawn of
Prophecy by David Eddings and suggested Czajak
give it a try. “I read it, then the other books in that
series, and then the next series,” says Czajak. “I was
obsessed.” He says deciding to give that one book a try
was a turning point in his life. “I realized the problem
wasn’t that I didn’t like to read. I realized I just hadn’t
found the right book that made me want to read. I
hope my books are the kind of books that make kids
want to read.”
For more information about Czajak and his books, visit
www.paulczajak.com or www.monstervotes.com.
•
15
Feature Story
Maggie van Galen
Encourages Young Readers to Follow their Dreams
by Melissa Fales
Some of Maggie van Galen’s most precious childhood memories are
of being spellbound by her father, listening to his tales of a monkey
named Keeno, an elephant named Ernest, and their thrilling
adventures. “My dad was an amazing storyteller,” van Galen says.
“He could carry you away with his words. He could transport you
to another place and time.” Although her father never wrote his
stories down, the characters he created decades ago remain vivid in
van Galen’s mind and today she’s breathing new life into Keeno and
Ernest with the children’s books she writes.
Van Galen grew up in a small
town on the shores of Lake
Michigan. A self-described “closet
writer” as a youth, van Galen
wrote stories and poems for her
own enjoyment. “I wrote to cope
with the things teenage girls
have to deal with,” she says. Her
senior class in high school was
comprised of the same 25 kids she
had entered kindergarten with.
Van Galen admits any nostalgia
she holds today for that close-knit
community was lost on her as a
teenager. “The grapevine between
16
parents there was a millimeter
long,” she says. “I would get into
trouble for things before I’d even
done them.”
Eager to “be a number” for the
first time in her life, van Galen
enrolled at Michigan State
majoring in journalism. She liked
it, but had a change of heart
after being warned she’d never
make any money at it. Van Galen,
who was voted “Most Likely
to Succeed” by her high school
classmates, decided to pursue a
more lucrative career.
Feature Story
Van Galen switched her major
to advertising with a minor
in English, and prepared for a
corporate life. Unfortunately, the
automobile industry tanked just
when van Galen graduated. “There
were zero jobs,” she says. “Every
advertising agency in Michigan
was tied into the automobile
industry.” Instead, van Galen got
a job in sales, working long hours
and making a nice paycheck. “That
was what life was about for me at
the time,” she says. “I liked feeling
like I was succeeding.”
When van Galen was 25, her
beloved father passed away. “It
gave me a reason to stop and think
about what I was doing with my
life,” she says. “It taught me that
life is short. It was a wake-up call.”
The intense introspection that
followed the loss of her dad led to
sweeping changes for van Galen.
She moved to Boston where she
planned to stay with a friend while
she sorted out her emotions. “It
was supposed to be a three- or
four-month gig, but I’m still here
twenty-something years later,”
she says.
The change of scenery was
good for van Galen and she also
reconnected with a man named
Marcel whom she had met on
a flight home from a European
business trip. “We’ve been married
for 19 years now,” she says.
In 2000, the couple moved to
London where they lived for
three years. While living abroad,
their son, Luke, was born.
“Becoming a parent is amazing,”
says van Galen. “It’s life-altering,
seeing the entire world through
brand-new eyes.” Spending time
with her baby rekindled van
Galen’s own cherished memories
of her childhood, especially of
listening to her father’s stories.
“They all came flooding back,”
says van Galen. “One day, I
started to tell Luke a Keeno
“I’m a firm believer in the idea that if
you hold on to your dreams, they will
come true. It doesn’t always happen
when you want it to, but it will happen
when the time is right.”
and Ernest story that had just
popped into my head.”
When Luke’s preschool invited
parents to come into the
classroom and talk about their
jobs, Luke asked van Galen to
share her Keeno and Ernest
stories. His teacher suggested that
van Galen publish them. “At that
point, I had a three-year-old and
a one-year-old,” van Galen says. “I
had zero ‘me’ time. It wasn’t going
to happen.”
It wasn’t until van Galen’s younger
son, Dylan, was in Kindergarten
that she considered publication.
“I suddenly had five hours of free
time to myself every day,” she
says. “It was like getting a raise.
I could go to the grocery store,
come back, put it all away, and still
have enough time to have a cup of
coffee for myself.”
For van Galen, the decision to
publish The Adventures of Keeno
and Ernest stories stemmed from
her desire to preserve them for
future generations. “If nothing
else, I thought I could leave a
legacy for my sons, writing the
stories down so they could share
17
Feature Story
them with their children someday,”
she says. “I wish my dad had
written his down.”
While her father’s tales were
heavy on the action, van Galen
makes sure that each of her
books contains a lesson. “I put
a moral in there because I’m a
mother and that’s what mothers
do,” she says. Her first book, The
Banana Tree teaches children
about the importance of family
rules, safety, and friendship. The
Diamond Mine teaches children a
lesson about stealing and why it’s
wrong. Van Galen is working on
her third book now.
She considers herself a storyteller
more than an author. “I always tell
18
my stories first,” she says. “I write
them down later.” She doesn’t
have a regular writing schedule
and her flashes of inspiration are
as unpredictable as her writing. “I
write when the mood strikes me,”
she says. “Ideas can come anytime.
I have scraps of papers all over
my house with ideas on them.
I’ve been known to grab a cocktail
napkin to scribble something down
that I want to use in a story.”
Since van Galen delights so much
in the telling of her stories, it’s no
wonder she revels in appearing at
schools to share her tales. To date,
van Galen has read her stories
to over 4,000 children. “It’s my
favorite part of this job,” she says.
Van Galen says she takes these
opportunities to inspire young
people to aim high and never give
up. Her message to them is simple.
“My tagline is ‘Always follow your
dreams,’” she says. “Look at me.
I was a closet writer for so many
years, but I kept that dream in my
heart. I’m a firm believer in the
idea that if you hold on to your
dreams, they will come true. It
doesn’t always happen when you
want it to, but it will happen when
the time is right.”
