Larry Fitzgerald

Transcription

Larry Fitzgerald

September 2015
VOL. 1 / ISSUE 13
TM
Are Yo u
Ready
for So me
?
Ho mework
Back-to Scho o l
Issue!
Lar r y
Fitzgerald
An MVP On and
Off the Field
Helpful Tips
To Ease
Back-to-Scho ol Anxiety
Vicki Reece
Is a Mo m
on a Mission
J.E. Rogers
Takes Readers
Down Under
w ith
Her Educatio
nal
Adventures
Keith
W hite Jr.
Offers a
Colorful
Way to Help
Kids with
Academic
Challenges
TM
MEET THE STAFF
PUBLISHER
Linda F. Radke
[email protected]
Editor-in-Chief
Cristy Bertini
[email protected]
WRITER
Send us your news!
Do you have an event coming up or a press release you’d like
to share with our readers? Please email your information to
[email protected]. All submissions must include
the sender’s name, phone number and email address so we can
contact you if we need clarification or further information.
The submission deadline is the 27th of the month for the following
month’s issue. There is no fee required to list your news. For event
information, please include: official event name and brief description,
time, day and date of the event, cost of admission, whether registration
is required, event venue and address, publishable phone number and
email address and web address, if applicable.
Melissa Fales
DESIGN
Jeff Yesh
Science & Nature Editor
Conrad J. Storad
PROOFREADER
Debbie Greenberg
Webmistress
Laurie Herring
Advertising
Linda F. Radke
[email protected]
Cristy Bertini
[email protected]
Special Contributors
Darleen Wohlfeil, Sherry L. Hoffman,
Shirin Zarqa-Lederman, Olivia Amiri,
Chellsie Shoemaker, Dawnene Wilson
ADVERTISE WITH US
For advertising or directory ad information, call 413-687-0733
or email [email protected].
Deadline: The 27th of the month for the next month’s issue.
To submit news, reviews, photos or articles, email
[email protected]. Paste all information into
the body of the email, as well as sending it as an attachment.
Text attachments must be in Word (.doc) format. Photos must be
300 dpi and sent as JPEGs (.jpg); include captions with subject
identification. Writer’s and/or photographer’s name, email address
and phone number must accompany all submissions. Submissions
to Story Monsters Ink are published on a space-available basis at the
discretion of the editor and publisher. Article bylines will be given if
substantial editing is not required. Photo credits will be given when
submitted with photo. Payment will not be rendered for printed
submissions unless a contractual agreement between the publisher
and writer or photographer exists at time of submission. Publisher
disclaims liability for typographical errors or omissions.
Cover photo: © Gene Lower / Slingshot Photography
Story Monsters Ink magazine and
www.StoryMonsters.com are trademarks
of Five Star Publications, Inc.
2
Information you can use!
Copyright ©2015 Five Star Publications, Inc.,
ISSN 2374-4413: All rights reserved. Contents
may not be published in whole or in part without
the express written consent of the bylined author
and publisher. The opinions expressed in this
publication are those of the individual writers
and are not necessarily those of Story Monsters
Ink or its advertisers.
Printed issues of Story Monsters Ink are now
available for purchase!
Story Monsters Ink is published by
Five Star Publications, Inc.
Postal mail may be sent to
Story Monsters Ink
c/o Five Star Publications, Inc.
4696 W. Tyson St., Chandler, AZ 85226
Phone: 480-940-8182
Discounts available. Purchase copies for your child’s classroom!
Makes a great gift!
StoryMonstersInk.com | SEPTEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters Ink
Each issue is $9.95 (includes shipping in the U.S.).
Online issues are available on the 16th of each month and printed
issues are available by the 7th of the following month.
Order your copy today by calling 480-940-8182
or email [email protected].
Story Monsters Ink
September2015
Features
04 Larry Fitzgerald:
An MVP On and Off the Field
08 Helpful Tips
to Ease Back-to-School Anxiety
12 Vicki Reece
is a Mom on a Mission
16 J.E. Rogers
Takes Readers Down Under with her
Educational Adventures
Welcome to our back-to-school issue!
The first day of school is a very special day
for children, parents and teachers, too!
Whether a little one is starting a first day of
preschool or kindergarten, or a child is beginning
middle school, or it’s that senior’s first day of his/
her last high school year, there is certain to be lots of
smiles and maybe some tears. We hope everyone has
the best first day of school ever, and we hope that joy
continues throughout the schoolyear!
As one of the NFL’s star athletes, Larry Fitzgerald
is a force, both on and off the field. What’s more
impressive than his skills as an Arizona Cardinals’
wide receiver is his incredible generosity. Fitzgerald
recognizes that he’s a role model for today’s youth
and he takes that position very seriously. The “Larry
Fitzgerald First Down Fund” is just one example
of his initiatives to help kids and their families
by funding positive activities for kids during the
summer and throughout the schoolyear, too.
That’s a touchdown in our scorebook.
Also in this issue, tips to ease back-to-school jitters,
advice to help busy mothers slow down a bit, some
“colorful” ways to help children with academic
challenges, and even an Australian adventure and
a trip to Mars!
18 Keith White Jr.
Offers a Colorful Way to Help Kids with
Academic Challenges
10 Kids Can Publish
14 Activity Page
22 Conrad’s Classroom
24 Book Reviews
28 Back-to-School Reading Guide
30 Homework for Parents
32 Juicy Jack’s Spanish Corner
34 Monster Munchies
Tell us what you think of this issue! Email your
comments to [email protected].
Sign up for a free monthly subscription
at www.StoryMonstersInk.com!
“Like” us on Facebook!
www.Facebook.com/StoryMonsters
Follow us on Twitter! @StoryMonsters
3
Larry
Fitzgerald
An MVP On and Off the Field
by Melissa Fales
Despite the long list of NFL records Larry Fitzgerald Jr. holds,
including the most touchdown receptions in a postseason
(seven), the most receptions in a postseason (30) and the most
receiving yards in a postseason (546), the Arizona Cardinals
wide receiver considers the establishment of the Larry
Fitzgerald First Down Fund his greatest accomplishment.
4
Feature Cover Story
He created the non-profit organization in 2004
in honor of his mother, Carol Fitzgerald, who died the
previous year at age 47 while undergoing breast cancer
treatment. “It was initially started to raise money for
breast cancer awareness,” Fitzgerald says. “I later added
youth support activities because I firmly believe that it’s
important to support future generations.”
Fitzgerald grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where
his father, Larry Fitzgerald Sr., worked as a sportswriter
for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. Not surprisingly,
the young Fitzgerald became interested in sports,
too, avidly following Minnesota teams in general
and football in particular. “I was a huge Minnesota
Vikings fan,” Fitzgerald says. “I had a great
opportunity to be involved with them
as a child as a ball boy and it only
enhanced my love for the team.”
Fitzgerald was just six years old
when he started playing pee
wee tackle football at the Rev.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Park in Minneapolis.
Looking back, Fitzgerald
credits his parents with
setting the stage for his
future success and that of his
younger brother, Marcus. “I had
a great childhood,” he says. “Both
of my parents worked extremely
hard to provide us with a great
education. They also provided us with
wonderful leadership and surrounded us with
