Valarie Budayr's Blog, page 23
October 2, 2018
An Early Chapter Book about being an advoCATe of Kindness
Books that share the values of practicing kindness while also working to eliminate bullying are always high on JIAB’s list of books to recommend. Imagine how unique and wonderful it would be to deliver those messages via a brave kitty and his ragtag buddies. The Adventures of Phatty & Payaso (an Early Chapter Book) by Marie Unanue is just THAT kind of book!
An Early Chapter Book about being an advoCATe of Kindness
Phatty the cat is on a mission to stop the bully hawk Crawler from hurting his friends and stealing his mother’s jewelry. This courageous cat and his band of buddies work together to learn about teamwork, kindness, and forgiveness, all while facing their fears in Central Park. Our unlikely heroes are an overweight cat, his know-it-all feline friend Payaso, and Max, a boy on the Autism spectrum. With booby trap plans, sneaky disguises, and an enormous amount of courage and grit, these buddies and a verified menagerie of animal friends come together to save the day.
The Adventures of Phatty & Payaso Book Trailer from Marie U on Vimeo.
An advoCATe of Kindness
Marie’s fascination with Characterlab.org helped her to write a story that would help teach the character skills missing in today’s children. The book focuses on six skills that are lacking in today’s children. They are:
* Curiosity: Taking an interest in ongoing experience for its own sake; finding subjects and topics fascinating; exploring and discovering.
* Gratitude: Being aware of and thankful for the good things that happen; taking time to express thanks.
* Grit: Finishing what one starts; persisting in a course of action in spite of obstacles.
* Self-control: Regulating what one feels and does in the service of goals and standards; being disciplined; controlling one’s emotions.
* Social Intelligence: Being aware of the motives and feelings of other people and oneself; knowing what to do to fit into different social situations; knowing what makes other people tick.
* Zest: Approaching life with excitement and energy; not doing things halfway or halfheartedly; living life as an adventure; feeling alive and activated.
About Marie
We couldn’t help but notice that Marie’s last name “Unanue” looks very similar to the word “unique” and that’s exactly what this savvy businesswoman is!
Marie is not only the author of this new children’s book series, but she is also an avid reader, a kindness advocate, and the former anchor of “Travels with Marie,” a weekly travel review program. She is also the former vice president of sales and marketing of Honeymoons.com and former owner of Beyond Compare Events, an event planning, marketing, and public relations firm.
Her ultimate hope is to inspire children across the world to remember to always treat each other with kindness and compassion.
“Within the pages adventures of Phatty and Payaso, kids will learn about good behavior and how to treat people with kindness,” Marie shared. “Kids can identify with a character’s fear or insecurity and experience the feeling of achievement when the character overcomes it. This is not just a book about an adventure in Central Park, it is a book about kindness, character and overcoming obstacles. Like the best children’s content, though, these books have fun “inside jokes” for the parents reading along, with puns and pop culture references for those older bedside readers.”
Marie is also passionate about the inclusion minority characters in her work and The Adventures of Phatty & Payaso gives equal attention to special needs children, latinx culture, and of course, cat lovers. There’s nothing Marie loves more than the opportunity to visit schools and share The Adventures of Phatty and Payaso” and the message #LetsAllBeKind. Visit her at www.kindallthetime.com
“It only takes a simple act of kindness to start a positive chain reaction within your community. A kind word or deed also inspires others to perform their own small acts of kindness.”
Something To Do
Take the Kindness Challenge with Phatty and Payaso!
If you have ever wanted a superpower like Batman, Superman, Supergirl and many other wonderful superheroes of the world, here is your opportunity. We all have the ability to magically put a smile of someone’s face, lift someone’s spirit and even brighten someone’s day by taking an extra minute and being kind to them. Taking the time to ask how they are, offer a warm smile or include them in your day. Being kind is so powerful and so often forgotten in the hectic world we live in, take the unitive to change that, live by example by being a kindness advocate and taking the kindness challenge. Go here to start your own Kindness Challenge and take the world by storm!
Be A Part of THE KINDNESS CHALLENGE on social media:
Here’s what you need for the kindness challenge. Print out the Be Kindness AdvoCATe sign from the Letsallbekind. com website, attach these cutouts to a pencil, paint stir stick or even a wooden spoon! Then photograph yourself, or yourself and a group of friends, your family, your animal or with anyone you’d like showing an act of kindness. Or simply, do the act of kindness and take a photo with the person you helped with a hashtag #LetsAllBeKind
A Park Adventure!
You may not have the chance to explore Central Park in NYC, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create your own park-related adventures right in your own hometown! MyKidsAdventures.com has some great ideas on 10 Ways to Turn the Local Park into an Adventureland for Kids.
Happy Reading!
The post An Early Chapter Book about being an advoCATe of Kindness appeared first on Jump Into a Book.
September 30, 2018
Weekend Links: Weaving a Love of #Kidlit
Welcome to Weekend Links! This is my chance to share the best-of-the-best in the way of book-inspired fun that I’ve encountered during the course of my online travels.
This week a reoccurring theme that keeps crossing my path is weaving. Books about weaving with amazing activities to go with, to be exact. There were too many wonderful ones to NOT share. Enjoy!
Lump, Lump and the Blanket of Dreams by Gwen Jackson is a wonderful diverse picture book that came across my radar during Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2017. Little bear Lump Lump isn’t ready to go to sleep and hibernate for the winter. Thinking a special blanket will help, his friends Bluebird, Fox, Robin, Hawk, and Mother Bear, helps him gather materials for Spider-Woman to weave him a blanket of dreams.
Colorful Paper Blanket Craft Inspired by Navajo Culture & #Readyourworld Book Review
This book was not only reviewed on The Weaving Ideas a beautiful weaving craft was also included!
