Lisa Cohn's Blog, page 7

Getting Creative While at Home During the COVID-19 Crisis

Getting creative with computer art

What have we been doing while staying at home during the COVID-19 crisis?

First of all, Michael has been busy reading books recommended by his 21-year-old sister, Ally, who was sent home from college in March. Those books include the Hunger Game series by Suzanne Collins, the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan and the Warriors series by Erin Hunter (He had begun reading the Warriors series over the summer).

Perler bead project

Everyday, we have gone for walks in the forest near our house, bringing along Hudson, our lovable golden retriever, who appeared in our last book and also did some voice-over barking in our latest audiobook. He was an expert at swimming in spring mud.

While we walked, we brainstormed ideas for a YouTube channel Michael wanted to create. What kind of art would he use? What would he call the channel? We mulled over ideas for weeks.

Hudson gets muddy during our walks

Back at home, we completed many perler bead projects, some of them depicting characters in the Warriors book series. We invited other kids to join in the fun via computer. We also took part in virtual book clubs.

Computer art projects were next. Michael began using FireAlpaca software to create characters that he planned to use in his upcoming YouTube channel.

Then came animation. Using the software Algodoo, many marble races were created.

The culmination of the art and animation projects was a new YouTube Channel, Eclipse Rants and Races based in part on the many YouTube channels that feature book lovers’ analysis of Warriors books. We listen to these often; they teach kids excellent literary analysis skills. I especially enjoyed one segment in which Firestar, a character in Warriors, was compared to Moses.

Eclipse Rants and Races aims to provide marble races and rants about books–especially the Warriors and Wings of Fire books.

Just this week, Michael released his first two videos–both marble races created in Algodoo. They feature Michael’s art and his older brother’s music.

 

We invite you to subscribe and comment. Here’s the first video:

 

Please subscribe here: Eclipse Rants and Races

Meanwhile, we’re working on our fourth book and audiobook.

Now we’re wondering: What are you doing while staying at home? Please email us at BashAndLucy@gmail.com and tell us what you’re up to!

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Free Children’s Audiobooks for Kids at Home due to School Closings

Kids Record Children’s Audiobook

For kids now at home due to school closings, we’re offering three free children’s audiobooks, all of which were recorded with the voices of Michael (now age 11), his friends and family members. (Plus his dog!). Our kid voice-over artists range in age from 6-12 in the various audiobooks.

All of the audiobooks are high quality enough to be available on Audible.

Children have told us how much they love listening to other kids’ voices in the audiobooks, which makes us happy!

Our first audiobook, “Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence,” was recorded when Michael was six years old. Because Michael is an audiobook lover, he insisted that we create an audio version of the book.

That audiobook features the voices of Michael, age 6, and friends, age 6-8. Lisa is the narrator.

You can listen here: Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence audiobook

Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence, an illustrated picture book, is a Mom’s Choice Silver Award Winner, and Finalist, 2013 USA Best Book Awards. It’s a contemporary boy-and-dog tale. Talkative Bash has a big problem in soccer: His beloved dog, Lucy, is a pro at nabbing the ball, but sometimes at the wrong moment. Coach wants to ban Lucy from soccer practice and games, separating Bash from a companion who boosts his confidence in sports–and life. In this picture book for kids age 4-8, Bash and friends help Coach understand that with Lucy by their side, they feel more confident, laugh more often, and are comforted when they make mistakes.

The second kids’ audiobook, “Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy,” features the same cast, plus Ally, Michael’s 21-year-old sister. The kid voice-over artists range in age from 7-10 in this audio.

Like our first book, it’s an illustrated picture book, for kids 4-8 or so.

You can listen here: Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy

In “Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy,” Bash is overcome with jealousy when Lucy enchants a team of Special Olympics kids who say they want his dog to coach their team. Can Bash overcome his jealousy and learn to share Lucy with kids who say they need her?

Our third audiobook, “Bash and Lucy Fetch Team Vera and the Dream Beasts,” features the voices of six kids, one Ukrainian grandmother, Michael’s sister, Ally, and our dog, Hudson!