other people who had our best interests at hand.”
Fitzgerald attended the University of Pittsburgh
where he studied communications and played football.
After completing his sophomore year, the NFL came
calling and Fitzgerald eagerly answered. “I always had
the dream of playing in the National Football League,”
he says, adding that in the future, he intends to
complete his college degree through the University
of Phoenix.
In 2004, Fitzgerald was selected by the Arizona Cardinals
as the third overall NFL draft pick and he’s continued to
shine in that red and white uniform ever since. “I’ve been
with the Arizona Cardinals my entire career,” he says.
“It has been an honor to have had the opportunity to be
with the same team for this long, especially in today’s
sports. It is a rarity.”
During his time as a Cardinal, Fitzgerald has been an
eight-time Pro Bowl selection. He was an instrumental
force in his team’s successful fight to secure the NFC
Championship for the 2008 NFL season. As impressive
as his NFL career has been, it’s Fitzgerald’s work off
the field that’s made the biggest impression. Since its
inception, the Larry Fitzgerald First Down Fund has
raised and donated countless hours, resources and
dollars to various organizations. During
the 2011 NFL season, Fitzgerald
encouraged fans to get involved
by nominating their favorite
charitable organizations to
receive a donation from his
First Down Fund. Fitzgerald
selected a different one to
donate to each week, with
recipients that included the
Juvenile Diabetes Research
Foundation, Autism Speaks
and the YWCA of Oahu,
Hawaii.
The Larry Fitzgerald First Down
Fund has also been there to help
people during natural disasters. A donation
to the Southern Arizona American Red Cross kept
10 families from becoming homeless after wildfires
burned their homes. Another donation helped those
whose lives were affected by a 2011 tornado that
struck Minneapolis. Additionally, the Larry Fitzgerald
First Down Fund offers summer youth football camps
in Arizona and Minnesota, regularly donates to
various youth organizations like Boys and Girls Clubs
and supplied equipment for a new basketball court
at the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park, where
Fitzgerald first learned how to play football as a little
boy. Fitzgerald and his First Down Fund have also
partnered with companies like Lenovo to provide
tablets for schoolchildren in Phoenix and Minneapolis
5
Feature Cover Story
and Riddell to make sure 1,000
kids in the Minneapolis Parks and
Recreation football program had
helmets to wear.
Working with the Starkey
Hearing Foundation, Fitzgerald
visited third-world countries to
help children and adults get the
hearing aids they needed. “The first
trip I took about six years ago had
a profound impact on me,” says
Fitzgerald. “The sheer magnitude of
people we were fitting with hearing
aids was unbelievable in India. It
was so much fun.” He’s also been
active with the USO, traveling to the
Middle East numerous times to visit
U.S. troops serving overseas.
Fitzgerald says he’s aware
that there are many deserving
organizations out there. “I’ve done
my best to support a number of
different causes but if I’m going to
pick one organization that means
the most to me it would be the
African-American Breast Cancer
Alliance because my mother was
one of the founding members,”
he says. The Larry Fitzgerald First
Down Fund has donated thousands
to organizations working to beat
breast cancer, including Pink365,
which offers free mammograms
to women in Phoenix who, due
to their financial circumstances,
might otherwise have to forgo this
simple, lifesaving procedure. The
fund has also made significant
donations to larger organizations,
such as the American Cancer
Society and the National Breast
Cancer Foundation. Fitzgerald
keeps the memory of his mother
alive as an outspoken, proud,
6
pink-wearing representative of
the NFL during its annual breast
cancer awareness effort in October.
His philanthropy work in this
area earned him the NFL Players
Association Georgetown Lombardi
Award in 2013.
Fitzgerald is currently gearing up
for the 2015 NFL season. When
he’s not receiving on the field, he’ll
continue his giving off the field
with the many projects the Larry
Fitzgerald First Down Fund has
underway. “A lot of the work I do is
geared towards helping children,”
he says. “They are our future and
are worth the investment. I had a
lot of support when I was in my
youth. I wouldn’t be where I am
today, living my dreams, had it
not been for the programs I was
involved in during my childhood.”
As one of the NFL’s star athletes,
Fitzgerald recognizes that he’s a
role model for today’s youth and he
takes that position very seriously,
striving to set a good example for
the next generation. “My message
to kids is just follow your dreams,”
he says. “Never lose sight of who
you are. Keep good company
around you. If you believe it, you
can achieve anything through hard
work and dedication.”
Larry offered Story Monster some game tips during Kristi Yamaguchi’s Reading
Adventures program at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, but since his arms
are too short to be a receiver, Story Monster might have a better chance as a
kicker. (photo by Linda F. Radke)
7
Feature Story
Helpful Tips to Ease
Back-to-School Anxiety
by Shirin Zarqa-Lederman, MA, MS, LCADC, BCPC, LPC
Sometimes I look at my kids and think, they have it so easy. Think about it:
Google, Wikipedia, Smartphones, e-readers and even cars that parallel park
themselves. I can’t help but gaze out the window and imagine all that I could
have done with those resources when I was a kid!
At least once a week, one of my children makes
that dreaded mistake of asking me an obscure question
that only Einstein would know off the top of his head.
I quickly invoke swift punishment with the equally
dreaded “talk.” You know the one. It starts with
“Google it!” and is immediately followed by a soliloquy
of the difficulties of my meek childhood where we used
typewriters, encyclopedias and microfiche! As you can
imagine, after about two minutes of my tirade, they
8
ignore me and are immersed in whatever it is
they Googled.
Ironically, even with all the technology available
to them, the summers still seem too short and
the thought of going back to school invokes this
nauseating, choking, sweaty feeling known as anxiety.
That’s right. No matter how easy I think they have it,
returning to school after summer break is stressful for
a child. Picture your child enjoying those lazy days of
summer—sleeping until noon, jumping in the pool
before taking a shower, eating breakfast for lunch, and
then … it happens. The television ads, the newspapers,
even parents begin whispering those dreadful words
that remind them of their return to the abyss of the
unknown: “It’s back to school time!”
Anxiety usually rears its ugly head in the form of
those unrelenting “what ifs.” What if my teacher is
mean? What if she hates me? What if I don’t know anyone
in my class? What if I forget my lunch? What if the bus is
late? What if I wake up late?
Although anxiety is a natural emotion whenever any
of us are introduced to a new situation, children often
have difficulty verbalizing their emotions. Often it is
simply because they have not reached that stage of
development. When not dealt with, anxiety can fester.
It can cause somatic complaints like stomachaches,
headaches, nausea and even vomiting. Of course, the
thought of my children feeling that way on their first
day of school causes my own somatic complaints.
Children naturally and often unconsciously mimic
