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. 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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 StoryMonstersInk.com | SEPTEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters Ink 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 StoryMonstersInk.com | SEPTEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters Ink 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 StoryMonstersInk.com | SEPTEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters Ink 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) StoryMonstersInk.com | SEPTEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters Ink StoryMonstersInk.com | SEPTEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters Ink 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 StoryMonstersInk.com | SEPTEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters Ink 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. StoryMonstersInk.com | SEPTEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters Ink 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 StoryMonstersInk.com | SEPTEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters Ink StoryMonstersInk.com | SEPTEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters Ink 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 StoryMonstersInk.com | SEPTEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters Ink 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. StoryMonstersInk.com | SEPTEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters Ink 13 Activity Page Scramble Fun! 14 StoryMonstersInk.com | SEPTEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters Ink 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 StoryMonstersInk.com | SEPTEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters Ink 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. StoryMonstersInk.com | SEPTEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters Ink 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 StoryMonstersInk.com | SEPTEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters Ink 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. StoryMonstersInk.com | SEPTEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters Ink 19 20 StoryMonstersInk.com | SEPTEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters Ink StoryMonstersInk.com | SEPTEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters Ink 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. StoryMonstersInk.com | SEPTEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters Ink 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. StoryMonstersInk.com | SEPTEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters Ink 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 StoryMonstersInk.com | SEPTEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters Ink 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! StoryMonstersInk.com | SEPTEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters Ink 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 StoryMonstersInk.com | SEPTEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters Ink StoryMonstersInk.com | SEPTEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters Ink 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 StoryMonstersInk.com | SEPTEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters Ink 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. StoryMonstersInk.com | SEPTEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters Ink 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 StoryMonstersInk.com | SEPTEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters Ink 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. StoryMonstersInk.com | SEPTEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters Ink 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 StoryMonstersInk.com | SEPTEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters Ink StoryMonstersInk.com | SEPTEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters Ink 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 StoryMonstersInk.com | SEPTEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters Ink Recipe courtesy of Ree Drummond, All Rights Reserved; © 2015 Television Food Network StoryMonstersInk.com | SEPTEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters Ink 35