In the series' first installment, This is A. Blob, we learn that A. Blob may be a bully, but there just might be something more beneath the surface. In the follow-up book, A. Blob is back to its bullying ways--until one brave girl takes a stand! In A. Blob on a Bus, readers learn that one small voice can make a BIG change! The ending leaves us wondering: just what IS under A. Blob's purple slime, and will an upstander's actions cause A. Blob to abandon its bullying ways for good? A. Blob on a Bus empowers children to take a stand for what is right and displays the power of kindness in bringing bullying to an end. A book with such an important message deserves an amazing birthday party--and that means CAKE! Slime cake, of course. If you want to make your own A. Blob slime cake to celebrate A. Blob on Bus's one year anniversary, keep reading!
Edible Slime Frosting
If you try out these recipes, let us know in the comments! If you haven't had a chance to read A. Blob on a Bus, or This is A. Blob, by L.A. Kefalos, you can pick your copy up in our shop today! Happy Book Birthday A. Blob on a Bus, by L.A. Kefalos!
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Readers’ Theater is a learning strategy that gained popularity in the classroom during the 1990s (though dramatizing stories has been around since long before then!). This strategy helps bring books to life while also developing reading fluency, public speaking skills, confidence, teamwork, and more. Cara Bafile writes in a Reading Rockets article on the topic, “Its goal is to enhance students’ reading skills and confidence by having them practice reading with a purpose. Readers’ Theater gives students a real reason to read aloud.” Because it is read out loud, Readers’ Theater can help students cultivate a whole host of skills that will benefit them both in and out of the classroom. Performing a script connects the way a word is read on the page to the way it is pronounced--a skill that even some adults struggle with! As they perform the play, students practice reading with expression, attaching meaning to words and phrases, and they learn how to work with their classmates to bring the story to life. An added benefit is the opportunity for imaginative play. Readers’ Theater scripts are just one interpretation of a story. Once they get the hang of performing written scripts, students can be challenged to try writing their own scripts! Not only does this further build creativity and important literacy skills, it aids educators in assessing students' reading comprehension and discovering what lessons stick out to them as important. From a social-emotional perspective, Readers’ Theater can help students empathize with the characters in the story and pick up on more subtle character traits and emotions. |
Allow plenty of practice time and assure students they do not need to memorize their scripts. In fact, they shouldn’t as reading is the primary goal of the exercise. In this Reading Rockets article, children's literature consultant, Judy Freeman, recommends performing the script at least twice. "The first time, the children will be struggling with words and their meanings, and with making sense of the play. The second time, they'll be able to focus on enjoying the performance and their parts in it.” |
And that's it! Readers' Theater is simple, effective, and easy to adapt for any age.
For more tips on starting your own Readers’ Theater, visit these resources:
Try It!
If you perform this readers’ theater, let us know in the comments. We’d love to see your interpretation!
*While this script is written for 5 students, it can easily be adapted for fewer numbers. The 2 narrators can be condensed to one and additional characters can be either condensed or multiple characters can be read by one student.
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. |
What You’ll Need
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To Create A. Blob
- Mix the water, baking soda, and food coloring together to form a soft dough. If your dough begins to crumble, simply add more water.
- Make a small “pancake” with about 1.5 Tbs of dough.
- Write your message on a small strip of paper and roll into a small scroll (see lesson below for message ideas).
- Place the message onto the pancake of dough and mold the dough around your message.
- Add more dough and mold into the shape of A. Blob.
- Place your blobs on the cookie sheet and let sit until dry.
Please also note that the food coloring WILL slightly stain your hands when you form the blobs. If this is a problem, we suggest grabbing some plastic gloves and your hands will be stain free!
The Lesson
Begin by reading This is A. Blob, by L.A. Kefalos. Before starting, ask the students to make predictions about A. Blob. What do they think A. Blob will be like? Why? Ask this same question halfway through the story. |
- They want to feel powerful
- Fear of rejection
- They have been bullied themselves
While these issues don’t make it ok to bully others, understanding them can help us find positive solutions to the bullying. For example, if A. Blob hurts others because it is afraid it will be rejected for looking different, being mean and hurtful in return will only make the situation worse.
- How will A. Blob will behave on a bus?
- Will its loneliness cause it to change its behaviors?
The Activity
Extensions
The Science
The chemical reaction that occurs is written as:
(sodium bicarbonate/baking soda) NaHCO3(s) + ( dilute acetic acid/vinegar) CH3COOH(l) -> (Sodium acetate) CH3COONa(aq) + (water) H2O(l) + (carbon dioxide) CO2(g)
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. |
The kids will love making their own "A. Blobs" and you will love the learning happening along the way!
MAKING AN IMPACT
You will need: cornstarch, water, mixing bowl, spatula or other stirring device, measuring cups, funnel, purple balloons, scissors, black permanent marker Basic Ratio 1 part water 2 parts cornstarch *1 cup water to 2 cups cornstarch will make 2 balloon balls Craft Instructions:·
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The Lesson:
Step 2: Open a discussion about the story. How did A. Blob’s presence change the environment of the bus? If no one liked the way A. Blob was behaving, why did it take so long for anyone to stand up to it? What are some helpful ways to stand up to others? What are some not-so-helpful ways?