For more information about
van Galen and her books, visit
www.maggievangalen.com.
•
19
Feature Story
Devon Kondaki
Invites Kids to Winzlow Nation
by Melissa Fales
The Winzlow Nation picture book series, written and illustrated by
Devon Kondaki, helps children learn how our government works
through the adventures of a cuddly gnome, Winzlow, who happens
to be the president of Winzlow Nation.
20
Feature Story
The books may teach about civics, but their
inspiration came to Kondaki at age 17 while he was
supposed to be studying a different academic subject.
“I was bored in math class one day and I just started
doodling,” he says. “I came up with the character of
Winzlow. As soon as I saw him, I thought that he
belonged in a kids’ picture book.” Now, six years later,
followers of Winzlow can not only read about his
adventure in three engaging books, but can also visit
Winzlow Nation through an interactive website, listen
to music inspired by him, and even play games with him
on an app.
A South Florida native, Kondaki was career-focused at
an early age. “When I was in seventh grade, I decided I
wanted to be an artist,” Kondaki says. “I was very sure
that art was going to be my path. So I put down the
video games at 12 and I committed.”
Kondaki attended Hanover College in Indiana
where he studied political science and business for the
express purpose of creating the Winzlow Nation books.
“I went to Hanover with the intention of learning how
to run a business,” he says. “I wanted to build a company
around my character, Winzlow. I studied political
science because I knew I was going to be building a
country for him to lead.”
By age 19, Kondaki had written the first two books in
the Winzlow Nation series: The Mystery of the Magical
Bwa Bwa Fruit and ¡Hey Ya Mama!. Kondaki says his
books celebrate diversity. For example, ¡Hey Ya Mama!
speaks to the changing concept of “family” in today’s
society. “Families aren’t cookie cutter,” he says. “It’s
not always a mom, a dad, a dog, and the kids. Families
come in all different forms. I wanted Winzlow Nation to
reflect that reality.”
While in college, Kondaki peddled his hand-bound
books to other students on campus and started doing
book readings in order to introduce Winzlow to more
people. One experience in particular gave Kondaki a
whole new perspective on appearing in front of an
audience. He had just completed a book reading and
he and a friend were getting a ride home from the
friend’s mom. First, they had to stop at an elementary
school to pick up his friend’s younger sister. All of a
sudden, it started hailing and the car radio broadcasted
an ominous tornado warning. Kondaki admits he was
scared. “Tornadoes were new to me,” says Kondaki.
“Being from Florida, I was used to hurricanes, but at
least those give you a heads-up that they’re coming.”
When Kondaki and his group arrived at the school,
they found the students in the basement of the
school crying. “Luckily, I still had some books and
coloring sheets from the book reading with me,”
he says. Kondaki entertained the frightened students
with stories about Winzlow to help them take their
21
Feature Story
“I can’t stress the
importance of
reading enough. Kids
need to read. Reading
makes you happy.
Reading makes your
soul happy.”
minds off of the situation. “Knowing that I had to keep
my cool in front of those kids helped me stay calm,” says
Kondaki. “Since then, I’ve always felt confident reading
in front of people. Now, reading my books to kids is one
of my favorite parts of my job.”
Kondaki decided to remain in the Hoosier state after
graduating from Hanover in 2014. “That’s when things
really took off because I was able to devote myself
full-time to Winzlow Nation,” he says. Kondaki wrote
his third book, 5 Owls, A Howl, And A Huh? and came
up with concepts for eleven more books to come in the
series. “I’ve got a lot more ideas for Winzlow Nation,”
Kondaki promises.
In August of 2015, Kondaki released all three Winzlow
Nation books in hardcover, introduced original music,
and launched a brand new website. Visitors to the
website can see a map of Winzlow Nation in its entirety
and learn more about Winzlow’s colorful world. “I
wanted to give kids a chance to explore it,” Kondaki
says. “There’s a lot to see.”
22
Just as they would if they were going to visit another
country in real life, kids must get a “passport” before
touring Winzlow Nation. Kondaki says he thinks it’s
important to get kids thinking about how the world
works. “They’re going to be competing for jobs on a
global level,” he says. “In order to prepare them, they
have to have a better sense of the world than kids did
20 years ago.”
Visitors to Winzlow Nation are introduced to
members of President Winzlow’s cabinet, which is
based on the United States government. For example,
Washington, D.C. has the Department of Health
and Human Services, but Winzlow Nation has the
Department of Health and Gnome Services. “I think it’s
a fun way for kids to learn about how the government
functions,” says Kondaki. “I thought that was something
that was missing from the books and other products
that are targeted for children.”
According to Kondaki, it was important for him to
design a multimedia platform for Winzlow Nation in
order to capture the interest of today’s children and get
them to want to read about Winzlow. “I had to get them
to fully engage,” he says. “I wanted to create cool content
that kids will find entertaining while they learn values
that will help to enhance their lives.” Kondaki says he
believes it’s harder to get children to read today because
they have so many other things competing for their free
time. “I can’t stress the importance of reading enough,”
he says. “Kids need to read. Reading makes you happy.
Reading makes your soul happy.”
For more information about Winzlow Nation and
Kondaki’s books, visit www.winzlownation.com.
•
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23
Feature Story
Shirin Zarqa-Lederman
Sparks a Kindness Revolution
by Melissa Fales
T
he life lessons Shirin
Zarqa-Lederman shares
with readers of her
children’s book series The Trotters
of Tweeville come from her deeprooted desire to spark a “kindness
revolution” and make the world a
better place. In her books, ZarqaLederman takes the concept of
kindness and presents it in a
colorful, simple way children can
easily understand and incorporate
into their daily lives. “I believe
kindness is an innate quality we
all have as human beings,” ZarqaLederman says. “It’s something
that kids inherently know and
recognize. I’m not sure where we
lose that along the way.”