As part of my 14 #Kidlit and #YA Books for National Hispanic Heritage Month, I introduced readers to a very special books-Abuela’s Weave by Omar S. Castaneda
Esperanza’s Abuela, her grandmother, is unmatched in her skill in weaving traditional Mayan tapestries. She has shared her gift with her granddaughter, and now they plan to sell their goods at the market. However, the birthmark on Abuela’s face may scare customers away. So Esperanza must cope with the city streets and find buyers alone.
This touching story of personal growth and family pride is illustrated with authentic Guatemalan scenery that gives life to the country’s radiant landscape and bustling city streets. This book can be purchased via publisher Lee & Low’s website or on Amazon.
If you are inspired to do a little weaving yourself at home or in the classroom, be sure and check out this easy paper weaving tutorial video!
Grab some fun colors of construction paper here and get weaving!
Becky at KidWorldCitizen.org has amazing multicultural books and activities to help kids learn about weaving around the world. with these weaving projects for kids, plus read about weaving with these great multicultural books!
Rainbow Weaver/Tejedora del arcoíris By Linda Elovitz Marshall (Illustrated by Elisa Chavarri) is the wildly new picture books published by Lee & Low Books
Ixchel wants to follow in the long tradition of weaving on backstrap looms, just as her mother, grandmother, and most Mayan women have done for more than two thousand years. But Ixchel’s mother is too busy preparing her weavings for the market. If the weavings sell at a good price, they will have money to pay for Ixchel’s school and books. And besides, there is not enough extra thread for Ixchel to practice with.
Disappointed, Ixchel first tries weaving with blades of grass, and then with bits of wool, but no one would want to buy the results. As she walks around her village, Ixchel finds it littered with colorful plastic bags. There is nowhere to put all the bags, so they just keep accumulating.
Suddenly, Ixchel has an idea! She collects and washes the plastic bags. Then she cuts each bag into thin strips. Sitting at her loom, Ixchel weaves the plastic strips into a colorful fabric that looks like a beautiful rainbow—just like the weavings of Mayan women before her.
Rainbow Weaver also comes with a Teacher’s Guide and some free Coloring Pages!
What dreams will YOU weave today?
One More Thing..,
Does your heart long to roam? Find new adventures? Maybe even go on a Pilgrimage?
Evans Bowen’s new book, Pilgrimage: A Modern Seeker’s Guide, speaks to those who crave spiritual travel and soul-seeking adventures.
“A pilgrimage creates a sacred space where your physical body and heart can meet and meld into one. As the sacred space opens more light shines in and new vistas, ideas, languages, and experiences bring you to a new place in your life you could never imagine before.”
A tradition of all religions, Pilgrimage is a journey to sacred sites as an act of devotion and dedication. It is time to expand the definition of Pilgrimage to inform modern life. Taking time to visit a place near home or around the globe, to open the mind and heart to the Divine, brings healing and new meaning to life. Pilgrimage is both an external journey to a place longed for and an internal journey to the center of our most authentic self.
Each part of the journey, from the first desire to visit a holy place, to the return home to integrate the experience, becomes the pilgrimage to expand our world, both body and soul. Combining practical steps for the physical journey and 40 days of inspiration for the spirit, this guidebook gives this time-honored journey to the Divine to inform the whole person in our increasingly fragmented world.
Click here to view deeper details on this beautiful new book.
The post Weekend Links: Weaving a Love of #Kidlit appeared first on Jump Into a Book.
September 25, 2018
Maxi the Taxi Dog app: A fresh spin to a Classic Children’s Book!
Anyone who frequents Jump Into a Book knows that we adore classic children’s books in any form. So imagine our excitement when we learned that the classic picture book, The Adventures of Taxi Dog, has been reborn in the form of an app that provides digital experiences that ignite children’s imaginations!
This amazing app, created by Playing Forward, was specifically designed to support kids’ social-emotional development through entertaining storytelling, movie-quality visual effects, and the use of Augmented Reality.
The original story was published by Penguin Books over 25 years ago. and this timeless picture book still remains popular with parents and educators.
In the original book, Maxi is a homeless mutt in New York City, has always fended for himself. Then one day a kind taxi driver named Jim offers him friendship, a home, and a place in the front seat! From that moment on, Maxi and Jim revel in the sights and sounds of the city, and share all sorts of wild adventures-from rushing two clowns and a chimp to the circus, to singing duets with an opera diva!
Maxi The Taxi Dog 2.0!
The new Maxi the Taxi Dog App is sure to be a winner and this sweet story can be experienced in the form of a can be experienced in two ways: as a “bedtime story” that can be read along with in 3D and as a much more active “exploration” in augmented reality, encouraging the reader to move around and experience the story from multiple viewpoints. This saves you (and your voice) from having to read the same book at bedtime repeatedly, and creates more playtime with the kids as you explore the story together!
Readers can follow Maxi, Jim, and their new friend Tupa going to the Cooper Hewitt Museum in order to help Tupa overcome his fear of the dark. Maxi also learning a few new tricks along the way and this book is excellent for Little who aren’t pro readers. We are excited that this classic is brought to life in such a vibrant way and it will allow a new generation to not only fall in love with Maxi but learn the same important life lessons through play.
One Story-Two Ways to Enjoy
We love how Maxi the Taxi Dog can be experienced in two ways: as a “bedtime story” that can be read along with in 3D and as a much more active “exploration” in augmented reality, encouraging the reader to move around and experience the story from multiple viewpoints. For parents looking for intuitive, non-competitive, individualized play, the Max the Taxi Dog app is just the ticket for reluctant readers! The bonus is that parents can read this fun animated story to their Littles, or let their wee reader explore the story themselves. Win/win!
How this Digital Experience for Kids Came to be
According to studies, social-emotional development is key to success in school and in life. Playing Forward’s name comes from the fact that the company is “playing it forward” to give every child the very best shot at a happy childhood and a successful adulthood. Playing Forward based its app designs on extensive research in the field of social-emotional learning and beta-tested its apps with over 300 children in 18 classrooms across the United States and Canada.
