Lisa Cohn's Blog, page 21

Our Author Presentation to Young Book Lovers: Fun!

Author Presentation to Second Grade Book Lovers

We visited a class of second- and third-grade book lovers last week, and talked to them about why and how we wrote and published “Bash And Lucy Fetch Confidence.” As you can see in this photo, Michael, age 5, (“Bash and Lucy” co-author), brought along a stack of his favorite books, and shared them along with “Bash and Lucy.”

In our 45-minute presentation to the young book lovers, we began by talking about what prompted us to write our book: grief over the death of our dog, Lucy. We explained that writing, for us, began with a feeling: sadness. The kids then told us stories about the creative projects they take part in to help them overcome sadness.

We told the kids that we wanted to write a book that featured our ball-loving Lucy as a character, and decided to put her–and a chatty boy who resembles Michael–on a kids’ soccer team. We then asked the kids if they ever write stories that put their friends, family members or pets in unusual or challenging situations. The answer was yes! The students provided lots of examples.

In our presentation to the young book lovers, we talked about the importance of sharing their drafts with others. We explained that when we shared our initial draft, some readers loved “Bash” as a chatty, brainy, know-it-all. But some didn’t like the character. We explained that when we evaluate feedback, we don’t have to make every change suggested by those who read our draft. We have to listen to our “guts.” Lisa explained that the feedback about the first, super-brainy Bash kept “itching” at her, and she decided to change his character and make him more vulnerable.

We also talked about Michael’s critical role. When Lisa first started writing the story herself, she got “stuck,” and turned to her book lover for help. He came up with lots of ideas, and suddenly found himself in the role of co-author, a role he embraced with much enthusiasm. He also became chief blogger (via YouTube).

The other topics we cover include:

–Our excitement about winning two awards and being featured on the Today Show!

–What’s a conflict in a story and why is it important?

–How do you create characters and make them believable?

–How to use your feelings when you’re writing?

–What are the advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing?

The teacher then read the book to the class, and we said we planned on creating a series. We asked the kids if they had ideas for Parts 2, 3, and 4 of “Bash and Lucy,” and lots of hands shot up! Their ideas included:

–Bash and Lucy Play Baseball (and other sports)

–Lucy Falls in Love

–Lucy Has Puppies

–Lucy Coaches the Team

–Lucy Goes to School

–Bash and Lucy Fetch Treasure

(During a visit to a different class, the kids came up with lots of other ideas for the next books, including: Lucy Plays Catcher in Baseball, Lucy’s Puppies Join the Team, and Lucy Becomes a Doctor.)

We loved the kids’ enthusiasm and ideas! At the end of the presentation, the kids’ teacher, John, shared a few videos from Michael’s Dog Blog, including our book trailer:

And the kids chuckled at some of Michael’s book reviews on YouTube. In future presentations, we plan on teaching kids how to do book reviews. We’ll discuss the importance of using detail and feeling to make book reviews come alive. Here’s one example of a book review:

Michael Reviews “Bad Dog Bailey”

When it was all over, the kids surrounded Michael and told him that they think he’s funny, which really made his day. Those who didn’t get his business card asked us to come back and bring more. And finally, we invited the kids to do YouTube videos with us–and we’re waiting for their answer!

If you’d like us to do a presentation at your school, email us at BashAndLucy@gmail.com

How Our Presentation Helps Teachers Meet Oregon’s Common Core Standards for English Language Arts.

In Oregon, our presentation helps teachers meet Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts. For example, we help kids “determine central ideas or themes and analyze their development” and “analyze how and why individuals, events and ideas develop and interact over the course of a text.” Our presentation helps students “integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats” (ie YouTube book reviews). For kindergarteners (and above), we ask and answer questions about key details in a text, identify characters, setting, and major events in a story. We “ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text” and define the role of the author and illustrator of a story. We “describe the relationship between illustrations and the story.”

In addition, by teaching kids how to do book reviews, we work with them to “state an opinion or preference about the topic or book.” We are also available to “explore a variety of digital tools to produce and publish writing, including in collaboration with peers.” In fact, as we mention above, collaborating with peers is critical to our presentation. We discuss how important it was to gather feedback from peers, and how to interpret and act on that feedback.

Most important, our presentation is fun and we’re super excited about our book, about reading and about book reviewing! We believe our enthusiasm is contagious.

P.S. Michael is wearing a blue cape in this photo because he wears his batman costume when he tells heroic dog stories on YouTube. He wanted to share that tidbit with the class.

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Our Author Presentation to Second Grade Book Lovers: Fun!

Author Presentation to Second Grade Book Lovers

We visited a class of second- and third-grade book lovers last week, and talked to them about why and how we wrote and published “Bash And Lucy Fetch Confidence.” As you can see in the photo, book enthusiast Michael, age 5, brought along a stack of his favorite Scooby-Doo books, and shared them along with our own kids’ dog book.