their parents’ behaviors. Therefore, the more anxious
I am, the more anxious my children will be. It’s
important to be conscious of your own anxiety and be
mindful of your own reactions as well as your child’s.
So what can be done to avoid anyone having to
clean up vomit on the first day of school? Preparation.
Simple as that.
First, I’ve found that children are relieved to hear
that their feelings are natural and that parents may
be anxious too. It’s important to demonstrate your
humanity to children. Sharing how you feel allows them
to see that you are human, feelings are not terminal and
that they pass. As an added bonus, it fosters their own
emotional coping skills. It gives them an opportunity to
talk about their emotions. It can also prevent or reduce
those meltdown moments. Once you’ve talked to them
about it, its time to get to work:
Rehearse! A few days before school actually begins,
play pretend. Set the alarm clock, pack the backpack,
pack the lunch, put lunch money in a specific pouch,
pick out the clothes and go to bed early. In the
morning, get your child ready as if they were going off
to school. This will give you time to alter schedules if
necessary while giving them a taste of what’s to come.
Shop! Buy school supplies ahead of time. When I
was younger, there was the dreaded back to school
supply store that was swamped and looked like it had
been looted by the time my parents and I got there.
Today, virtually all schools have websites that have
grade-specific supply lists. Buy the supplies (and label
them) in advance and put them in the backpack. Some
schools require more than others. If it’s too much for
the backpack, most schools will allow you to drop it
off a day before the school day or after school. Label
EVERYTHING with your child’s first name and last
initial. Keep the labeling on the inside of clothes,
backpacks and lunch boxes, especially if they walk to
school. Their name should not be visible to strangers.
If your child has allergies or a medical condition,
include that wherever you label (it sounds paranoid
but I’d rather be safe than sorry).
Schedule! If there’s one thing that I have found
helps me with my own anxiety, it’s scheduling.
Take the time before afterschool activities begin to
physically create a daily schedule for the whole family
that everyone can see. Put it where your child can see
it and go over it with them. Children thrive when they
are in safe environments and they feel safe when their
environment is predictable. It’s great that everything
is in the Smartphone, but children need routines to
be visible as often as possible. Daily scheduling allows
them to identify what their day looks like—barring
any unforeseen circumstances, of course.
Pass Notes! Who doesn’t love little forget-me-not
notes? The first day of school is a special occasion—
write a loving note of encouragement on a dinner
napkin. “Hope you’re having a great day,” or “I’m so
proud of you” or a simple “I love you” with a smiley
face makes a world of difference when they’re feeling
all alone in that vortex known as the lunch room. It
reminds them that you are not too far away and that
although they are out of sight, they are certainly not
out of mind. If your child is going to a new school
or to school for the first time, send them in with a
few photographs or a small picture collage of family
members or moments that they enjoyed to keep in
their backpack in case they feel homesick. If your
child has a blanky, cut a piece off and attach it to their
backpack.
Most Importantly: Remind them as they are
walking out the door that you love them and that no
matter what happens, the first day of school is an
adventure that you only get once a year, so enjoy it! I
like to remind myself of that one, too.
9
Kids Can Publish!
Story Monster Illustrator of the Month!
by Chellsie Shoemaker, age 7
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!
10
11
Feature Story
Vicki Reece
is a Mom
on a Mission
by Melissa Fales
Photo by Bobby Quillard
Two decades after she set out to create her own
line of wholesome multimedia products for children
in response to the prevalence of violent video games,
Vicki Reece continues to be a “mom on a mission.”
Most recently, she’s created an online community for
mothers with her Joy of Mom Facebook page, she’s
released a book called The Joy of Mom: Celebrating a
Mother’s Love and she regularly posts on her blog,
www.joyofmom.com, offering advice and tips to
help busy mothers slow down and savor the precious
moments they have with their children. “It’s such an
honor and privilege for me to be able to share my
thoughts and feelings with other moms all over the
world,” Reece says. “I feel a bond with them. Even
though we’ve never met and have never spoken in
person, we share something very special and very
sacred in that we are all mothers.”
When Reece’s now 24-year-old son was a little
boy, Reece was troubled by the gratuitous violence
in the video games, TV shows and toys available for
his age group. “I saw a frightening connection with
12
violence happening in the real world,” she says. Reece
set out to make a change by offering products with
positive, inspiring messages. “I thought there needed
to be options that would make kids feel good about
themselves,” says Reece. “That’s what I wanted for
my son, and I recognized that there must be other
mothers out there who wanted the same thing for
their children.”
Taking a giant step, Reece left behind the small
advertising agency she’d been running, devoting
herself to the cause. Most nights, after tucking her son
into bed, she’d stay up until 2 a.m. developing software
for her first children’s video game. She also created
child-friendly music videos. Reece didn’t let the fact
that she had no experience, connections or money stop
her. “I had nothing but faith and passion,” she says,
along with the support of her husband who quit his job
to become a stay-at-home dad. “I felt it was my mission
and my calling,” she says. “In some ways, I think my
naïveté helped because if I had known just how little I
knew, I might not have even attempted it.”
on Facebook, her audience grew
and grew. Today, the Joy of Mom
Facebook page has nearly one
million followers and an average
of 17 million weekly viewers, with
a whopping 37.9 million viewers
checking in one week.
When Reece presented her
multimedia products to
retailers, she was rebuffed. “They
literally told me that violence
sells,” she says. Undaunted,
Reece knocked on doors. She told
every mom she knew about her
products. “I had zero money for
advertising,” says Reece. “Instead,
I counted on moms telling their
friends about it.” Ultimately,
thanks to her unrelenting efforts,
Reece’s products were hits. By
the time social media became a
daily reality, Reece already had a
following of mothers who saw her
as an ally. “I had many mothers
ask if they could join my ‘club,’
but I didn’t have a club,” she says.
Instead, Reece started the Joy of
Mom Facebook page. “It didn’t
just strike a chord with mothers all
over the world, it struck a nerve,”
says Reece. “These were moms who
were looking for a community.”
Reece quickly recognized the
platform Facebook offered her
to share the inspirational quotes
about motherhood she’d been
collecting for years. “If just one
other mom took something from
them and it made her feel better,
it would be worth it,” she explains.
Reece made her first inspirational
posters on an overturned laundry
basket in the corner of her
bedroom in the early hours of
the morning. As she posted them
Reece admits being nearly moved
to tears by the response to the Joy