Step 3: Craft time! As you make the craft, continue the discussion on being an upstander.
-Images from A. Blob on a Bus, by L.A. Kefalos, illustrated by Jeffrey Burns
If you use this craft in your classroom or home, we’d love to see! Tag us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and use the hashtag #ABlobCraft.
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! |
My Book – A. Blob on a Bus
Why a Bus?During the last year, you don’t know how many times I have been asked the question, “Why a bus?” The first time was a cold afternoon in January, when my friend Mark and I were boarding one in upper Manhattan to head downtown, and he complained, “Why a bus? Can’t we take a cab?” The second time happened this past spring when I went back home to Ohio and brought my nieces and nephews New York City school bus keychains as souvenirs. |
I was headed north up Hudson Drive when I spotted the giant yellow buggy in front of me. I groaned at the sight of it because no one wants a school bus in front of them when time is of the essence. I was headed to the gym before work, so all I saw in front of me was a flabby stomach and flabby thighs on wheels. Certainly this bus was going to, at some point, lower its mighty arm, signaling, “Stop, you impatient woman, you won’t have time for sit ups today.” |

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! |
Here are just a few of the things we LOVE about A. Blob on a Bus:
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Before A. Blob was on a bus, it was wreaking havoc on the playground! In This is A.Blob, by L.A. Kefalos, the first installment of The Blob Series, we meet the purple, blob-like creature as it wreaks havoc with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that there may be more to A.Blob than meets the eye. This story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another and encourages readers to think about why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help. |
March is Women's History Month; a time of the year when we celebrate the strong and amazing women who have made this world a better place. What began as a mere week of celebration in 1981 was soon extended to an entire month in 1987. Since then, the stories of thousands of women, from riveters and researchers to suffragettes and singers, have been brought to light and told, some, for the very first time.
Today, thanks to the hard work and dedication of centuries of those who came before them, women can, and do, work in nearly every field imaginable--including writing! In celebration of Women's History Month, we decided to catch up with one our amazing women authors, L.A. Kefalos, to find out what women have inspired her and what she hopes to share with her young audience in her soon-to-be released picture book, A. Blob on a Bus. |
Catching Up With L.A. Kefalos
Well, first and foremost, I must say my mother. She always offered me encouragement and supported me in whatever I wanted to do. She made me think I could accomplish anything. I studied electrical engineering in college. I guess I am always inspired when I meet any strong, independent, and intelligent women, especially those breaking down barriers.
3. Do you have any favorite women authors? Oh yes. The first woman author I fell in love with was in the second grade when my teacher, Ms. Hixon, read us Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary. I remember I couldn’t wait to go to our local library and find more books by her. I read every book they had of hers. I especially loved the Beezus and Ramona characters. Do you know Beverly Cleary is still alive? She is 102 years old. She brought a lot of joy to many kids in those 102 years! The other woman author I love is Toni Morrison. I discovered her in high school. I can’t remember which I read first, Sula or Song of Solomon. Her unique writing style caught my attention. I don’t know how to describe it; the word 'poetic' springs to mind. She uses a lot of analogies and similes for her descriptions of situations and characters. Oh, and I loved all the nicknames the characters had. They were so creative and unusual--a word or two words you would never think of to use as a name. She also brought in historical facts to her stories that captivated my interest. I loved her writing, but also loved watching her in interviews. I remember thinking when I was watching one of her interviews that she must have lived multiple lives to have gained so much wisdom. Before we leave this question, I just want to mention a book I recently finished, The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. I was a little late to the game in reading it, but I am so glad I did. There are moments in life when art in whatever form moves you-- the last chapter of The Goldfinch was a moment for me. What beautiful writing. |
4. In your upcoming release, A. Blob on a Bus, we get a cameo from a character found in your animated short--Alexandra. What inspired you to bring her into the Blob universe?
Well, I have written a couple of stories with Alexandra and there are more stories in my head for her. In A. Blob on a Bus, I was looking for a character to stand up to a bully and I thought, “Who better than Alexandra?”. She is a confident little girl. I think confidence is key to standing up for yourself, and others. I know it is difficult, especially for young people to have such confidence. I hope Alexandra helps those who read this story to realize it is possible to say something when someone is being unfair.
The challenging part for the book was getting her to look more like the style of the illustrations in the Blob series. For one thing, she needed to age a few years. I wanted her to be a little bit older for her ride on the bus. Our illustrator, Jeff Burns, did a fabulous job in transforming Alexandra. I am really happy with the outcome.
5. Alexandra is definitely a strong female character. What do you hope children will learn from Alexandra both in this story and in previous stories including her? In my stories, there is always a lesson to be learned or some kind of message. In Crocs, Pots, and Wildebeests, I wanted to get kids excited about the library. When I was a kid, the library was a magical place for me. I remember going for the first time, and coming out with a stack of books and thinking, “I can bring these all home for free?”. Kids who are not going to the library are missing out. As far as Alexandra in A. Blob on a Bus, there are many messages in the story, but I think the main message that I wanted to convey to children is that we all have a responsibility to watch out for one another and that we are stronger working as a team.
