Lisa Cohn's Blog, page 13
September 18, 2015
7-Yr-Old Book Reviewer Says Kids’ Dog Book Teaches Life Lesson
By Lisa and Michael Cohn
We love dog books that teach life lessons! In our latest kids’ dog book review, Michael, age 7, reviews “Brave Nellie,” and says (in his own words) that this book teaches kids to be brave and open to new experiences.
The book begins with Nellie as a dog who lives on the beach. But she’s soon rescued and flown to her forever home. Watch Michael’s review below:
Sadly, the author, Sharalyn Morrison-Andrews, sent us a note this week saying Nellie had passed away suddenly of cancer.
“I am consoled in knowing that she died surrounded by her loving ‘forever family’ and not alone on the beach of the Dominican Republic,” she told us.
We quickly put together this review in the hopes of cheering her up a little with Michael’s enthusiasm about her book.
We know what it’s like to lose a dog to cancer. The sudden death of our dear Lucy two years ago prompted us to write our “Bash and Lucy” book series and to do kids’ dog book reviews on YouTube.
Not only do dogs, like Brave Nellie, teach important life lessons. They change lives–the way Lucy changed ours. Our love for her and sadness about her death launched our Bash and Lucy project and took us in directions we never imagined going. Like Sharalyn, our goal is to teach kids all about the wonders of the canine-human connection, and all that kids can learn from dogs.
As you’ll learn if you watch the video, we’re about to launch a new website and YouTube Channel called Roving Reader Leaders. On this website, kids lead the KidLit discussion! If you’re an author, you can send us books to review or sign up for our newsletter here: RovingReaderLeaders.com If you’re a teacher or parent, you can sign up your kids up to join our club!
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September 11, 2015
Boys, Age 7-9, Record Kids’ Audiobook Offered Free to Schools During Author Visits
Boys Record Kids’ Audiobook
“Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy” Audiobook Recorded by Four Boys for School Kids
We just released our latest kids’ audiobook, “Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy,” which features the voices of four young boys: Michael, age 7 (co-author of the book), Edward, age 9, and twins Matthew and Adam, age 7.
Next week, we’ll begin sending the CDs of our new audiobook to the schools we work with via our Skype in the Classroom lessons. Our aim is to inspire other kids to write their own books and record them!
When we do our author visits in schools (via Skype and in person), kids tell us they like the audiobooks because they love hearing the voices of the children whose faces appear in the books.
The faces (and personalities) of three of our voice-over artists are featured in our books. “Bash” is based on Michael, and Adam and Matthew are based on the real-life twins. Watch the boys in action and listen to a preview of our new “Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy” audiobook here:
We create audiobooks in part because Michael loves them so much. His favorite audiobooks include the series “Nate the Great,” “A to Z Mysteries,” and “Magic Tree House.” We just asked our library to put on hold a “Ready Freddy” audiobook.
In addition, we think that kids benefit in big ways from listening to audiobooks. First of all, listening while looking at a book helps kids learn how to read. Second, kids get a fresh perspective and new information. When kids hear a book read out loud by someone other than their parent, they tend to “see” the book in a different light. When Michael and I listened to the “Nate the Great” audiobooks over and over, Michael pointed out a number of new details about the books. Actor John Lavelle’s voice really brought life to the characters, including Sludge, the adorable dog detective. Michael pointed out that Rosamond is ever stranger when Lavelle reads her part! And Sludge is even cuter–if that’s possible.
And third, when kids listen to audiobooks, they benefit because they get to hear the whole story–without a parent falling asleep while reading!
Our audiobooks will soon be available in digital format on Audible.com and are now available in CD format on our website here.
As always, email us at BashAndLucy@gmail.com if you have questions or comments!
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August 21, 2015
Book Lover, Age 7, Gives Advice to Young Readers at Bookstores & Libraries
Book Lovers Give Thumbs Up to Books for Young Readers
By Lisa Cohn and Michael Cohn
Michael, age 7, loves to give advice to young readers at bookstores and libraries.
And that happens nearly every day because he frequents bookstores and libraries most days.
If he sees a young reader perusing one of his favorite chapter book series, he’s quick to jump in and provide some suggestions and commentary.
Recently, he provided some unsolicited help to a shopper at Powell’s in Portland. You can watch the video here:
Among Michael’s favorite book series right now are You Choose Stories: Scooby Doo; Magic Tree House, A to Z Mysteries, Calendar Mysteries, Ready Freddy! Captain Underpants and Galaxy Zack. He also loves the audiobooks that accompany some of these series, and has listened to them over and over.
Pictured above with Michael is Matthew, a 7-year-old friend and big book lover. Matthew is the voice behind “Matthew” in our “Bash and Lucy” audiobooks and his face appears in our “Bash and Lucy” books.