Playing Forward has now launched three character-driven apps based on books: the Penguin Publishing classic, Maxi The Taxi Dog, a story from Stan Lee’s Kids Universe series, Dex T-Tex, and Lizzy’s World featuring the STEAM-powered character from a new independent book series, It’s Just So... Each story can be experienced in two ways: as a ‘bedtime story’ that can be read along with in 3D, and as a much more active ‘exploration’ in augmented reality, encouraging the reader to move around and experience the story from multiple perspectives.
John Attard and Victor Talbot founded Playing Forward after years of entertainment industry successes — including an Academy Award for Visual Effects. They have worked on 100+ films, television & digital series, Broadway & Off-Broadway shows and more. In addition to the VX Oscar for Ridley Scott’s Gladiator, notable projects include work on Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Disney); The Jungle Book (Disney); Superman vs. Batman (Warner Bros.); Guardians of the Galaxy 2 (Marvel); and Avengers 3 (Marvel).
When asked what makes the Max The Taxi Dog app so special, the designer’s at Playing Forward had this to say; “Our award-winning Hollywood effects team fuse 3D animated storytelling and augmented reality to create an engaging environment for Maxi— and kids — to explore while also learning critical social-emotional skills like recognizing and managing one’s emotions.”
Win Your Own Maxi The Taxi Dog App
To celebrate the launch of these apps, Playing Forward is running a contest with the Grand Prize being a whirlwind STEAM-powered weekend of play and exploration in Manhattan!
o The Grand Prize includes air transportation, a two-night hotel stay, a Visa gift card to cover meals, various museum tickets for a family of four.
o It will also include personalized experiences at two of Manhattan’s most unique museums – the Natural History Museum & the Children’s Museum of the Arts.
o The contest’s runner-up will win an iPad.
You can grab your Maxi The Taxi Dog on Google Play or iTunes…OR enter to win one!
I am thrilled to be able to partner with Playing Forward; an innovative company specializes in promoting kids’ products and technology – through public relations, events, social influencers, and social media. Jump Into a Book was compensated for this review and giveaway.
The post Maxi the Taxi Dog app: A fresh spin to a Classic Children’s Book! appeared first on Jump Into a Book.
Love kids’ books? Have I got a deal for you! #ReviewersNeeded
Are you a fan of reading multicultural children’s or YA books and sharing your opinion of that book on social media?
Better yet, would you like to be part of a non-profit online celebration that highlights diversity in kids’ literature in a positive and fun way?
Yes? Perfect.
Then Multicultural Children’s Book Day wants to give you a FREE book to review!
Diverse Children’s Book Reviewers -We need you for MCBD2019! (1/25/19)
If you love diverse books for kids, and have a social media platform to share a review on, we want to give you a FREE diversity book to review!
In a nutshell; you don’t have to be a blogger to review multicultural children’s books for our MCBD 2019 online event. You just need to have a love of diversity in children’s literature and be willing to share on your social media platforms such as Facebook (Pages only-no Facebook profiles), Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, or YouTube.
**We encourage honest Amazon reviews of assigned books whenever possible as well.
SIGN UP HERE to be a MCBD2019 book reviewer or use the embedded form below.
MCBD2019 Book Reviewers: How it All Works
Reviewers can sign up via a Google Sign-up and review a multicultural children’s book for this event.
Reviewers are then “matched” with an author or publisher that will supply them with a free children’s book to review. Reviewers are encouraged to read the books and share their thoughts on the book (a basic book review) in the form of a complete review post that can (optional) contain fun book-related activities that will bring the story to life.
Once their book review post is live (any time between January 1 and January 25, 2019 is good), reviewers are invited to “link up” their blog post on the Linky that will be found on any of our CoHosts’ sites and also the MCCBD website. This linky will go live on January 25th..
Reviewer sign-up for 1/25/2019 (NOTE: We will not be shipping out any books for the 2019 online event until Nov/Dec of 2018!)
Important MCBD Links
The Multicultural Children’s Book Day website and view our booklists, reading resources and other useful multicultural information.
Multicultural Books for Kids Pinterest Board has even more reading ideas.
Watch for the #ReadYourWorld hashtag on social media and share
List of our CoHosts- https://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/about/co-hosts/
Our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MulticulturalChildrensBookDay
-Our Twitter https://twitter.com/MCChildsBookDay
Our Paper.li https://paper.li/MCChildsBookDay/1419776073#
Our Instagram Account: https://www.instagram.com/readyourworldmcbd/
Our Facebook Group {please join!}: https://www.facebook.com/groups/259709034187671/
**Our official hashtag is #ReadYourWorld***
SUMMARY OF THE EVENT
FIRST, a giant blog tour —
so that readers, parents, teachers, librarians, and caregivers can explore lots of books with diversity content via book reviews, book lists, and links.
SECOND, a giant networking event —
to connect organizers, sponsors, co-hosts, bloggers, and others interested in expanding awareness of, and promotion of multicultural children’s books.
THIRD, a virtual book drive —
to place multicultural books in locations where they are needed.
Following the book review, you will find information and links for the generous SPONSORS, CO-HOSTS, and PARTNERS of the MCCBD global event.
Have Questions? Email the MCBD Project Manager at Becky (at) MulticulturalChildrensBookDay (dot)com.
MCBD2019 Book Reviewer Sign Up
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The post Love kids’ books? Have I got a deal for you! #ReviewersNeeded appeared first on Jump Into a Book.
September 23, 2018
Learning about diverse cultures: The Adventures of Joy Sun Bear
“On an ever-shrinking planet, cultural diversity and respect are becoming more prominent topics every day.
We strive for a world where children will feel safe sharing their diversity and uniqueness because they accept others with respect and kindness.”
Joy Sun Bear has been delighting and teaching young fans and parents about diverse cultures for years. But now this inquisitive young bear is embarking on a new kind of adventure; the star in a children’s book! The Adventures of Joy Sun Bear: The Blue Amber of Sumatra is going to be the first in a children’s chapter book series, about a little sun bear’s magical adventure around the world!
Perfect for ages 6-10.
BOOK DESCRIPTION
Can one sun bear change the world?