of Mom Facebook page and blog,
and yet not being very surprised
by it. “It’s all from the heart,” she
says. “Joy of Mom is almost like
my journal. It’s real. It’s authentic.
It’s completely organic. That’s why
it resonates so much with so many
women. It’s my story, but it’s a
story that so many other women
can relate to. We’re all connected
by the bond of motherhood, we
all want the best for our children,
and we have created a beautiful
community.”
Earlier this year, Reece’s first
book The Joy of Mom: Celebrating
a Mother’s Love was released. “It’s
a labor of love,” she explains.
The book offers quotations,
illustrations and photographs
of special moments between
mothers and children. “Those
moments are the essence of
motherhood,” says Reece. “They’re
fleeting treasures that every mom
will recognize.” The book is available
at www.simpletruths.com and
on Amazon.com.
Reece’s next project will be
showcasing products made by
moms around the world on her
Joy of Mom blog. “They’re the
types of things that you’d be
excited to tell your girlfriends
about,” she says. Reece says she
will only be featuring brands that
reflect her mission to empower
mothers and their children. “I like
to think of Joy of Mom as a great
big daisy chain of good,” she says.
Reece says she’s delighted that
the mothers who connect through
Joy of Mom have a place to share
their thoughts, hopes and fears
as the summer winds down and
schools open their doors again.
“Whether you’re preparing your
children to go back to school,
or perhaps start school for the
first time or even to head off to
college, recognize that this is an
important occasion,” says Reece.
“These big changes can be so hard,
but there’s a bittersweet beauty in
these transitions. This is life. This
is what’s supposed to happen.”
“Just embrace
wherever your child
is at right now.
Try to enjoy each
individual stage and
passage. Don’t rush
the time away.”
As moms ready themselves
and their families for whatever
September may bring, Reece
offers this advice: “Just embrace
wherever your child is at right
now,” she says. “Try to enjoy each
individual stage and passage.
Don’t rush the time away. Don’t
worry about what’s coming next
or be sad about what’s over. Just
enjoy what is happening right
now. Be present in the moment.
That’s the best advice I can give to
any mom.”
To learn more about Reece, visit
www.joyofmom.com or visit Joy
of Mom on Facebook. You can also
follow her on Pinterest, Instagram,
Twitter and Tumblr.
13
Activity Page
Scramble Fun!
14
FARM
a
MONTH
Where does our food come from?
Educator’s Kit
For Pre-School and Elementary
School Students
Explore one new farm a month!
• 12 hands on activities about
12 different commodities
• 12 letters from real farmers
• 1 U.S. map poster and stickers!
Available here:
http://bit.ly/FarmaMonth
www.agfoundation.org
Farm a Month Ad_3.75x4.75.indd
1
StoryMonstersInk.com
15
| SEPTEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters
7/24/15
Ink 7:57 AM
Feature Story
J.E. Rogers
Takes Readers Down Under
with Her Educational Adventures
by Melissa Fales
In an eclectic combination of entertainment and environmental education, children’s
author J.E. Rogers transports readers Down Under with her award-winning Australian
Fantasy Adventures series, The Sword of Demelza and The Gift of Sunderland. The heroes in
Rogers’ books are endangered animals in real life and her stories suggest an underlying
connection between all living things on Earth. “The message is that we’re all in this
together,” says Rogers. “Humans and animals, we’re all part of the same network. We
have to realize the domino effect that the loss of even one species can have on all of us.
By protecting other species, we protect ourselves.”
The characters Rogers writes
about in her books first came to
her during a stint in the corporate
world where she worked filing
international patents for a large
pharmaceutical company. “It was
very boring and very stressful,”
she says. The one thing Rogers
truly liked about the job was the
large window in her office and
its expansive view. “I could see
the Connecticut countryside and
the undulating, rolling hills,” says
Rogers. “I would sit there and
look out at all that beauty and my
imagination would fly.”
Rogers’ imagination created
anthropomorphic animal
characters with distinct
personalities and propensities.
“I took notes,” she says. “The
characters and the story I created
refused to stay in my mind. I
had to put it all down on paper.”
The use of animals was a natural
choice for Rogers, who has been an
animal lover since childhood. “My
16
mother was an extremely tolerant
woman,” says Rogers. “When I was
a kid, if I found an animal, I would
bring it home for a pet—cats,
snakes … you name it.”
Inspiration for her stories came
from many science fiction and
fantasy writers, but Rogers says
Brian Jacques and his Redwall
series in particular, are favorites
from her personal library. “I
own every book he ever wrote,”
she says. “His heroes are these
swashbuckling mice and other
rodentia. They’re just terrific.”
The final ingredient in Rogers’
special blend of storytelling is the
land of Australia, which has held
her under its spell for decades.
“What child do you know who
isn’t fascinated by a kangaroo or a
koala bear?” Rogers asks. “For me,
that initial interest blossomed into
much more.” Rogers speculates
that she was originally drawn
to Australia because it was so
different from what she knew
growing up in New Jersey. “The
more I learned about Australia,
the more I loved it,” she says. “It’s
different in so many ways, not
just with animals but with plants,
geologically and even in the way it
was colonized.”
A few years ago, Rogers had the
opportunity to visit Australia.
“It was the trip of a lifetime,” she
says. Rogers had always dreamt of
watching the sunrise from Uluru,
or Ayers Rock, a sacred site for the
Australian aboriginal people. “I
did it one better,” she says. “I got
to see the sun rise and set on it as
well. It was amazing.”
Rogers believes that one factor
in the success of her books is
that she’s introducing something
completely new to her readers.
“Most children have never heard of
some of these animals,” she says.
The books also include a glossary
with pictures and information
about the animals featured to
help readers learn more about
their plight. She says she writes
for older children in particular
because it’s the right age for the
tales she wants to tell. “Jacques is
amazing, but it’s written at a level
that an eight- or nine-year-old
probably would not sit for,” she
says. “You have to wade through
a lot to get to the guts of it. In
my books, I try to get right into
it from the very first chapter.
Let’s face it, kids today get bored
very easily. I want to give them
something they will immediately
be brought into.” To ensure
that each of her books has ageappropriate suspense and intrigue,
Rogers enlists children to test-read
them for her. “I want my stories
to be a fast-paced adventure,” she
says. “I want it to be a fun ride.”
demonstrates that we can all make
a difference.”
“I want to make sure
that children have
this information in
order to understand
how valuable these
animals are. They’ll
be the ones making
the important
decisions and
determining the
future of our planet.”
In an effort to reach even more
people with her message about
protecting animals, Rogers has
a weekly blog where she posts
photos and information about
unusual and/or endangered
animals from all over the globe. Her
posts regularly include sobering
information from the International
Union for Conservation of Nature,
namely dwindling population
statistics for each animal. “I try
