Maybe it’s the slow pace of the sticky days or the calmness of the cooler nights that makes summertime and books go together like peanut butter and jelly. Hot temperatures evoke memories of flashlights scanning pages in tents and long afternoons seeking shady places to devour another chapter. Today, we thought we would combine these two symbols of summer to bring you the ultimate summer moment. If you live for those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer, then grab your library card and tie on your apron as we take you through some classic summertime books and their perfect summer food/beverage pairings. All recipes are linked. Books for AdultsThe Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald“Men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars.”
The story’s title character, Jay Gatsby, is well known for his dazzling, over-the-top parties that drip in diamonds and luxury. And what food better embodies the decadence of West Egg than champagne? That’s why we thought these champagne cupcakes would be perfect to pair with the dazzling decadence of The Great Gatsby.  Champagne cupcakes- recipe and photo via Life, Love, and Sugar blog.
“Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water.” 
"You is kind, you is smart, you is important."
While the book looks at many serious topics, it’s not without its light moments. If you’ve read The Help, or watched the popular 2011 film based on the novel, you know the deeper meaning behind the word “pie”. Being set in the South, there are probably an infinite number of dishes that would work well with this book, but none quite so as iconic as Minny’s chocolate pie.  Easy Chocolate Pie recipe and image via Belly Full blog
Because of Winn Dixie, by Kate DiCamillo“ You can always trust a dog that likes peanut butter.”  Because of Winn Dixie shares the sweet story of a young girl and her summer in a new town. Early on, the main character, Opal, adopts a scruffy dog who wrecked the local grocery store. Despite the mess he made, Opal sees something special in the dog, who she names Winn Dixie after the store in which she met him. This is a theme carried throughout the story as Opal meets more of the town locals. From a mean next door neighbor girl to a recovering alcoholic, Opal discovers that the people around her might have darkness in their past, but each one has a story and is special and valuable in their own way.
“Maybe being happy isn't having everything in your life to be perfect. Maybe it's about stringing together all the little things; making those count for more than the bad stuff.”
When we think of summer and being a teenager, pizza just seems like the perfect fit! We decided to pair this series with a sourdough pizza. Why sourdough? Well, if you’ve ever baked with sourdough, you know you need a starter. This can be made by you, or, more often, people will get some from a friend. Starter must be continually “fed”, so if you don’t share it, you end up throwing extra away. A sourdough pizza perfectly combines the connected friendships of Brashares’s series with the fun food of teenagedom.
“Don't be afraid of death; be afraid of an unlived life. You don't have to live forever, you just have to live.”  What would it be like to live forever? Natalie Babbitt’s novel asks this age-old question and explores the topic through the eyes of young Winnifred Foster. Winnie’s life is regimented, regular, and, to her, suffocating--especially at the height of summer, when this book takes place. When she meets the Tucks, she is challenged to view the world around her--and even life itself--differently.
Just Grandma and Me, by Mercer Mayer This cute picture book follows Little Critter and his grandma to the beach where Little Critter gets into all kinds of beach fun and mischief. The story celebrates some of the special parts of the beach such as swimming, digging in the sand, and finding sea shells. To go along with this book, we suggest a beach boardwalk staple--the hot dog! The How Sweet Eats blog shares how to spice up your average hot dog and create a fun hot dog bar!  Hot Dog Bar image and recipes via How Sweet Eats blog
|
 Tom Brenner’s picture book is a celebration of all things summer, from the sound of the lawnmower to the cold drip from an ice cream cone. Since the book ends with the characters camping, we paired this book with a summer and camping classic, the s’more. If you aren't a camper, try these oven-baked s'mores from Butter With a Side of Bread. |  Oven baked s'mores recipe and image via Butter With a Side of Bread blog |
Come On, Rain Written by Karen Hesse & illustrated by Jon J Muth
 | This is a sweet story that perfectly captures that height-of-the-summer feeling of time slowing down. Through captivating illustrations and artistic wording, the author manages to make readers feel like they are right there with the main characters, waiting, waiting, waiting on the rain. As you flip the pages, it’s easy to feel the sticky air, the hot pavement, and the elation that comes with that first, glorious drop. |
For this story, we thought it would be appropriate to pair a snack that resembled that beautiful, long hoped for rain. This cute treat that uses blueberries for raindrops and whipped cream for clouds will make both kids and parents happy.
