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
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
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!
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 "A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops." --Henry Adams Last week, we celebrated teachers everywhere during Teacher Appreciation Week. From 12-hour days to spending nearly $500 dollars of their own money each year on classroom supplies, teachers are some of the hardest working individuals out there, sacrificing time, money, and sometimes even their sanity to shape and nurture the next generation. Talk to any teacher, and they’ll tell you that it’s a juggling act. Not only do they have to to build effective lessons that meet individual learning needs while also making things fun and engaging, teachers must also attend to the social and emotional needs of their students. To be a teacher, you have to be persistent, resilient, creative, and have a deep understanding of humans of all ages. So, it isn’t surprising to learn that some of the greatest authors of all time used to be teachers. While they may not be educators in the traditional sense, authors take us to new places, introduce us to new people, share new ideas and, in sometimes subtle, sometimes plain ways, teach us about the world and the people in it. In honor of all the incredible teachers out there who have shaped our lives and opened up countless young minds to the joys of reading and writing, we have put together a list of 5 famous authors who once made their living in the classroom. We hope you enjoy--and then go thank a teacher!
Robert Lee Frost, born March 26, 1874, was an American poet, but he had several other jobs before being honored with numerous Pulitzer Prizes. From the beginning, writing and teaching were in his blood. His father was an editor at the San Francisco Bulletin, as well as a teacher. Though Frost tragically lost his dad when he was just a child, it seems that he managed to pick up his parent’s passion for writing and sharing the English language. After graduating from high school, Frost attended Dartmouth College, but soon dropped out to work several jobs, including co-teaching a class of boys along with his mother. After his time with the boys’ school, Frost tried to make a go of farming. While the tranquil setting of the farm inspired many of his most popular poems, it unfortunately proved not to be the career for him. Having failed as a farmer, Robert returned to his teaching roots and taught English at New Hampshire’s Pinkerton Academy from 1906-1911. In his later years, he also went on to teach at several higher institutions of learning, including the New Hampshire Normal School (now Plymouth State University), Amherst College, and the Bread Loaf School of English of Middlebury College. J.K Rowling "I think that I've had a very strange life."  Joanne Rowling, born July 31, 1965, is one of the most globally recognized (and certainly one of the wealthiest!) authors of all time. She is best known for writing the Harry Potter book series, which has sold more than 500 million copies, been adapted for the screen, and won multiple awards. However, her path to world-renowned author was anything but straight and had multiple stops along the way--including a stop in the classroom. Rowling graduated from the University of Exeter in 1986 after which she worked as a researcher and bilingual secretary while also writing essays and, eventually, Harry Potter. The idea for the story of the boy wizard famously came to her while on a delayed trip from Manchester to London in 1990. Though she began writing almost immediately afterwards, the first book in the series wouldn’t be published for seven more years. In between that first lightning bolt of inspiration and publication, Rowling picked up her life and moved to Porto, Portugal, to teach English. The job required her to teach at night, which left the day free to write her novel. Perhaps some of her time in this classroom made its way into the halls of Hogwarts.
After graduating college, Brown wanted to pursue his dream of becoming a famous musician. It was this goal, in fact, that first led him to teaching. In 1991, he took up a job teaching classes at Beverly Hills Preparatory School in order to pay the bills. When the stage lights passed him by, Dan moved back to his hometown where he taught English and Spanish for 3 years. In 1996, he decided to quit teaching in order to pursue writing full-time. It paid off when his first book, Digital Fortress, was published in 1998.
Like other authors on our list, William followed in the footsteps of his father, who was a science master at Marlborough Grammar School. Unlike the previous writers, Golding continued teaching young students throughout much of his life. His first position was as a schoolmaster at Maidstone Grammar School where he taught English and music from 1938-1940. His teaching career was interrupted by the battles of WWII, during which time he served in the Royal Navy. Returning home in 1945, Golding found his long-term post at Bishop Wordsworth’s School, where he would teach English for the next 16 years. His first and most famous novel, Lord of the Flies, was published during his time at Wordsworth’s and the characters contained within are said to have been heavily influenced by Golding's many rambunctious students.