to make the posts simple and
fast,” says Rogers. “They’re just
wildlife tidbits that kids can easily
understand and enjoy. I want to
make sure that children have this
information in order to understand
how valuable these animals are.
They’re the ones next at bat. They’ll
be the ones making the important
decisions and determining the
future of our planet.”
Subtly buried in Rogers’ works
are lessons about loyalty, family,
friendship and devotion to a just
cause. She also tries to teach the
children who read her books that
although they might be small, they
matter. Rogers says Stokely, one
of her favorite characters from
The Sword of Demelza, is a shining
example of this message. “He’s an
echidna,” she says. “He’s a little
bit of a nothing at first, but by
the end he finds himself and he
Rogers is currently the vice
president of the Connecticut
chapter of the Associated
Publishers for Special Sales. “The
best part is I get to go all over the
state chatting with youngsters
about books,” she says. “There’s
nothing else I’d rather be doing.”
The third book in Rogers’
Australian Fantasy Adventures
series will be released early next
year. Her next project will be a
three-book series on Madagascar.
“Madagascar is one of the most
glaring examples of human
encroachment into natural animal
habitat, and that’s exactly why I
chose it,” says Rogers.
Rogers’ books are available on
Amazon.com. To learn more about
Rogers and to read her blog, visit
www.warriorechidna.com.
17
Feature Story
Keith White Jr.
Offers a Colorful Way
to Help Kids with
Academic Challenges
by Melissa Fales
As a devoted father to three boys, Keith White Jr.
spends his free time with his children doing typical “dad
stuff,” like helping them with their homework, teaching
them how to ride a bike and getting completely soaked
during the inevitable squirt gun skirmishes. However,
after watching his son, Andrew, struggle with medical
issues that affected his schoolwork, White took the
very atypical route of custom writing and illustrating
a book designed to help Andrew retain what he read.
White’s strategy worked, leading to classroom success
for Andrew and launching what’s currently a 25-book
series of Color-With-Me adventures. “I never thought
about writing a book until I jumped into this as a last
resort to help Andrew,” White explains. “That’s what
being a parent is all about … jumping in when your kids
need help.”
White and his wife, Cassandra, live in Cheektowaga,
New York with their three sons, Tyler, Andrew and
Collin. When Andrew’s teacher first raised concerns
about his conduct in the classroom, the couple initially
thought it was a behavioral issue. “He was rolling his
eyes in the same way that someone who doesn’t want
to hear what you’re saying might roll their eyes at you,”
says White. When the Whites saw Andrew exhibiting
the same behavior at home and noticed that he was
rubbing his finger and thumb together to the point
that they would blister, they sought medical attention.
Doctors determined that Andrew had motor and tic
disorders as a result of a neurological issue.
18
He was also diagnosed with ADHD and hyperactivity.
“We were glad to have some answers,” says White.
However, schoolwork remained a challenge for
Andrew, particularly an assignment to write two book
reports a month. “Honestly, getting him to concentrate
on just one book over the course of the whole school
year was nearly impossible,” says White. “I wanted to
do something to help him.”
White approached Andrew’s teacher with an
unusual proposal. What if he wrote a book tailored
to Andrew’s interests? Could Andrew use that book
for his book report? The teacher agreed and White
produced a simple, stapled-together copy of Andrew
and the Pirates. Like the 24 books that have followed
it, Andrew and the Pirates was designed to address the
way Andrew’s mind works. Each of the books has 10
White signs books for his son’s classmates.
1
chapters with a simple black-and-white illustration at
the end of each chapter for a child to color. Drawing
comes easy to White, who attended the Buffalo
Academy of Visual and Performing Arts. “The picture
is always of something that was discussed in that last
chapter,” says White. “It helps the child to remember
what they read and retain that information. It also
gives them a break between chapters, which is
something that a lot of kids like Andrew need.”
White holds down a full-time job in the parts
department of a Toyota dealership and he fits in
writing when he can. “Sometimes I do wonder where
I find the time,” he says. “Everyone with kids knows
how hectic days can be. I go to work, come home, hang
out with the kids and by the time you get homework
done and dinner eaten, it’s time for brushing teeth and
going to bed.” He thanks Cassandra for all of her work
managing his calendar. “I wouldn’t be able to do what I
do if it wasn’t for her,” he says.
“It was the first project he ever got
an ‘A’ on. He got off the bus holding
it in his hand. You could just see
how proud he was and that was an
amazing thing to see from a child
who had been having such a rough
time. The look of pride on his face
was all the motivation I needed to
keep writing.”
Today, Andrew is doing much, much better in
school. He’s more able to concentrate on his classwork
and is involved with sports. “He’s come a long
way,” says White. At various book signings, library
appearances and meet-the-author events, White has
heard stories about the success other children have
had with his Color-With-Me adventures. “I’m thrilled
that other kids are getting something out of these
books, too,” White says. In response to comments
from parents, free coloring sheets are available on
his website www.keithwhitejr.com for children who
want to read the books and color the photos more
than once. White’s Color-With-Me adventures are
available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Books-AMillion, as well as many independent bookstores.
The results were even better than White expected.
Andrew enthusiastically read Andrew and the Pirates.
“It was the first project he ever got an ‘A’ on,” says
White. “He got off the bus holding it in his hand.
You could just see how proud he was and that was
an amazing thing to see from a child who had been
having such a rough time. The look of pride on his face
was all the motivation I needed to keep writing.”
Inspired by Andrew’s success with Andrew and the
Pirates, White thought its format might work for
other children with similar academic challenges or be
enjoyed by those who just like to color. “I had a buddy
whose girlfriend had just published a book,” White
explains. “She kind of walked me through the process
and it’s just taken off from there.”
The themes of the 25 Color-With-Me adventures
include pro-wrestling, cowboys, superheroes, the
circus, a safari, aliens and other kid-friendly topics.
White’s children continue to be the inspiration for his
stories, although today he is primarily writing stories
featuring his youngest, Collin. “My kids keep me
writing,” White says. “When Collin lost his two front
teeth, I wrote about the tooth fairy. My books really do
start and stop with my kids. They’re my biggest fans
and my biggest critics.”
White says he hopes to continue writing even after
his children grow out of the Color-With-Me series. “I’d
like to try to grow my writing along with them, as they
grow,” he says. As much as he enjoys being an author
and illustrator, it’s obvious that the role he relishes the
most is being a father. “It’s the greatest feeling in the
world,” White says. “I try to spend as much time as I