Recipe and image via Hart to Hart Tot School blog
A. Blob on A Bus and This is A. Blob, by L.A. Kefalos
As a bonus, we're throwing in a sweet treat to pair with our own Blob Series books, This is A. Blob, and A. Blob on a Bus, by L.A. Kefalos. The books show that there is often more to someone--even a bully--than meets the eye...much like a chocolate covered pretzel!
As children make these treats shaped like A. Blob, they will discuss why some people bully others and what they can do to help.
***
We chose some classics that are set in the summertime, but we’d love to hear some of your favorite summer reads! What books would you like us to find a food pairing for? Let us know in the comments!
 | A. Blob is back, and this time it's on a bus! As the slimy bully pokes and pesters the children of Lincoln Elementary School, it seems like they will never be able to ride the bus in peace. That is, until one brave girl takes stand. Can one act of bravery change everything--including A. Blob? Find out in this second installment of The Blob Series! |
 | Before it was on a bus, A. Blob was on the playground. This first installment of The Blob Series follows the antics of A. Blob, as it wreaks havoc on the elementary school playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that A. Blob may have more than meets the eye. Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another and encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help. |
0 Comments
The history of summer reading programs is long, reaching back more than 100 years. As far back as the late 1800s, librarians realized that children had less access to reading materials in the summer months and, more concerning to them at the time, the few books they were reading were often of poor quality. Today, nearly every library in the nation offers some sort of summer reading program that encourages a love of reading and incentivizes turning the pages.
Children selecting their books at the East Ham Public Library, 21 April 1934
There’s good reason for this too! In addition to combating what’s known as the Summer Slide (a phenomenon where children often lose skills in reading and math over the summer, sometimes as much as 30%), summer reading programs have been shown to encourage parents to be involved with their children’s reading, advance reading skills, and improve attitudes towards reading. With all of these positive benefits, it may be surprising to learn that summer reading programs have been under scrutiny since the day they were started. Not only do librarians and educators disagree on how such programs should be run, some disagree on whether or not summer reading programs should be run at all.
The Early Days
In their earliest incarnations, summer reading programs were little more than small reading clubs. Librarians selected titles, usually 10 or so, they felt children should read and gave a certificate to each child who read every book on the list. Such clubs were restricted to older children, aged 10-18. Over the next 20 years, book reports and required recitations were added to the list of activities needed to earn a certificate.
It wasn’t long before criticism of the summer reading clubs popped up. In the 1920s, some became concerned that the programs promoted rewards more than reading and stifled a love of reading for its own sake. Speaking out for the growing concern, one librarian offered this question in a summer reading editorial: “What does it profit them if they read many books and love none?”.
For the Joy of Reading
The goal of cultivating a love of reading, in addition to aptitude, began to catch on in the 1930s. While the practice was not widespread, several libraries began to allow children to select their own reading materials. Fun themes and activities such as end of summer picnics were built into programs and, in an effort to lessen competition, rewards began to be given based on personal effort and quality of books reported, rather than quantity. Another change of note is the age of program participants, which expanded to include students as young as 1st grade in some areas.
Taking Sides
The1940s were an interesting time for summer reading programs. Not only did their spread widen, so did opinions about how they should be run. In an issue of Library Journal, two librarians offered conflicting opinions. The first stated the many values of summer reading programs, including heading off summer reading loss--one of the first mentions of something like the “Summer Slide”.
A second librarian, Pauline Ames, offered a different perspective. Not only did she feel that current summer reading programs were of poor quality and took valuable time away from the librarians’ other responsibilities, she believed they primarily rewarded good readers, who were already reading, and punished slow readers, who were already struggling. As the years went on, a middle ground was struck between these two sides. By the 1950s, libraries began to partner more closely with schools and educators to help leverage summer reading programs to boost reading skills over the summer. More room for choice in book selection also became the norm throughout the country and essay and recitation requirements fell more and more to the wayside.
Fun for All
The late 70s are well known as a time when old ways were thrown off and the world of summer reading programs was no different. Along with allowing more personal choice and widening participation ages, many libraries began to weave other activities into their summer reading programs in an effort to extend learning and take stories off the pages. Puppet shows, craft hours, and group story times are just a few examples of how librarians worked to draw reading into the everyday lives of their young patrons.
What was the response? Participation numbers leaped from 50% to 76%! In an attempt to shift focus to an enjoyment of reading, rather than competition, some libraries moved away from certificates and began entering anyone who participated in the program into weekly drawings. This is a system that continues to be followed in many libraries today.