When it came time to go to college, this passion would lead him to study English at the University of Maine where he also earned his teaching certificate. Upon graduation, King had a difficult time finding a teaching position and, in a reversal from the plight of most writers, he had to sell stories in order to support himself while he looked for a job in teaching! In 1971, one year after his college graduation, King was hired to teach at Hampden Academy, a public high school in Maine. While there, he continued to write and sell short stories and work on ideas for books. When his now-famous novel, Carrie, was published in 1973, King’s career as a horror writer was officially launched and he transitioned away from teaching to write full-time. *** Filled with knowledge, theories, questions, and exploits, books can be some of our greatest teachers. Through reading, we can go anywhere and learn anything. Thank you to the teachers who first make the jumbled symbols on the page transform into adventures and place pencils in hands and teach us to build worlds of our own.  Have you heard? A. Blob is back and this time, things are about to get stickier than ever. When A. Blob boards the school bus, it seems like the children of Lincoln Elementary School will never get away from its ooey, gooey bullying behavior, but can one small voice change everything? Even A. Blob? Find out in A. Blob on a Bus, by L.A. Kefalos, the second installment of The Blob Series, coming this spring.
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.
Catching Up With L.A. Kefalos 1. Where are you living and working now? I am living in New York City and working in Westchester County for a company that works in the entertainment industry. I am a lead Automation Engineer there. I write my children's stories on the weekends. I love both jobs and I adore NYC. 2. March is Women’s History Month! What women have inspired and encouraged you in your life? 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.
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.  Alexandra in Crocs, Pots, and Widebeests, by L.A. Kefalos (2009) 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.
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! *** If you would like to learn more about National Women's History Month and explore the stories of the women that it celebrates, visit womenshistorymonth.gov/. 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!
 It’s easy to label people; He’s a nerd, she’s smart, he’s dumb, he’s nice, she’s a bully, etc. Labeling helps us simplify an often complex world and creates a sense of safety and belonging for those who can’t find it anywhere else. Unfortunately, far from solving the problem, such behavior often makes it much worse. When we label others and try to put them into boxes, we lose so much of what makes them, them. We miss out. And we send the message that they will never be anything else, for better or worse.
Begin the activity by reading through This is A. Blob. Talk about what can be learned about the main character through the story. Were there any surprises? How would it change the story if other children in the book knew about A. Blob’s secret? Can they think of a few people in their own life about whom they have made assumptions? Have others made assumptions about them? What did this mean for their relationships and the way they treated others and themselves? Following discussion, give each student a piece of lined paper with a space to draw a picture (download templates here). Instruct them to write about something that most other students don’t know about them and include a picture (it can be hand-drawn or pasted in). For example, are they a great big brother? Do they take dance classes? Do they love cooking special dishes with their grandmother? Be sure to note that this should be something they are comfortable sharing and shouldn’t be anything too personal.
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. If you have the time, allow students to present their projects to the class. Following presentations, have students either write or discuss what they learned and how or if it changed the way they viewed their peers. Will this change the way they approach other relationships?
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. I hope you enjoy this activity and it helps bring your classroom closer together. What are some fun things about yourself that not many people know? Share 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 and encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help.  Happy December!!! It’s a month for spreading joy and bringing cheer. One simply can’t help smiling as sleigh bells ring, gifts are exchanged, and people wish good tidings everywhere you go; the joy is simply contagious. Perhaps no other time of year demonstrates the catching quality of attitudes quite like the Christmas season. Unfortunately, not all contagious attitudes are so cheery. Negativity and bullying can spread like wildfire, as can the sadness and pain that accompanies those actions.
You will need:
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
3. Once you have your desired shape, fold the blank half of paper over to the shaving cream half and press GENTLY. It is crucial that you don’t completely press the paper down or else you will just get a colored piece of paper and the shaving cream squished everywhere, then unfold your paper
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 5. Let paper sit until dry 6. Once dry, draw on eyes and any words or designs you’d like. I wrote “Attitudes are Contagious”. You could also draw A. Blob’s thoughts and emotions inside  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? 8. Hang up finished prints as a reminder to spread joy and not negativity! Pro Tips:
We hope you enjoy this quick and easy craft! Check back here each week for more crafts and insights. If you try this craft at home, please share your work in the comments! We’d love to see what you create! _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________  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.  As an exercise, pause right now and think about everything you’ve done today that required reading. Did check your email when you woke up? What about locate the correct aisle in the grocery store? Find the right exit on your way to Thanksgiving dinner? What about simply scrolling through your Facebook feed? Everyday tasks such as grocery shopping, navigating, and even taking in entertainment are made possible largely as a result of the ability to read, yet it is a skill we often take for granted.