Joy Sun Bear spends his days running through the rainforest, eating figs and honey, and teasing his sister. But everything changes when animals escaping the destruction of another forest arrive near his home.
If adjusting to new strangers wasn’t challenging enough, sacred figs go missing and chaos erupts when rumors of a curse begin to spread. To help restore peace in the rainforest, Joy sets out on an adventure filled with illusions, danger, and a mystical stone.
Can Joy discover his inner magic, help his new friends, and accept a mission that will alter his destiny forever?
From Sunday 9/23 to Wednesday 9/25, get the ebook of The Adventures of Joy Sun Bear: The Blue Amber of Sumatra FOR FREE!!
About Joy Sun Bear
Joy Sun Bear promotes learning about the world’s diverse cultures by crafting a positive, fun, and kid-safe online experience. Through a wide selection of resources, and a cast of characters kids can relate to, parents and educators alike can explore the world with their kids and develop their global awareness with love and respect.
EMPOWER, ENCOURAGE AND EDUCATE OUR CHILDREN
Share the world with your children using stories, resources, and activities available on our website.
You will find lots of information about the world, diverse cultures, global issues, and social-emotional learning through activities and products that help:
EMPOWER children to respect and celebrate who they are
ENCOURAGE children to embrace diversity and connect with other people and cultures
EDUCATE children to be proactive global citizens and take action to make positive changes in the world
Blanca Carranza: Co-Author
Blanca Carranza is a former preschool teacher and globetrotter. Born in New York to Colombian parents, she spent her early life traveling around the world and listening to her grandmothers’ stories. She has visited fifteen countries across four continents. Her passion for exploring the world, combined with her study of child development, created a unique atmosphere in each of the daycares and preschools she has owned and operated.
From international music to food, to art, she brought the world to the children she cared for. Before retiring from childcare, she was inspired to create Joy Sun Bear and his adventures so she could continue to help children be happier and learn more about the world. She has two kids of her own, both all grown up, and lives in Southern California with her husband.
John Lee: Co-Author/Illustrator
From driving tanks in the U.S. Army to problem-solving in the IT world, to writing and drawing cute and cuddly animals on magical adventures, John’s life has been fun and diverse. Drawing and storytelling have always been important hobbies for John. Fueled by books, video games, and copious amounts of coffee, he is always excited to read, watch, or create some adventure-filled fiction. John adores time with his wife and daughter, who provide a limitless supply of love, inspiration, and motivation. Together they live in sunny Southern California.
Something To Do
Get to know Joy Sun Bear!
Learn about Sumatra:
Sumatra, Indonesian Sumatera, an Indonesian island, the second largest (after Borneo) of the Greater Sunda Islands, in the Malay Archipelago. It is separated in the northeast from the Malay Peninsula by the Strait of Malacca and in the south from Java by the Sunda Strait. This island has experienced many natural and man-made setbacks but has always rallied and become stronger.
Read about Joy’s travel journal about Sumatra HERE.
Check out these Free Character Coloring Sheets and Reading Comprehension Crossword Puzzle for Download:
The post Learning about diverse cultures: The Adventures of Joy Sun Bear appeared first on Jump Into a Book.
September 21, 2018
A #MGbook for Rick Riordan fans: The Storm Runner (+ a Giveaway!)
Just released from Rick Riordan’s imprint, The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes does not disappoint and lives up to the imprint name!
I’m so happy to be partnering with the Disney Book Group for this amazing giveaway.
The Storm Runner- The Runner Novel: Book 1
Let me start by saying that The Storm Runner hits really close to home for me. First, right after I finish this blog post I’ll be traveling to New Mexico for a long-awaited adventure, I mean vacation. Second, I use to own property in Western New Mexico and it had a volcano on it and I could see 7 others. I wish I had known an entrapped Mayan god lived inside, I would have been so down with that.
The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes reads like a Rick Riordan book should. The story is captivating from the first sentence and you end up skipping meals, appointments, soccer practices, and bedtimes, just so you can keep reading. When it finally ends you start a countdown calendar until the next book in the series comes out.
J.C. Cervantes is a brilliant storyteller who weaves myth, legend, and heartfelt characters into the fold. Some of those characters you want as friends and family, and some you don’t. All of them, you will have a reaction to.
How can one boy with a limp stop the Maya god of death, disaster, and darkness from destroying the world?
Zane has always enjoyed exploring the dormant volcano near his home in New Mexico, even though hiking it is challenging. He’d much rather hang out there with his dog, Rosie than go to middle school, where kids call him Sir Limps a Lot, McGimpster, or Uno – for his one good leg.
What Zane doesn’t know is that the volcano is a gateway to another world and he is at the center of a powerful prophecy. A new girl at school, Brooks, informs him that he’s destined to release an evil god from the ancient Maya relic he is imprisoned in–unless she can find and remove it first. Together they return to the volcano, where all kinds of crazy happen. Brooks turns into a hawk, a demon attacks them in a cave, and Rosie gives her all while trying to protect Zane. When Zane decides to save his dog no matter the cost, he is thrust into an adventure full of surprising discoveries, dangerous secrets, and an all-out war between the gods, one of whom happens to be his father.
To survive, Zane will have to become the Storm Runner. But how can he run when he can’t even walk well without a cane?
Grab a copy of this book on Amazon Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, and on Rick’s website.
About the Author
J.C. Cervantes is the author of Tortilla Sun, which was called “a beautiful and engaging debut” by Kirkus, an “imaginative, yet grounded novel” by Publishers Weekly, and “lean and lightly spiced with evocative metaphor” by School Library Journal. Tortilla Sun was a 2010 New Voices pick by the American Booksellers Association and it was named to Bank Street’s 2011 Best Book List. When Jennifer isn’t reading or writing, she’s helping her husband with his gubernatorial campaign.
About Rick Riordan Presents
The Rick Riordan Presents imprint is dedicated to providing entertaining middle-grade fiction based on various world mythologies. Rick Riordan is involved in the selection, editing, and promotion of these books, working with great authors to tell exciting stories inspired by the mythologies of their own heritage. Learn more about the imprint and its current and upcoming titles on their official site.