What was the response? Participation numbers leaped from 50% to 76%! In an attempt to shift focus to an enjoyment of reading, rather than competition, some libraries moved away from certificates and began entering anyone who participated in the program into weekly drawings. This is a system that continues to be followed in many libraries today.
The Digital Age
As computers and the internet became increasingly accessible, more information than ever before was placed at the fingertips of individuals. However, the question on the minds of educators, librarians, and parents was: “Will children stop reading books?”. As libraries planned for their summer reading programs in the 90s, they decided to embrace, rather than fight, the digital wave sweeping across the nation. The first shift came in the recording process. For the first time, program participants could log their reading hours on library computers, saving librarians countless hours of sorting paperwork and freeing up more time for valuable interaction with patrons.
Teaching with Games trial Bedminster Down School using Roller Coaster Tycoon 3
Libraries were also able to develop websites for their programs, which helped to spread awareness and increase participation. Several websites also included book-related games and links to websites that complemented the program themes. Today, most libraries continue to embrace technology, allowing patrons to read digital books and even audiobooks for credit in the programs.
Perhaps one of the most significant changes in summer reading programs over the last 100 years is not their structure, reward system, or even activities. It is their inclusivity. The first recorded summer reading program spanned a small 9 year range. Today, most libraries open their programs to all ages, 0-100+! Parents may read to their non reading children to earn them credits in the program and parents themselves may participate. While some may argue that the focus on improving children’s reading has been lost, others could counter that it has simply been extended. After all, who has fewer opportunities or motivation to read than a busy working parent?
The Great Debate Continues?
Will the debate as to how to properly run a summer reading program ever end? Not likely. Articles continue to be written each year on the validity of summer reading programs, the pros and cons of reward systems, and whether or not the focus should be the joy of reading or the skill of reading. Though this adds friction to the library world, the positive side is that this friction spurs librarians and educators to continue working together to make reading programs the best they can possibly be.
After more than 100 years, through great social, political, and technological change, summer reading programs have endured and continue to encourage individuals of all ages, reading abilities, income levels, and interests to fall in love with book in every state in the nation and we, for one, think that is something to celebrate!
***
Does your local library have a summer reading program? Have you noticed it change over the years, or has your location done something particularly unique? Share your stories in the comments!
Sources
https://ils.unc.edu/MSpapers/2977.pdf
http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2013/05/evaluating-summer-reading-programs-suggested-improvements/
https://ils.unc.edu/MSpapers/2977.pdf
http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2013/05/evaluating-summer-reading-programs-suggested-improvements/
 |  |  |
 | A. Blob is back, and this time it's on a bus! As the slimy bully pokes and pesters the children of Lincoln Elementary School, it seems like they will never be able to ride the bus in peace. That is, until one brave girl takes stand. Can one act of bravery change everything--including A. Blob? Find out in this second installment of The Blob Series! |
 | Before it was on a bus, A. Blob was on the playground. This first installment of The Blob Series follows the antics of A. Blob, as it wreaks havoc on the elementary school playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that A. Blob may have more than meets the eye. Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another and encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help. |
 | It’s SUMMER!! That means sunshine, pool days, barbecues, and, best of all, summer reading! Some of my favorite memories of summer involve stretching out in front of the giant fan that always made its way to the kitchen each June and getting lost in the latest Boxcar Children adventure and sneaking my favorite Ramona book under the narrow beam of a flashlight on hot, sticky nights. To me, summer was a time of endless adventure and that adventure was often found in a not-so-neatly stacked pile of books. For some children, though, reading doesn’t come as easily and the idea of spending summer with a book seems more akin to a punishment rather than a privilege. |
While allowing your child to skip the weeks of summer may seem harmless, it can have harmful repercussions and lead to what is known as “The Summer Slide”. According to this study found on Marin County Free Library's Blog, if they do not read consistently, children can regress as much as 2-3 months over the summer. The good news is, it doesn’t take much to beat the slide! Research shows that as little as 20 minutes of reading each day is enough to keep children at a consistent reading level.
So how do you get your reluctant reader to jump for joy at the thought of reading? We’re glad you asked. Here are 10 simple strategies to keep kids reading all summer long (even the reluctant ones)!