Reading organizes and streamlines our lives; As a result of reading, we can decipher directions to put together furniture and read the instructions of our prescriptions. Reading allows us to make informed choices, to learn new skills, and keep in touch with loved ones. Plus, it’s fun. Unfortunately, 1 in 5 people worldwide are cut off from these privileges because they cannot read or write. This number does not even include those living in a country in which they do not speak the language. Not only does this mean that those who cannot read are not able to do or benefit from all of the above activities, it also means they cannot inform themselves on important topics, often putting them at the mercy of those with more education.  The true cost of illiteracy is staggering. Those who cannot read or write will have difficulty finding employment, which means they will likely struggle with finances, finding adequate healthcare, and a host of other necessities. According to an article by Central Georgia Tech College, low literacy in adulthood can be connected to almost every socio-economic issue in the United States:
Voting, getting a driver’s license, or finding a good doctor all become difficult, if not impossible tasks without the ability to read and comprehend. All because of one small skill that most of us use every day without thinking. THANKFULLY, there are those out there who are doing something to solve this problem. Individuals and organizations throughout the world have dedicated themselves to the mission of ending illiteracy and instilling mastery and a love of reading in both young and old. There are a multitude of ways that you can join in these efforts. We have outlined a few of the larger organizations that are leading this mission below if you would like to join in their work. However, you can help improve literacy without ever spending a penny or even leaving your own city! Here’s how:
2. Talk about what you’ve read: Just as important as the ability to read is the ability to comprehend what has been read. When you read with someone, carry it beyond the page. Restate the story in your own words and ask others to do the same. Ask questions such as: What are the motives of the characters? What would happen if the story where to continue or if a plot point were to change? What were the themes and messages to the story? Not only do these actions build comprehension skills, they build social skills such as empathy, listening, and the ability to respectfully discuss ideas. 3. Volunteer: Whether you like working with children or adults, there is sure to be an opportunity to help build literacy in your community. Check out your local Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, library, shelters, and centers for English Language Learners. Many of these organizations are in need of people to read, tutor, or even teach courses.
If you would rather join in with already-established organizations, here are a few that are working hard each day to build literacy around the globe: World Literacy Foundation- The World Literacy Foundation is working in partnership with 3,920 groups internationally across 25 countries, including Australia, UK, USA, and others in Africa and Latin America, with one common goal: to eradicate illiteracy in our lifetime. Through literacy, they aim to reduce poverty, improve health, increase employment and educational prospects, and see lives changed forever. Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy-The mission of the Barbara Bush Foundation is to advocate for and establish literacy as a value in every home. Over the past 25 years, the Barbara Bush Foundation has sponsored 1,500 family literacy programs in 50 states for both children and adults by partnering with a network of high-performing local family literacy programs across the nation.  Picture via http://barbarabush.org/ National Coalition for Literacy- A national coalition of the leading national and regional organizations dedicated to advancing adult education, family literacy, and English language acquisition in the U.S. They exist to help advocates, leaders, and others who care about literacy make a positive difference advocating for adult education and family literacy. ProLiteracy- The largest adult literacy and basic education membership organization in the nation, believes that a safer, stronger, and more sustainable society starts with an educated adult population. For more than 60 years, ProLiteracy has been working across the globe to create a world where every person can read and write. They support 1,000 member programs in the U.S. and 25 countries worldwide that provide adult literacy instruction, advocate for awareness, funding, and support for a more literate society, provide professional development to increase the capacity and quality of adult literacy programs, and produce more than 400 print and digital instructional tools for tutors and students. These are just a few of the many literacy programs for children and adults across the nation with which you can get involved. To find a program operating near you, click on the organization links above.  The ability to read and write can quite literally change someone’s life. It is knowledge, freedom, and joy. This Thanksgiving, we are thankful for books, the ability to read and create them, and for all those who are working tirelessly to ensure that number grows each day! We hope you are having a wonderful holiday—now go read a book, because you can!! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________  Like literacy, the key to solving bullying is to begin while children are young. This is A. Blob, a tale of a slimy, purple, blob-like creature that wreaks havoc on the playground with its bullying ways, was designed specifically with young readers in mind. With its rhyming text and vibrant illustrations, this 10-page picture book and its sticky purple star are sure to capture the hearts of even the earliest readers. Written by Lori Kefalos, author of several animated shorts, This is A. Blob is the first of a series following this bully.