A HUGE thank you to Disney Book Group for partnering with me for a giveaway!
But First…Something To Do
New Mexican Hot Chocolate
New Mexican Hot ChocolateIn The Storm Runner, Zane is introduced to the elixir of the Mayan gods, hot chocolate. They even have a goddess of hot chocolate named Ixkakaw. She was a fertility goddess worshipped in Meso-America. Her name means Coco Woman. She is part of the Mayan creation myth and brought into being the twins. She taught the people about agriculture and how to plant, tend, and harvest their fields. During this time the Meso-American world was a matriarchial society. She was a compassionate goddess who cared for her people.
Then everything changed.
Ixkakaw was turned into a business, meaning her cocoa beans were used as money. Soon her cocoa beans were the “food of the gods” and only available to rulers and warriors. Soon there was famine and drought and many people suffered. There was unbridled gluttony in the land. Montezuma, a very famous ruler, was drinking 40-50 goblets of hot chocolate a day.
The goddess of love put an end to all of this nonsense. The people no longer sang, or danced. People were starving and hungry and the land was no longer bountiful.
The goddess of love in her gratitude to Ixkakaw, reminded the people that there was more to life than just working for rulers. In paying homage to Ixkakaw, The Goddess of Love adorned her with flowers and beads from head to toe. Ixkakaw was allowed to return to her people.
No more work without rest.
No more work without time for family and friends,
No more work without time for music and dance.
And above all . . .
No more work without love.
New Mexico also has its own hot chocolate story. I frequently visit Chaco Canyon. There, the ancient Pueblo people lived about 800 to a 1000 years ago. There were trade routes between Mexico and Chaco Canyon. While excavating these beautiful ancient ruins, they discovered several long cylinder jars. When they sent them to be tested they discovered that the residue in them was hot chocolate.
New Mexican Hot Chocolate Recipe:
Important: Do this the night before you need it.
Ingredients
3 heaping tablespoons dark Dutch cocoa powder
1 pint of half and half
4 cups 2% milk
2 dried New Mexican red chiles ( to taste), stemmed, seeded, and crumbled (Hatch chilies are the best)
1 teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
¼ teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons sugar ( add more to taste)
Whipped Cream
Instructions
The Night Before:
In a large pitcher, gently whisk together the half and half, and cocoa powder until smooth. Stir in the milk, chiles, spices, and salt. Refrigerate overnight.
Next Morning
Strain the milk mixture into a large pot. Add the sugar to taste then warm over medium-low heat for approximately 20 minutes, or until bubbles begin to form around the edges and the chocolate is heated through. Stir occasionally as it heats.
Pour into mugs and add whipped cream if desired.
Important Detail:
It is difficult to judge how spicy the chocolate will be until after the spices have infused in the milk overnight. Wait for at least four hours before adjusting the spices to avoid making the hot chocolate too spicy.
( This recipe modified from the Santa Fe Folk Art Museum’s version)
New Mexico Volcano Coloring Page
The New Mexico volcanos and calderas are stunningly beautiful. Here’s a really fun and knowledgeable coloring page from the New Mexico Natural History Museum.
Mayan Gods and Goddesses
Explore and Discover more about the Mayans here.
GIVEAWAY DETAILS
ONE winner will receive a copy of The Storm Runner plus a branded umbrella and Mexican hot chocolate!
Giveaway begins September 21, 2018
Prizing and samples provided by Disney Book Group.
Giveaway open to US addresses only
Residents of USA only, please.
Must be 18 years or older to enter
One entry per household.
Staff and family members of Audrey Press or Disney are not eligible.
Grand Prize winner has 48 hours to claim the prize.
Winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter on October 6, 2018
The post A #MGbook for Rick Riordan fans: The Storm Runner (+ a Giveaway!) appeared first on Jump Into a Book.
September 20, 2018
6 Worldwide Ways to Celebrate Gratitude #WorldGratitudeDay
World Gratitude Day was started by the United Nations Mediation Group and it takes place on and offline every year on September 21st.
It is the perfect opportunity to remind us to step back and think about what we are thankful for.
No matter what corner of the earth you reside, feeling and expressing gratitude is universal.
History of World Gratitude Day
The celebration started in 1965 in Hawaii when an international gathering decided that it would be a good idea to have one day per year to formally express gratitude and appreciation for the many wonderful things to be found in the world. Following the meeting in Hawaii, many attendees marked Gratitude Day on 21st September 1966 when back in their own countries. Ever since then, the number of people celebrating Gratitude Day across the world has grown and grown.
Be thankful for your community: Whether you live in a community, a tribe or a village, the people who inhabit this space with you are vitally important to your life. Our communities support us, guide us, pick us up when we fall and applaud us when we are victorious. Who in your community has made an impact on your life? Then take your gratitude one step further and thank them for being a part of your life.
Meet Your World: As important as it is to know how the planet is laid out by countries, capitals, people, religions, languages etc, it’s also equally important to meet different people from a variety of people on our planet. Go to a celebration from another culture near you. Finding a pen-pal with someone from another country is another way to make a connection with someone else on the planet.
Give thanks and give back to Mother Earth: Plant a tree, pick up garbage, protect wildlife, join the #FeedABee Movement to help our pollinators, re-use, compost, skip the plastic bags and buy locally grown.
Appreciate Where You Came from: Your family tree may have a few nuts hanging in the branches, but they are all a part of your history. Pull your family close and hug them tight. Start a family ancestry project. Call a relative you haven’t spoken to in a while. Embrace all of their quirks and gifts.