A self-proclaimed “Jersey girl”
through and through, ZarqaLederman is a first-generation
American, born to parents of
Palestinian heritage. “I got the
hippie version of Islam,” she
24
jokes. “If there was such a thing as
hippie Arabs, my parents were it.”
When he was 13 years old, ZarqaLederman’s father and the rest
of his family became refugees,
on the move until eventually
reaching Jordan. Her mother
and her family went to Syria but
were refused citizenship. While
Zarqa-Lederman’s childhood
was easy compared to what her
parents went through, a vague
“otherness” permeated her youth.
“I lived in a very white JudeoChristian suburb in Jersey where
I was never considered American
because of my name or my darker
skin tone, so I never quite fit
in,” she says. “Ironically, when
my parents took us to visit our
relatives overseas, I was referred
to as the ‘American cousin,’ so I
didn’t quite fit in there either.”
Perhaps those feelings of being
an outsider contributed to
Zarqa-Lederman’s decision
to become a board-certified
professional counselor. “I’m
sure there was some sort of
identification,” she says. “I think
I was just born a counselor. I’ve
always gravitated to kids who had
a difficult time being accepted by
their peers. I’ve always wanted to
help people and I remember trying
to referee when my older siblings
were bickering.”
Originally, Zarqa-Lederman had
pursued a career in journalism,
following in the footsteps of her
idol, Peter Jennings. However,
when she decided to double-major
in communication, she quickly
became fascinated by all forms
of human communication and
later went on to earn a masters
degree in Communication and
Information Studies. What was
supposed to be a summer job at an
adolescent substance abuse unit
Feature Story
“That’s the beauty of kindness. It is
a component of every religion. It’s
a universal theme.”
turned into a seven-year stint.
“I remember my first supervisor
saying, “‘Adolescents: you either
love ’em or hate ’em,’” she recalls.
“And I loved them.”
Later, Zarqa-Lederman had
children of her own. “I realized
how much fun little kids are,” she
says. She went back to school and
pursued a second masters in Child
and Adolescent Psychology at The
Chicago School of Professional
Psychology. She’s been counseling
children, adolescents, and their
families for 17 years.
Like most Americans, ZarqaLederman was shocked and
horrified at the events of Sept.
11, 2001. Raised as a Muslim,
she is deeply saddened by the
way the twisted actions of
those terrorist extremists have
negatively affected the world’s
view of Islam. Zarqa-Lederman
decided to make a difference in the
world, one book at a time. “There’s
so much hostility in the world,
from bullying, mass shootings,
terrorism, and racism,” she says.
“It really saddens me that children
are growing up with such hatred.
I realized that if everyone in the
world practiced kindness, those
issues would cease to exist. So,
instead of a political revolution, I
opted for a kindness revolution.”
Fusing together her love of books,
reading, and a desire to spread
kindness, she developed The
Trotters of Tweeville series. The
books were inspired by Dr. Seuss
and Shel Silverstein. “They are my
all-time favorite authors because
they made reading fun,” ZarqaLederman says. The first book
features Zavis DaMavis, who is
learning about the Golden Rule
and how to treat others. Book two
is about Harraf Namrattle, who
needs to learn how to think before
she speaks. In the third book,
readers meet JouJou McVue, who
takes time to savor all of the little
things in life, much to the chagrin
of her father and others who
always seem to be in a rush. There
will be more residents of Tweeville
to meet and more lessons to come
in future books.
Finding colorful names for the
characters was easy because each
is based on the name or nickname
of one of Zarqa-Lederman’s
five children. “Being part of a
big family is a joy,” she says.
“Sometimes it gets crazy, and
sometimes the kids can love each
other and hate each other and love
each other again all in a matter of
two minutes, but it really helps
us put into perspective what’s
important and what’s not.”
What is important to ZarqaLederman, her husband Gabriel,
and her family is kindness. Their
home incorporates aspects of
Zarqa-Lederman’s Muslim
upbringing happily blended
with Gabriel’s Jewish heritage.
“Kindness transcends all faiths,”
she says. “That’s the beauty of
kindness. It is a component of
every religion. It’s a universal
theme.”
Zarqa-Lederman doesn’t just
talk the kindness talk, she walks
the kindness walk. Through her
The Trotters of Tweeville series,
she partners with organizations
dedicated to the welfare of children
worldwide, donating books and
helping with fundraising. She’s
worked with a diverse group,
including the Palestinian Children
Refugee Fund’s Cancer Center,
the Arab American Medical
Association Auxiliary, and
the Juvenile Diabetes Center
at the Children’s Hospital of
Philadelphia. “If the books aren’t
doing all they can to foster happy
childhoods,” says Zarqa-Lederman,
“then I’m not doing anybody
justice, including myself.”
For more information about
Shirin Zarqa-Lederman, MA,
MS, LCADC, BCPC, LPC and The
Trotters of Tweeville, visit
www.shirinzarqatherapist.com or
www.trottersoftweeville.com.
•
25
Kids Can Publish!
Cati-Pillar
by Alexa Walker, age 6
Hey Kids! Visit www.StoryMonstersInk.com and click on
“Kids Can Publish” for instructions on how to submit your work!
26
27
nd
aF
. Ra
dke
Science & Nature
Photo
:
by
Li
Hummingbirds – Life in the Fast Lane
by Conrad J. Storad
To loop and spin above the tree tops. To soar above
the clouds. Humans have always envied the ability of
birds and other creatures that fly across the sky with
wings of their own.
One of Greek mythology’s most enduring stories is the
tale of Daedalus and his son Icarus. A master designer,
Daedalus crafted wings of osier branches and feathers
held together by wax to escape from the labyrinth of
King Minos. The wings worked. But young Icarus flew too
high. The wax holding his wings together melted in the
sun and he fell into the sea and drowned.
Of course, today and every day, thousands of humans
fly across continents and around the world aboard small
airplanes and giant jets. But we still cannot fly with
wings powered by our own bodies.