can with my sons now, while I’m still cool in their eyes.
I’m trying to soak that up as much as possible.”
White’s sons, Collin and Andrew, are the inspiration for his stories.
19
20
21
nd
aF
. Ra
dke
Science & Nature
:
by
Photo
Li
Let’s Visit Mars!
by Conrad J. Storad
Look up into the dark night sky. If the sky is
clear and you are away from city lights, you will
see lots of stars. There are other bright objects
as well. The planet Mars is often the third
brightest object in the night sky. Look closely.
Mars looks like a reddish-colored star. Only the
Moon and the planet Venus are brighter.
Mars is called the Red Planet. The reddish color
comes from all the iron oxide found in the planet’s
soil and dust. On Earth, rust is another name for
iron oxide.
People will travel to and live on Mars within the
next 20 years. At least that is the plan envisioned by
scientists and engineers at the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration (NASA). Scientists have
learned a great deal about Mars in the past 30 years.
A fleet of spacecraft and satellites sent to Mars have
sent back piles of information and photos. We even
have robotic rovers driving on the Martian surface
right now.
22
The Viking 1 orbiter image shows the thin atmosphere of Mars.
(photo courtesy of NASA)
and run faster. You would also weigh a lot less. A third
grader who weighs 100 pounds on Earth would weigh
only 38 pounds on Mars.
Mars is much like Earth in some ways. It is also very
different. Mars rotates on its axis once every 24
hours and 37 minutes. So one day on Mars is just a
bit longer than a day on Earth. Mars is the second
smallest planet in the solar system. Only Mercury is
smaller. Mars is about 4,220 miles across. That is just
about half the size of Earth. Mars is twice the size of
the moon.
Who will be the first person to set foot on Mars? It
could be you! But you will need to be smart and be in
good physical shape to make the trip. Sending a person
to Mars will not be easy. It will be a LOT more difficult
than it was to send the Apollo astronauts to the moon
in 1969 and the early 1970s. There are lots of technical
problems to solve. Consider some facts: Our moon is
only 238,900 miles away. But Mars is more than 35
million miles away when at its closest point to the
Earth. It is about 248 million miles away at its farthest
point. NASA must plan carefully. There is plenty of
complex mathematics involved.
Mars has gravity. Gravity is the force that holds
people and trees and rocks and buildings on the
surface of the Earth. It keeps us from flying off into
space. But the force of gravity on Mars is much weaker
than on the Earth. That is because the Red Planet is
so much smaller. On Mars, you could jump higher
To measure time on Mars, you must use different
calculations. One Earth day is 24 hours. But one Mars
day lasts 24 hours and 37 minutes. That is the time it
takes for the planet to spin around its axis. One year
on Earth is 365 days. That is the amount of time it
takes our planet to make a complete orbit of the Sun.
One Mars year is equal to 686.7 Earth days. That is 1.88
Earth years.
A mission to Mars must launch when the planet is at
its closest point to the Earth. Launched at the perfect
time, it will still take your spacecraft 11 months to
reach Mars. Once you get there, the team will have to
stay on Mars for an entire Earth year. Why? Because
you must wait for the two planets to again be close
enough to begin the long trip home. The entire roundtrip journey will take almost three years. You will need
to take enough food, water and fuel to survive that long
in space.
This image, taken by the panoramic camera onboard the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit
shows the rocky surface of Mars. (photo courtesy of NASA)
Scientists and engineers still have LOTS of work to do
to solve those problems. But one thing is certain: If you
are a member of the first team of humans to go to Mars,
you will NOT be bored!
Questions to strain your brain:
Mars has two moons, Phobos and Deimos. (photo courtesy of NASA)
How old are you in Martian years?
If you stayed on Mars for one Earth-year, how many
Martian-years would pass?
Resources to learn
more about Mars:
How much would you weigh on Mars?
Red Planet fast facts:
»» Mars has two small moons, Phobos and Deimos.
»» Olympus Mons is the biggest volcano on Mars. It
is almost 15 miles high. That is three times taller
than Mount Everest. The giant volcano is so wide
it would cover the whole state of Arizona.
»» Valles Marineris is a huge canyon on Mars. It is
very deep and more than 2,500 miles long. This
“grand canyon” of Mars would stretch across the
entire United States.
»» At night, the temperature on Mars can drop
to 220 degrees below zero.
»» Mars is a windy place. The wind can gust up to
80 miles per hour. That is hurricane force here on
Earth. Giant dust storms on Mars can cover the
entire planet and last for a year.
WEBSITES:
• Mars Education Program at Arizona State
University http://marsed.asu.edu
• Mars for Kids http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/
participate/funzone
• NASA’s Journey to Mars https://www.nasa.
gov/topics/journeytomars
BOOKS:
• Mars by Conrad J. Storad
• Touchdown Mars! by Ken Edgett,
Peggy Wethered and Michael Chesworth
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
Monster Review
Monster Reviews
National Geographic Kids Guide
to Photography
by Darleen Wohlfeil
We are living in the day of the camera! From smartphones to SLR’s, the “captured image”
has burned a permanent interest on the minds, hearts and imaginations of our day. Selfies
emerged and spread through social media like wildfire. Toy companies are making cameras
for the 3-7 age group. Fun point-and-shoot cameras and underwater cameras arrived,
suitable and fun for the young and upcoming photographer. The world became alive,
and captured the imagination with every shot. Nancy Hanovich and National Geographic
Photographer Annie Griffiths have brought us an amazing, info-packed, easy-to-use, how-to guide that teaches
our young shutterbugs everything there is to know about taking great pictures. Each page is filled with clear
instructions, backed with easy to follow diagrams and super fun assignments that will help put into practice what
you have learned. And ... once you have chosen your best shot, the trophy image you captured all by yourself, you
can upload it to National Geographic Kids My Shot—they can’t wait to see what you create! Guide to Photography is a
great guide book that can be read over and over, gaining tips and tricks from the pros. It’s a great tool, full of wonder
and creativity to help our children glean the most from their every day. It is a welcomed addition to my bookshelf!
The Mystery Hat
by Darleen Wohlfeil
With a long and celebrated history in the animation industry, Danish authors Rune Brandt
Bennicke and Jakob Hjort Jensen bring us a comical tale of three very imaginative friends.
The Mystery Hat provides its readers with the fun advantage of invisibility and invites
them into the deductive processes of our three friends, Pig, Beaver and Crow. When their
casual walk is suddenly met with a frightening mystery, their creative minds run wild. Like
shadows that loom larger than life, imagination begins to build and weave larger than the
facts at hand, leaving us with giggles and chuckles as the story unfolds. Chuckling softly, I heard myself say, “I
know these guys.” Then with a fuller, louder, belly laugh, I had to admit, I AM these guys! Bennicke and Jensen
have successfully given us an amusing view into an old proverbial saying, “making a mountain out of a molehill,”