In a few weeks we’ll be launching a new YouTube channel for kids, parents, teachers, librarians and KidLit authors. Michael and Matthew recently did a photoshoot at Powell’s Books for the new YouTube channel and website. Stay tuned!
To get our updates about our latest venture, you can follow us on twitter here: https://twitter.com/bashandlucy . On Facebook, follow https://www.facebook.com/BashAndLucy
Our adventure began about two years ago with the devastating death of our dog, Lucy. We began the “Bash and Lucy” book series to keep her alive in our hearts. Michael decided he wanted to fill our blog with dog book reviews because he loves to talk about books–and is a dog lover. Since then, he has appeared on the Today Show, on Sirius XM Radio, in Disney’s Babble and in many other media outlets, and regularly visits with school children (along with Lisa), either in person or via Skype. To learn more, email us at BashAndLucy@gmail.com or send us a tweet!
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August 3, 2015
7-Year-Old Kids’ Book Reviewer Gives “Magic Tree House” 99 Million Stars
Our 7-Year-Old Kids’ Book Reviewer
By Lisa and Michael Cohn
Michael, our 7-year-old kids’ book reviewer, has read every “Magic Tree House” book he can find in libraries and book stores.
In this kids’ book review, conducted in Charlottesville, Va., Michael reviews “Eve of the Emperor Penguin,” giving it 99 million plus 99 stars. Michael also reveals the titles of his favorite “Magic Tree House” books–while eating a chocolate ice cream cone that leaves its mark on his face.
Watch his review here:
Michael has been seen reading “Magic Tree House” books in grocery stores, in friends’ yards, in parks and at his favorite gym!
In addition to reading the books, Michael listens to the audiobooks. In fact, for the last two nights, we’ve stayed up until midnight listening to “Magic Tree House” audiobooks on our back deck!
As you may know, Magic Tree House books teach kids about history, culture, scientific facts and animals. What Michael loves best about these books is learning about animals. We both loved “Dogs in the Dead of Night” (as he mentions in this review) because it featured dogs–in this case Saint Bernards–saving people who have been buried by avalanches. It’s no secret that we love dogs, especially heroic dogs!
When Michael was five, he was featured on the Today Show for his love of books and book reviews like this one. If you haven’t seen that piece, you can check it out here:
http://www.today.com/video/today/53985936
In addition to reviewing books, Michael and friends interview authors, and we’ve got a really special author interview coming up in a few weeks. Last week, Michael spent a half hour interviewing one of his favorite authors–an author whose books feature a big, silly dog that solves mysteries.
You can watch Michael’s first author interview here. This interview also features a kids’ dog book author.
Interested in following our book reviews by Michael and friends, age 6 to 13? Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/bashandLucy
And we’re always tweeting about our favorite books, classroom visits, author interviews and kids’ book reviews. Follow us on twitter: @BashAndLucy
You can email us at BashAndLucy@gmail.com!
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July 23, 2015
Daring Dog Rescues and Other Good Deeds: Lisa’s Article About Oregon Humane
Daring Dog Rescues Story By Lisa Cohn in Dogster
It’s no secret that we love the Oregon Humane Society and donate a portion of our book sales to this wonderful organization.
In the story below, Lisa tells writes about Oregon Humane Society’s technical animal rescue team, which rescues dogs who have fallen off steep cliffs in Oregon. The team members risk their loves during these dog rescues. Lisa also tells about the organization’s many other good deeds.
The story begins:
Ranger, an 80-pound Great Dane–Mastiff mix, fell more than 200 feet from a cliff after wandering away from his owner during a hike in Oregon’s Santiam State Forest. A two-year-old Husky-Shepherd mix named Kenny dropped off a 150-foot cliff in the state’s Columbia River Gorge. And Gracie the Goldendoodle tumbled off a 200-foot cliff in the same area.
All three dogs survived, thanks to the Oregon Humane Society’s technical animal rescue team, whose members often risk their lives performing high-angle cliff rescues, many times in darkness.
The 18-member volunteer team — made up of 14 women and four men, including a firefighter, a police officer, a realtor, home builders, and veterinary technicians — completes up to seven high-angle rescues a year and trains year-round for these emergencies, says Ulli Neitch, a team member and spokesperson.
OHS’s rescue team is just one of the reasons I’m committed to supporting OHS and participating in its fundraisers.
My six-year-old, Michael, and I donate a portion of the sales of our books to the organization. In addition, we recently filmed ourselves eating dog biscuits for the its Biscuit Challenge, during which OHS supporters eat dog biscuits on camera and nominate friends to do the same or to make a donation.
For the fundraiser, TV personalities, well-known business owners, local entertainers, and other pet lovers joined in the fun.
Read the whole story here:
Daring Dog Rescues and Other Good Deeds By Oregon Humane
Comments? Questions? You can comment at the bottom of the story or email us at BashAndLucy@gmail.com!