Our planet is filled with creatures that can do exactly
that. Bumblebees, bats, butterflies, birds, dragonflies,
and moths are all spectacular fliers. But possibly the most
amazing natural flier of all is the hummingbird.
To date, scientists have identified more than 340
different kinds of hummingbirds. There are probably
more kinds yet to be discovered. But you won’t find
hummingbirds in Europe, Africa, Asia, or even Australia.
Hummingbirds are creatures of the New World. Most live
in the tropical areas of Central and South America where
there are flowers blooming year round.
Less than 20 different kinds of hummingbirds live in
North America. If you live in the United States, you
are lucky to see one or two different kinds, unless
you travel to Arizona. Ramsey Canyon and Miller
Canyon are located in the Huachuca Mountains, part
of the Coronado National Forest near Sierra Vista in
southeastern Arizona.
The area is known as “the hummingbird capital of
the United States.” Both canyons are hot spots for
bird watchers from around the world. They sit at the
28
A female Ruby-Throated hummingbird hovering in mid-air.
Photo by Dan Pancamo.
intersection of hummingbird flyways. These are paths the
tiny birds use when migrating from north to south and
south to north each year.
Hummingbirds are tiny aerial acrobats. They can perform
amazing feats of flight. They are also the smallest of all
birds. The tiniest hummingbird in North America is the
Bumblebee Hummingbird. It is only 3 or 4 inches long
and it weighs less than a single penny.
The “big boy” of all North American hummingbirds is the
Magnificent. It is just a bit more than 5 inches long and
weighs only about as much as a pile of 10 pennies.
Hummingbirds are one of a kind. No other bird in the
world flies like a hummingbird. They can fly forward and
backward. They can even fly upside down. Most amazing
of all is a hummingbird’s ability to hover in mid-air for a
long time. They can hover better than any helicopter.
How do they do it? A hummingbird’s tiny wings beat
super-fast in a figure-eight pattern. The wings can beat
dozens of times every second. The wings of the smallest
hummingbirds can beat between 80 and 90 times each
Science & Nature
These beautiful hummingbirds made a home for themselves on a wind chime.
Photo by Mary Cochrane.
second. That is why hummingbirds often appear as a blur
when they zip by.
This ability to hover helps hummingbirds survive. Some
eat small insects. But a hummingbird’s favorite food is
the sweet nectar found deep inside tube-shaped flowers.
The hummingbird must hover in front of the flower while
it sips its entire meal.
Hummingbirds live life in the fast lane. They always seem
to be in motion. But they do get tired. So they will perch
high in trees while they rest. They rest until it’s time for
the next meal.
Hummingbird fast facts:
•Hummingbirds can fly forward at up to 30 miles per
hour. They can reach speeds of up to 60 miles per
hour when they dive.
•Hummingbirds constantly burn energy. They have
to eat and eat and eat to stay alive. Nothing burns
more energy than their yearly migration. To prepare,
the tiny birds stuff themselves until they are so fat
with nectar they can barely fly. Some hummingbirds
fly thousands of miles when they migrate to warmer
climates for the winter.
•A hummingbird must eat half of its body weight in
food EACH day to survive. The little bird eats five
to eight times every hour for 30 to 60 seconds each
time. It can lick nectar at a rate of 12 licks per second
with a long, fringed, forked tongue.
•Rufous Hummingbirds have the longest migration. They
fly almost 3,000 miles south from Alaska to Mexico.
•Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds can fly nonstop for
more than 500 miles across the Gulf of Mexico.
A male Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna). Photo by Kevin Cole.
•Hummingbirds usually lay two eggs. Each is about
the size of half a jelly bean. The tiny nests are made
with spider webs, moss, feathers, and dog and cat fur.
These flexible materials allow the nest to stretch as
the babies grow.
Resources to learn more
about hummingbirds:
WEBSITES:
• Ask A Biologist
http://askabiologist.asu.edu/hummingbirdforaging
• Defenders of Wildlife
http://www.defenders.org/hummingbirds/
what-you-can-do
• Hummingbird Facts
www.hummingbirds.net
• Nature Conservancy – Ramsey
Canyon Preserve:
http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/
northamerica/unitedstates/arizona/placesweprotect/ramsey-canyon-preserve.xml
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.
29
F
Winter Reading Guide
The Adventures of Keeno and Ernest: “The Diamond Mine”
by Maggie van Galen
What makes a better read for children than one of friendship, family, and a gentle reminder of
life’s moral values? This award-winning book combines all of these with beautiful illustrations.
Keeno and Ernest are the best of friends living in the jungle. Keeno, a mischievous monkey,
wants to give his mom a beautiful diamond as a special gift. Follow the adventure as Keeno
finds himself in great danger and relies on Ernest, a wise elephant, to rescue him. In the end,
Keeno learns some very valuable lessons. Learn more about Keeno and Ernest’s adventures at
www.KeenoandErnest.com.
A to Z Character Education for the Classroom
by Sherry Hoffman, B.S., M.Ed.
A valuable resource for parents and educators! A to Z Character Education for the Classroom is
an award-winning activity book that teaches key social skills through fun activities and poetry
while developing positive character traits. Written by Sherry Hoffman, K-12 reading specialist
and author of other classroom stories, this book can be used to encourage readers to be the
best version of themselves. 2014 Mom’s Choice Award: Gold, 2014 Eric Hoffer Book Awards:
Honorable Mention, 2014 Story Monster Approved (Grades 4 - 6), 2014 Purple Dragonfly
Awards: Honorable Mention, Second Place. www.SherryLHoffman.com
The Most Splendidly Spectacular Circus of Starzborough
by Michelle Path
Dawdledale is a dull town where nothing exciting ever occurs, but things soon change when
Calvin Callioni’s circus rolls into town! With its bright performers, enchanting animals, and
a colorful ringmaster, it’s not long before people are spellbound by the magic of the circus,
much to the Mayor’s frustration. It doesn’t take long before the people of Dawdledale begin
to transform from serious, humorless folk into a town united by laughter and adventure.