In our 45-minute presentation, we began by talking about what prompted us to write our book: grief over the death of our dog, Lucy. We explained that writing, for us, began with a feeling: sadness. The kids told us stories about the creative projects they take part in to help them overcome sadness. We told the kids that we wanted to write a book that featured our ball-loving Lucy as a character, and decided to put her–and a chatty boy who resembles Michael–on a kids’ soccer team. We then asked the kids if they ever write stories that put people they know in unusual or challenging situations. The answer was yes! The students provided lots of examples.

In our presentation to the young readers, we talked about the importance of sharing their drafts with others. We explained that when we shared our initial draft, some readers loved “Bash” as a chatty, brainy, know-it-all. But some didn’t like the character. We explained that when we evaluate feedback, we don’t have to make every change suggested by those who read our draft. We have to listen to our “guts.” Lisa explained that the feedback about the first, super-brainy Bash kept “itching” at her, and she decided to change his character and make him more vulnerable.

Then we talked about Michael’s critical role. When Lisa first started writing the story herself, she got “stuck,” and turned to her book lover for help. He came up with lots of ideas, and suddenly found himself in the role of co-author, a role he embraced with much enthusiasm.

The other topics we covered included:

–What’s a conflict in a story and why is it important?

–How do you create characters and make them believable?

–How to use your feelings when you’re writing?

–What are the advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing?

The teacher then read the book to the class, and we said we planned on creating a series. We asked the kids if they had ideas for Parts 2, 3, and 4 of “Bash and Lucy,” and lots of hands shot up! Their ideas included:

–Bash and Lucy Play Baseball (and other sports)

–Lucy Falls in Love

–Lucy Has Puppies

–Lucy Coaches the Team

–Lucy Goes to School

–Bash and Lucy Fetch Treasure

We loved the kids’ enthusiasm and ideas! At the end of the presentation, the kids’ teacher, John, shared a few videos from Michael’s Dog Blog, including our book trailer:

And the kids chuckled at some of Michael’s book reviews on YouTube here:

Michael’s YouTube Channel

When it was all over, the kids surrounded Michael and told him that they think he’s funny, which really made his day. Those who didn’t get his business card asked us to come back and bring more. And finally, we invited the kids to do YouTube videos with us–and we’re waiting for their answer!

If you’d like us to do a presentation at your school, email us at BashAndLucy@gmail.com

P.S. Michael is wearing a blue cape in this photo because he wears his batman costume when he tells heroic dog stories on YouTube. He wanted to share that tidbit with the class.

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Book Review For Kids: “Imaginate” Being A Dog in Nate The Great

Book Review for Kids: Nate the Great And The Big Sniff

Michael, age 5, and Mia, age 13, review “Nate The Great and The Big Sniff” in this video. “Nate the Great and the Big Sniff” is a great book about Nate and his very important detective-dog. But Nate’s canine assistant disappears. What should Detective Nate do? As Michael says, Nate “imagin-ates” being a dog to solve the case.

In this review, the interviewer talks too much and gets corrected a few times by Michael, the expert. For example, this isn’t a mystery; it’s a case, he tells her.

With these reviews, we hope to inspire other young readers with Michael and Mia’s enthusiasm for books. In fact, we visited our first school yesterday and shared our story with second and third graders. The kids were so enthusiastic! More to come in an upcoming blog!

Watch Michael and Mia’s review of “Nate The Great And The Big Sniff” here:

In the review, Michael refers to a dog that died. He’s talking about the fact that the author dedicated the book to a dog that passed away.

If you have ideas about kids’ dog books you’d like Michael and friends to review, be sure to email us at BashAndLucy@gmail.com. And be sure to check out Michael’s own kids’ dog book, “Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence,” here: Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence on Amazon.com

And don’t forget to imaginate you’re a dog!

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For Kids: All About Animal Shelters

Dog at Oregon Humane Society

Last week, we visited the Oregon Humane Society (OHS), where Michael received a Certificate of Appreciation for helping raise $300 for OHS at the book release party for “Bash And Lucy Fetch Confidence.” Barb gave us a tour, where we learned all about animal shelters.

At the Oregon Humane Society, we learned that animal shelters rescue dogs that families can’t care for anymore. Sometimes, families have to give up their dogs or other animals after a divorce. Sometimes, families move and don’t take their pets with them. The good news: At the Oregon Humane Society, there’s lots of space. Dogs and animals from other animal shelters often get sent here, where they are very well cared for. For example, each and every dog gets a clean bed every day.

To help keep the dogs healthy, OHS staff and volunteers train them to do “nose work,” which actually can be a sport. Staff and volunteers put treats in a couple of boxes, and leave some empty, and the dogs have to find the boxes that contain the treats. This is good for dogs’ brains because they have to figure out where the treats are!