Read books about gratitude with your children: Books about kindness are fairly easy to find. Books on gratitude are a little hard to come by. Great picture books that help young readers understand the message of gratitude include, TODAY I AM GRATEFUL: ADVENTURES IN GRATITUDE by Lorraine, Miller, Grateful: A Song of Giving Thanks
by John Bucchino (Author), Anna-Liisa Hakkarainen (Illustrator), and The Blessings Jar by Colleen Coble
Make a Gratitude Tree: Reminders of how lucky we are in life is always a good thing. Create a Gratitude tree and challenge each family member or student to write down five “little things” they are grateful for (the sun, a snuggly pet, etc.) and five “big things” (food in the fridge, a roof over your heads, etc) and write them on the leaves of your Tree.
The benefits of cultivating a life of appreciation and awareness are beyond measure. Trust me, if you look for the bad in life; you will find it.
Instead, work to raise your awareness about all the GOOD in your life and in the world. I promise it will help shift your perspective towards one of appreciation and positive reflection. And the best way to cultivate this in kids is to lead by example. If adults make a point to acknowledge and be grateful for the good in the world, young people will do the same.
The hope of the founders of Gratitude Day is that by taking time, one day a year, to reflect on the many amazing things we have in our lives, it would positively impact our well-being and make us happier, more contented people.
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Did you know that 70% of all kids quit organized sports by the age of 13, with girls quitting at 6x the rate of boys?
Alison Foley, Boston College’s Women’s Head Soccer Coach, and Mia Wenjen, parenting blogger at PragmaticMom.com, help coaches — both parent volunteer and professional — crack the code of how to keep girls in sports. As a mother of two daughters who played a lot of sports, Mia provides personal accounts to illustrate issues discussed throughout the book. Alison, also a mother of a young female athlete, has hands-on advice from coaching young women professionally for more than two decades.
Volunteer parents and experienced coaches alike will find invaluable advice on creating a successful team that motivates girls to stay in sports beyond the middle school years. Twenty-two chapters cover major issues, including how to pick captains, the importance of growth mindset, issues around body image and puberty, as well as the challenges of coaching your own daughter.
In addition, fifteen professional coaches from a range of sports, including former Olympian athletes, give their advice on what girls need from a coach to allow them to flourish in sports, and most importantly, have fun. This is a hands-on manual to help coaches keep girls in sports! Go HERE to read more about this much-needed resource for parents and coaches.
The post 6 Worldwide Ways to Celebrate Gratitude #WorldGratitudeDay appeared first on Jump Into a Book.
September 18, 2018
14 #Kidlit and #YA Books for National Hispanic Heritage Month
September is a month packed with so many important events, remembrances and National observations.
One important one here is Jump Into A Book is National Hispanic Heritage Month.
From September 15 to October 15, these 30 days are a prime opportunity to honor and celebrate Latino and Hispanic cultures, heritages, and contributions in America.
Arturo and the Navidad Birds: It’s time for Arturo and his Central American grandmother, Abue Rosa, to decorate their Christmas tree. Abue Rosa shares with him the family history of each ornament as it is hung. But what happens when Arturo plays with—and breaks—a glass bird? Young readers will find out in this touching, bilingual picture book. Arturo is an International Latina Book Award Winner: Second Place for Bilingual Children’s Fiction Picture Book.
Ten-year-old Margie has spent her entire life trying to fit in—to pass as an American—despite the fact that her parents were born in Mexico. Then, her Mexican cousin Lupe comes to live with them, and her plan goes awry. At first, she resents Lupe for her foreign ways and for monopolizing her parents’ attention; later, she comes to love Lupe as a sister and appreciate the Mexican part of her heritage. Margie begins to master Spanish, enjoys celebrating Navidad, and participates in a Cinco de Mayo folklorico dance at school. Ada, the author of many multicultural titles, including Tales Our Abuelitas Told: A Hispanic Folktale Collection (2006), and Zubizarreta write knowingly of the difficulties of a life lived in two cultures. A subplot involving Lupe’s father (who came to America illegally and later abandoned his family) is also well handled, as is the inclusion of a Ruben Dario poem, “To Margarita.”
Amalia’s best friend, Martha, is moving away, and Amalia is feeling sad and angry. And yet, even when life seems unfair, the loving, wise words of Amalia’s abuelita have a way of making everything a little bit brighter. Amalia finds great comfort in times shared with her grandmother: cooking, listening to stories and music, learning, and looking through her treasured box of family cards. But when another loss racks Amalia’s life, nothing makes sense anymore. In her sorrow, will Amalia realize just how special she is, even when the ones she loves are no longer near?
My Name is Maria Isabel by Alma Flor Ada
María Isabel, a Hispanic child growing up in the U.S., begins having problems in her new classroom when her teacher changes her name to Mary. This compelling portrait of an experience common to many language minority children inspires discussions on self-identity and biculturalism. “Captures the authentic flavor of Latino culture in this warm, yet never sentimental, story: an entire family genealogy is encapsulated in a Latino name, as well as special connections between its bearer and the relatives for whom she was named. Presented in realistic terms, María Isabel’s struggles will ring true to many children in the US.
Tales Our Abuelitas Told by F. Isabel Campoy and Alma Flor Ada
Twelve stories from varied roots of Hispanic culture come together in a colorful collection that includes talking ants, magic bagpipes, dancing goats, and flying horses. In some cases the tales emphasize a moral, such as looking for the good in any bad situation as in “Catlina the Fox.” In others, the story illustrates the importance of friends, as in the case of “The Bird of One Thousand Colors.”
Abuela’s Weave by Omar S. Castaneda
Esperanza’s Abuela, her grandmother, is unmatched in her skill in weaving traditional Mayan tapestries. She has shared her gift with her granddaughter, and now they plan to sell their goods at the market. However, the birthmark on Abuela’s face may scare customers away. So Esperanza must cope with the city streets and find buyers alone.
This touching story of personal growth and family pride is illustrated with authentic Guatemalan scenery that gives life to the country’s radiant landscape and bustling city streets. This book can be purchased via publisher Lee & Low’s website or on Amazon.
La Familia Cool by Dania Santana
‘La Familia Cool: El tesoro más valioso / The most valuable treasure’ is the first bilingual picture book by Dania Santana, and talks about celebrating diversity, 
family values and identity within a Latino family.