1. Create a Reading Nook
| You’ve heard it before--location, location, location! Where an activity takes place can play a significant role in the way we view and tackle that activity. With reading, the most important aspects of an inviting space are that it is comfortable, relatively quiet, and removed from distraction. It doesn’t have to be fancy. |  Bean Bag Book Nook from How Does She |
In fact, many children would be perfectly happy with a blanket thrown over a table and a couple of cozy pillows to lay back on! Find a place that is quiet and separate from too much noise and activity and then choose some cozy touches with your child to make it just right! Jill, from Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons, offers a few cute and simple reading nook ideas for every budget.
2. Write Letters
Who doesn’t love to get mail? Make reading more exciting by tying it to something in the real world like a pen pal! Connect your child with a buddy, cousin, or even overseas pen pal and encourage them to write each week. Kid World Citizen offers some fantastic pen pal suggestions such as writing to an active member of the military or to a child living in another country. It’s a great way to practice writing and reading, as well as conversation skills, geography, and possibly even learn another language!
3. Give Choice
This tip is simple, but effective. Sometimes a little autonomy goes a long way. Next library visit, give your child the opportunity to choose 3 or 4 books off the shelf. If the options are overwhelming, try one of these fun library book challenges from Growing Book By Book.
4. Create a Book Club
Get together with some local families and make a book club. Have the kids help come up with discussion questions to ask other book club members or dream up some fun crafts or activities that go along with the book. Not only does this build reading accountability, it brings a fun, communal element to an activity that, to struggling readers, sometimes feels isolating.
5. Make a Silly Game
Reading books is fun, but reading isn’t limited to books and poems. Every day we read signs, products, directions, and so much more. Take reading beyond the book by having your child write directions for a new silly game. He or she will then read them to the rest of the family, who has to do whatever the directions say!
6. Subscribe to Magazine
As stated before, getting mail can be exciting! Choose a magazine to subscribe to over the summer that focuses on something of special interest to your child. Not only will they love finding something with their name on it in the mailbox, they will have brand new reading material made specially for them each month.
7. Get the Scoop
Hard-copy newspapers are getting scarcer by the day, but they do still exist! Find some fun articles in your local paper for the kids to check out or see if your library has a newsletter. Talk about what is happening in your neighborhood and how we read to be informed as well as to be entertained. You could even have the kids write their own newspaper article in response! For the child who struggles to get into reading, getting the chance to read something as grown-up as a newspaper might be just the thing he or she needs to view reading in a new light.
8. Mix it Up
Like we said earlier, reading is a part of everyday life from cleaning to cooking, so why not try reading recipes! There are millions of cook books made just for kids that introduce new words and phrases into your child’s vocabulary--not to mention the math, science, and life skills they will be learning along the way. Pick a fun, new dish to serve to the family each week!
9. Write Your Own Story
| Reading and writing go hand-in-hand. If you have a reader who just can’t find something he enjoys reading, why not turn the tables and have him write his own story? It can be a work of fiction, an autobiography, or even a review of his favorite tv show or game. When it’s all done, encourage him to read it out loud for everyone to hear! |  |
10. Go for the Gold
KIM SIEVER / FLICKR Who doesn’t love a good sticker chart? Set a reading goal, such as 100 books over the summer and for each book read, add a sticker! Together with your children, decide on a fun activity, food, or game that would be a good prize. If the chart is filled up by the end of the summer, everyone gets the prize! To keep kids motivated, add smaller milestones along the way. For example, a round of ice cream after the first 20 books, or a new pack of extra special stickers after reaching the halfway point (you’d be surprised at how motivated kids get when it comes to special stickers!). If your kids are competition fiends, make it into a contest to see who can read the most books by the end of the summer. If your kids are still new to reading, make it a team effort and show what can be accomplished when everyone works together. Michael from The Thinker Builder offers some cute alternative reading-tracking methods if you like to think outside the box!
***
Let us know if you try out any of these strategies and if you have any ideas we missed, leave them in the comments!
Looking for some great reads to kick off the summer? These first two picture books in L.A. Kefalos's Blob Trilogy are just the tools needed to prepare children for the social and emotional issues they will encounter once school is back in session. Complete with accompanying discussion questions, lesson plans, and fun crafts, all you have to do is read!
 | Who – or what – is A. Blob? Find the answer in This is A. Blob, a beautifully illustrated tale of a playground bully’s antics. Discover that A. Blob and, perhaps others like him, may not be exactly what they seem. Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another and encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help. |
 | Trapped inside a bus with a bullying pile of goo, what will the kids of Lincoln Elementary School do? The sticky, purple bully, A. Blob, is back in this second installment of The Blob Trilogy, and it seems it still hasn’t learned that being mean won’t make friends stick. As A. Blob pokes and pesters on the school bus, it seems the kids are stuck in quite the sticky situation. But can one act of bravery change everything--including A. Blob? Find out in the masterfully illustrated sequel to This is A. Blob. |
I don’t know about you, but when I think of summer, I think of blockbuster films. I’m instantly transported back to warm summer nights at the drive-in, sitting under the stars and watching epic stories unfold. As a child, it felt like I could be and do just about anything as I watched those fantastic characters dance across the screen.