When Michael received his certificate, we learned where donations like ours go: to feed and provide medicine and supplies for the dogs. We also learned just how important volunteers are at the Humane Society.  They walk the animals, socialize with them, groom them, and help train them. Kids over age 12 can volunteer  to provide this much-needed assistance. Watch the video here:

And what did Michael say just after we left the Oregon Humane Society? “When can we go back and visit again?”

Be sure to visit us at Michael’s Dog Blog to learn more dog facts for kids and learn all about Michael’s book, “Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence.”

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$300 Raised At Book Release Party and Benefit for Oregon Humane Society

Saying Thanks At Our Book Release Party

We’re excited that we raised $300 for the Oregon Humane Society at our book release party and benefit Sunday. On Thursday, Michael will receive a “Certificate of Appreciation” from the Humane Society and will learn all about how such donations are spent.

The party featured caricatures by our talented illustrator, Heather Nichols, who donated all the proceeds from her work at the party to the humane society. We also sold our book, “Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence,” and donated 100% of the proceeds to the Humane Society.

Illustrator Heather Nichols Does A Caricature At Book Release Party

We thanked the many people who have contributed to our book and blog, including–and especially–all our family members who read different versions of the kids’ dog book, gave feedback, and brainstormed ideas for blogs and press releases. Michael gave flowers to Mia, age 13, who often appears in his kids’ book reviews.

Flowers For Mia, Who Often Reviews Books With Michael on youtube

The family-friendly Portland band “The Alphabeticians” inspired the kids to jump up and do some doggy-dancing!

Attending the event was KGW-TV, which aired a story that ran that night and the next morning. You can watch it here:

Portland Boy, Mom, Write Book After Dog Dies

The KGW-TV segment includes a link to one of our favorite book reviews by Michael and Mia: “Bad Dog Bailey” Book Review

The KGW-TV story was picked up nationally by Yahoo! News: Yahoo! News Video About Our Book Release Party and Benefit

We really appreciate all the people who came out to support us and the Oregon Humane Society. At the end of the party, Michael, age 5, had this to say: “It was the funnest day ever.” And why? “Because all my friends were there.”

You can buy “Bash and Lucy” here: Buy Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence

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Book Review By Michael, Age 5: “Walter The Farting Dog Banned From The Beach”

Book Review By Michael: Ten Stars!

In this book review for kids (on youtube), Michael, age 5, gives the kids’ dog book “Walter The Farting Dog Banned from the Beach” 10 stars, on a scale of 1 to 5! And he gives the book a bonus fart rating. We share these book reviews for kids in the hopes that Michael’s enthusiasm for books–especially kids’ dog books–is contagious! Watch the video to learn just how much he loved this book:

If you’re interested in watching other kids’ dog book reviews by Michael and friends, age 5 to 13, check out our youtube channel here:

Michael’s Youtube Channle

And, if you’re interested in watching a trailer about our own kids’ dog book–about a sporty dog that teaches a kids’ soccer team a thing or two, without farting–watch this:

A Boy, His Dog, A Book, And Love

Be sure to email us at BashAndLucy@gmail.com if you want Michael and friends to review a book–especially a dog book!

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TV Interview and Front Page of Living Section For Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence

Oregonian Article

We are thrilled that “Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence” was featured by KATU-TV and The Oregonian–on the front page of the Living section–last weekend. We’re also excited about the 95 Facebook “likes” and 15 “tweets” on the online version of the Oregonian story.

You can read the Oregonian story here:

Bash and Lucy in The Oregonian

You can watch the KATU-TV interview here.

Authors Lisa and Michael interviewed by KATU-TV

Why the press now? We just released our book, “Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence,” which is about a wise but mischievous Golden Retriever who teaches a boys’ sports team about teamwork and sportsmanship and instills confidence in the players. You can buy the book here:

Buy “Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence”

We’re also excited about the reviews we’re getting on Goodreads in response to our book giveaway. Here they are:

My 7-year-old son read this aloud to me. He was laughing and though he screamed “disgusting” when the dog peed, he had the biggest grin on his face which told me the “disgusting” remark was for my benefit. He finished reading it and then proceeded to run off to read it to his dad and 4 sisters. I think it’s pretty safe to say that he LOVED this book and that this is a good read for a child in his age group.

–Robyn Duong, on Goodreads

Cute book. The kids loved it. Great book about confidence. I won this book on a giveaway of first read books on goodreads.com.

-Christi Johnson, on Goodreads

This was a good book for the kiddo’s. They started fall soccer a few weeks ago and this gave them a little bit of humor to go along with the game.

–Rebecca Cox, on Goodreads

Want to tell us what you think of our TV interview, Oregonian article or reviews? Email us at BashAndLucy@gmail.com!