This bright, cheerful story is 3,000 words and suitable for children 6 – 10, and is the first
book in this series. It is sure to entertain and dazzle young readers so step right up!
Available from www.rowanvalebooks.com.
A Whirlwind of Discovery
by Darleen Wohlfeil
Baseball season was winding down, and all-stars and championships filled the hearts and
minds of kids and adults alike. Jackson had high hopes of his team leading to victory when
suddenly the air shifted, hope fell, and loss darkened his emotions. Overwhelmed, his
thoughts swirled until he and his grandma were caught up into a whirlwind of discovery,
landing them in the most amazing adventure of all. In an unknown land of time forgotten,
incredible creatures, and wounded people, Jackson is challenged in depths he didn’t know
he had. Could he make a difference? He’s just a kid! Yet, the future of this powerful place is
in his hands.
30
F
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.
Pup: A Series of Short Tails “The Cape”
by Dee Ardelean
A toy pup … a fluffy dog … and one cape … anything can happen! Follow the adventures of Pup,
Mr. Fluffy, and Lucy, as one magical t-shirt changes everything! A series of short tails and tales
for ages 3-7. Get your copy today at Amazon or deeardelean.com.
Rose and Her Amazing Nose
by Andrew Fairchild
Rose and Her Amazing Nose is a witty and brilliantly illustrated children’s picture book that
tells the story of a unique little girl named Rose who encourages children to embrace their
quirky side and that being different can truly be amazing! Rose and Her Amazing Nose was
awarded a 5 star read by Reader’s Favorite. Check out our review in this month’s issue of
Story Monsters Ink!
Jet Lee Dragon Warrior
by Pamela K. Witte
Born in the year, month, day, and hour of the dragon, Jet Lee is destined for karate-kicking
greatness. Too bad he’s such a loser. Bullied on a daily basis and working in the Wu’s fish shop
to earn his allowance, 12-year-old Jet thinks things can’t get any worse. He learns how wrong
he is when a beast-man attacks his mom and vows to take over New York City. Saving the city
is tough for anybody, but it’s nearly impossible when you’re in sixth grade. It’s a whirlwind
week of subway chases, demon spit, and samurai swords. And time’s running out!
31
F
Hippo Bottomless
by Allyn M. Stotz
Echo is an adorable hippo who doesn’t understand why he can’t swim like other hippos. All
he does is splash, splash, splash as he sinks, sinks, sinks to the cold murky bottom. Can some
friends he meets along the way help or is he destined to spend his life sinking to the bottom,
bottom, bottom? Allyn M. Stotz’s third picture book not only entertains but teaches children to
never give up on their dreams. Things aren’t always as they may appear! Visit www.allynstotz.
blogspot.com for more information or other books by Allyn M. Stotz.
Fast Pitch
by J. Creighton Brown and Tim Martin
Seventeen-year-old African-American Teresa Jayne Zanotti (TJ) was born to play baseball. TJ’s
brother, Bobby, is a San Francisco Giants starting shortstop. Her father, Sal, a retired team trainer,
and her mother, Esther, never miss a Giants game. TJ is also the starting shortstop on the Menlo
Park Tigers junior varsity baseball team and a shoe-in to make varsity. That is, until transfer player
Brice Thompson snags the position and she is forced to try out for the school softball team. As
the season rolls on, she discovers that fast pitch softball isn’t only about teamwork, it’s about
friendship, as well. Available as print and eBook.
Alex and the Enderson Brothers: Book One
by Roz Monette
The Enderson brothers dominate the social scene and bring excitement to the uneventful
town of Plainville. They are well-known and mostly well-liked. Their loyalty to each other is
indestructible until one brother drifts into the wrong crowd. Then there’s Alex, 11, the youngest
child and only daughter, who struggles to rise above her family’s reputation. While the brothers
enjoy their teenage freedom, Alex deals with the frustrations of youth with the comfort of her
best friend Elaine. She’s constantly reminded that someday she’ll be a mature woman, boys will
like her, and she’ll look back at her youth and laugh. A revelation by the outcast brother divides
the family. Will the Enderson family ever be the close-knit group they once were? Available as
print and eBook.
Click on the book cover to purchase any of the above titles.
To advertise your book in our Reading Guide, contact Cristy Bertini at [email protected] for rate information.
32
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
33
Monster Reviews
The Big Book of Hugs: A Barkley the Bear Story
by Nick Ortner
Reviewer: Darleen Wohlfeil
Barkley, a cuddly orange bear, is ready to join the family business of caring for the forest
animals. He is a bit nervous that he may not be able to meet the task entrusted to him,
but his father lovingly assures him it comes with ease. The sweet art of hugging is laid out
along the pages so we can leisurely stroll and take in the beauty and detail of each one’s
creative technique much like the thrill and warmth of personal enlightenment that one
may find strolling through a local art gallery. The Big Book of Hugs, written by Nick Ortner
and his sister-in-law, Alison Taylor, is also a family business much like Barkley’s, bringing
the same warmth and tender-hearted care. Ortner and Taylor lay out the splendor of tender
consideration and emotional interpretation in the fine art of love and friendship, displaying
the productivity of a good hug. Pictures by Michelle Polizzi.
The Little Mouse Santi
by David Eugene Ray
Identity. It can be tough. We can look at others with a sigh, wishing we were more like
them. Taller, shorter, thinner, fatter, lighter, darker, smarter, the options are endless as we
look around. Santi spends his time with his eyes upon another. Envying their wonderful
ways, and the privileges it brings. Yep, this little mouse wants to be a cat. He wishes he
could be like them and imitates their behavior. Oh, how he longs to be like them. But Santi
learns an amazing thing when he finally approaches a cat hoping to become one of them.
He puts on his best cat behavior and gives his best meow, but the cat gives no attention.
Santi finally looks at his new friend and asks, “Do you think I make a good cat?” The big
orange cat replies, “How would I know? I’m a dog.” Sometimes, it’s good to be content with
who we are, because those very ones we idolize, may just be wishing they were more like us!