The book tells the story of two cousins, who refuse to go to school to the surprise of their moms. Excited by the promise of seeing a family treasure, the kids agree to go to school. Later, they are thrilled to go on the journey of the most valuable treasure and your children will be too!
The Most Valuable treasure is a sweet story to read aloud for kids 6 to 9 years old. It is a great tool in the classroom to talk about heritage, cultural diversity, fitting in, preventing bullying and much more. This book is available on the author’s website or on Amazon.
Las Estrellas De los Reyes Magos by Tere Rodriguez-Nora
It was a beautiful night. The sky was clear and full of stars. Benjamin could distinguish three in particular that twinkled more than the others.
With the help of his grandfather, Benjamin discovers the magical story behind these stars and the tradition of the Day of the Three Kings.
This title was selected as a finalist in the 18th Annual International Latino Book Awards in the category “Best Latino Focused Children’s Picture Book – Spanish.”
Alicia Alonso: Prima Ballerina by Carmen Bernier-Grand
Alicia Alonso’s artistic achievements are remarkable, considering that she became partially blind and lost her peripheral vision at age nineteen. From 
childhood, she exhibited a passion for dancing, studying first in Cuba and later in New York City, where she became an overnight sensation in Giselle and was promoted to principal dancer in Ballet Theater. Returning to Cuba in 1948, she founded her own company, which eventually folded due to lack of funding. In 1959 the Cuban government gave her enough money to establish a new dance school,
Ballet Nacional de Cuba, which Alonso directs to this day.
In elegant free verse and stunning artwork rendered in watercolor, colored pencils, and lithograph pencils on watercolor paper, Carmen T. Bernier-Grand and Raúl Colón capture the seminal events in Alonso’s life. The back matter includes a biography, Alonso’s ballets, choreography, and awards, a glossary, sources, notes, and websites.
Esperanza Rising by Pam Muoz Ryan
Esperanza thought she’d always live with her family on their ranch in Mexico–she’d always have fancy dresses, a beautiful home, and servants. But a sudden tragedy forces Esperanza and Mama to flee to California during the Great Depression, and to settle in a camp for Mexican farm workers.
Esperanza isn’t ready for the hard labor, financial struggles, or lack of acceptance she now faces. When their new life is threatened, Esperanza must find a way to rise above her difficult circumstances–Mama’s life, and her own, depend on it.
Gracias /Thanks by Pat Mora
There are so many things to be thankful for.
For one young boy, it’s
flying ladybugs,
splashing ocean waves,
a best friend,
Dad’s thick chocolate syrup,
and much more.
Straight from the heart of a child flows this lighthearted bilingual celebration of family, friendship, and fun. Come and share the joy, and think about all the things for which you can say, “¡Gracias! Thanks!”
How Tia Lola Ended Up Starting Over by Julia Alvarez
Welcome to Tía Lola’s bed and breakfast! With the help of her niece and nephew and the three Sword Sisters, Tía Lola is opening the doors of Colonel Charlebois’ grand old Vermont house to visitors from all over. But Tía Lola and the children soon realize that running a B & B isn’t as easy they had initially thought—especially when it appears that someone is out to sabotage them! Will Tía Lola and the kids discover who’s behind the plot to make their B & B fail? And will Tía Lola’s family and friends be able to plan her a surprise birthday party in her own B & B without her finding out?
The Surrender Tree-Poems of Cuba’s Struggle for Freedom by Margarita Engle
Who could have guessed that after all these years,
the boy I called Lieutenant Death
when we were both children
would still be out here, in the forest,
chasing me, now,
hunting me, haunting me . . .
It is 1896. Cuba has fought three wars for independence and still is not free. People have been rounded up in concentration camps with too little food and too much illness.
Rosa is a nurse, but with a price on her head for helping the rebels, she dares not go to the camps. Instead, she turns hidden caves into hospitals for those who know how to find her. Black, white, Cuban, Spanish—Rosa does her best for everyone. Yet who can heal a country so torn apart by war?
Fefa struggles with words. She has word blindness or dyslexia, and the doctor says she will never read or write. Every time she tries, the letters jumble and spill off the page, leaping away like bullfrogs. How will she ever understand them?
But her mother has an idea. She gives Fefa a blank book filled with clean white pages. “Think of it as a garden,” she says.
Soon Fefa starts to sprinkle words across the pages of her wild book. She lets her words sprout like seedlings, shaky at first, then growing stronger and surer with each new day. And when her family is threatened, it is what Fefa has learned from her wild book that saves them.
Something To Do | Why is Hispanic Heritage Month important?
Within Hispanic Heritage Month’s classroom section they’ve brought together helpful resources for learning about Hispanic Heritage Month and Hispanic and Latino culture! This section includes articles, links, videos, activities and much more to help readers, parents and teachers learn about this important celebration.
For a list of classroom ideas click here!
Make your own woven basket like in Abuela’s Weave by Omar S. Castaneda .
Use construction paper or other materials to make a weave of your own!
The post 14 #Kidlit and #YA Books for National Hispanic Heritage Month appeared first on Jump Into a Book.
September 13, 2018
4 Awesomely BIG books for SMALL humans
Is it bedtime yet? Yes? No? Does it matter?
No! Anytime is a good time to read BOOKS!
Big books, little books, books of any size.
Pick one. No, pick TWO. How about FOUR?
Yes!
4 Awesomely BIG books for SMALL humans. Enjoy!
I Sleep in a BIG BED by Maria van Lieshout
Every child’s life is filled with milestones.
Some happen easily; others need a little extra push to “get there.” Artist and mom, Maria van Lieshout, knows this for an absolute fact! Drawing from her own personal experiences, she’s created a wonderful series of books including her latest from the Big Kid Power series published by Chronicle Books comes I Sleep in a BIG BED. This book and others in her Big Kid Power series are perfect for the kids that are on the brink of major change and the parents and caregivers who love them. Simple and funny, this hardcover easy reader picture book will support and encourage young readers so they can proclaim “I’m a Big Kid!”