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July 18, 2015
Our Kids’ Dog Books Made Amazon’s Top Charts in 3 Categories!
Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy Makes Amazon’s Top Charts in 3 Categories
By Lisa and Michael Cohn
Okay, we have to brag just a little. That’s because we’re so excited and proud.
Our “Bash and Lucy” books are now ranked on Amazon’s top charts in three categories. “Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence” has hit Amazon’s rankings in the children’s dog book category, and “Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy” made Amazon’s top charts in three categories: the special needs, pets and dogs categories for children’s books. If a book is in the top chart in a category, it means it is one of the Top 100 in that category.
You can tell we hit the charts when you visit our page and scroll to the rankings. For example, for “Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence,” you’ll see this:
Bash and Lucy Makes Amazon’s Top 100 Charts in Children’s Dog Books
Here’s what Amazon says about this:
“Every book will have a Best Seller Rank after it has sold at least one copy, but Category rankings will only appear in the Product Details section of a book’s detail page if the book is ranked within the Top 100 books in its category. Rankings are updated hourly but may take 24-48 hours to appear after the first completed sale. Rankings reflect newer and historical sales of every book sold, with recent sales weighted more heavily.”
On Amazon, you can also read the many reviews of our books. “Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy,” our latest book, has 51 reviews.
This is probably our favorite review by the blogger Eloquent Articulation: “This is one picture book that should be read by all children regardless of age and by their parents. I found the story of the lovable Dog Lucy and the charming boy Bash so endearing, sweet and emotional, tugging at my heart strings that I recommend it to everyone.“
Find “Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy” on Amazon Here
Find “Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence” on Amazon Here
Meanwhile, we’re working on the audiobook for “Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy” and also starting to pen our third book, which will be a chapter book!
What does our young co-author, Michael, who just turned 7, have to say about this? “Let’s get moving on our next book!”
Email us with questions or comments! BashAndLucy@gmail.com
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June 21, 2015
Boys, Age 7-9, Record Audiobook for Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy
Recording Audiobook for Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy
By Lisa Cohn
Our 7- to 9- year-old voice-over artists are hard at work again, this time recording the audiobook for “Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy.”
Last year, they recorded the “Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence” audiobook, which we gave to dozens of classrooms, along with our books, when we did classroom visits. Students told us they loved hearing the voices of the children whose faces appear in the books.
Michael, my co-author, who just turned 7 this week, reads for the part of the main character, Bash. His friends Adam and Matthew. 7-year-old twins, read for the parts of Adam and Matthew. The twins’ older brother, Edward, reads the parts of Tristen and the coach.
Recording Audiobook: Matthew, Michael, Edward, Adam
We’re still looking for a 7- to 9-year-old girl to read for the part of Paula. Our main candidates are Laura, who is Adam, Matthew and Edward’s mom, and the real Paula, age 9, Michael’s favorite cousin!
Why are audiobooks great for kids? Michael, who loves audiobooks, can tell you! He enjoys hearing how voice-over artists (and often, well-known actors) interpret the characters in his favorite books. What’s more, listening to audiobooks helped him learn how to read. And the audiobook reader never falls asleep while reading, like tired parents sometimes do.
Read more about the benefits of audiobooks here: Four Great Reasons Kids Should Listen to Audiobooks About Dogs
Recording Audiobook: Michael and Edward
I’m so proud of these boys for their hard work and enthusiasm! You can listen to our first audiobook here:
“Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence” Audiobook
Got a suggestion for a 7- to 9-year-old girl who can read for Paula? Enter our contest and email us at BashAndLucy@gmail.com.
We’ve heard from teachers and parents that seeing kids actively taking part in book projects helps inspire kids to read and write. Just yesterday, we visited “Child’s Play,” a store in Portland that sells our books. We were told that parents and children get very excited when they learn that a young boy helped write the books. That was heart-warming!
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June 15, 2015
Two Boys, Age 6, Review Kids’ Book, Give 7-Million-Star Rating!
Two Boys Review Kids’ Book, The Mystery of the Aztec Tomb
By Lisa Cohn
Michael, age 6, and his friend Levko, age 6, love to read books so much they take their favorite kids’ books on hikes and read them perched on downed tree trunks!
They also love to review kids’ books. In the review below, about “The Mystery of the Aztec Tomb,” (You Choose Stories: Scooby Doo) by Laurie S. Sutton, the boys begin by playing around like puppies, and then explain what a “You Choose” book is. They describe their favorite part of this mystery–a funny part–and give the book a 7-million-star rating.
Watch the boys’ review here:
Michael thinks that author Laurie Sutton has done a great job of putting a new spin on some of the Scooby-Doo characters, especially Daphne in this book. He has read every Scooby-Doo book ever written; I think it’s fair to say he’s an expert.