Size, color, and artistry make this an enjoyable book to share with our children.
Rose And Her Amazing Nose
by Andrew Fairchild
Rose And Her Amazing Nose is a delightfully witty story that puts you right at ease with
yourself. Fairchild quickly brings those often-viewed flaws to an agreeable acceptance, and
cheers the heart with our own personal uniqueness. Illustrations are fun, and flesh out
the laughter the story invokes. It’s a feel-good story that inspires acceptance, self-worth,
and best of all, laughter! I’m looking forward to sharing Rose and her amazing nose to the
children in my life.
34
Monster Reviews
The Nearly Calamitous Taming of PZ
by Martha Ritter
Martha Ritter has brought us quite a tale of hope and second chances. Inspired by the true
story of Tess, a laboratory dog who entered civilization, The Nearly Calamitous Taming of PZ
opens to an emotional journey of adjustment. PZ, a beautiful foxhound, has lived her 10
years of life in isolation as a caged breeder dog. With minimal contact and no personal touch
or interaction, she has no concept of life beyond her quiet, painful existence. Rescue comes
to PZ, and the reader rejoices as the pages turn in our fingers and the words float through
our emotions. Life may NOW come to PZ-5934. But it isn’t long before we realize life is
frightening to her. She has never felt the ground under her feet, a leash upon her neck, or
the breezes of the outdoors upon her face. She is scared and has no understanding of what is
happening to her. PZ is delighted when she connects with a lively Ladybug who can explain
the new world to her and lead her through the adjustments. She never had a friend before,
and found its company calming, bringing a sense of hope. Her journey through is met with
kind and caring people and opportunities to transform out of the past and into the joys of
a future. Brokenness can find healing and fear can find hope if one can dare to press beyond
the unknown and adjust. PZ is able to find all the things she was lacking, and finds her
special place in the warm love of a young girl. I enjoyed this story. It brings waves of hope,
peace, and joy over the troubled emotions of brokenness. I believe much can be gleaned for
hearts experiencing the rocky road of adjustment themselves.
The Alien Logs of Super Jewels
by BK Bradshaw
Do you ever get the feeling that you don’t belong? Like everyone around you suddenly starts
talking in a foreign language? Sometimes it’s hard fitting in. Maybe it’s hard understanding
someone else who is different. That’s how Jewels feels: different. Like she doesn’t belong. She
often wonders if she is an alien from another planet. Things always seem harder for her than
for others, and adjusting is hard for everybody. Jewels discovers she IS different. Her brain
isn’t wired the same as most people. They call it Asperger’s Syndrome. Jewels lets us join her
as she journals through her confusing and sometimes funny journey of self-discovery. It’s an
endearing story as we follow her from Kinderprison to Muddle School, as she puts it. It is a
personal and very insightful view into a precious life I may have missed had I not read this
book. It is great reading. The story is fun and lively and flows at a good pace. It offers great
opportunity for awareness and understanding of Asperger’s and Autism first-hand.
35
Monster Reviews
Peanut’s Mistake
by Karen Kilpatrick
Peanut’s Mistake is a new addition to the character-building experience from the delightful
Pumpkinheads series created by Karen Kilpatrick. Being a mom, an attorney, and an
award-winning author, she believes it is never too early to build character in our youth. The
Pumpkinheads focus on social and emotional development for children. The dynamic duo,
Tara Louise Campbell and Matthew Wilson, bring their amazing talent as illustrators to
create relatable characters that bring each experience to life. Peanut’s Mistake offers a multilayered opportunity to each reading. The moment can shed light on which layer we choose
to discuss. Whether it’s an issue of breaking the rules, fear of rejection and consequences,
honesty and acceptance, the story remains fresh. Each reading allows for new discoveries
without fear of exhausting the content. This is a great choice for personal reading time, as
well as circle time in Day Care, or even Sunday School.
Beautiful is Black!
by Serenity Anderson
Growing up is tough! It shouldn’t be, but it is. Some may carelessly say, “What does a kid
have to worry about?” Some of us don’t have to look too deep to answer that question. The
wounds still smart a bit. Finding who we are, and just where we fit in this great big story
called life can be hard, even treacherous for some. It’s a sad reflection of our day that such
a book as Beautiful is Black! by Serenity Anderson is a necessity. But, I am glad it’s there.
Self-worth and belonging are important throughout life, and many struggle with it just as
long. Anderson reaches out into that zone where so many get lost. She offers a hand, an
understanding that can light a path. That can bridge gaps and remind us we’re not alone.
Beautiful is Black! is a great opportunity to bring awareness to young groups, ages 6-10. To
share together the harm in bullying, and the confusion of identity that results, and bring
back the simple joys of childhood.
Castle in Danger
by Karen Rita Rautenberg
Reviewer: Diana Perry
Karen Rita Rautenberg’s Castle in Danger is visualized by wonderful illustrations. Little
Emma is not like the other royal girls. She cannot understand the separation of royals and
servants and why her childhood servant friends are not allowed to attend her birthday
party while royals from other countries whom she’s never met are invited. She is always
doing what’s not allowed—sneaking off by herself into the woods, riding horses like the
boys, and engaging in conversation with everyone she meets. She has many adventures as
readers get a feel of what it’s really like to grow up in a castle in 14th century England.
36
Monster Reviews
Charlie and the Grandmothers
by Haty Towell
Reviewer: Sherry L. Hoffman
Charlie and Georgie take readers on a frightening trip to a nightmarish world where
witches, phantoms, bed bugs, and creepy grandmothers await. Focused on stealing dreams
and memories, mysterious creatures use trickery to put a mother in a hypnotized state and
convince the skeptical children to take a train ride to visit Grandmother Pearl, a relative
they never knew they had. While visiting the grandmother, hallways never seem to end and
bedrooms appear to relocate as the house takes on its own personality to try to tear apart
the bond between brother and sister. Having suffered great loss in the passing of his father,
Charlie needs to look deep within himself to find strength to face his greatest fear of losing
another member of his family. Superficially, readers will see Charlie scheming and using
his newfound powers to try to save his sister from harm’s way. However, there is a deeper
meaning if readers look within the text and analyze the story’s symbolism, plot, and theme:
fear itself can be crippling if it is allowed to control one’s life. Told through descriptive and
enticing details, author Haty Towell will surely hook fans with this brilliantly creepy tale of
mystery, nightmares, and suspense.