You can listen here: Bash and Lucy Fetch Team Vera and the Dream Beasts audiobook

In the book, featured in Voice of America, sensitive Bash gets grumpy and disruptive when his life is too bright, too loud, too smelly, or too busy. To stay calm, he relies on his librarian sister, Ally, his friends, and especially his dog, Lucy. But Lucy has become a local superstar–and many kids in town want her to coach their teams.

Vera Moroz, Michael’s surrogate grandma from Ukraine, is the grandma and the Ukrainian voice-over artist in this book–and she’ll also be featured in out next book. Stay tuned!

Watch Michael dedicate our last book to Vera, and grab a hanky!

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Join Our Skype in the Classroom Lesson: Write, Publish, Publicize…

Lisa and Michael Cohn

Join our Skype in the classroom lesson! It’s called Write, Publish, Publicize an Award-Winning Book with Mom-Son Authors.

Through Skype in the classroom, we’ve visited hundreds of students across the world. In fact, we have “traveled” more than 548,000 miles to 11 countries via Skype in the classroom.

Here is some information about what we do during our 45-minute session:

–We tell kids we started writing to overcome grief over the death of our dog. We ask students to share similar stories.

–We share some writing basics: creating conflict in stories, creating strong characters, using strong verbs. We discuss the importance of sharing writing work, and how to respond to feedback.

–We explain the publishing and self-publishing process and describe how students can promote their work using public relations, blogs, book release parties, partnering with nonprofits and other strategies.

–At the end of each session, we ask kids to brainstorm ideas for our next books. Kids love to do this.

–Students often ask Michael to talk about what he’s reading–and he’s happy to do that.

Again, teachers can sign up HERE.

Watch one of our first brainstorming activities with students via Skype:

 

And be sure to check out our book trailer, created six years ago by an award-winning teen videographer when both Michael and Hudson were puppies!

Questions about our Skype in the classroom lesson? Email us at BashAndLucy@gmail.com

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Free Kids’ Audiobooks, Recorded with Kids’ Voice: Our Holiday Gift to You

Recording latest audiobook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To celebrate the holidays, we’re offering you three free kids’ audiobooks, all of which were recorded with the voices of Michael (now age 11), his friends and family members. (Plus his dog!).

All of the audiobooks are high quality enough to be available on Audible.

But you can get them today for free by taking advantage of this giveaway!

We’re loving the feedback we’re getting from kids about our audiobooks. They get very excited hearing other children’s voices.

Our first audiobook, “Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence,” was recorded when Michael was six years old. Because Michael is an audiobook lover, he insisted that we create an audio version of the book.

That audiobook features the voices of Michael, age 6, and friends, age 6-8. Lisa is the narrator.

You can listen here: Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence Audiobook

Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence, an illustrated picture book, is a Mom’s Choice Silver Award Winner, and Finalist, 2013 USA Best Book Awards. It’s a contemporary boy-and-dog tale. Talkative Bash has a big problem in soccer: His beloved dog, Lucy, is a pro at nabbing the ball, but sometimes at the wrong moment. Coach wants to ban Lucy from soccer practice and games, separating Bash from a companion who boosts his confidence in sports–and life. In this picture book for kids age 4-8, Bash and friends help Coach understand that with Lucy by their side, they feel more confident, laugh more often, and are comforted when they make mistakes.

The second kids’ audiobook, “Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy,” features the same cast, plus Ally, Michael’s 21-year-old sister. The kid voice-over artists range in age from 7-10 in this audio.

Like our first book, it’s an illustrated picture book, for kids 4-8 or so.

You can listen here: Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy

In “Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy,”  Bash’s dog, Lucy, helps coach his soccer team, and Lucy leads the team to the championships. But Bash is overcome with jealousy when Lucy enchants a team of Special Olympics kids who say they want her to coach their team. Can Bash overcome his jealousy and learn to share Lucy with kids who say they need her?

Our third audiobook, “Bash and Lucy Fetch Team Vera and the Dream Beasts,” features the voices of six kids, one Ukrainian grandmother, Michael’s sister, Ally, and our dog, Hudson!

You can listen here: Bash and Lucy Fetch Team Vera and the Dream Beasts audiobook

In the book, featured in Voice of America, sensitive Bash gets grumpy and disruptive when his life is too bright, too loud, too smelly, or too busy. To help stay calm, he counts on his librarian sister, Ally, his friends, and especially his dog, Lucy. But Lucy has become a local superstar because she’s a soccer coach who barks, wags and kisses Bash’s team to victory. Now, all the kids want Lucy to coach their teams, especially Paula, Bash’s girl-power cousin.