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Amazing Trickster Deaf Dogs Rescued in Oregon

Deaf Dog Does Tricks For Michael

Deaf dogs are smart, great companions, and learn lots of tricks even though they can’t hear. That’s what we learned from Bryn Borum, co-founder of Deaf Dogs of Oregon, at this year’s Dogtoberfest! At the fund raiser for Dove Lewis Emergency Animal Hospital, Borum explained how she rescues these dogs, and how she trains them to twirl, walk on two legs, box, and do other tricks–tricks that amazed Michael. You can hear him giggling in this video as he learns hand signals from Borum:

Borum’s dog, Duncan, is also blind. She explains that dogs generally learn best by looking at their owners’ body language, and that’s what she relies on when training these dogs that can’t hear: She uses some of the hand signals she shows Michael in this video. For blind dogs that can’t hear, she uses touch signals.

Deaf Dogs Are Often White

 

These dogs need to be rescued! Otherwise, they are often euthanized. Borum and her associates rescue dogs from all over the country, train them, and find homes for them.

“Deaf dogs make some of the most wonderful pets,” says Borum. They tend to be very devoted companions. Typically you find deafness in predominantly white dogs with pink skin and/or blue eyes. Deafness is also common in the Blue Merle color family.

We were touched by Borum’s dedication to her cause and her incredibly tight bond with her dog. Learn more about Deaf Dogs of Oregon here: Deaf Dogs of Oregon

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Grief Over Pet Loss Spawns Book, Blog, Surprises, for Boy, 5, And Mom

Grief Over Pet Loss Spawns Book and Blog

Grief over the death of their Golden Retriever spawned a just-released children’s book and kids’ dog blog full of surprises for blogger Michael Cohn, 5, and his mom, award-winning writer Lisa Cohn of Portland, Ore.

Their children’s book, “Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence,” is about a wise but mischievous Golden Retriever who teaches a boys’ sports team about teamwork and sportsmanship and instills confidence in the players.

“We started the blog and book to help us cope with the pain of losing our dear Lucy at the age of 6,” says Lisa Cohn. “We never expected it to take us on such an adventure. We’ve learned how passionate people are about dogs and how much dogs can help, heal and teach kids and adults.”

The response to “Michael’s Dog Blog,” which features dog book reviews by 5-year-old Michael (on YouTube), has surprised the authors. A number of other authors have asked Michael to review their books on his YouTube channel. He’s working his way through his stack of books. The blog also provides dog facts for kids.

Lisa and Michael plan to visit schools talking to young kids about how and why they wrote their book and how much they’ve learned doing their blog.

“What began as an attempt to overcome our grief has morphed into a mission to instill in kids a love of dogs and dog books,” says Lisa Cohn.

In addition, the authors have been touched by their readers’ intense love for their canine companions. For example, a story by Lisa in Dogster Magazine elicited strong reactions expressed on Dogster’s website and via email.

Read reviews and buy the book here: Buy Bash and Lucy on Amazon.com

Follow “Michael’s Dog Blog” at Michael’s Dog Blog

The book is illustrated by Portland illustrator Heather Nichols.

Lisa’s other books have won awards from the organizations Parenting Publications of America, Voice of Youth Advocates, and ForeWord.

The authors are planning a book release party and benefit for the Oregon Humane Society in October.

For more information, contact Lisa Cohn at BashAndLucy@gmail.com.

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Service Dogs For Diabetic Kids Sound The Alarm

Service Dogs for Diabetic Kids: Dr. Dana Hardin and Max

What can service dogs do for diabetic kids? Lots! We recently had the opportunity to interview a doctor who both works with diabetic kids and trains the dogs who can help them. Dr. Dana Hardin is medical director and pediatric endocrinologist at Eli Lilly and Company. She trains hypoglycemia alert dogs under the guidance of the Indiana Canine Assistant Network (ICAN) and is also leading research at Lilly to better understand why dogs are able to sense severe blood sugar events in their owners.

In this interview, Dr. Hardin explains how service dogs can help diabetic kids. They sense drops in the kids’ blood sugar and then sound the alarm by trying to “tell” the child and people around him or her that something is wrong. Some dogs do this naturally–if they’re really bonded with the child. Others can be trained to sound the alarm.

Here is a 10-minute interview with Dr. Hardin on youtube:

You can listen to the entire 18-minute interview here (Youtube only let us post 10 minutes!):

Service Dogs for Diabetic Kids Interview

In the interview, Dr. Hardin tells stories about how researchers learned that dogs can help diabetic kids. She explains just how helpful it is for diabetic kids to be alerted about their blood sugar levels. And she explains how these dogs are trained.

It all sounds like magic here at Bash And Lucy. But that’s what we love to write about–the magical connection between kids and dogs! Follow Michael’s Dog Blog for more fascinating dog facts for kids here:

Michael’s Dog Blog

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