I don’t know about you, but when I think of summer, I think of blockbuster films. I’m instantly transported back to warm summer nights at the drive-in, sitting under the stars and watching epic stories unfold. As a child, it felt like I could be and do just about anything as I watched those fantastic characters dance across the screen.
As we discussed in an earlier blog, while filled with many wonderful things, summertime can also be filled with bullying and unkindness. Even during the summer months, it is important to continue working on building kindness and empathy. This doesn’t mean fun has to take a backseat, though! There are plenty of ways to build social/emotional skills while enjoying all your favorite summertime activities—including going to the movies!
Image from Illumination Entertainment
One fun new movie that recently hit theaters is an animated film called The Secret Life of Pets. In this movie, we humans are given a rare glimpse into what our pets think and do when we aren’t around. Children get to see how their animals might feel when they get left at home and how they might react when placed in a difficult scenario, providing the perfect opportunity to begin a conversation about empathy and the importance of considering the thoughts and opinions of others.
Inspired by the movie, I decided to create another movie-based empathy-building activity called:
The Secret Life Of…
In The Secret Life of Pets, we get to look at life through the eyes of our pets. This activity takes it one step further and allows children to step into the shoes of any character they like best!
Step 1: Choose a character
Have your child pick a character from a book or movie. This can be any character, however, it works best if children choose someone they have seen or read about recently.
Step 2: Describe the characterDescribe how the character is perceived by others, how the character perceives him/herself, likes and dislikes, and general personality traits. You can get as creative as you like with these steps, making collages, drawing pictures, or even making video diaries in character! |  Image via http://kickcanandconkers.blogspot.com/2013_04_01_archive.html |
Step 3: Tell the story
Keeping in mind the details outlined in the previous step, write out the character’s backstory using the first person perspective. The story should include details from the movie or book, but also fill in gaps that were not included in these tales. When writing the story, children should be sure to include how their character feels about the things that happen to him or her and why he or she chose to do certain things. For younger children, you may pick specific scenes or events for them to focus in on while older children may be given more free reign to explore character’s story and choices.
Again, you may get as creative as you like with this step. Stories may be illustrated, acted out, told completely in Tweets, or recorded in a diary!
Step 4: Continue the story
Create several different scenarios, with everything from bullying scenarios to everyday classroom situations, or even extending a scene from the character’s movie or book. How would your child’s character respond and why? What thoughts would run through their head? How would they feel?
As your children imagine their character’s responses, they are practicing, not only how to respond to different situations, but also putting themselves into the shoes of others.
Have conversations about why your children’s characters would respond the way they do. Ask if this is different than how they themselves would respond. Open up about how you would respond, as well. By the end of the activity, your children will have experienced at least three different thought processes, reactions, and responses to the exact same scenario.
Have conversations about why your children’s characters would respond the way they do. Ask if this is different than how they themselves would respond. Open up about how you would respond, as well. By the end of the activity, your children will have experienced at least three different thought processes, reactions, and responses to the exact same scenario.
***
So there you have it! A fun, simple little lesson in empathy that your children will think is just playtime! And really, aren’t learning and playing the same things?!
Would you try this activity at home? Which character would you choose? Let us know in the comments!
 |  |  |
This is A. Blob is a masterfully illustrated picture book suitable for children ages 4-8. Written by Lori Kefalos, author of several animated shorts, including “Who’s that Knocking,” “Chug,” and “Croc, Pots and Wildebeests,” which was nominated for Best Independent Short Short, Ages 5-8, at the 2009 Kid’s First Film Festival and for best short at The Los Angeles Women’s International Film Festival, This is A. Blob is the first of a series following this bully.
This first installment follows the antics of A. Blob, a slimy, purple, blob-like creature who wreaks havoc on the elementary school playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that A. Blob may have more than meets the eye.
Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another. The book encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help.
This first installment follows the antics of A. Blob, a slimy, purple, blob-like creature who wreaks havoc on the elementary school playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that A. Blob may have more than meets the eye.
Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another. The book encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help.
 | BOOK 2 NOW AVAILABLE! A. Blob is back, and this time it's on a bus! As the slimy bully pokes and pesters the children of Lincoln Elementary School, it seems like they will never be able to ride the bus in peace. That is, until one brave girl takes stand. Can one act of bravery change everything--including A. Blob? Find out in this second installment of The Blob Series! |
School is finally out!! No more tests! No more studying! No more homework!...but what about bullies? As much as we would like to believe bullies get locked away with the stacks of history books, it simply isn’t true. Bullying can occur at any location and at any time of the year, even during these blissful summer months.
School is finally out!! No more tests! No more studying! No more homework!...but what about bullies? As much as we would like to believe bullies get locked away with the stacks of history books, it simply isn’t true. Bullying can occur at any location and at any time of the year, even during these blissful summer months.
In fact, outside of school, away from the supervision and protocol of the classroom, bullying can actually increase. This is especially true when children go away to summer camps where they are often forced to deal with difficult situations alone.
This isn’t fun to think about, but taking some time now to prepare can ensure a smooth summer and an even a better school year in the fall. Here are some points to consider as you head into your summer vacation:
This isn’t fun to think about, but taking some time now to prepare can ensure a smooth summer and an even a better school year in the fall. Here are some points to consider as you head into your summer vacation:
Where is bullying likely to occur?
| Take some time to compile a list of places your child will go this summer where he or she may be confronted with a bullying situation, such as the park, the pool, camp, or a sport’s practice. Talk about what those situations might look like and how your child would respond. Keep it light and conversational. The goal isn’t to scare the child and make it so he or she doesn’t want to participate in any activity; it is simply to prepare them for any situation that may arise. |  |
Keep up with your child as they participate in their summer activities, asking them questions and monitoring their attitude. If they suddenly seem disinterested in an activity they previously enjoyed, have less and less to say about their day, or talk often of quitting, do a little digging. These could all be signs that something isn’t quite right.
Establish Trusted Adults
This tip was suggested in an article on the website stopitcyberbully.com. Discuss with your child who will be in charge where they are going and who amongst that group they can trust if they need help. This is an especially important step for young children who may have more difficulty identifying the person in charge or having the confidence to approach someone they don’t know.
Again, the goal is to prepare your child, not frighten them. So, instead of saying “If someone teases you or steals your things at camp, tell your camp counselor” you could say “If you ever need help, remember, your camp counselor, Cindy, in there to help you with whatever you need. Her job is to make sure you stay safe and happy, just like your teacher at school!”
Again, the goal is to prepare your child, not frighten them. So, instead of saying “If someone teases you or steals your things at camp, tell your camp counselor” you could say “If you ever need help, remember, your camp counselor, Cindy, in there to help you with whatever you need. Her job is to make sure you stay safe and happy, just like your teacher at school!”
On your end, take a little time to establish a relationship with these adults, as well. If you’re able, volunteer to help out. This is the best way to get a front row view of the true dynamics of the group. However, many aren’t able to volunteer, and that’s ok! Again, this doesn’t have to be anything too intense. Simply introduce yourself, exchange contact information, and check in every now and then to see how everything is going.
On your end, take a little time to establish a relationship with these adults, as well. If you’re able, volunteer to help out. This is the best way to get a front row view of the true dynamics of the group. However, many aren’t able to volunteer, and that’s ok! Again, this doesn’t have to be anything too intense. Simply introduce yourself, exchange contact information, and check in every now and then to see how everything is going.
Gossip
It seems that gossip is one of the more frequent forms of bullying over summer vacation. Perhaps this is because people who gossip do so to make themselves feel better and summer often involves new, scary situations where kids need to make fast friends. Or, perhaps, it’s because the mystique of not seeing each other every day leaves things ripe for false stories. Whatever the reason, summer camps and sports teams always seem to teem with gossip. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to know how to handle the situation since gossip is difficult to confirm, but can do an enormous amount of damage in a short span of time.
Find out where it is coming from and why
Figuring out who started the rumor may shed some light on why it is happening. Was the rumor meant to hurt your child or is it just a case of misinformation? Is the person gossiping or spreading rumors intent on ostracizing your child and getting others to turn against her? This information is important to know before your child reacts to the rumor. For instance, it is easier to clear up a case of misinformation than it is to respond to relational aggression.