while bringing us safely through the wild ride of imagination and back to the solid ground of reason. The last page
turned, the book now silent upon my lap, has left me with laughter and amusement. In considering our three
likely friends, I earnestly hope to find a little more of Pig in me. Humor is a great asset to learning, and our story
shows us, we are never too old to learn.
24
Monster Reviews
A Flag for the Flying Dragon
by Darleen Wohlfeil
A Flag for the Flying Dragon by award-winning author Carole P. Roman of the highly
acclaimed Captain No Beard series brings us another lively, colorful adventure. Pretending is
an art that brings much joy to childhood, and often saves us from those occasional boring
afternoons. But play is serious business to children, and imagination is a tremendous
asset. Captain No Beard is faithful to his crew. He oversees their duties and keeps harmony on deck. However,
with the arrival of a new deck hand, all harmony is being tested. Captain No Beard must find just the right job for
their new crewmate before havoc claims his peaceful ship. Each crew member tries to find a suitable task for their
youngest mate, but none seems to fit and match his level of skill. Captain No Beard sighs, “Being a captain is hard
work.” He discovers the right answer isn’t always the one you may want, but sacrifice is often a big part of being a
successful crew. It’s refreshing to find solid moral blocks to build and shape our youth. The bold, colorfully detailed
illustrations of Bonnie Lemaire top it off, making it a great reading experience.
Power Down, Little Robot
by Darleen Wohlfeil
Power Down, Little Robot, by outstanding award-winner Anna Staniszewski, is a clever
capture of an age-old ploy, dressed in a modern, high-tech creativity. Today, our children
are very computer and electronic device literate. Robots and program installs fill their
imaginations with more savvy than blind mice and crowded farmyards. Staniszewski is a
proven winner, with a list of impressive accomplishments, and teaming up with awardwinning Tim Zeltner’s wonderful illustrations combines an adorable humanity to an
otherwise cold metallic image, endearing our hearts to Staniszewski’s whimsical peek into our Little Robot’s
bedtime avoidance. Power Down, Little Robot is sure to be another “hit” on the literary charts. From the Stone
Age to the Futuristic, childhood has its challenges, and every parent (and grandparent) will end this tale with a
knowing smile, and a satisfied sense of victory.
Pig and Penguin’s Party Planning Problems
by Dawnene Wilson
When I first began reading Pig and Penguin’s Party Planning Problems, written and illustrated
by Erik Niel, I was struck by the alliteration of the letter “P.” For a moment or two,
I pondered the wisdom of using the same alliteration throughout an entire tale. Quickly,
however, the ear adjusts to the happy repetition of this pleasantly pleasing sound. The
ingenious use of it began to amaze, and I found myself settling into the pleasure of
the random rhythm of its usage. In addition to the obvious fun factor, this story aptly
demonstrates the process of reconciliation when one finds oneself falling out of favor with a close friend. Helping
to create a strong visual for the story, many charming and delightful illustrations are dispersed throughout the
tale. Kudos to Erik Niel for a first-rate children’s book!
25
Monster Review
Monster Reviews
Again, David’s Having Distractions
by Sherry L. Hoffman, B.S., M.Ed.
Teresa Oliver’s book Again, David’s Having Distractions takes readers on the journey of a
nine-year-old boy with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The story focuses
on the struggles the main character has with social skills, particularly in the school setting.
This fictional tale allows readers to step into David’s thoughts to see the difficulties he
entails while trying to avoid ridicule from his classmates. David is particularly challenged
with comparing himself to a star student named Michael Hunter. As the plot continues,
David battles his own insecurities as he attempts to turn a notoriously unpopular game
at the school Fall Fest into a star game. This book stresses the importance of encouragement, particularly from
parents and teachers, as children grow and learn. Educators, caregivers and students would benefit from reading
this chapter book as important life discussions may stem from the storyline. Topics may include attitudes,
character traits, bullying, cause and effect and empathy. This book captured my attention as it offered insight into
the mind of a young child with ADHD. It may grab your attention as well!
I Know Sasquatch
by Olivia Amiri, age 8
I really liked the message of the story in I Know Sasquatch by Jess Bradley: not to
judge how someone else thinks and don’t judge how someone else looks. Just because
someone looks a certain way or looks different doesn’t mean they are. The story is about
a girl who likes to play in the big forest behind her house. She likes to explore. When
in the forest, she sees a lot of evidence of a monster she’s heard about called Bigfoot. She sees a little fur in the
bushes, an imprint of a big foot in the dirt and sees something running through the bushes. She drops her candy,
leaving a trail behind her and when she turns back, she sees Bigfoot blowing a bubble with her bubble gum candy
that she had dropped. She wasn’t sure about Bigfoot (actual name “Sasquatch”) because of what she had heard
about him. But when she meets Sasquatch, he turns out to be really nice. She gets to learn all about him and they
become friends.
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].
26
27
Back-to-School Reading Guide
Mary-Ellen O’Keefe’s Word-Speaking Diet
by Tom Neely
Mary-Ellen O’Keefe is a smart and happy little girl who loves to talk, sing, ask questions
and speak her mind. That is, until her first day of school where the unfamiliarity of a new
environment makes her nervous and causes her to go on a very unusual “word-speaking
diet.” Unfortunately, Mary-Ellen’s sudden bashfulness at school prevents her new teacher
and classmates from getting to know what a great kid she really is. After a gentle pep
talk from Mom about the importance of speaking up, it’s up to Mary-Ellen to decide if
she’ll be able to muster the courage and confidence to finally let her schoolmates hear her
amazing voice! Available on 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. Available on Amazon.com.
The Fairy Fly
by Lori R. Lopez
A Black Widow queen, a big bad Wolf Spider and a Hit-Mantis are but a few of the
obstacles for a wide-eyed Jumping Spider who must find his way home through a strange
land of giants in this witty fairytale fantasy for kids and adults. Part humorous, part
philosophical, at times poetic … the novel celebrates animals, books and words. View the
planet from a different angle as you take a spiderwalk through the door to adventure. Best
Published Young Adult SciFi/Fantasy, San Diego Book Awards 2014; Honorable Mention,
2014 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards, Young Adult Fiction. Available on Amazon.com.
Queen Vernita Book Series
by Dawn Menge
Come and follow Queen Vernita on her educational adventures. Each year, Queen Vernita
and her 12 wonderful friends learn about the days of the week, months of the year and
seasons. Queen Vernita and her friends explore the Oceaneer’s kingdom, the Blue Ice
mountains, Islands of Enchantment, the coastline, Baja Quails and Gator Country, and they
meet Sir HeathyBean the Astronomer! There are seven books in the Queen Vernita series