Vera Moroz, Michael’s surrogate grandma from Ukraine, is the grandma and the Ukrainian voice-over artist in this book–and she’ll also be featured in out next book. Stay tuned!

Watch Michael dedicate our last book to Vera:

Email questions and comments to BashAndLucy@gmail.com

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Sharing PR Secrets at Author Workshop

We were recently invited to be speakers at an author workshop sponsored by Toastmasters, Write Here, Right Now

At the workshop, we told the story of why we started our “Bash and Lucy” books about six years ago: We were trying to overcome grief over the death of our golden retriever, Lucy. We decided to write a book, Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence, that showed how dogs can help kids feel more confident, featuring, of course, Lucy.

Since then, we have written three “Bash and Lucy” books and produced three audiobooks featuring the voices of Michael, his friends and his family members.

Since we began that journey, we have appeared on the Today Show, on AM Northwest, in the Oregonian, in Disney’s Babble and other media outlets. The writers at the author workshop asked about our PR strategy.

Rather than submitting our book to book editors and requesting reviews, we sent out press releases that invited editors to do feature stories about our efforts. The first story, a half-page spread in the living section of the Oregonian, focused on writing through grief.  A few months later, Michael was featured on the Today Show for his love of reading and YouTube book reviews. At the time, Michael, age 5, reviewed only dog books. We’ve expanded that effort with the Roving Reader Leaders, a group of Kidlit lovers who meet to talk about books, do book reviews and also interview authors. The Roving Reader Leaders were featured in a fun article by the Beaverton Valley Times. Michael and another reader also appeared live on Portland Today to discuss their love of reading.

We also talked about the importance of partnering with organizations that provide a public service. At our book release parties, we raise money for the Oregon Humane Society. We also work with Skype in the classroom, teaching kids how to write and publish books. You can find learn more about our Skype lessons here.

Blogging, YouTube videos and utilizing social media are also part of our marketing efforts. We also try to appear in person as often as possible. In November, we’ll be selling books and audiobooks at Michael’s school’s Entrepreneur Fair.

Meanwhile, we’re excited to be working on our fourth book and audiobook.

We enjoyed meeting the aspiring authors at the Write Here, Right Now event and are happy to visit with writers and students. Email us at BashAndLucy@gmail.com

And don’t forget to watch our book trailer, created by an award-winning teen videographer when Michael was five and Hudson was a puppy:

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Mom-Son Author Visits, in Person and Via Skype!

Michael Displays Books at Homeschool Fair

We’re excited about the mom-son author visits we have lined up for the fall!

Today we autographed and sold our kids’ dog books and audiobooks at a homeschool fair. We were especially excited about sharing information about our audiobooks, which feature the voices of kids age 5 to 13.

When we produced our first audiobook (Michael’s idea, because he loves to listen to audiobooks), Michael and his friends were only 5 years old. I love the sound of their voices in the audiobook version of Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence

Next we’ll be visiting students via Skype in the classroom. We have “traveled” about 540,000 miles to “meet” students in 15 countries via Skype in the classroom. Our first visit is in September.

Learn more about our Skype in the classroom visits here.

When we arrange a visit with a class, we first send our books and audiobooks. During the visit, we explain why we started writing together: After the unexpected death of our dog, Lucy, we began “Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence” to help us keep her in our hearts. We  saw writing as a way to cope with our grief. During these visits, we ask kids to discuss art projects they created to help them cope with grief. We also discuss how we create characters–often based on people we know. We talk about the importance of including a conflict in fiction, and identify some of the conflicts in our books. We usually wrap up with questions from students, and they often give us ideas for our next books.

In addition to Skype visits, we’ll be making our annual appearance at a school Entrepreneur Fair in November.

And we were just asked to be speakers at a local event for new writers in October. More coming on that!

Mom-Son authors Lisa & Michael Cohn

if you’d like us to visit via Skype or in person, email us at BashAndLucy@gmail.com. We love visiting with both students and adults of any age, in any location.