Turn to a trusted adult for support
Talk to someone you can confide in, like a parent, teacher, school counselor, or coach. Let that person know what you're going through. Keep him or her up to date on what's going on, even as things start to get better. A trusted adult confidante can help you feel more supported and less alone. Plus, adults can take steps to put a stop to the rumors and gossip
Speak up
| Consider speaking to the person who's spreading rumors. If you can, approach her. Calmly say something like, "I know we don't get along. You don't have to like me, but you need to stop spreading rumors about me and talking behind my back." Don't be angry or mean. Avoid yelling. Just say what you want calmly, clearly, assertively, and maturely. After you've said what you want, you can simply walk away. There's no need to wait for her to say anything back. Leave her to think about what you said. |
Before you try talking to the person, though, talk with an adult about what to say and how to approach her. Every situation is different, and you want to make sure things don't turn into more meanness, yelling, or fighting. It can also help to have a friend stand with you when you talk to the girl.
Resist the urge to react or get revenge
When people are mean, it is hard not to feel overwhelmed and react in negative ways. As with other types of bullying, it makes it worse when kids reward a bully’s efforts by getting visibly upset. It is also tempting for kids to respond in kind with rumors or gossip of their own. Encourage your child not to seek revenge but to take the high road instead.
Don’t pass on gossip if you hear it. Make sure it stops with you
Stress with your child the importance of being mindful of the information they themselves spread about others, as well as themselves. Friends are not always as tight-lipped as they may have promised to be and facts can easily become distorted. Though simple, sometimes the age old “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all” policy is the best to follow.
Responding to other types of bullying
Be sure to talk through what your child would do if they were in any position of a bullying scenario (bully, victim, bystander). Depending on your child, different preparations will fit better than others. For example, perhaps your child is very outgoing, social, and popular. He may not be a target of bullying at all, however, he should still be prepared for what to do if he sees someone being mistreated. How would he respond? Is there a way his popularity could help him help someone else? It should never be one child’s full responsibility to control a situation; however, some children have more influence over others and are able to utilize that influence for the better.
Remind your child that respect is always a necessity, even when school isn’t in session. People can still get hurt and angry and sad outside the classroom.
Fun preparation games
Learning doesn’t have to be boring! In fact, summer offers a multitude of opportunities for building valuable social skills such as empathy and teamwork. Here are a few of our favorites:
Empathy:
Sometimes the best way to understand another person is to actually step into their shoes. This blog offers some simple role play activities that can help children get a small taste of what it feels like to live with a disability, have an injury, or go hungry. This idea can be expanded to explore any perspective of your choice.
Sometimes the best way to understand another person is to actually step into their shoes. This blog offers some simple role play activities that can help children get a small taste of what it feels like to live with a disability, have an injury, or go hungry. This idea can be expanded to explore any perspective of your choice.
| Teamwork: The internet is filled with team building activities for all ages. This website lists a few that are both fun and inexpensive. |  |
Perspective:
This activity is great for helping kids of all ages put themselves—literally—in the shoes of another. The activity can be tailored to fit the needs of your particular group.
Picture found on corneroncharacter.blogspot.com
***
Summer should be a time of fun, joy, and making memories, and, with a little preparation, it will be! We hope these tips have been helpful and that the only thing you that bugs your kids this summer, are the bugs!
Has bullying ever clouded up your sunny summer fun? Let us know how you handled it in the comments below.
| |  |  |
 | BOOK 2 NOW AVAILABLE! A. Blob is back, and this time it's on a bus! As the slimy bully pokes and pesters the children of Lincoln Elementary School, it seems like they will never be able to ride the bus in peace. That is, until one brave girl takes stand. Can one act of bravery change everything--including A. Blob? Find out in this second installment of The Blob Series! |
 | Looking for your next summer read? Check out This is A. Blob by L.A. Kefalos! This beautifully illustrated picture book introduces children to issues such as bullying, differences, and empathy using easy to read rhyming text. Join the sticky, purple "A. Blob" on a journey of learning that there is usually more to someone than first meets the eye... |
About Laughing Leopard Press
Hello! We are Laughing Leopard Press, an independent book publisher from Akron, Ohio. At Laughing Leopard Press, we’re interested in publishing works that contribute to our understanding of this wonderful world. Through this blog, we hope to add to that understanding with commentary on life, literature, and a few things in between. We hope you enjoy the blog and take some time to talk with us in the comments or on our social media sites. Happy reading!