I Don’t Know How the Story Ends
by J.B. Cheaney
Reviewer: Jennifer Bisignano
This is an imaginative character-driven book that I would love to see in any classroom. In
the time of the Great War, Father is called off to serve his country. The children go on an
adventure to live with their Aunt Buzzy in Hollywood, California. The author tells the story
so vividly that you can see the soldier on the train and Slyvie curious about his disfigurement.
Aunt Buzzy is now remarried to Mr. Titus Bell and has a stepson named Ranger. Ranger’s
character is well developed and takes the children through adventures in the back lots of
sounds stages. Ranger is one of my favorite characters in the book because I could really feel
his loneliness, curiosity, and imaginative interest in the movie industry. I would recommend
this book for any teenager to young adult interested in theater and literature. Since there
are so many references to Jane Eyre and Charlie Chaplin, it might be best for the reader to
become acquainted with this time period (if they are not already). It would be amazing to use
this book as a tool in teaching or homeschooling. Very well written.
Fresh Snow!
by Natasha Wing
Reviewer: Jill DeMarte
This book has wonderful illustrations. I liked the fact that the author included the
snowboarding language terms at the end of the book because those children not familiar
with snowboarding may be lost. Very short in text but I liked the way that the book flowed
with the warm illustrations. It showed the penguin and the rabbit enjoying something that
they loved doing together.
37
Monster Reviews
Hoodoo
by Ronald L. Smith
Reviewer: Diana Perry
Hoodoo sucks you in with the title as the sinister illustrations burn in your curiosity. It
begins in a Bible-believing small town in Alabama with a haunting young boy, born with
a red heart birthmark that everyone said was a sign that he had the “hoodoo” in him, and
thus was given the name. Now 12 years old, Hoodoo doesn’t live up to his name as none
of his spells work; his grandmother Mama Frances says it’s because he doesn’t believe. A
macabre stranger arrives in town looking for Hoodoo to cut off his left hand. Hoodoo seeks
advice from a fortune teller who advises him to seek the crow and beware the stranger.
The terror and tension never release you as Hoodoo dares to walk through the fog to find
the crow as the stranger finds him. He meets the ghost of his father who confesses a dark
secret. Who is this stranger and what does he want with Hoodoo? What is the secret
everyone is keeping about why his father was killed? Where can he find the crow? All of
the mysteries weave into one fulfilling strand as this story leaves readers wanting for more.
Make room, R. L. Stein—Ronald L. Smith has arrived!
Fashion Academy
by Sheryl Berk and Carrie Berk
Reviewer: Olivia Amiri, age 8
Fashion Academy is a good book for people who might need more confidence in themselves
and their style. In this book you can imagine yourself in every detail in every page.
Mackenzie (Mickey) Williams is a young girl whose life becomes an exciting adventure as
she explores her dream of becoming a designer at the Academy. You learn from Fashion
Academy that the impossible can become possible. I like that in this book it shows us that
we can rely on and trust our friends and family for support in hard times.
Nick’s Very First Day of Baseball
Magic Bat Day
by Kevin Christofora
Nick is excited about playing baseball. It reminds me of the time my oldest son wanted
to play. We took him to sign up and was told he had to be eight to play on a team. The
ride home that day was a long and very quiet one. But, each week he would ask with great
enthusiasm, “Am I eight yet?” Nick’s First Day of Baseball is a great book to help your eager
player prepare for that first day. Christofora adds excitement and instruction that is sure
to ease the anticipation of that great day. Exercise routines, handy tips from Billy Ball, and
interactive play will delight any eager ball player. Magic Bat Day is written with the hopes
of bringing a new interest and excitement for baseball in yet another generation. Since the
early days of baseball, Christofora’s family has held a passion for the game. The youth today
are becoming more technology-centered and less activity-centered, yet the love of sports
continues to draw and unify. Christofora hopes to rekindle the magic of America’s favorite
pastime, as well as the joy and sense of belonging that being part of a team can bring.
Includes helpful hints for players and coaches alike.
38
Monster Munchies
St. Patrick’s Day
Zucchini-Oatmeal Cookies
The month of March gives us two reasons to
enjoy these delicious zucchini-oatmeal cookies:
St. Patrick’s Day and National Oatmeal Cookie Day!
Ingredients
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ cups grated zucchini
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground
cinnamon
1 cup quick cooking oats
1 cup granola
2 cups semisweet
chocolate chips
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a medium bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Stir in the egg and vanilla, mix well,
then stir in the shredded zucchini. Sift together the flour, baking soda, and cinnamon, stir
into the zucchini mixture. Finally, stir in the oats, granola, and chocolate chips.
Drop dough from a teaspoon onto an unprepared cookie sheet. Leave at least 2 inches
between cookies. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven. The cookies will stay
soft and moist because of the zucchini.
Recipe by: Marbalet
Photo by: Kelly Kunzler
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2016 Allrecipes.com
39
Monster News
Monster News
March is National Reading Awareness Month!
March is National Reading Awareness Month, and ReadAloud.org is asking families everywhere
to make a commitment—or renew their dedication—to reading aloud with their children every
day for at least 15 minutes.
Visit their website at www.ReadAloud.org to download materials for your school, library,
classroom, church or community center, and spread the word: Read Aloud. 15 MINUTES.
Every child. Every parent. Every day.