Meanwhile, we’re working on our fourth book and audiobook Michael’s surrogate grandma, Vera, who is from Ukraine and appears in our third book, plays a critical role in the next book.

You can watch Michael dedicate our last book to Vera here:

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We’re Writing our Next Kids’ Dog Book!

Our Voice-Over Artist, Hudson

We’re excited that we’ve begun writing the next kids’ dog book in the Bash and Lucy series!

Dogs take center stage in this book. We can’t give away too many details, but we can provide a few hints.

First of all, the main dog-loving characters are Bash (of course), his Ukrainian grandma, Vera–who also is the assistant mayor–and Bash’s sister, Ally, the mayor, librarian and dance-troupe leader.

Now, you might imagine that with these two powerful women in his family, Bash might be able to influence them about the importance of caring for dogs, his favorite animal.

As it turns out, Ally and Vera don’t need any nudging at all.

They do some fun things to ensure that everyone in Bash’s little town remembers the important roles tail-waggers play in people’s lives.

Michael, now 11 years old, came up with some fun ideas for this Bash and Lucy book, which is our fourth.

He created a new role for Vera, and she takes center stage in the book, along with his sister, Ally, his dog, Lucy and other canine cuties.

This next book will likely be a chapter book and we’ll be sure to create an audiobook, with our voices and the voices of our friends and family members.

Let us know if you have any questions!

In the meantime, we’re planning our Skype in the Classroom visits for the fall. We meet via Skype with kids of all ages to talk about writing and publishing children’s books. You can sign up via Skype in the Classroom here.

We also want you to take a listen to our latest audiobook. You can listen to it for free! It features the voices of Lisa (narrator), Michael, Vera, Ally, our dog, Hudson, and many friends!

Bash and Lucy Fetch Team Vera audiobook

And, be sure to watch our book trailer, which is a video that features 5-year-old Michael and puppy Hudson! Michael’s sister, Ally, makes a short appearance in the video, which was created by an award-winning teen videographer:

Be sure to follow us on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BashAndLucy/

Twitter: @BashAndLucy_

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-and-...

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Another Inspiring Ukrainian Woman!

Tetyana Odarich

We’ve written about Vera, Michael’s surrogate grandma–an inspiring Ukrainian immigrant. She’s an important character in our latest kidlit book, Bash and Lucy Fetch Team Vera and the Dream Beasts. She’s also a voice-over artist in our latest kids’ audiobook.

Vera will appear in Bash and Lucy Book 4, and we’re excited about her role! Michael has added a few fun talents to her personality.

Recently, Lisa had the opportunity to meet another inspiring Ukrainian woman, Tetanya Odarich, whose journey took her from studying math in Ukraine, to falling in love with medicine on a date with her boyfriend, and then switching careers. On this journey, she nearly graduated from medical school in Ukraine, won a green card to come to the US, and then started her medical training all over, here in Portland, Ore. Now she’s a much-loved doctor in Portland.

Lisa was thrilled to tell her story of passion and dedication. You can read it here:

Love at First Sight–with Medicine

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Our Favorite Kids’ Audiobooks!

Practically every morning, Michael, age 10, wakes and plays one of his favorite kids’ audiobooks.

His love of audiobooks led us to produce our own Bash and Lucy audiobooks, recorded with the voices of Michael and friends. We recorded our first audiobook when Michael and friends were 6 years old. You can listen for free here.

But that’s not the only kids’ audiobook playing in our household. Here is a list of our very favorites:

A to Z Mysteries

The first series we listened to was A to Z Mysteries, narrated by David Pittu. We loved listening to how Pittu created the voices of the different characters. We knew Ruth Rose,  Josh and Dink so well, having read Ron Roy’s mysteries over and over.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

This series is even better in kids’ audiobook  format than as a book, we soon discovered. We played “The Long Haul” over and over again, laughing at voice-over artist Ramon De Ocampo’s hilarious reading of the pig getting loose in the van during the family’s trip. This was our favorite audiobook for months and we played it dozens of times.

Timmy Failure

The Timmy Failure series is also even better in kids’ audiobook format, with brilliant voice-overs by Jared Goldsmith that also made us laugh out loud. Goldsmith does a great job of bringing Timmy, Rollo, Molly and Timmy’s mom to life. The series also helps educate kids about what it’s like to gain a stepparent–the good and the bad.