For some more great reading, check out our latest release, This is A. Blob by L. A Kefalos. This is A. Blob is a picture book that deals with the sticky issue of bullying through an unlikely character that is a bit sticky itself! As readers follow the antics of A. Blob, they learn to put themselves in the shoes of another and discover there may be more to this bully than meets the eye…
This is A. Blob by L. A Kefalos. $14.95
$1.00 is donated to charity for each book sold on this site--half to St. Jude's and the other half to PetFix Northeast Ohio.
$1.00 is donated to charity for each book sold on this site--half to St. Jude's and the other half to PetFix Northeast Ohio.
Archives
September 2020
July 2020
June 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
March 2019
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
February 2015
December 2014
Categories
All
10 Joyful Ways To Celebrate Christmas In July!
11 Easy Ways To Make Labor Day
A Blob On A Bus
A. Blob On A Tour
A. Blob On Bus
Activities
Activity
Am I Alone? Words Of Support For Parents Of Bullies
And Bullying
A New Approach To Bullying Prevention: How Setting Small Goals Can Make A Big Difference Part I
A New Approach To Bullying Prevention: How Setting Small Goals Can Make A Big Difference-Part I
A New Approach To Bullying Prevention: How Setting Small Goals Can Make A BIG Difference-Part II
A New Year
Anniversary
Art
Attitudes Are Contagious
Author
Authors
Author Tools
Authot
Beating The Summer Slide: 10 Strategies To Keep Kids Reading All Summer Long
Beyond Bullying Prevention Month:Integrating Bullying Prevention Throughout The Classroom
Blog Tour
Book Extension
Book Extensions
Book Launch
Book Release
Book Review
Books
Books And Food
Books That Heal
Brooms
Bully Drill
Bullying
Bullying: October's Other Scary Theme
Bullying Prevention
Bully Prevention
Bystander
Cake
Childrens Books
Chocolate Covered Bullying
Christmas
Collaboration
Craft
Difficult Times
Do Bullies Take Summer Vacation?
Empathy
Employment
Encouragement
Engineering
Erin Frankel
Every Hero Has A Story
Exercise Your Mind...Read!
Facing The Blank Page
Fall
Fear-The Master Of Disguise
Food
Freebie
Free Spirit Publishing
Gift Guide
Gifts
Goals
Go Set A Watchman
Guest Blog
Halloween
Hands On
Hands-On
Hate Writing? This Could Be Why.
Helpguide.org
History
Holiday
Homemade Slime
I Can Be An Upstander
In A New Light
In Another Skin
Integrating Bullying Prevention
Integrating Bullying Prevention Part I: Math
Integrating Bullying Prevention Throughout The Classroom Part II: Art
International Literacy Day
Interview
Is It Bullying?
Just-A Poem About Finding Color In A Black And White World
Kindness
Labels
Labor Day
L.A Kefalos
L.A. KEFALOS
L.A. Kefalos
Laughing Leopard Blog
Laughing Leopard Press
Lesson
Lessons
Librarians
Libraries
Literacy
Love
Marketing
Math
Mom Read It
Myths
My Upstander Handbook
NaNoWriMo
National Bullying Prevention Month
National Novel Writing Month
National Smile Power Day
Neighbor Day
New Year
October
October-Bats
Orange Slime!--Celebrating Unity Day 2016
Outwitting Bullying
PACER Bully Prevention Center
Parents
Perspective
Picture Book
Picture Book Month
Picture Books
Picture Books And Bullying Prevention
Poetry
Publishing
Random Acts Of Kindness Week
Readers' Theater
Reading
Reading Into Thanksgiving
Recipes
Reluctant Readers
School
School Visit
September Series: Integrating Bullying Prevention Part III: History
September Special Series
Slime
Snacks
Social/Emotional Skills
Sort
S.T.E.A.M.
Stephen Covey
Summer
Summer Reading
Summer Slide
Superhero
Support For Parents
Sweet Treats
Teaching
The Case For Curiosity
The Me Inside
The Secret Life Of...
The Weird Series
This Is A. Blob
This Is A. Blob SLIME Craft
This Is...Learning To Look Beyond Labels
Tips
To Kill A Mockingbird
Too Old For Picture Books?
Too Old For Picture Books? Part II
Turning Over A Good Attitude
Understanding The Bystander Effect
Unity Day
Upstander
Valentine's Day
When Loving Isn't Easy
When The Mask Won't Come Off
When Things Fall Apart
Women's History Month
Worldwide Erase Meanness Day
Writing
Writing Tips
RSS Feed