Our aim is to share Michael’s and his friends’ love of books! To follow book reviews by Michael and friends, age 5 to 13, subscribe to our YouTube channel here:https://www.youtube.com/user/BashAndLucy
Questions? Email us at BashAndLucy@gmail.com or visit www.BashAndLucy.com
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June 7, 2015
Brainstorming Kids’ Book Ideas Via Skype in the Classroom!
Brainstorming Kids’ Book Ideas with Students in Mexico
By Lisa Cohn
This year, Michael and I had so much fun brainstorming kids’ book ideas with students worldwide via Skype in the classroom.
In fact, when Skype in the classroom launched its literacy campaign in February, we visited with two classrooms a week–meeting students from all over the United States and in Mexico and Australia. In addition to asking kids to give us ideas for our next book, we shared our experiences writing and publishing and answered their questions.
We loved the ideas the students gave us for our next book and are excited to say we started working on our next book, which will be a chapter book! Until now, we’ve written picture books.
Here are just some of the Kidlit ideas students gave us for our next “Bash and Lucy” book:
–Bash and Lucy Fetch Responsibility
–Bash and Lucy Fetch Cheating
–Bash and Lucy Fetch Puppies
–Bash and Lucy Fetch Bullying
–Bash and Lucy Fetch Honesty
–Bash and Lucy Fetch Pride
–Bash and Lucy Fetch Integrity
–Bash and Lucy Fetch Love
–Bash and Lucy Fetch Temper Tantrums
We don’t want to give too much away, but we can tell you that our next book will incorporate some of these ideas!
During our lessons, Michael loved telling kids about the importance of
conflict in a fiction story. In this video, Michael is wearing his Scooby-Doo suit:
While we visited with children, our brainstorming sessions were always fun and informative.
For example, these Kindergarten students suggested that Bash and Lucy Fetch kisses, treats and temper tantrums:
And here’s a lesson from last year’s Skype in the classroom lessons during which some fifth graders gave us some “heroic dogs and lost Lucy” ideas:
During these lessons, many of the children had lots of questions for Michael, age 6: How do you come up with your ideas? Which parts of the book did you write? How do you and your mom write together? How do you get the words into a book? What are your favorite books?
Michael is always happy to answer questions, and always injects lots of silliness and energy into our lessons.
We love visiting with children via Skype and in person! Learn more about our school visits here:
School Visits with Lisa and Michael
Questions? Email us at BashAndLucy@gmail.com!
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May 27, 2015
Start Making a Reader Today Presentation: Questions and Autographs!
Signing Autographs at Start Making a Reader Today Event
By Lisa Cohn
On Thursday Michael and I had the honor of telling our writing and publishing story to 45 students and the adults who read with them. We did this during a Start Making a Reader Today (SMART) celebration hosted by the Rotary Club of Clackamas.
After sharing our boy-and-dog book trailer, Michael and I told the group that we began our adventure in an effort to overcome grief over the death of our dog, Lucy.
A number of students came forward and told their stories about writing or using art to overcome sadness over the loss of a pet or family member.
We also told the group that students from all over the world gave us ideas for our second book, “Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy,” and how important their input has been to our writing process.
We gave the kids a few of our favorite writing tips, including Michael’s favorite: Be sure that there’s a conflict in your fiction story. Whenever we visit classes, he explains this idea, the way he does during this Skype in the classroom visit:
The Rotary Club of Clackamas presented us with “Make A Difference Awards” for taking part in the SMART celebration. The adults who read weekly with the students as part of the SMART program received “All-Star Reader” awards for participating in SMART.
Start Making a Reader Today is a literacy program that pairs eager adult readers with students. They read together once a week. We’re proud to say that Michael’s older sister, Ally, age 17, takes part in the SMART program, reading weekly with two children.
After our presentation, we autographed the 45 “Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy” books the Rotary Club generously bought for its students. We loved this part of the program; as kids came through the line to meet us, they asked a number of questions.
How long did it take us to write our book? How do we get the words we write into a book format? What is Michael’s role? What’s the process we use to write together? Have we written other books? Where do we get our ideas?
Of course, Michael couldn’t resist acting like a kid, and soon abandoned his autograph role to chase with the other students.
We love to visit with school kids in person and via Skype! Teachers and parents can learn more about our presentations here: Our School Visits Email us at BashAndLucy@gmail.com if you’d like us to visit your school!
And if you missed it, don’t forget to check out the boy-and-puppy book trailer we shared during the SMART celebration. We just updated the music, and are proud of the music from Michael’s music teacher and the videography from an award-winning teen and family friend:
As we mentioned during our presentation, our writing and publishing experience wouldn’t have been possible without all the people who have helped us along the way, including Michael’s music teacher, our videographer, Michael’s sister, Ally, his big brother, Travis–and the many students who have given us ideas for our books. They’ve been our readers, advisers, and inspiration!
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