Wings of Fire

One of Michael’s favorite series of all time is Wings of Fire, which he says is “great, awesome, creative, funny and great.”  He plays the audiobooks over and over and over, saying the voice-over artist, Shannon McManus, really understands the complex characters.

FunJungle and Moon Base Alpha

Most recently, Michael has been listening to Stuart Gibbs’ books on audiobook, featuring voice-over artist Gibson Frazier.  “They’re funny, creative, hilarious and futuristic,” says Michael. And they include funny appendices that teach kids about topics like the Heimlich maneuver.  Lisa adds, “All of Gibbs’ kids’ books are incredibly well-written, humorous and filled with educational details.”

As for our own “Bash and Lucy” audiobooks, we recorded all three with the voices of Michael, his friends and his family members. In fact, our third kids’ audiobook, “Bash and Lucy Fetch Team Vera and the Dream Beasts,” was recorded with the voices of Michael, Lisa, five kids, one big sister, Michael’s Ukrainian grandma– plus our dog, Hudson. You can listen to that one for free here.

Nothing makes us happier than hearing how much kids like to listen to our audiobooks, especially kids who struggle with reading. Feel free to share the links to the free versions of our audiobooks. You can also find them on Audible here.

Be sure to email us at BashAndLucy@gmail.com and tell us about your favorite children’s audiobooks!

 

 

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Feb. 16 Reading for Kids with Learning Challenges via The Shadow Project

Mom-Son authors Lisa & Michael Cohn

Feb. 16 Reading By Mom-Son Authors for Kids With Learning Challenges via The Shadow Project & Roving Reader Leaders

Authors Lisa Cohn and Michael Cohn (age 10) will read their children’s books with kids with learning challenges in partnership with The Shadow Project Saturday, Feb. 16. The reading begins at 12:30 at Oregon Public House, 700 NE Dekum St., Portland, Ore. 97211. They’ll also ask kids for ideas for their next book.

The reading is a partnership with The Shadow Project, whose mission is to make school more accessible and engaging for children with learning challenges so they can achieve their full potential. Proceeds from sales of food and drink will benefit The Shadow Project.

In addition to being award-winning kids’ book authors and creators of kids’ audiobooks read by Michael and friends (age 5-12), the Cohns are founders of the Roving Reader Leaders, which aims to inspire kids to read and discuss books. The Cohns formed the Roving Reader Leaders after Michael was featured, at age 5, on the Today Show for his love of reading and his online book reviews.

“One of the goals of our book project and the Roving Reader Leaders is to share our love of reading with kids of all abilities and ages,” said Lisa Cohn. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with The Shadow Project.”

The Cohns have featured special-needs kids in two of their books. They created an autistic character in “Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy” at the request of the boy’s mother, Dania Doose, who hoped it would inspire her son to read. She says her idea worked. And Bash, the main character in the Cohns’ third book, “Bash and Lucy Fetch Team Vera and the Dream Beasts,” struggles with sensory challenges. In their next book, the Cohns plan to focus on the positive qualities–or super strengths–of kids with special needs.

About The Shadow Project

By equipping classrooms with innovative tools and strategies tailored to diverse learning needs, The Shadow Project has teamed with schools to foster success for more than 11,000 students who typically read one- to three-years below grade level, and have challenges such as dyslexia, ADHD, and autism. Learn more about the Shadow Project here

About Lisa and Michael Cohn

Michael and Lisa have appeared on the Today Show, AM Northwest, Sirius XM Radio, and in Disney’s Babble, as well as in the Oregonian, Voice of America, and other media.  They have received two Mom’s Choice Silver Awards for their books. Through Skype in the classroom visits, Lisa and Michael have ‘traveled’ more than 540,000 miles to meet with students in 15 countries around the world.  Watch Michael on the Today Show at age 5: Book Crazy Boy, 5, a Budding Literacy Critic

Watch Michael and his “Roving Reader Leaders” friends interview author Troy Cummings: Boys, age 8-11, Show Love of Author’s Book in Interview

Learn more about Lisa and Michael Cohn here

For more information, contact Lisa Cohn at 503-577-0504 or email BashAndLucy@gmail.com

 

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