This first installment follows the antics of A. Blob, as it pushes, slimes, and bullies other children. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that there may be more to A. Blob than meets the eye. Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this book 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.   “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” ― Abraham Lincoln I was reminded of this quote by our 16th President as I attempted to complete the poetry challenge set forth in last week’s blog. Trying to gain some inspiration, I read several poems written in the same forwards-backwards style of the challenge and I was struck with just how much a simple change of perspective can alter our outlook and attitude entirely.
Instead of viewing the world in black and white, we must allow ourselves to see in radiant Technicolor. Some might view such thinking as little more than a way to let bad behavior go unpunished; however, I would disagree. Taking the time to see things from someone else’s perspective is, instead, a way to let good behavior find its way out. It is a way to cut bad behavior off at its source. Looking for the positive doesn’t dismiss the negative; it simply doesn’t allow it to take control. We can’t make every person and every bad situation better, but we can choose not to despair. This challenge was a stretch for me, but I’m so glad to have taken it on. Not only did it stretch and sharpen my skills as a writer, it reminded me to slow down, step back, and look for a new perspective. I hope it has done the same for you! So, without further ado, here is my forwards-backwards poem:
*** 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! _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________  This is A. Blob is a masterfully illustrated picture book suitable for children ages 4-8. This first installment in a series 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 there might be more to A. Blob 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 demonstrates that a bully can come in any shape, size, or color and encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help.
  November is National Novel Writing Month. In addition to celebrating writers, National Novel Writing Month (or NaNoWriMo as it is referred to by some), extends a challenge to writers of all ages and experience levels to write a 50,000 word novel by 11:59pm on November 30. Throughout the event's 17 years of existence, participants have ranged from elementary students all the way up to seasoned authors such as Sara Gruen, author of Water For Elephants, and Rainbow Rowell, author of FanGirl. In fact, several New York Times Best Sellers began as projects for National Novel Writing Month.
In addition to bringing awareness to the art of novel writing, NaNoWriMo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that offers several programs to encourage and aid both budding and experienced writers. Prep resources, writing locations, and writing parties are all built into the month’s celebrations. The organization even has a virtual writing retreat that provides community and resources to participants. You can read more on the National Novel Writing Month website. In the spirit of National Novel Writing Month, I thought it would be fun to take on and extend a challenge to all of you! A writing friend shared this challenge and I would now like to extend it to you: Write a short story or poem that can be read both forwards and backwards. Think it’s impossible?? Here is an example of just such a poem that was found written in a London bar: Today was the absolute worst day ever And don't try to convince me that There's something good in every day Because, when you take a closer look, This world is a pretty evil place. Even if Some goodness does shine through once in a while Satisfaction and happiness don't last. And it's not true that It's all in the mind and heart Because True happiness can be attained Only if one's surroundings are good It's not true that good exists I'm sure you can agree that The reality Creates My attitude It's all beyond my control And you'll never in a million years hear me say Today was a very good day Are you up for the challenge? I will be posting our attempt on next week’s blog. If you would like your story or poem featured, leave it in the comments below or email us at info@laughingleopardpress.com and you may see it on the Laughing Leopard Blog next week! Happy writing! _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________  This is A. Blob is a masterfully illustrated picture book suitable for children ages 4-8. Written by Lori Kefalos, author of several award-nominated animated shorts, 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 there might be more to A. Blob 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 demonstrates that a bully can come in any shape, size, or color and encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help.
 Extending stories into classroom activities is always a fun and effective way to help children remember what they’ve just read and establish a deeper connection with the lessons of books. When I found this recipe for chocolate pretzel treats, I knew right away that they would make a perfect extension for the picture book, This is A. Blob, by L.A. Kefalos. Not only are they affordable and easy to make, they look exactly like the gooey, purple main character of the story!