(Outskirts Press, $9.95 - $19.95, paperback, children’s fiction/action & adventure). For more
information, visit www.queenvernita.com or email [email protected].
28
Back-to-School Reading Guide
Xalien the Purple Alien: Xalien Goes to School
by Michelle Path
Written in a humorous style, Xalien Goes to School is sure to delight children and parents
alike. In the second book in this series, Xalien revisits Earth and goes to school with Jessica,
Adam and Sarah and finds herself in all sorts of strange situations as she learns more about
the ways of humans. This book will help children understand what school is all about, as well
as teach them tolerance and acceptance. A third book, Xalien Goes to the Zoo will be released
in August. Copies are available through Rowanvale Books and Amazon.com.
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 introduce some new
vocabulary along the way. Published by Authorhouse. Available at Authorhouse.com,
Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com. ISBN 978-14969-7044-2
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.
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. Available on Amazon.com.
To be listed here, contact Cristy Bertini at [email protected] for submission guidelines.
29
Back-to-School Checklist
Homework for Parents:
Your Child’s Back-to-School Health Checklist
Summer fun is almost over for millions of American students. It’s time to put away the
swimsuits, dust off the book bags and head back to school soon.
To ensure that students of all ages go to class in the best possible health, the nation’s
emergency physicians advise parents and guardians to do a little homework of their own
and go through a back-to-school health checklist.
“Nothing is more important than making sure your child’s health is in check,” says Dr. Michael
Gerardi, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians. “Make sure all of the
necessary forms and information are organized and easily available to those who need it.”
30
Checklist
Medical History
Taking the Bus
Organize your child’s medical history records
and emergency medical contact information.
Provide copies of this information to your
child’s school and any daycare providers
with instructions to take it with them to the
emergency department if your child is sick or
injured. The form should include information
related to prescription medications, medical
problems, or previous surgeries as well as
pertinent family history and emergency
contacts. Free forms can be downloaded on
the Emergency Care For You website. An
emergency information form is also available
for children with special needs. Complete a
consent-to-treat form and give copies to the
school nurse and any daycare providers to keep
in your child’s record and to take with them if
your child should need to go to the emergency
department. The form will allow caregivers to
authorize medical treatment.
If your child takes the bus, establish a safe,
visible pick up/drop off spot, preferably with a
group of children and in an area where they can
be clearly seen by adults. If your child drives to
school, make sure he or she obeys all laws and
wears a seatbelt.
Health Issues
Coordinate with the school nurse and your
child’s physician to develop action plans for
any health issues, such as asthma or food
allergies. Communicate these plans to all
appropriate caregivers.
Check-ups
Schedule medical and dental check-ups
before school starts. Some children will need
immunizations. Consider vision and hearing
tests, since impairment can adversely affect
learning. Consider a sports check-up if your
child will be playing sports.
School Route
Review and do a dry run with your child of his
or her route to school, explaining potential
hazards along the way. If your child walks
to school, make sure he or she understands
potential traffic dangers.
Phone Numbers
Make sure your children know how to telephone
for help. Post emergency contact numbers
by every telephone in your home. Have them
practice how to call 911 or the local emergency
number and give their name, address and a brief
description of the problem.
Emergency Plan
Develop a family emergency plan in case
something happens on the way to (or from) and
while at school. Be aware of the emergency and
evacuation plans for your children’s schools.
Athletics
Schoolchildren are not only heading back to
classrooms in a few weeks but they’ll also hit
the athletic fields as well to participate in school
sports. Find out from emergency physicians
about what they are seeing inside their
emergency departments and what your children
should do to protect themselves.
About ACEP
ACEP is the national medical specialty
society representing emergency medicine.
ACEP is committed to advancing emergency
care through continuing education, research
and public education. Headquartered in Dallas,
Texas, ACEP has 53 chapters representing
each state, as well as Puerto Rico and the
District of Columbia. A Government Services
Chapter represents emergency physicians
employed by military branches and other
government agencies.
31
Juicy Jack’s Spanish Corner
¡Hola,
Amigo!
Practice with Juicy Jack:
Draw your classroom including all of the objects
below. Leave space to label each object in Spanish.
Then point to them and say their names aloud
for practice.
¡Vamos a la escuela! - Let’s Go to School!
¡Bienvenidos! Welcome to
Juicy Jack’s Spanish Corner!
¡Bienvenidos! Since pets aren’t allowed to go to
school too, Juicy Jack wants to know what your new
classroom looks like.
Jack: ¿Cómo es tu aula?
Answer him by using this phrase:
You: Hay (object).
Hay is pronounced like “eye.”
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.
Hay means “there is” or “there are.”
www.juicyjackadventures.com
Pronunciation hint:
32
1. Un profesor = a teacher
2. estudiantes = students
3. sillas = chairs
4. escritorios = desks
5. bolígrafos = pens
6. lápices = pencils
7. papel = paper
8. cuadernos = notebooks
9. libros = books
10. mochilas = backpacks
11. loncheras = lunch boxes
12. computadoras = computers
33
Monster Munchies
Strawberry
Oatmeal Bars
The first day of school can be hectic! It may take
some time to get the older kids out of bed after
spending the summer sleeping in, and the little
ones might be too excited to sit still and eat
breakfast. Ree Drummond’s delicious strawberry
oatmeal bars are healthy, filling, and super simple
to make. And, they won’t slow you down during
morning rush hour! We give her an A+!
Ingredients
Directions
1 3/4 sticks salted butter, cut into
pieces, plus more for greasing pan
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Butter a 9-by-13-inch rectangular pan.
11/2 cups all-purpose flour
Mix together the butter, flour, oats, brown
sugar, baking powder and salt. Press half
the oat mixture into the prepared pan.
Spread with the strawberry preserves.
Sprinkle the other half of the oat mixture
over the top and pat lightly. Bake until
light brown, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool
completely, and then cut into squares.
11/2 cup oats
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
One 10 to 12-ounce jar
strawberry preserves
34
Recipe courtesy of Ree Drummond, All Rights Reserved;
© 2015 Television Food Network
35

Larry Fitzgerald

Transcription

Similar documents

the ballad of great garloo`s revenge - all

One Sheet - CMJ Productions II Inc.

your tax return and save a tree.

Created by Devon Meekis - United Way of Thunder Bay

Tom Yezza - Geometric Graphics

HM-6106 - Gravograph

EMS week flier

Tim Holtz® Alcohol Ink Kit

Help the Silly Bus kids get to school!

Foxjet SoloSeries Brochure