Read Across America Day
The National Education Association’s Read Across America is an annual
reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in
every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved
children’s author Dr. Seuss. NEA’s Read Across America also provides NEA
members, parents, caregivers, and children the resources and activities
they need to keep reading on the calendar 365 days a year.
In cities and towns across the nation, teachers, teenagers, librarians, politicians, actors,
athletes, parents, grandparents, and others develop NEA’s Read Across America activities
to bring reading excitement to children of all ages. Governors, mayors, and other elected
officials recognize the role reading plays in their communities with proclamations and floor
statements. Athletes and actors issue reading challenges to young readers. And some teachers
and principals seem to be more than happy to dye their hair green or be duct-taped to a wall if
it boosts their students’ reading.
Contact your local school, NEA local association, library, bookstore, or local chapter of
NEA’s Read Across America partner organizations about events that are taking place in your
community. www.NEA.org
Music In Our Schools Month
Music In Our Schools Month® is the National Association for Music
Education’s annual celebration during March which engages music
educators, students, and communities from around the country in
promoting the benefits of high quality music education programs in
schools. Music teachers celebrate MIOSM in many ways by offering special
performances, lessons, sing-alongs and activities to bring their music programs to the attention
of administrators, parents, colleagues, and communities to display the positive benefits that
school music brings to students of all ages.
NAfME provides many special resources for teachers and schools to use in their concerts,
lessons, and advocacy events that highlight the importance of school music. www.nafme.org
40
41
Juicy Jack’s Spanish Corner
¡Hola,
Amigo!
Practice with Juicy Jack:
¡Bienvenidos! Welcome to
Juicy Jack’s Spanish Corner!
¡Bienvenidos! Juicy Jack wants you to describe yourself
to him. He asks you using the phrase below.
¿Cómo eres?
Answer Jack using the phrase below. Use words from
the box.
Soy (physical characteristic). ¿Y tú?
Take out two sheets of drawing paper, a pencil, and
a pair of scissors. Cut one sheet of paper into strips.
Write the words below on the strips, one per strip.
Turn them upside down. Use the other sheet of
paper to draw a person. Flip over five slips of paper.
Draw a person with those traits. Repeat until you
know all of the words.
¿Cómo eres? = What do you look like?
1. varon – male
12. mayor – older
2. mujer – female
13. calvo – bald
3. bajo – short
14. rubio – blonde
4. alto – tall
15. castaño – chestnut,
brown
5. gordo – heavy
Pronunciation tips:
The Spanish “y” is pronounced like the English “e.”
7. flaco – skinny
“Tú” is pronounced like “two.”
9. bonita – pretty
¿Y tú? = And you?
Grammar tip:
If the emotion ends in –o, change it to –a, if you
are female.
John es ______________. (John is ______________.)
Anna es ______________. (Anna is ______________.)
16. pelo moreno – dark hair
6. delgado – thin
17. torpe – clumsy
18. débil – weak
8. feo – ugly
19. fuerte – strong
10. guapo – handsome
20. atlético – athletic
11. joven – young
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
42
!
e t o L au
r
a
nc
p
e
h
Pr
Join the lovable Josh, who uses his brilliant
imagination—and his mother’s laundry basket—
to take off for the stars and sail on the high seas!
Story Monster Approved and Purple Dragonfly Award-Winning Author
Donna LeBlanc crafts unique worlds in which readers can play and explore,
with the promise of many more adventures to come!
www.sdppublishingsolutions.com
Available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com
43
FEBRUARY 2016 | FREE
suburbanparent.com
suburbanparent.com
PARK CITIES | PRESTON HOLLOW | LAKEWOOD | AND MORE
COPPELL | FLOWER MOUND | LEWISVILLE |
suburbanparent.com
PLANO | FRISCO | MCKINNEY | RICHARDSON | ALLEN | WYLIE
GARLAND | ROCKWALL | ROWLETT | MURPHY | SACHSE
SMILE RX
SMILE RX
SMILE RX
SMILE RX
BEST
CAMPS
ORTHODONTICS
NOT JUST FOR KIDS!
DIRECTORY
OUR BABY ISSUE
OUR BABY ISSUE
A PLAN FOR
PREGNANCY
El poder de los
productos agrícolas…
BURN CALORIES...
ORTHODONTICS
NOT JUST FOR KIDS!
EXPLORE HORIZONS
BEST
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DIRECTORY
OUR BABY ISSUE
A PLAN FOR
PREGNANCY
Comer al estilo
mediterráneo
Sí, incluso el Día
de San Valentín
SMILE RX
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
OUR BABY ISSUE
A PLAN FOR
PREGNANCY
Quema calorías…
YES, EVEN ON
VALENTINE’S DAY!
ORTHODONTICS
NOT JUST FOR KIDS!
ORTHODONTICS
NOT JUST FOR KIDS!
DIRECTORY
GRAPEVINE | COLLEYVILLE | SOUTHLAKE | KELLER | TROPHY CLUB | ROANOKE
ARLINGTON | MANSFIELD | HURST | EULESS | BEDFORD | NORTH RICHLAND HILLS
BURN CALORIES...
YES, EVEN ON
VALENTINE’S DAY!
BEST
CAMPS
A PLAN FOR
PREGNANCY
suburbanparent.com
YES, EVEN ON
VALENTINE’S DAY!
BEST
CAMPS
ORTHODONTICS
NOT JUST FOR KIDS!
suburbanparent.com
BURN CALORIES...
YES, EVEN ON
VALENTINE’S DAY!
DIRECTORY
IRVING | LAS COLINAS | VALLEY RANCH
BURN CALORIES...
BURN CALORIES...
YES, EVEN ON
VALENTINE’S DAY!
+ las colinas
febrero 2016 | GRATUITA
Nuestra edición
de bebés
BEST
CAMPS
GRATUITA
Llévala
contigo
DIRECTORY
OUR BABY ISSUE
A PLAN FOR
PREGNANCY
Un plan para
el embarazo

Tom Kenny

Transcription

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