In the picture book, This is A. Blob, by L.A. Kefalos, we are introduced to an interesting character named A. Blob that looks a little…different than the other students. When we first see A. Blob, it’s acting less than kind, punching, oozing, stealing lunches, and being a general bully. As the story progresses, however, we learn that perhaps there is more to A. Blob than meets the eye. Through this simple story, children will learn about why people bully, the importance of empathy, and that bullying never solves problems. Here’s what you’ll need to create your own A. Blob treats: Ingredients
I purchased my candy at a local bulk-candy store. However, you should be able to find white melting chocolate at most grocery stores. If you don’t see the color you need, simply melt the chocolate and add a little food coloring! If you aren’t able to get your hands on any candy eyes, mini marshmallows and a dot of chocolate will do just fine! Directions
If you don't have a microwave, you can easily improvise a double boiler with a pan, water, and a glass bowl. Simply fill the pan with a small amount of water and place the glass bowl into the pan so there is about 1-2 inches between the water and the glass bowl. Bring the water to a gentle boil and let it simmer. Add the chocolate to the glass bowl and stir until melted.
Notes
As you and your students mix up your own delicious A. Blob treats, take the time to discuss what “ingredients” went into making A. Blob act the way it did. When you pour the yummy, sweet chocolate over the hard, salty pretzels, talk about ways we can respond to difficult situations with kindness. Ask questions such as “would these treats taste very good if we poured something sour over them, like vinegar? What if we just added more salt?” In the same way, responding to bullying with bullying will just make a yucky mess.  When the time comes to give A. Blob its candy eyes, talk about the importance of empathy and looking through the eyes of others. How could empathy have helped A. Blob and the other students? How can we all use empathy in our everyday lives? What are ways we can look through the eyes of others? Finally, when the treats are finished, remind your students that we all deal with difficult things in our lives and, like the chocolate covered pretzels, these hard things are often hidden inside. We can’t always tell by looking at people that they are hurting. That is why it is so important to treat everyone with kindness—even bullies! *** I hope you and your students have fun making these A. Blob treats and that they bring a little sweetness to your day! Let us know in the comments how yours turn out! _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________  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.  As many of you know, October is National Bullying Prevention Month. This event was created by Pacer to help bring awareness to the issue of bullying and unite students and adults from all over the nation to work together to end bullying once and for all. One important part of National Bullying Prevention Month is Unity Day. Unity Day is a day on which Pacer encourages schools, communities, and individuals to show that they are united against bullying and united for acceptance and inclusion. A few ways they suggest doing this are by organizing assemblies, participating in walks or runs, and wearing ORANGE —the color of bullying prevention! To show our support of Unity Day, we decided to adapt our fun This is A. Blob Slime craft to be ORANGE!! This craft, designed to accompany the picture book, This is A. Blob, by L.A. Kefalos, is a fun way to begin the discussion about bullying with your younger children while joining in the Unity Day activities. As you mix your slime ingredients, talk about the “ingredients” that go into making a bully, such as insecurity and pain. As the mixture turns gooey, discuss how small words and actions can lead to a big sticky mess of bullying when they combine!
Another fun idea is to give the slime away as a random act of kindness for your celebration of Unity Day! However you choose to play, the important thing is that you have fun and bring awareness to the importance of bullying prevention!! Here are the steps you'll need to create your own ORANGE A. Blob!
Step 1: Read This is A. Blob, by L.A. Kefalos Step 2: Discuss Open discussion about the book: Were A. Blob’s actions acceptable? How do you think these actions made the other children feel? Why do you think A. Blob acted the way it did? What would/could you do if you were on the playground to stop bullying? Step 3: Create!
3. Mix in food coloring until the desired color is achieved. I used 15 drops of red and yellow to get this particular shade of orange.
4. In your smaller bowl, mix 1tsp of Borax with 1/2 cup of warm to hot water. Again, the hotter the water, the easier this step will be and the slimier your slime will turn out. Make sure to stir until the Borax is completely dissolved.
There are so many exciting ways to spread the message to stop bullying and start living with kindness. I hope you enjoy this little twist on our favorite craft. Let us know how YOU are celebrating Unity Day in the comments below! Fun with This is A. Blob Slime! Happy Unity Day 2016!!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________  Books are excellent tools for helping children build empathy and become upstanders! This is A. Blob is a masterfully illustrated picture book suitable for children ages 4-8. Written by Lori Kefalos, author of several award-nominated animated shorts, 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 there might be more to A. Blob 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 demonstrates that a bully can come in any shape, size, or color and encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help.
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About Laughing Leopard PressHello! 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! 
This is A. Blob by L. A Kefalos. $14.95
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