Sylvia Long’s BIG BOOK for Small Children
Sylvia Long has been creating bestselling children’s books for more than 25 years. Her edition of Mother Goose rhymes is a modern classic, and Sylvia Long’s Big Book for Small Children, her latest compendium, is destined to become another nursery staple. From beloved stories like “The Three Little Pigs” and important early childhood concepts (colors, counting, ABCs) to her own family’s favorite recipes and lullabies, this warm, joyous, and comprehensive collection is the perfect start to every child’s library.
This 104-page picture book (hardcover) is perfect for some quiet time reading with 2-4-year-olds and makes old school nursery rhyme-loving moms and dads giddy with glee. Grab your copy on Amazon or on the Chronicle Books website.
Cycle City by Alison Farrell
Tour around town on all kinds of bikes!
When little Etta the Elephant goes to her Aunt Ellen’s house, she takes a journey through bicycle-filled Cycle City, a town filled with bikes of all kinds! At the end of the day, a special surprise awaits Etta—the most amazing bicycle parade imaginable. Detail-rich illustrations in this fun seek-and-find book paint the colors of this unusual town where everyone rides some kind of bike—whether a penny-farthing, a two-wheeled unicycle, or a conference bike, everyone is on wheels! Packed with prompts and lots to see on every page, this is a sweet story for the sharpest of eyes. For ages 2-5 years. Hardcover. Grab your copy on Amazon.
Big Bunny by Rowboat Watkins
The book title says it all! Kind of.
“Watkin’s glee in crafting a near anarchic tale is infectious.”-Kirkus Reviews
Once upon a time there was a book about . . .
MONSTERS!
No.
SPACE ALIENS?
Nope . . . a BUNNY!
A GIANT SCARY TRUCK-EATING BUNNY?!?
Um . . . well, maybe it was a tiny bit big.
From the curious mind of Rowboat Watkins comes a ginormously imaginative story that is as funny as it is philosophical. How big is Big Bunny? And how will this story end? Delightfully meta and humorously subversive, Big Bunny will take its place as the next go-to story about stories. Grab your copy of this hilarious hardcover for kids ages 4-7 HERE.
How about you? What Awesomely BIG books will you snuggle up with today?
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September 11, 2018
Read*Learn*Participate: 3 ways to help save our Monarchs
The Monarch migration has been going on for thousands of years and is one of the many wonders of our world. And as I type these words, millions and millions of monarch butterflies are migrating as much as 20,000 miles to Mexico for the winter.
Monarchs also need our help! In recent decades the Monarch Butterfly population has declined by almost 90 percent. Some of this is due to excess tree harvest and over-logging in their over-winter sites. But it also has to do with their food source; milkweed plants. Milkweed plans used to be as common as mud, but over the years that plant has declined as a result of sprays and chemicals used by farmers to protect crops that harm the milkweed the caterpillars need to survive. Removed milkweed from their habitat is making it harder and harder for butterflies to find food.
The best way to make a difference in the world is through education and actions. With that in mind, here are a handful of Family-Friendly ways to help save our Monarchs.
Family-Friendly ways to help save our Monarchs/ Books
Check out these 21 Books for All-Ages About Monarch Butterflies and the Monarch Migration at Study for Common Things
Becky at Kid World Citizen has a great tutorial about teaching your children about monarch butterflies, details about their migration and life cycle via some wonderful books, sites, videos, and activities!
75+ Butterfly Books for Kids from Parenting Chaos
Family-Friendly ways to help save our Monarchs/ Butterfly Activities
I love the idea of teaching children how to raise these amazing animals and these butterfly kits may be just the ticket.
To grow into an adult, Monarch butterflies go through 4 stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. To fully understand the complexity of this natural miracle, check out this article about The Life Cycle of the Monarch here.
Family-Friendly ways to help save our Monarchs/ Learn More
Explore Life Moore has an excellent article on the what, the why and the how of raising Monarchs.
Where do Monarchs go in the fall? Learn more about the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Mexico City.
Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve
Reserva de Biosfera de la Mariposa Monarca
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Entrance of Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve
Location in Mexico
Location
Michoacán–Mexico State border
Nearest city
Mexico City
Coordinates
Area
56,000 hectares
Established
1980 (as a wildlife refuge)
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Type
Natural
Criteria
vii
Designated
2008 (32nd session)
Reference no.
1290
State Party
Mexico
Region
Latin America and the Caribbean
The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (Spanish: Reserva de Biosfera de la Mariposa Monarca) is a World Heritage Site containing most of the over-wintering sites of the eastern population of the monarch butterfly. The reserve is located in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt pine-oak forestsecoregion on the border of Michoacán and State of Mexico, 100 km (62 miles), northwest of Mexico City. Millions of butterflies arrive in the reserve annually. Butterflies only inhabit a fraction of the 56,000 hectares of the reserve from October–March. The biosphere’s mission is to protect the butterfly species and its habitat.
Most of the over-wintering monarchs from eastern North America are found here. Western researchers discovered these areas in 1975. Presidential decrees in the 1980s and 2000 designated these still privately held areas as a federal reserve. The Reserve was declared a Biosphere Reserve in 1980 and a World Heritage Site in 2008. The reserve remains predominantly rural. Reserve administrators continue to be concerned with deleterious effects of illegal logging and tourism. Conservation efforts sometimes conflict with the interests of local farmers, community-based landowners, private landowners, and indigenous people.[1][2]
Family-Friendly ways to help save our Monarchs/ Participate
Participate in the Symbolic Migration with other teachers in Mexico
The Symbolic Migration unites children across North America through the migration of symbolic ambassador butterflies. This fall 60,000 students across the globe will create symbolic monarch butterflies and send them to Mexico. Children who live beside the monarchs’ winter sanctuaries in Mexico will protect the paper butterflies and return them in the spring. See Teacher’s Packet for step-by-step instructions. Learn more here.
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