6. Is Alexandra based off of anyone in your real life, or is she pure imagination? Hmmm, interesting question. I want to say pure imagination. If you watch Crocs, you will see Alexandra has quite the imagination herself, so maybe she takes a little after me. I didn’t have the imagination that Alex possesses as a child, I just have it now in my adult life. ; ) |
7. One of the main themes of A. Blob on a Bus is standing up against bullies. Why did you choose this as the focus for the trilogy’s second installment?
It is the natural progression when you have a problem, you have to figure out how to solve it. Standing up to a bully can be one solution, but you need the support of everyone around you, whether it be classmates, teachers, or parents.
8. What are you most looking forward to when the weather turns warmer?
Taking my dog to the park without 6 layers of insulation on!
To learn more about L.A. Kefalos, visit our Author Page.
L.A. Kefalos's newest book, and the second in The Blob Trilogy, A. Blob on a Bus, will hit shelves this spring! Be sure to pick up your copy of the first book in the series, This is A. Blob, today!
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. |
The LessonDesigned to accompany the picture book, This is A. Blob, by L.A. Kefalos, today’s activity helps illustrate the lesson that there is more inside all of us than initially meets the eye. In This is A. Blob, we meet A. Blob, a purple, blob-like creature that bullies other children on the playground. As the story progresses, we learn there may be more to this character than meets the eye. |
The Activity
Next, give each student a cartoon person to color and design to resemble themselves (download template here). Finally, cut the picture in half and glue the edges to the written stories to make two flaps.
It’s easy to label people. Getting to know people takes time and vulnerability. It takes patience and the willingness to admit you were wrong sometimes. However, it is the first big step in resolving a multitude of issues such as prejudice and bullying. Once we learn all the things about each other that are different than we thought, the more we can begin to discover all the things that are the same.
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 and 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! |
Today’s craft is designed to help children understand that attitudes—joyful ones and not-so-joyful ones—are contagious and so we must be careful about what we pass on. To help demonstrate this, we will be making shaving cream transfer prints. This delightfully simple craft is based off of the picture book This is A. Blob, by L.A. Kefalos which explores the causes and effects of bullying through a unique set of eyes. Through the actions of the main character, we see how pain causes pain, and negativity breeds more negativity. One word of warning: this craft is simple, but it DOES GET MESSY. If you choose to use food coloring, be prepared with the knowledge that food coloring can stain hands, clothing, and surfaces, so be sure to prep surfaces you don’t want ruined with newspaper, plastic, aprons, etc. |
You will need:
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In the book we read about A. Blob and learn that it has no friends because it bullies…and it bullies because it has no friends. Sadly, this situation is not uncommon. Many children who bully and cause pain do so because they are in pain or have been bullied themselves. Often, the response to bullying is to respond with anger, violence, and more negativity and the vicious cycle continues. This craft recollects the main character of the story while also providing a visual reminder that our actions and attitudes can be catching—for better or worse.
Directions
4. Taking a craft stick or any flat scraping device (I used cardboard), gently scrape the shaving cream off the paper, leaving your print behind
7. Talk about what students learned from the craft. Do they see how one attitude easily transfers to others? How will this affect the way they act in the future?
Pro Tips:
- Scrape the shaving cream off right away before it has time to make the paper too soggy
- Keep paper or regular towels on hand to help keep the messes contained
- Keep a bowl of water around or work near a sink for the same reason as above
- If you want to get extra-creative, you can make a marbled design inside of A.Blob that represents what it is feeling inside. Here are directions on marbling via blogger The Artful Parent. Instead of placing the shaving cream directly on the paper, make the marbled design in a separate pan, blot the design on half the paper, and fold as before to double to design.
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 and 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! |

― Abraham Lincoln
The human brain likes to categorize: “This is GOOD and That is BAD”. However, in the real world, subtleties and gray areas exist far more often than not. Life and people are marvelously and beautifully complex and we do both a great disservice when we try to put them in boxes that can be tied up neatly with bows. |
Instead of viewing the world in black and white, we must allow ourselves to see in radiant Technicolor.
We can’t make every person and every bad situation better, but we can choose not to despair.
"Just" Inspired by the picture book This is A. Blob, by L.A. Kefalos You Might just see A bully And Nothing more Just a bully Don’t say that it’s Capable of doing better A bully isn’t Don’t tell me It’s true Just a word can inspire The bully to lash out, Causing Pain You might see Actions Beyond mean and cruel Look It will never change Don’t believe It will TRANSFORM And Be a friend All you can do is TRY For a better tomorrow And hope The bullying behavior Could look past You Now read it again, backwards, line by line |
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Let us know what you thought of the poem in the comments below. If any of you have taken up the challenge, please feel free to share your work, as well!
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! |
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…
$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.
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